Almost 6 months of mental and manual graft has seen the Billingham International Folk Festival stage backdrop puff out of Norton Shed. Well, on the back of a flatbed truck.
A simplification we tried for 3D printing!
It’s been a challenge but one in which most of the Shedders had a hand – even if just to lift it about. It will be erected on stage on Friday (delayed by a day because of Mondays high winds). Really looking forward to seeing it in place ready for this weekend from Saturdays afternoon opening event. Come see, come donate and maybe have a dance
Vickers Construction supplied the flatbed and driver Dave (complete with muddy tee-shirt). Dennis, Paul, Kevin and Graham provided muscle to load and unload at destination Billingham (which is where Dave was working on some damaged pipes!!). Teamwork. More Friday to erect on stage!
What’s next? Locomotion leaves a space to be filled by other trains of a smaller size but running on much longer tracks!
At last we are able to start the OO gauge model railway which will stretch along the long side wall of the Train Shed (better give the space a name). There is an outline layout in Dennis’ mind which is “sort of” based on a stretch of LNER (Eastern Region) track called Stoke Bank. Down Peterborough way and a favourite spot that young Dennis (with his short trousers) would go to watch the trains.
Durham Light Infantry – our first engine
We have a booklet courtesy of Walter which features a very realistic model layout which we are holding up as out standard! We might fall short but that is what learning is all about. None of the Shedders has made a “proper” layout, but there Brian had wanted to come to the Shed are people in Norton who have and we intend to tap into their knowledge. One of these is Brian who had wanted to attend the Shed in the early days and has kept in touch though his health prevented him doing so. Now he is probably able to but he has invited Dennis and Graham into his loft room to see his layout. Brian donated wood blanks for turning a year ago.
Paul, Dennis and Graham have got their heads together to prepare an application for funding from LNER under the theme “Better for people”. It will be submitted in about 10 days and includes also an O gauge layout for outdoor use at community events. Something for kids to like. The outcome is a long haul, however, around March 2026.. Nothing ventured, nothing gained.
The work is in three phases:
- A small OO scale layout on a 8’x4′ base board with 2 purposes; to be a dummy run for the larger layout and to be a test bed for controls of not only the tracks but also various effects such as lighting. That will start mid August.
- The larger layout (7m overall length) will probably start in mid September and run on well into 2026 and, like the Shed, will be a continuous tinkering/improvement interest. It is likely that an afternoon will be used for some dedicated work though making small features can be done anytime (even at home).
- Subject to the outcome of the funding application, the O gauge outside demountable layout will start in April/May 2026, running alongside the OO gauge project. through to March 2027 (and ongoing).
Railway modelling can involve many skills, many ways of modelling and be done by one person or in a small team. We have our first engine in BR green.
One side of the tank framed
A round table, 6 comfortable, stacking chairs, a projector, 3 ring binders and a hole punch. All from a business in Middlesbrough.
On Track
There is a layout selected for the small test “track” being made first. Some Shedders have track to offer and it will get the 3D skills working on this plus, we hope, Walter showing us how to “age” what is new.
This will be a great element in the ShedCraft project due to start next month for table based crafting. Not saying nobody can stand up.
The Social Prescriber Link Workers have been notified of these two new sub-projects plus the very likely “communication” project we are also working on with Whitby Shed.
They have funding from North Yorkshire Combined Authority and there is very likely to be some separate funding announced for Norton Shed shortly (watching cups and lips).
*****STOP PRESS ++++ The news came through a short while ago of the award o£ £1192 through Point North (formerly Durham Community Foundation) on behalf of the funder Banks Group, a property developer. Just got to return some paperwork!
We always like to feel we partner with any funder and maintain an ongoing relationship. So they see the difference their investment has made and may continue to make. Thanks Banks (that’s poetry!).
Here are some photos about yesterday afternoon’s and Thursday morning’s discussions and the decorating Jacko is into.
Stage 1 “Test” layout
Our first train arrives on time.
Dennis thumbing a model railway catalogue for ideas. Not to buy but to make ourselves from wood and plastic
Jacko showing his control of paint.
A bit about Gordon
Actually a big bit for us. Gordon as you may know from earlier posts is quite new to the Shed. He is also remarkable as those who have come across him know. He is very independent despite being blind since birth.
He is a guru on IT. He is a match and more for us all because it has become his specialist subject and a source of purpose.
He wants no sympathy or nannying, just practical consideration about easing his way. An example is that when Graham picks him up at home he is already waiting on the pavement and only needs minimal directing to the open car door and he climbs in, closes up his white stick, closes the door and buckles up himself. Graham has already left him and gone to the driver’s door to get in.
That is reversed on dropping off. He has such a developed 3D spatial awareness. At the Shed he needs to be accompanied by someone and he is learning to not stride forward because he knows the position of chairs move.
That is a bit of why he is special and we have learned a lot about how to include him in round table conversations. Like many at the Shed, he has hearing difficulties so we need to get on the right side of him to speak into his good ear.
He is always accompanied by his Braille computer and that is still something we need to understand. How does he do it? On Wednesday he was with us at the table when Kate from Banks Community Foundation came to hear more about the project submitted and to see the Shed.
Gordon with Steve and Steve’s beard
Gordon did something quite amazing whilst he sat there. He listens a lot (constantly) but obviously cannot pick up the clues visually of when to talk. He knew someone special was there and he has learnt that we (yes we all) will try to actively involve him in aspects.
He recounted a story to Kate how he had solved the problem of a lost password for his laptop. He Googled and found clues as to how to get access. Most of us find this difficult with eyesight. He has to put on his mind’s whiteboard the sequences (I think).
After the meeting and Kate saying goodbye to him he revealed to us he had loaded up Alexa on his mobile device and got it 90% working. More than that, he had been silently typing up what Kate said! We were eager to hear this (assuming he might be able to have it read back). However, he revealed he had not saved what he’d written.
What is good is the way Gordon has brought us together to include him, to let him know we notice him, although he is happy to occupy himself. He has to at home.
Gordon is one of our IT team along with Raspberry Dave, 3D Paul, Shop Steward Derick and 0.5D Graham. Steve is going to enlist also. The new project will require quite a bit of conversation (including with Aidan in Whitby) away from the normal Shed times. Effectively this is a new Shed without walls.
Next Thursday evening. An invitation for a few Shedders to join a conversation that is important to inform Norton Sports Charity’s 5 year future strategy