The final account

Watch the birdie

We were interested to spot the social diary listed by the London branch of the Matrics, the ‘yoof’ arm of the RICS, on its website this week. Apparently a night of speed dating was held by the group on 12 October (insert partnering gag here) and further events planned include Go-Karting, some site visits to Wembley and Terminal 5 and so-called “urban golf”, which we’re told is a new hip craze where whole streets are closed and players biff leather balls towards bins. Let’s hope the dress code is strictly plus fours.

A busman’s holiday for QSs

To Warsaw for a conference held by the European committee for construction economics that involved site visits as well as number crunching. We hear that one visit to a new shopping centre under construction was very much a home from home experience for UK delegates, given that the project team included the project manager Mace, the QS Gardiner & Theobald and contractor Skanska. Welcome to the global world.

Bills from the 16th century

Proof if it was needed of the historical importance of the QS came to us in a press release from the government earlier this month relating to the Codex Stosch. This is a historical document recently discovered that recorded the great buildings of ancient Rome and contains drawings by Renaissance QS and architect (yes he did both but hopefully not at the same time) Giovanni Battista da Sangallo, who was part of the circle that surrounded legendary artist of the day, Raphael. Apparently the document is worth a cool £247 grand if you fancy checking out how they knocked out cost documents back in the 16th century.