What's happening in the Shed?
Wells-next-the-Sea Men's Shed
The New Year starts with a flourish as the Shedders make a start on building the external workspace. Materials have started to arrive, the groundworks have been mapped out, and the framing is being erected. All good active work to help keep warm on these cold winter days. More reports will follow as the construction continues...
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After 16 months of closure the Shed reopened following the lockdowns. Once everyone was doubled jabbed we deemed it OK to reopen and renew old friendships and restart our activities. Stuff was still happening in our 'home satellite sheds' but it's not the same working in isolation. We missed the Mens Shed. It caused us to rethink and the germ of an idea to build a Covid safe, all weather, external workspace and storage facility was born. All the best ideas are formed during our tea breaks over a brew. Sketched out on the back of a 'fag packet' the idea took shape.
Coinciding with our discussions, Norfolk CC were inviting applications for community infrastructure projects. So we applied. Creating a covered Covid safe outside workspace took a major step forward following the recent approval of the grant from the Norfolk County Council’s Social Infrastructure Fund. The Fund is a capital grants initiative designed for voluntary and not for profit community entities to help develop their facilities following the Pandemic. The grants form a key part of Norfolk County Council’s Together for Norfolk Plan to assist community groups throughout the county. Terry Kane, our Mens Shed’s Chairman said “ We are delighted and grateful, to be awarded this grant from the Norfolk County Council’s Social Infrastructure Fund. It will significantly boost our activities and help attract new members. Our goal is to build it ourselves. We have a wide range of skills amongst our membership and this project will help draw us together as a team. Mens wellbeing is central to the Mens Shed concept and this will be a great project to bond and share our skills.” We are now solidifying our project plan and intend to work through the winter months to give us this usable work area. The annotated pictures show the 'framework' of our development and more reports will follow as the project takes shape. It looks a little untidy at the moment but this will be cleared. Once again we are grateful to the Wells Carnival Committee for granting us an award this year. Despite the challenges of the Pandemic the Committee, with their 'the show must go on spirit' still manage to raise funds to support good causes around town. We applaud them and are appreciative of the financial help they have provided us to maintain activities at the Shed. This award goes towards our costs of annual insurance. Thank you again.
'Mini Sheds' better known as Garden Pods are our new creations. Using stock recycled timber we are building 2 seater Garden Pods. Orders are already coming in and we are looking into refinements and customisation. Cosy Covid safe structures that would grace any garden. We are just putting the finishing touches to our display model below which we will keep at the Shed should anyone like to come along to see it. We are just deciding on the paint finish - now pink or yellow?
Hand built with recycled timber at the Shed by Mark, the pole lathe is up and running. Who needs electricity when you have pedal power. Now we can turn wood and keep fit at the same time. At the moment we only have a limited range of cutting tools and gauges but even so quite a lot can be achieved. Anyone wishing to have a go are welcome to call in at the Shed - training and instruction is available. Great fun.
Our shedders displayed yet more of their skills erecting a scaffolding structure to support the upcoming Neighbourhood Plan meeting banner - an opportunity to have your say!
The late summer sunshine has encouraged us to get busy outdoors. The shedders are now constructing Garden Pods like the one in the image below. Our display sample is at The Shed and if anyone would like us to make one, with personalised features if required, come down on a Wednesday and chat to us.
The guys at the Wells Men's Shed have been busy catching up on outstanding community projects from the lockdowns. We had requests to build a couple of Mud Kitchens using recycled pallets. Feedback from the little people says their 'slug quiches' have been cooked to perfection! We hope they have hours of fun using them.
The guys from the Wells Men's Shed have been pleased to help our hosts, the Wells & Walsingham Light Railway, to repair and reroof one of their old railway carriages. The new roofing felt replaces the old felting which is probably over 100 years old! The guys salvaged and recycled some old timber from another old carriage to help give it that authentic look. The old carriage serves as a rest area and shelter for passengers waiting to board the train. Good for another 100 years now!! Here's the guys busy at work ....
The Wells Mens Shed have been pleased to help Mary Blue and her team of supporters, from The Maltings in Wells, produce a stunning seascape to brighten up some building hoardings on Fish Hill in Holt. Inspiring or what! Well done Mary and Co.
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December 2023
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