We moved about a year ago, in 2025 - not, it is true, very far - just a few tens of yards around essentially the same site.Â
Here are our main two containers during the move. We expect further reorganisations of the site in 2026, which should increase the amount of useful space.
The move itself (in 2025) was quite dramatic. Here you can see the final stages of our main container being loaded on to Phil Space's impressive vehicle, for its move of just a few yards. Weight was extremely marginal, especially at the rear of the truck. Centre of gravity was, for obvious reasons, critical, and this was the third attempt at loading. The previous two had failed, because there was too much in the container, and hence too much weight. But success at last! Anyway, all that is now in the past.
Our photo competition for 2025 (closed January 2026) has a winner, Nick. We have a page on the site where all the entries can be seen.
Barry, Corne, Michael Nolan and Michael Clowes (pictured below), finished (late in 2024) sanding back the final 5 benches of those we are restoring for the Hampshire Constabulary (Police Training College) at Netley. This work was at the mercy the weather, and it is great to see the benches finally looking as good as they should.
The work continues, with repairs and refurbishment to more benches.
We can also see (below) Tony Kingston continuing to make reindeer planters, of different sizes (as you can see). These are very popular at Christmas time, and other animal planters are popular throughout the year. Tony says he uses a jigsaw to cut the shapes. He must have a very steady hand and a lot of patience. But then, what would else you expect of our "Shedder of the Year" for 2024? Over a year on, the animal planters continue to be one of the most popular products produced in the club.
By coffee time, everyone has earned a break, but where is the coffee to come from? Norman, of course, with probably the most important job in the club:
Tony Kingston's pet planters are very popular. Here are two of them in use (reindeer and dog planters):
But normal pet planters are one of the club's mainstay products. Here is one under construction. Most of us work collaboratively, as David and Peter are here: