There is a bit of Alice in Wonderland about a Shed.
“When I use a word,” Humpty Dumpty said . . . “it means just what I choose it to mean – neither more nor less”.
It’s the same with Sheds. What a Shed does is in the eye of the beholder. It can depend on their situation and past experiences of big change there someone. One of our Shedders told a newcomer that he had been helped so much by the Shed. His wife had noticed the big change in his mood at home. His problem had really been lack of involvement with others in the community. He said he now had real friends.
What did the Shed do? Nothing really as an organisation other than providing a place to meet and potential for things to do that can give purpose. However success for him came from his own willingness to join in and the willingness of different Shedders to interact with him in their own, different ways. An important common factor is the banter that goes on much as happens in stable workplaces.
Other Shedders would say something similar, though different!
What happened on Friday (a day when the kitchen tap was frozen internally!)? Look on . . . . .
From horse head to front legs. Mike & Brian scaled the plan 2.5 times onto a ply sheet.
Not chicken drum sticks but front legs cut with a jig saw. Next time the hind legs.
Octogenarian wood turner Colin is also in training for the next space launch
Also
We welcomed a visitor from the Wednesday Walking Football team who brought in a nice array of this and that from his dad’s garage. Then we had two visitors, wife and husband who Graham had met at a recent Ukrainian social event at a church near Preston Park. Judith & Derek are hosting a girl. Judith has a an artistic bent but during lockdown she began an estate developer of house models. Judith came with some wood to cut into blocks and facades. The pair of pink houses are two of the pieces cut on Friday.
These are F A B U L O U S
Meeting up with others enriches. Remember Ade who surprised and encouraged us with his CNC embroidery?
Last week we also had a visit from the Chair (she said) of Norton Bowls Club. With spouse too who Graham met at the Ukrainian social event too. They live in Norton and were exploring the Shed as a place that might suit someone they know. The coming week will see a visit from Groundworks who work with the Sports Charity. We believe they are looking for help to make bird box kits for children to assemble.
Another interest a Shedder has that you could not make up
DaveT cannot attend the Shed during the day but he does slip in at other times. He has a passion for making and throwing axes. Not throwing in the Shed but he does do some making. Alongside is his latest ax. It has to be properly weighted to balance it for competition use. Our concern is that he might also be filming a new episode of Midsomer Murders.
If three of our Shedders vanish (about the average number in Midsomer) you know where to start inquiries! Dave is such a gentle Scot.
Ax heads are fitted to ax shafts using a wedge hammered in to press the top of the shaft tightly to the inside of the ax head. Friction has to hold the two parts together whether being used to chop or throw. A wedge and a stud also are shown in the second photo.