Race against clock to meet wedding deadline

Builders, painters, plumbers and electricians are all used to working to deadlines - but there is one date they are determined to make even if it means putting in a night or two.

"We are going to make that deadline - there's no question about it," said director of Homebuild Direct Jon Band, as he and his workmates got stuck into the interior finishings and fittings at the Real People @ Rowan cottage yesterday.

The specially built cottage will become the new home for flatter Duncan Pollock and his wife-to-be, Anne-Marie Sykes, and is being built through grants and the generosity of donations from the Hawke's Bay community.

"We have to finish it by the wedding day [November 10] and we will ... I mean, how could you tell a guy on his wedding day that you haven't got their house ready for their honeymoon?" Mr Band said with a smile.

At this stage all is on track to get the job wrapped up for the big day.

"It's been a really special job to work on," said Mr Band, adding that his company had also worked on projects for Cranford Hospice.

"It's a real community feel and it's great that this is going to give that couple real independence."

The cottage also has an adjoining unit which will be occupied by other flatters.

It means independence but also immediate access to care and support if and when it is needed, as the main Rowan block is just across the main driveway.

Up to a dozen contractors and sub-contractors, such as the plasterers from Hawke's Bay Fibrous Plaster, have been involved in the project. They have made friends among the flatters there, who are often called on to see how things are getting on.

"We had a great roof shout a while back," he said. "They know how to have a party."

Mr Pollock said he and his fiancee were excited at the prospect of having their own place to live - which he described as "our own piece of paradise".

They had some input into the colour schemes being used and he said they had gone for light shades.

All the wedding plans were on track and last week they managed to secure some great after-match entertainment.

"We wanted music that people could dance to, while not too loud."

They had previously seen two of the Bay's leading entertainers, Kim Willoughby and Peter Grattan, playing at a function at Realpeople @ Rowan, and asked if they would oblige.

To the couple's delight, they agreed.