High Winds, No Problem!
OK, who ordered the high winds?
It's always a worry when high winds are forecast especially when marquees are involved.
When wind was forecast to be between 22 – 25 mph with gusts of between 34 – 47mph last weekend, we decided extra precautions had to be made. Although our frame marquees are tested to withstand winds up to 50mph and our traditional marquees are tested to withstand winds up to 80mph, it is better to be safe than sorry. We made our clients aware that the marquee walls needed to be closed at all times and that we would be using extra stakes and ratchets to ensure the marquees were secured to the ground as much as possible. We also advised we would be watching the weather closely and that the whole team would be available ready to be called out at any time should there be any safety concerns raised by us or from them.
Although we had 14 structures up that weekend we were only called out to one where the venue was concerned about the small service marquee. We arrived on site to see the marquee being battered by the coastal winds and although it was holding up well we decided to take all the PVC off and lower the frame to the ground as it was no longer being used and as a precaution for safety reasons.
"This is the first marquee we have ever booked, but can honestly say that we would return to you again, without reservation, and would not hesitate in recommending you to others."
The other marquees were taken down over Sunday & Monday with no issues being raised.
We arrived to work Wednesday morning to find the below email from one of the weekend’s clients:
"We just wanted to express our sincere gratitude to you all at Weatherfield Marquees.
From first planning our wedding, through to assembly and deconstruction, we have been consistently impressed by the level of professionalism.
You have replied to my endless queries and uncertainties with kindness and patience. Everything discussed and agreed, arrived on the day without incident or difficulty.
The men in charge of delivering and assembling the marquee worked together quietly and with such ease. Despite hurricane force gales! Given the gales, we were reassured that we could call night or day if there was any issue.
Unbeknown to us, the staff at the Windmill did indeed call, in relation to the service tent looking a little vulnerable to the storm. We were entirely oblivious as the main marquee in which we and our guests were seated, was perfectly sturdy and snug.
I believe that you and your colleagues attended out of hours to secure the tent further and to then dismantle it in the evening. This all occurred very unobtrusively.
This is the first marquee we have ever booked, but can honestly say that we would return to you again, without reservation, and would not hesitate in recommending you to others.
We are still on honeymoon, in Salthouse, but didn’t want to delay in getting this to you."
When you receive feedback like this you know it was a job well done and that all the precautions we made were worth it to make sure our clients were safe, reassured and that the wind didn’t upset their special day.