Abstract: A system for the handling and support of flexible material such as for the erection of barricades, fencing or shading comprises a roll of flexible material (20) e.g. brattice cloth or open plastics fabric held by a dispenser (24) having tubes (21) or straps regularly spaced along the material (20) allowing the securing of material by posts (27) to a support when the material (20) is unwound from the dispenser (24). The support may be a surface e.g. a roadway to form a barricade as shown or other structure e.g. to make a shade enclosure. A variety of accessories such as stands bracing or post extending components can also be used with the system to extend its functionality.