News September 2021 -Part 1
Christchurch Men's Shed
Tuesday, 7 September 2021
Has anyone noticed how quickly lockdown haircuts have gone out of fashion........
......and the shed is open again so things must be getting back to normal!
We were lucky again with the weather for our Shed BBQ which after costs raised £236 for shed funds.
Many thanks to Jerry and Margaret for organising the event and to everyone else who helped out on the day!
We have four new members so please welcome:
Peter Wickham
Peter Thomas
Mark Shipway
Chris Biggs
Luckily there were no more Johns of which we already have an ample sufficiency!
If anyone walked past the School House recently, they might have spotted the new notice board which includes our Men's Shed logo.
Although we are still waiting for the wheels to turn at the solicitors, our A-team has been working at the School House and completed several projects including erecting the notice board, refurbing the park benches, stripping out and dumping unwanted fittings from the lower hall and sprucing up the entrance area.
We have purchased a set of LED Batons to replace the existing fluorescent tubes and an "instant" water heater for the School House.
We also bought a DeWalt drill and impact driver set in anticipation of finally getting the heads up on the lease.
Bob Mackinnon donated an SDS drill.
Down in the basement at Greystones, the workshop is slowly coming back to life.
Jeff Perkins and Robin Heels are doing some wood turning and Chris Biggs has started carving a red squirrel.
For anyone wanting to have a go at woodturning, we are gradually building up a collection of decent tools.
(just purchased a 3/8-inch spindle gouge)
If there is enough demand, we can put some more things on the want list.
I started restoring a #5 plane that Andy Skarstein brought in.
Why, I ask myself, does everyone lose the small screw holding the rear tote in place?
I know why they are never replaced because they are made from unobtainium with a totally non-standard screw thread!
And talking of planes, (I know, I know, it's my pet subject!) what do you think of someone who gives you a special Paramo plane to restore only to find half the parts have gone awol?
Having googled the beast to see what was missing, the first post that came up was "this is the worst plane I have ever owned"
Thanks Les!
And Les, if you think having badgers in the back garden is special, we have lobsters in our garden.......well according to my granddaughter anyway.
Actually a male stag beetle which was nice to find but a few days later we found a female in the same area!
Beat that then Les!
Greystones HCA Quiz Night
Our team of 6 did not disgrace themselves at the quiz night coming in about 4th.
Unfortunately John Fisher and his wife had to join in with another team (the table tennis group I think) but it all turned out ok in the end as John's team won on the night thereby upholding the noble traditions of the shed.
Fundraising
Until we have the lease for the School house in place and "security of tenure" it is difficult to apply for significant funding.
We do have an existing partnership with the local Co-op who donate money to CMS based on purchases made at the shop by Co-op card holders who have nominated CMS as their cause to support.
To date, the Co-op funds for CMS have totalled £470
The current arrangement with the Co-op expires shortly, so if you are shopping in Highcliffe in the next few weeks, get the card and support CMS!
I also have accrued £26 so far this year on my Co-op card which will buy a couple of nice bottles at Christmas.
Continued...
Contact Information
Robin Heels (Secretary)
- 07547922246
Find Christchurch Men's Shed
Greystones House, Waterford Road, Christchurch, Dorset, BH23 5JL
Additional Information
Located in the Lower Hall of The Old School. The Old School is near Highcliffe Medical Centre and opposite Highcliffe Play Park by the pedestrian light controlled crossing.