News - Greystones Workshop Reopening

Greystone's House will reopen on Monday 19th July and I am planning to unlock the door to our workshop on Tuesday and Thursday (20th and 22nd) at 10.00 am, wrapping up around lunchtime on both days (or when everyone wants to go home). I expect we will have an extended tea break mid-morning to ease ourselves back into harness.

Barry Atkinson will open up on Wednesday 21st

A work party went in earlier this week to tidy up and remove trip hazards and to replace the collapsed racking in the back store room. Otherwise everything is pretty much as we left it over a year ago.

In line with HCA's policy on reopening, I will not be enforcing the wearing of masks or checking covid vaccination status - everyone has to assess the risk for themselves.

There is a bottle of hand sanitiser and a disinfectant spray on the "desk" in the workshop for anyone concerned about the shared use of tools.

Everyone who uses the workshop is required to be a member of HCA (Highcliffe Community Association) which costs £10 per year payable at the reception desk.

In addition, HCA members have to pay a £2.00 annual capitation fee to every group they join - I will collect your £2 when I check your HCA membership status (this money is returned to HCA).

There is a £1.00 daily attendance fee for using the workshop. All HCA groups pay this £1 each time they attend their groups as a contribution to the operating costs for Greystone's House.

On arriving at the shed, members and visitors are required to sign the register and deposit their £1 into the cash box on the desk.

Still with me?

Christchurch Men's Shed is a stand alone registered charity with our own operating costs.

Membership of CMS is £20 per year which is a small increase on previous years and reflects our anticipated higher outgoings when we make the long awaited move to the School House.

I will start collecting CMS membership fees in the next week or so.

All in all, pretty good value when you consider that for 1-visit to the shed each week for a year, the cost will be around £1.64 per week.

Where else would you find a well equipped workshop and a bunch of mates ready and willing to tell you where you were going wrong on that project - and all for less than the cost of a pint?

For both new and returning members, I have attached a copy of the "shed rules" which are intended to make the shed a safe and enjoyable place to be.

New members are very welcome - reception will point you in the right direction (if we are not down in the workshop, we will be in the tea room!)

Hopefully, it won't be long before we can re-start our monthly lunchtime get-togethers at the Mudeford Club plus I believe we have an outstanding booking for a skittles event at Walkford ...and maybe a summer BBQ.

We have had several requests for help with community projects around Highcliffe and then there is the move to the School House once the solicitors get their act together on the lease.

(HCA are aware of our plans to move and are fully understanding of our need for larger and more accessible facilities.)

Also, as required by the charities commission, we will have to set a date for our overdue AGM in the near future.

So, time to leave the sofa behind and get back to doing some propper men's stuff................

Hope to see you all next week!

John Pegram