Living near a construction site can be tough. The heavy machinery, road disruptions, and noise can be overwhelming. Our team gets that and always tries to see things from the residents’ perspective. Craig Lowery, our Site Manager at the SVSF Astley school site, along with Craig Madge from BAM, recently noticed a neighbour’s open yard gates revealing his incredible handcrafted timber structures, including various bird boxes. They chatted briefly with him about his work before letting him continue his day. We’ve learned through daily interactions that his windmills are now proudly owned by people across the North East & Yorkshire.
Chris, a retired lumberjack who has lived in Seaton Delaval for over 30 years, spends his days creating these windmills from recycled pallets and timber. Craig Lowrey, our Site Manager often talks with Chris, exchanging simple greetings or having longer chats. Chris, initially wary of the project, now regularly engages with the team and has become part of our site family. To honour Chris’s craftsmanship, the team decided to display one of his windmills on-site. It stands atop a planter installed by the GRKC team, facing the new development—a symbol of community spirit in Seaton Delaval. Despite the initial discomfort of having a construction site as a backyard neighbour, it’s clear that positive relationships and outcomes can emerge during the construction phase when the right teams are involved.
Reflecting on this heartwarming collaboration, a spokesperson from GRK Civils shared,
“At GRK, we believe that construction projects can do more than build structures—they can build bridges within communities. Our values of empathy, respect, and empowerment are not just words; they are at the core of everything we do”.
This project will ultimately provide an exceptional academy for the children of Seaton Delaval and the surrounding areas. Chris has even formed friendships with many workers from GRK Civils, BAM, and other subcontractors. At GRK Civils, We truly embody our values and mission in everything we do. Our goal is to transform the experience of clients, employees, and communities within our industry, and this commitment shines through at the SVSF site.
His windmill is not just a tribute to him but to the local community’s resilience and talent.
