What Rot!
Anyone who thinks that there is wildlife living in the wooden structure of the Odiham Bessonneau hangar, hasn't seen it! The wooden parts are coated with creosote or tar-like substances (probably long since banned!), and any heebygeeby would have to have a very strong stomach to try and munch through it.
Whilst it is true to say that minor parts (diagonal roof braces between trusses) of the structure have distorted in places, this is due to nuts having detached from bolts due to the constant flexing of the structure in the wind, and insufficient wire bracing on the end of the hangar facing the prevailing wind. The gliding club have long been banned from attempting to perform maintenance on the hangar (it used to receive a visit from skilled personnel from RAF Sealand until the unit was disbanded).
If the correct bracing wires were restored, the nuts loctited to the bolts, which secure the wooden parts to each other, and snow poles lowered as the weather dictates, there is no reason why this hangar should not last for years with routine maintenance.
As I understand it, if anyone wants the hangar, they would have to put together a plan to dismantle the hangar which pays full attention to the health and safety and insurance implications of doing so (working at height etc.), or employ a contractor who is already so equipped.
Last edited by Mechta; 30th Sep 2009 at 01:46.