NEWS
Soon be Christmas - check here for opening dates
Bitterne Shed Club hosts MacMillan Coffee Morning
The Lord Mayor of Southampton, Cllr Val Laurant, was one of 50 people who attended the MacMillan Coffee Morning hosted by Bitterne Shed Club on 13th September.
Here she is talking to our Ricky. Guests included local councillors, reps from the Saints Foundation, Solent Mind and Solent Health, and members families and friends. They were shown around the club’s workshop and members demonstrated some of the woodworking projects currently being undertaken. Donations for tea, coffee and cake, and a raffle of prizes, generously given by local businesses, resulted in over £260 being raised for MacMillan Cancer Support.
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Men typically find it more difficult to build social connections than women, and fewer older men have networks of friends. They rarely share personal concerns about health and personal worries so when retirement comes it can feel like personal identity and purpose is lost. Men’s Sheds can change all of that. A shed club is like a typical garden shed, providing a place where men can tinker around and make or mend things, but in the company of other men. Group working has been shown to improve both mental and physical health, giving the opportunity to exchange knowledge and share skills whilst enjoying chat and banter with the other members.
Bitterne Shed Club is for all men aged 18 years and over and meet on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday mornings in their own fully equipped workshop in Bursledon Road, Bitterne. The membership of 30 undertake projects for individuals, for the community, or to raise funds for the club. More information can be obtained from this website at tinyurl.com/bitterneshedclub
The Lord Mayor views our sales table.
The Lord Mayor of Southampton, Cllr Val Laurant meets 'Shedder of the Year' Frank Brown.
Brooklands Museum - 21 April 2023
We had a brilliant day today with friends at Bitterne Shed Club. We had a trip to Brooklands Museum, home of British motor racing and Vickers Aircraft.. Such an interesting place and really helpful and informative volunteers. We are looking forward to our next trip. The wheelchair came in handy.
Keith Marsh
12 April 2023 Wheelchair
We received a donation of a wonderful green wheelchair for use on site by shedders who cannot easily bring their own wheelchair with them owing to temporary lack of transport or fitness.
Here's Terry trying it out!
12 April 2023
Your intrepid explorer, Dave, took this picture of a steel statue in Southampton yesterday to bring attention to the Ukraine situation - it's on display until 19th April when I think it moves to Portsmouth,
25 March 2023 - Progress
with the
clean shed
Most recent first. Last updated 11 February 2023
Making good progress with the Wendy House
11 February 2023
A visit from Santa at our fine Christmas lunch on 21 December - Merry Christmas everyone.
The lighting of the Bitterne Christmas lights on Saturday 19th November 2022
The shed club had a good evening and our plunger/claxon worked as expected when the new lady mayor turned on the lights. Our thanks to all the shedders who turned up to transport and erect our display. The weather was good too.
Before the lights were switched on
17 November
On 18th November we attended an in-house event at Carnival House in Southampton where a few shedders who supported our stand were looked after very well by the Carnival House employees. A useful day and we sold some stock.
4 November 2022 - Planters for the Mercantile Flea
Our contribution to a display at the Mercantile Flea, Bitterne. My thanks to Michael for the photographs.
Assembly in situ begins
Ends are on
Taking shape
Almost there
Getting the hang of this
The lining is in
The matching pair.
Look what we done!
30 October 2022 - We have a new line of Harry Potter wands from our talented member, Nick.
Some of them may be on sale at the Mercantile Flea
Ian finding space in our new "quiet" shed.
21 September 22 - roof lining and then decorating and we're done.
12 September 2022
We went to the Hovercraft Museum in Lee-on-(the)-Solent on Saturday 10th September. A great time was had by all.
6 September 2022
A few newbies getting into the spirit of the shed!
30 July 2022 - Hedgehog shelter - prototype
Following some research by Hugh we are now likely to add this to our portfolio. Watch this space. Final assembly by Dave.
30 July 2022 - Newly refurbished picnic bench.
Barry refurbished this and made a great job. It's now at the Flea for sale. Notice how dry the grass is on the old bowling green!
Alfred
Alfred has been in and out of hospital recently but here he is, in his element, doing some serious drilling! We have used this photo before, but we felt it deserves another airing. Get well soon Alfred.
Barry
And more fettling.
A sad little sign on the Parish Hall
We wonder if the Parish hall will still be here next winter.
Just a bit of nostalgia
Our old shed still looks as good as ever, but the bowling green is suffering a little. Some lovely wild flowers and butterflies though.
18 June 2022 - Planters for Southampton Central Station.
Some fine new planters recently installed at Southampton Central Station. Funded by Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership - built by Bitterne Shed Club and maintained by South Western Railway station staff.
Great partnership work all round.
At Southampton Central
If you visit
https://www.facebook.com/threeriversrail
and scroll down to the blog you will be able to keep up with any developments.
My thanks to Three Rivers Community Rail Partnership for access to these photographs.
29 April 2022
We continue to work hard to produce things like planters for sale at the Mercantile Flea and we are fitting out our new "Clean" shed for general meetings, art work, chess, jigsaws, thinking etc.
23 March - Paschal Candles
Made by pupils of local schools.
16 March 2021
Today we erected our new kiosk-style shed alongside the wood shed. It took us about two and a half hours. Thanks to everyone who helped us get it done before the real rain started. It looks good.
12 March 2022
It was open morning to celebrate the new church building. The Bitterne Shed Club were offered a stand and we exhibited some of our products and our hobbies. A successful day I think. The photo is of our stall at the Mercantile Flea.
18 February 2022
After Storm Eunice I hope everyone is ok. I've not been past our sheds, but I expect they didn't blow away. If you have any hatches, don't forget to batten them!
See you all next week. Dave
2 February 2022
We held a very successful open day on Saturday 29th January 2022 on the bowling green adjacent to our Shed buildings. We invited family members to come along and find out what their husbands or grandads found so fascinating at the shed. The vicar and his family came along to enjoy the interactive amusements and talk to the members.
A few days earlier Keith proposed a coffee morning at the Flea which was well attended and gave us all a chance to chat without the noise of the saw bench or the sanding machine - a good event which we will no doubt repeat.
We are making some sales at the Mercantile Flea and we are focussing on new and old product lines and getting our pricing right to make both a profit and a quick sale. We are happy with how things are going, but would like to improve.
One of our newer members, Russell, has a 3D printer and he gave us a very comprehensive talk about its capabilities a couple of weeks ago. This might be an interest that the shed would wish to cultivate. Russell was wearing a very impressive 3D printed Covid mask.
We have attended to a damp problem in the new metal wood shed. It was caused by a large batch of wet timber that was accidentally stored in there. This has now been removed and the problem solved. The whole area of the tennis courts with our buildings is likely to change considerably through February and the contractors remove their containers and building materials. After this we will investigate a means for supplying electricity to the wood shed and the new "clean" shed/kiosk which is due to be delivered on Monday 28th February 2022.
We held a committee meeting on 12th January. No major issues highlighted. we do, however need to work out how we can spread the shedders' attendance over three days: Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We think that Wednesday will remain the "Shed Club Day", but Graham has accepted the role of manager and organiser for the other two days. This is working out very well with a good attendance at the secondary days. However, this last Wednesday we still had our biggest attendance yet with 22 shedders - thank you Graham for organising this initiative. We hope the attendance spread will settle down to a sensible level on all three days as we learn how to work it.
7 January 2022
We will continue with Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday meetings with the main meeting being on the Wednesdays.
24 November 2021
We had a very enjoyable early Christmas meal at the Humble Plumb today, with the Shedders and the Living Legends group we had a total of 22 dining. My thanks to Hugh for the photographs.
During the morning we presented Keith Marsh with a small gift to thank him for the many hours of effort he puts in to make the club one of the friendliest and best in the city. Thanks Hugh for organising this present.
28 October 2021
Yesterday a group of six shedders visited an excellent private fossil collection in a shed in West End. Thanks to Keith Marsh for organising this.
22 October 2021
Today Keith, Graham, Andy and Dave attended the opening ceremony of the new Mercantile Flea market building in West End Road, Bitterne. The launch seemed to go without a hitch with the mayor cutting the ribbon to let a sizeable crowd into the venue. When I left around midday there was a queue of about thirty people waiting to pay at the till.
We stopped for a coffee and the newly installed catering facilities seemed to work pretty well - my coffee was good anyway!
My daughter, Jan, took the photos, but I was the only one around when she was photographing our stand. The stand looked magnificent and attracted a lot of interest from women showing interest in the shed club for their partner or parent. We put out the excellent flyers the Keith had arranged for Barry to desktop publish and they were in demand. All we have to do now is respond to any sales demands that we have and build a few more items over the coming months (at a leisurely pace I think).
Overall I think we did well. Thanks to everyone who helped with the enterprise.
Hopefully I'll be able to post a summary from Keith in the next few days.
Dave
The jitterbug to attract attention when stall is manned.
We filled the table ok.
Ready for the Mercantile Flea - 20 October 2021
On Wednesday Keith said: What a great day today! Despite the heavy rain this morning we had 16 members at Bitterne Shed Club plus a couple of visitors. There was a real buzz about the place and we got quite a lot done. Some of this was related to setting up our stand at The Mercantile Flea ready for the grand opening on Friday. We think it looks quite impressive (see photos).
Shedder visit to RAF Tangmere Military Aviation Museum (Chichester) - 22 September 2021
After the normal shed meeting on 22 September a small group of shedders went to RAF Tangmere. RAF Tangmere was a Royal Air Force station located in Tangmere, famous for its role in the Battle of Britain, and one of several stations near Chichester, West Sussex. The famous Second World War aces Wing Commander Douglas Bader, and the then inexperienced Johnnie Johnson were stationed at Tangmere in 1941.
Photo (Left to right) - Norman, Den, Keith M, Keith B, Alfred, Graham, and Paul.
Our intrepid reporter, Keith Brand, sent us this report after the trip. Thanks Keith.
Visit to Tangmere Military Aviation Museum (Chichester) 22nd September 2021
We started our journey after Wednesday morning Shed Club. Den and KeithM took their cars for us to travel in. It was less than an hour's journey.
We started our visit with lunch on the grass area, sitting around a wooden picnic table.
There was a good selection of food and drinks which were both reasonably priced and of very good quality.
Very relaxed atmosphere in the museum, staff were very friendly and helpful, the guides were very knowledgeable and keen to make our visit worthwhile. Some of them were also interested in our shed club as some of us had our club T-shirts on.
You could spend a lot longer there than we did as there is an awful lot to see and read about.
There is a simulator (Jet plane cockpit) that is free to have a go at. Book your 15 minute slot at the front desk and then fly over the Hampshire countryside assisted by a trained member of staff (Adults only).
Cafe closes at 4:00pm and the museum at 5:00pm.
St Andrew’s Churchyard is nearby to visit the gravestones of both Allied and German aircrew (we didn't do this due to time and wanting to beat the rush hour home).
Good journey back to Bitterne.
I think everyone had a very enjoyable afternoon with lots of friendship and the usual banter.
Thanks to Ricky for organising and Den and KeithM for safely driving us there and back
Keith Brand
Pear Tree Church Heritage 400 Open Day -
18 September 2021 - Pear Tree 400 festivities
A very successful event with many stalls and good attendance -Keith said:
"On Saturday 18th September Bitterne Shed Club were pleased to have been allowed to have a stand at the Pear Tree 400 festivities. Our new gazebo came out of its cover for the first time away from the shed, and gave much appreciated shade from the sunshine as the day proved glorious weather-wise.
Having set up our sales table, photo-display and garden-size games by 10:30, we enjoyed our first cup of tea before embarking on a day of extolling the virtues of our club and selling some of our wares. We were located adjacent to the music so the day really went with a swing. We managed to sell all the flower planters and storage jars we had, plus a significant number of bug hotels and oven gotchas. For the first time we tried selling old tools that we had duplicates of, and these created a lot of interest and selling well.
Our 6” nail balancing puzzle also foxed a lot of people though sales were low. We also took along our giant Jenga, holey game and splat-the-rat which all proved popular especially with the children. Altogether a really enjoyable day, and we hope we are invited back again, though I hope we don’t have to wait another 400 years!"
AGM 2021
14 July 2021
3 July 2021 - Prototype bird nesting box
We are looking at our range of wooden fabrications. Dave brought in a colourful bird nesting box similar to one seen on Facebook, to see whether it could spark ideas for extending our offerings.
Paint tins
Don't shake a paint tin without checking the lid first - Dave
May 21 2021 - Our first face-to-face meeting since last year was held on Wednesday 19 May 2021. A great time was had by all.
As everyone is masked the members in the above photograph are -
Left to right back row: Norman, Andy, Keith, Alfred, Den, Corne, Hugh, Dave (photoshopped in)
Front row: Peter, Ricky, Graham, Joe, Alan, Terry.
We'll now resume meetings on a Wednesday morning from 9:30 to midday with a special lunch at the Humble Plumb on Wednesday 26 May. Zoom meetings in addition will be held on the second Tuesday of the month starting at 10am.
21 April 2021 - a team of six from the shed assembled the new woodshed. We had it finished by lunchtime. Thanks to Keith, Hugh(the ordering and project management), Chris (the muscle), Den, Ricky, Dave.
Our thanks to Norman for the excellent atmospheric photographs.
It's going to be a very big help having a dry place to store wood. Well done everyone.
25 March 2021 - The new woodshed flat-pack arrives.
New Wood Shed
Our new, flat-pack, metal wood shed arrives on a HIAB on the morning Thursday 25th March 2021.
New Wood Shed
Being offloaded.
New Wood Shed
The flat-pack in position awaiting a time when we are meeting face-to-face and are able to gather enough bodies together to do the job safely.
New Wood Shed
Hugh and Keith bidding farewell to the driver.
25 January 2021 - Builders arrive on tennis court
with a view to setting up their secure compound.
A view from the road.
New shed at the end of December 2020
Doesn't it look smart?
Our Christmas Zoom party
on the 15th December we all logged into Zoom and used our fantastic loot bags organised by Keith Marsh and home delivered by shedders. We had a great time doing puzzles and even pass the parcel on line. (How did we do that?)
A big thank you to Keith for organising that.
Shed Club Christmas Cards
November 2020, Following our competition this design was chosen. It's from a painting by Dave Milward.
9 September 2020
Our second meeting all together again on the bowling green.
Social distancing in place.
13 September 2020
Benches are taking shape
Benches and worktops are being installed. It's starting to look like a shed at last. Our thanks to Ricky Yardley, Graham Bullock, Keith Marsh and Dave Milward for running special sessions to progress the fit out.
11 August 2020
Many Hands make Lights Work
Yesterday on Monday 10th August we threw the switch to turn on the six strip lights in our new shed. My thanks to Ricky, Peter, Brian (for his moral support) and Graham for doing the lion's share of the wiring at the end. We now have a good level of lighting and lots of working mains sockets along the back wall. The next step will be to install some work surfaces and Keith has already sourced kitchen worktops and timber for this task. Watch this space.
Electricity arrives at our new shed - 17 June 2020
We now have permanent electricity to a fusebox (consumer unit) over the window at the right hand end of our workshop. Another step in the right direction.
Shed painting
Decorating the inside of the new shed is continuing apace. Keith M, Den, Ricky and Graham have so far applied 10 litres of Wickes' finest brilliant white silk trade emulsion. Still another couple of coats to go . My thanks also to Alfred for acting as a safety buddy while cleaning up some of our old kitchen units outside the shed. It's looking good.
Very soon I think we will have a couple of open mornings when you can all pop in and view it.
Our first Shed meeting over Zoom
was very successful
Graffiti gone for now
Just took a bottle of acetone. Let's hope it doesn't happen again.
Hugh on That's TV
It was great to get a little publicity for our Shed Club in Thursday's Echo. Presumably it was this that led to our Treasurer, Hugh, being interviewed for That's TV, Hampshire, yesterday. Well done Hugh for getting the grant and for undertaking our club's first TV appearance.
Hugh on That's TV (Freeview Channel 7) - 1 May 2020
2020 Photographic Competition
The Bitterne Shed Club are pleased to announce that the clear winner of the 2020 photographic competition with 6 votes is
Simon Gomm with picture number 6 - Heavenly bodies, Venus from the Velux
There were a total of 13 votes cast.
Congratulations to Simon and many thanks to all the other photo contributors and voters. (Note: Pictures 7 and 8 were added late on 15 April after being held up in cyberspace)
18 April 2020
17 April 2020 - Cryptic Crosswords I've added a new page "Useful Resources" and there you will find the first resource to be a guide to solving cryptic crosswords penned by our cryptic crossword expert - Alfred Sharpe. Do take a look.
Easter Goodie Bags
The Shedder Committee organised the creation of some Goodie Bags courtesy of funding we gratefully received from the "Bring Joy Foundation" this Easter.
The 'Bring Joy Foundation' , amongst many other things offer community groups small, one-off grants to provide comforts for their 'elderly and isolated' members who may be suffering because of the temporary closure of their usual meetings.
Having read our grant application and this website The BringJoyFoundation group responded with a grant in order that we could give something to isolated members particularly over the Easter period.
Our committee ordered, off the net, a variety of sweet goodies, together with a variety of basic puzzlebooks, jigsaws and crafting kits. They were assembled into goodie bags and distributed to our full members. We have received many emails of thanks.
in preparation
... done!
Our New Shed Arrives
After over a year of planning, Monday 23rd March was a special day for the men of Bitterne Shed Club. Since our formation two years ago we have met on the old bowling green behind the Mazda Showrooms, with our ‘Shed’ only big enough for storage, and really not big enough for that either. Thus we soon recognised that we would need larger, more secure, premises, and so the search began.
Having considered various container conversions and portable buildings, we decided to purchase a refurbished anti-vandal unit. These are like a container in construction, but are 10ft wide (rather than 8ft) by 32ft, have side doors (instead of large end doors), and have shuttered windows. We were keen to view the unit before purchase and during refurbishment, so concentrated on local suppliers, eventually finding a unit at JCPSA at Chichester. They painted the exterior dark green for us, and widened the door to provide wheelchair access. As the unit’s prime function will be as a workshop, we also had the inside of the walls lined with plywood.
The unit was delivered by DMR Haulage, but was a low-key event because of the coronavirus, with those members who attended keeping the requisite 2m apart for social distancing.
See Ian Ward's excellent YouTube video here:
So now the work begins: fitting lighting, heating and electrics, plumbing, installing worktops and cupboards, and generally making the workshop serviceable. But unfortunately coronavirus has to be defeated first.
Keith Marsh - Chairman and Founder
Our new workshop getting a lick of paint before delivery next week (23 March 2020)
17 March 2020
Following the updated guidance from the Prime Minister, we have taken the decision to suspend all Shed Club gatherings until after Easter, at which time a decision will be made regarding when to reconvene. We realise that some of you will find the enforced isolation difficult to tolerate but the committee think it is the only solution under the circumstances.
The church has suspended all social events and meetings, so the Quiz Night on Saturday has been cancelled.
If anyone has difficulties with shopping, picking up prescriptions, etc, please get in touch with me or Den, who has offered to help if required. And if you feel isolated and just want a chat, please phone.
Keep safe and be vigilant, and we hope it’ll be possible to resume our activities soon after Easter.
Best wishes
Keith
The Mayor's Parlour
On Wednesday 11th March six members of Bitterne Shed Club, along with several people from Holy Saviour Church Bitterne, were fortunate enough to be invited to the Mayor’s Parlour in Southampton Civic Centre. The drinks and canapes evening was hosted by the Mayor, Cllr Peter Baillie who, as Sheriff of Southampton, officially opened our Shed eighteen months ago, and is now coming towards the end of his year as Mayor of our city. It gave members an opportunity to see some of the many articles donated to the city by visiting dignitaries, benefactors and even by ships on their maiden call. During his term of office, the Mayor is allowed to select for display pictures from the city’s art collection, though security requires some to be copies. Other objects included tea sets, glassware, models and exquisite Chinese art. Our thanks to Cllr Baillie and the Civic Centre staff for a most enjoyable evening.
We would like to extend our sincere thanks to Blue Star Community Fund and Waitrose Community Matters for their generous donations to Bitterne Shed Club this Christmas (2019).
HOPE in Holy Saviour, Bitterne
The theme at Holy Saviour, Bitterne Parish Church, during the Christmas period is hope, and the Vicar, Rev Tony Palmer, asked Bitterne Shed Club to make four-foot high illuminated letters H O P E to stand at the front of the church. The effect is stunning and can be viewed at church services over the Christmas period.
Christmas decorations for the Mayor's Parlour.
When decorating the Mayor’s Parlour at the Civic Centre this Christmas the Mayor, Cllr Peter Baillie found he had figures for a nativity scene but no stable. Bitterne Shed Club were pleased to accept the commission and made the model shown for Cllr Baillie. - Early December 2019
Friends of Bitterne Library Christmas Fayre
On Saturday 16 November we had a stand at Bitterne Library. The weather was cold, but occasionally sunny - and it didn't rain!
We had a lot of interest in our stand and we were able to sell a number of items from our rustic carpentry range.
Meanwhile, inside the library there were several interesting displays of craft work and some irresistible cakes and refreshments.
A fun day was had by all.
17 November 2019
Friends of Bitterne Library Quiz Night
Our enthusiastic team came a poor 4th in the quiz this week at the library. Better luck next time shedders!
22 October 2109
We presented Ray with a drawing of him holding the medal on 18 September 2019. He was very pleased.
Mr Ray Reed.
A recent visitor to our Shed Club has been D-Day veteran Mr Ray Reed, who has stopped by several times for a chat and a coffee. We were delighted that Ray brought along a medal to show us that he received from the French government last year. On 3rd April last year Ray was appointed to the rank of Chevalier in the Ordre national de la Légion d’honneur for his ‘military engagement and steadfast involvement in the Liberation of France during the Second World War.’ We were thrilled that Ray wanted to share this honour with us.
Sadly, our distinguished war-veteran-friend, Mr Ray Reed, who came along in September to show us his new D-Day medal, from the French, died earlier this week on Monday 14th October . He visited us a number of times in his buggy and we had many a laugh over coffee. He will be sadly missed.
Keith Marsh, September 8th 2019.
Table Top sale in the Parish Hall
Saturday 7th September 2019 We had a very successful Table Top sale today - several encouraging compliments about our stand and the products.
Thanks to all, particularly the 'assemblers' and 'de-assemblers' of the stand.
Hugh Robinson - Treasurer
Bitterne Festival 2019
On Thursday 8th August we took part in the Bitterne Festival, a community event in Bitterne Precinct organised to coincide with the opening of Bitterne Community Corner (see their website at http://www.bitternecc.co.uk/). We joined over 30 other local organisations and businesses and set up our ‘stall’ outside Sainsburys. Part of the stall holders conditions was that we had an activity for children and over the past few weeks Dave has been busy constructing a game in which you have to manoeuvre a golf ball held in a curtain ring, up an inclined board full of holes and into the correct hole at the top. Sounds simple but quite challenging, and many adults enjoyed having a go too. Adjacent we had a table where children could make jitterbug drawing contraptions, as demonstrated by Dave on That’s Solent TV. We also had a photographic display of our activities and projects. Finally we had a table of our wares (bird boxes, bug hotels, etc) enclosed in our new display stand. This has been constructed over the past three weeks from recycled materials, and is supposed to represent two sides and roof of a shed. During the day the majority of our members came and helped on the stall, answering questions and promoting our Shed, some staying all day. It proved to be a most enjoyable event and we look forward to the next. Keith Marsh, Chairman
Website
A basic web site has been set up. At
https://sites.google.com/view/bitterneshedclub/home and is the one you are currently viewing.
Our first AGM Meeting
Our first AGM (17 July 2019) We held our first AGM on a fine day in July. Keith M summarised our activities for the year with reference to highlights like the visit by pupils from Beechwood School and the success of our rustic woodwork project. The shedders thanked Keith M for his leadership throughout the first year of the shed and Hugh awarded Keith a small plaque as a memento of his excellent achievement and a first-birthday cake, of course - thank you Keith.
BBQ 17 July 2019
Feedback from a very satisfied customer who send us a photograph (above) of his grow bag frame replete with tomato plants- thanks John! (9th July 2019)
An interesting visit by two young representatives from Saints Foundation to tell the shedders about walking-football sessions which are available locally. (3rd July 2019)
Hosted pupils from Beechwood School https://sites.google.com/view/bitterneshedclub/beechwood-school at the shed. (5th June 2019)
Made our first sale from our sales table in the driveway behind the shed (15 May 2019).
Participated in the Mental Health Week initiative (16 May 2019 )- "My Favourite Place" . See #BitterneShedClub 0r #onmydoorstep 0n Facebook or Twitter. The favourite place is of course Bitterne Shed Club.
Dave's Blog added to the website (25 April 2019) Newest items first and we hope to feature other members of the club contributing to the blog in the future.
We form a committee (Feb 2019) We have formed a committee consisting of Keith Marsh (chairman), Keith Brand (vice chairman), Dave Milward (secretary) and Hugh Robinson (treasurer).
Six members visit Romsey Men’s Shed (Jan 2019) On 23rd January six members of our shed were invited to visit Romsey Men’s Shed. This group was formed three years ago and is located in the grounds of Romsey School. After a look around their facilities we had a long discussion with several of their committee, discussing topics such as financing, grants, accommodation and projects. A very rewarding visit.
Christmas Tree Festival During December 2018, our club were pleased to have a decorated tree at Bitterne United Reformed Church’s Christmas Tree Festival, an event the church holds annually. Each member of the club were given two wooden model sheds to decorate as they wished, and these were then used to decorate the tree. We thank the URC for inviting us to join the event.
Indoor Tree House completed (Nov 2018) The club has recently completed their first project for a client. For over two months their members have been building an indoor tree house for Harefield Primary School. Julie Marsh, the ELSA at the school, said that she wanted to create a screened off ‘quiet area’ within the ‘Treetops’ learning support room, and the Shed Club conceived the idea of the indoor tree house. It consists of a platform 30cm off the floor, with walls on three sides (the room’s wall forms the fourth side) into which are cut leaf-shaped holes for a doorway (through which the children climb) and windows (so the teachers can see inside). Wherever possible the club like to use salvaged materials and they used wood from a dismantled builders’ shelter (courtesy of Williams Southern Ltd) and an unwanted chipboard wardrobe. In a thank you letter to the Shed Club the pupils said ‘When we arrived at Treetops today we were amazed at what we saw. A beautiful tree house. We love it! We are already enjoying spending time in the tree house with our books and toys. Thank you for all your time in making it for us.’
Official opening (July 2018) The Sheriff of Southampton, Cllr Peter Baillie, performed an unusual opening on 18th July 2018: a shed. And instead of cutting a ribbon, he had to saw through a plank of wood to gain access. The opening ceremony was the official launch of the Bitterne Shed Club, and co-ordinator Keith Marsh gave an explanation of the men’s shed movement.
“Men's Sheds originated from the shed in a back garden scenario, a place where a man would go and carry out tasks such as restoring furniture or fixing machinery. The first Men's Shed Club was opened in Tongala, Australia in July 1998 and targeted "shedless" men, encouraging social activities and friendships. Men typically find it more difficult to build social connections than women and, unlike women of a similar age, less older men have networks of friends and rarely share personal concerns about health and other worries. Many men find that when retirement comes, they lose their personal identity and purpose.”
Men’s Sheds can change all of that. Sheds are about meeting like-minded men, sharing skills and knowledge, and gaining a renewed sense of purpose and belonging. As a by-product, they reduce isolation and feelings of loneliness, they allow men to deal with mental health challenges more easily and to remain independent.
The slogan for Men's Sheds is "Shoulder To Shoulder", shortened from "Men don't talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder", adopted after the 2008 Australian Men's Shed Association Conference. It was recognised that whereas women are happy to chat over a coffee table, men prefer to chat shoulder-to-shoulder, for instance at a bar or work-bench.
Some clubs specialize in a particular skill such as repairing electrical appliances, or carpentry, or maintaining community facilities, but many have a wide and diverse range of activities.
The plank cutting was followed by a barbecue and the cutting of a shed-shape cake.
Last updated 19 July 2019
The photograph below shows the Sherriff, Cllr Baillie, with Claudia Gray (Saints Foundation), Debbie West (Southampton City Council, 60+ Floating Support Service), Rev Angus Parker (Minister, Bitterne Parish Church) and members and friends of the club.
Keith saidWhat a great day today! Despite the heavy rain this morning we had 16 members at Bitterne Shed Club plus a couple of visitors. There was a real buzz about the place and we got quite a lot done. Some of this was related to setting up our stand at The Mercantile Flea ready for the grand opening on Friday. We think it looks quite impressive (see photos).