The UK Men’s Sheds Association has a very useful tool on it’s website that enables a person to put in their postcode and have a map show up the closest Sheds (or similar projects) to that postcode.
We are just dusting off the descriptions for the 3 Whitby District Sheds (well, actually “they”) and it’s timely to update Norton Sheds even though we did that 6 months ago.
Our entry now reads as follows:
Norton Men’s Shed
Station Road, Stockton-on-Tees TS20 1PE, UK
We welcome enquiries by email to nortonmensshed@gmail.com or by text.
Contact: Graham Storer T: 07763 656627
It’s 2025 and Norton Men’s Shed is over 3 years old.
It began in January 2022 with no fixed abode (!), encouraged into doing it by the then sole Social Prescribing Link Worker in the area. Since then, Primary Care Link Workers and Secondary Care Navigators have considerably grown in number and are highly valued referral partners.
Norton Men’s Shed was eventually homed in a Portacabin in the autumn of 2022, courtesy of Norton Sports Charity, and found its feet in 2023.
Last year (2024) was a year of considerable demand-led growth, thankfully resourced with additional workshop space matched by additional Shedders contributing their skills, finance, friendly camaraderie and quality banter.
We acknowledge the know-how and help given by the Whitby District Sheds and raise a cheer to the Aussie founders of the Shed movement with whom we have active connection, mate! See what we do by looking at the many blogs by scrolling downwards the home page of our website www.normens.org.uk. There are 4 “timeless sticky” blogs below which new blogs are added.
The Shed meets in one form or another most mornings of the week, but it is not a drop-in project.
The Sill
The Sill is a cafe and events venue close to Hadrian’s Wall near Vindolanda (one of the forts on the Wall near Haltwhistle.
At the Sill last year (and from June this year) there was a display of Shaun the Sheep and the way the cartoons are modelled. At present a display entitled “Grounding Truths is being set up to present the results of a research project into the way nature (and tree forms) can be mindful pointers to reflection and calmness.
The project is part of UKRI Treescapes.
Anyway, Graham was attracted to a set of 6 postcards that portray 6 directions “to look”. Skyward, groundward, inward, outward, and (the catch all) omni directional!
This text goes with the “hand” (centre bottom). Testing all your senses.
Some thoughts along similar lines to mull over.
They were interested in Graham’s interest in their project. Well, it’s always interesting to watch people work!
Inevitably Sheds came into it and one of the two people setting up said her late father had been a staunch member of a Scottish Shed! Graham grabbed some of our postcards and presented them. One of the staff was Portuguese and the “Could Be Yew Tree?” joke on the front of our postcard was explained!!
Wishing them well.
Testing the Water on Kids’ Shedding!!!
Not “our” Liam on the Sports Charity staff!
Replacement wheel assembly for toilet cassette designed and printed 5 months ago, now in use!
One of the transformational activities in Norton Men’s Shed in the last year has been 3D design for 3D printing. Printing is pleasing to watch but it’s like paint drying. It’s the 3D design (the engineering of something) that has caused the stir. It’s about people’s imagination and playing on screen with the making of something before making it for real using plastic filament from rolls. It has given some men an intriguing new challenge with a role as creators. It’s safe, clean, interesting and able to be practiced at home with free software.
One useful and one decorative item
A section of channel with cover for caravan. Will be printed in less colourful brown
Channel segments being printed.
See the hot nozzle extruding red filament
Now smell the rose. Courtesy of Thingiverse library and to be printed this Easter.
Testing the Water on Model Railway Operation and Modelling
A long time until this!!
We follow by testing the water on Model Railways – the craft modelling of railway assets from rolling stock, signalling, street furniture, rail equipment, scenery, figures and all that goes with a realistic set up.