We've had fun in the last week vacuuming and sweeping away a lot of the dirt left after removing furniture. Another new member joined and two more showed interest. Had a good meeting with a local company that might give us paint etc and we hope to get the place all painted out by the end of June. We have agreed to operate as a project of Halesworth Volunteer Centre who will take on responsibility for our running costs, leaving us to find finance for tools purchases and interior fittings etc. - a good result! We are aiming for a formal opening in September. About 30 men interested so far - really pleased about that and raring to go! Three of us going tomorrow (Monday) to the Eastern Regional Men's Shed Promotional Event in Chelmsford where we will talk about our experiences so far. Should be a great time. No meeting at Chinny's next Saturday - too many men away. Back there on 27th at 10am if anyone wants to meet us.
Meet the Shedders! HMS was well-represented at the first East of England conference of UK Men’s Sheds held at Chelmsford Stadium on June 15. It coincided with the start of National Men’s Health Week accenting wellbeing through activity, which are themes central to our local Shed. Delegates confirmed that responding to what members want to do is key to regular participation and fostering a sense of belonging; providing a fixed venue to promote continuous activity, new friendships and learning new skills in a safe environment. The region already has nine sheds up and running, with three more in formation, and several more in the pipeline. The conference workshops focussed on launching new sheds and profiting from the best of what we have as they extend fellowship into the community. Recurring themes were supporting special needs of our young people whilst helping those more senior. There was plenty for our funders too, conscious of their need to target their resources. The conference expressed thanks to Essex County Council, our partners Triton Tools and the Royal Voluntary Service.
Nick Cooklin and Ian Cockburn spent the morning of Tuesday 16th making a start on the first planter for the Station Friends at Nicks well set up workshop. Then after lunch they went to Norwich Men's Shed Open Day. Their premises are very spacious and they have separate wood and metal-working areas as well as an electronics area, social area, performance space and a newly opened forge with blacksmiths anvil. All very impressive because they engineered the interior all themselves and we got some good ideas for bench construction and layout from them. The guys we met were all very enthusiastic and their H&S guy offered us their documentation when we're ready. They have no age barrier and there were quite a few younger people in attendance. On Friday Nick and Ian completed the planter and what a fine piece of engineering it is. Lessons were learned as we progressed.
Called in to Stratford on Avon Shed whilst on holiday in the area. They were very welcoming. Frank, who called in to see us last year, was there and showed me round. They have a two storie shop in the town square - rent free. It's a good facility with lots of ideas that we can steal! I reccommend any shedders to look up other sheds when you are on holiday in the UK. I'm sure you will always get a good welcome - and find some more ideas to steal!
Received a very welcome cheque from Ridgeons, the local builders' merchants, this week. See them in the Gallery. They have provided our paint for the walls, woodwork and floor and will shortly be delivering enough timber for us to make six workbenches and a small kitchen area. We are extremely grateful to them. Big opening event is planned for the end of September - watch this space for details.
COUNTDOWN! Just a few days to go until Halesworth Men's Shed official opening at 10am on Saturday 26th September. In a few short months we've gone from a run-down space top a fully-equipped workshop. Drop in and give us a look!
A great opening last Saturday with around 80 people coming to see us. Been open for business yesterday and today with at least one new member calling in. Things can only get better.
We've had fun in the last week vacuuming and sweeping away a lot of the dirt left after removing furniture. Another new member joined and two more showed interest. Had a good meeting with a local company that might give us paint etc and we hope to get the place all painted out by the end of June. We have agreed to operate as a project of Halesworth Volunteer Centre who will take on responsibility for our running costs, leaving us to find finance for tools purchases and interior fittings etc. - a good result! We are aiming for a formal opening in September. About 30 men interested so far - really pleased about that and raring to go! Three of us going tomorrow (Monday) to the Eastern Regional Men's Shed Promotional Event in Chelmsford where we will talk about our experiences so far. Should be a great time. No meeting at Chinny's next Saturday - too many men away. Back there on 27th at 10am if anyone wants to meet us.
ReplyDeleteMeet the Shedders!
ReplyDeleteHMS was well-represented at the first East of England conference of UK Men’s Sheds held at Chelmsford Stadium on June 15. It coincided with the start of National Men’s Health Week accenting wellbeing through activity, which are themes central to our local Shed. Delegates confirmed that responding to what members want to do is key to regular participation and fostering a sense of belonging; providing a fixed venue to promote continuous activity, new friendships and learning new skills in a safe environment. The region already has nine sheds up and running, with three more in formation, and several more in the pipeline. The conference workshops focussed on launching new sheds and profiting from the best of what we have as they extend fellowship into the community. Recurring themes were supporting special needs of our young people whilst helping those more senior. There was plenty for our funders too, conscious of their need to target their resources. The conference expressed thanks to Essex County Council, our partners Triton Tools and the Royal Voluntary Service.
Nick Cooklin and Ian Cockburn spent the morning of Tuesday 16th making a start on the first planter for the Station Friends at Nicks well set up workshop.
ReplyDeleteThen after lunch they went to Norwich Men's Shed Open Day. Their premises are very spacious and they have separate wood and metal-working areas as well as an electronics area, social area, performance space and a newly opened forge with blacksmiths anvil. All very impressive because they engineered the interior all themselves and we got some good ideas for bench construction and layout from them. The guys we met were all very enthusiastic and their H&S guy offered us their documentation when we're ready. They have no age barrier and there were quite a few younger people in attendance.
On Friday Nick and Ian completed the planter and what a fine piece of engineering it is. Lessons were learned as we progressed.
Called in to Stratford on Avon Shed whilst on holiday in the area. They were very welcoming. Frank, who called in to see us last year, was there and showed me round. They have a two storie shop in the town square - rent free. It's a good facility with lots of ideas that we can steal! I reccommend any shedders to look up other sheds when you are on holiday in the UK. I'm sure you will always get a good welcome - and find some more ideas to steal!
ReplyDeleteReceived a very welcome cheque from Ridgeons, the local builders' merchants, this week. See them in the Gallery. They have provided our paint for the walls, woodwork and floor and will shortly be delivering enough timber for us to make six workbenches and a small kitchen area. We are extremely grateful to them. Big opening event is planned for the end of September - watch this space for details.
ReplyDeleteCOUNTDOWN! Just a few days to go until Halesworth Men's Shed official opening at 10am on Saturday 26th September. In a few short months we've gone from a run-down space top a fully-equipped workshop. Drop in and give us a look!
ReplyDeleteA great opening last Saturday with around 80 people coming to see us. Been open for business yesterday and today with at least one new member calling in. Things can only get better.
ReplyDelete