News - April 2019

April is the cruellest month (according to T.S. Elliot) but not down here in the Shed. Well, we did have a cut finger but that was about as bad as it got! The carvers and whittlers have been at it again and this time round we have a "des res" bird box and a love spoon, by Len and Jerry respectively. I made a chisel rack, although my better informed colleagues pointed out that I had the drawing upside down. Jeff turned a paper plant pot mould for pricking out and potting-on seedlings and I think he is now working on a second (larger) version. I missed out on getting a picture of Mac's latest project which I believe is a figure carving of Mary Poppins. Based on other work I have seen from Mac, it should be quite something!. Bob Mackinnon bought in a box of medical instruments (scissors, No 3 scalpel handles, assorted tweezers etc) They are on the bench in Greystone's workshop and free to members.

Community Projects

Brian Vaughn is heading up a project to refurbish the planters in Highcliffe on behalf of HAT (Highcliffe Action Group). The planters have been dismantled and are currently located at the back of the library in Gordon Road, Highcliffe, just back from G&T's. John Fisher and Ron Ames-Lines have volunteered to help but, if anyone else would like to be involved in the project, please let Brian know.

Donated Tools

Rod Hatcher donated several tools in April including an electric chain saw (now fitted with a new chain courtesy of Nick Mowll), a small angle grinder, compound mitre saw, portable circular saw and a No.4 bench plane. Members can borrow tools from the workshop (you just need to sign them out in the black book) but, if you are not familiar with the safe use of the chainsaw, please take advice before using it.

Workshop Safety

While on the subject of safety, can I remind everyone to take care in the workshop and in particular to wear appropriate safety equipment when operating machinery. We have a good track record so far, with nothing more than minor cuts and scratches, but the potential for accidents was brought home to us when one of our members found a stray wire from the bench polisher embedded in his clothes. Please use the face shields or safety glasses provided when using power tools.

ASDA Grant

The £1000.00 grant we applied for to ASDA was approved and we have ordered an SX2 Mini-Mill milling machine plus cutters and attachments from Axminster Tools. This will extend the range of metal working projects that the shed can undertake and will compliment our existing metal working lathe.

Somerford Shed

The wheels of power continue to grind very slowly and we are still waiting for some real progress on the takeover of the lease. Until such time as we get the lease in place, we are unable to move forward on securing funding for the conversion of the building. In the meantime, our architect is working to produce detailed drawings of the building so that we can obtain accurate quotations for the envisaged works.

Free to enter Postcode Lottery

Les Mercer identified an opportunity for members to raise funds through the https://pickmypostcode.com/ lottery as recommended on the MoneySavingExpert website. The main draw pays out £500 and this is doubled if the money is donated to a charity. Once signed up, you will receive an email each day to remind you to check if your post code is a winner. All that is required is to follow the link and watch a short video advert (the lottery is funded by hosting advertising). Les proposes that anyone lucky enough to win the £1000 main price and donate it to Christchurch Men's Shed will receive lifetime membership!

Mudeford Club

As usual the lunch was well attended (16 members) and the revised ordering system worked reasonably well. It seems like Ken Nash is always last to get served irrespective of how quickly he orders and the trouble-makers wanting mushy peas also got served last! We had some fantastic mystery tools to try and identify. I felt a bit smug having got the chain puller right (I last used one when I was about 16 years old on my fixed wheel time trial bike). Bob Mackinnon brought in a Potts Spindle but rather gave the game away by leaving the label on the box....doh! Keith Vinycomb brought in his usual eclectic mix of stuff.and Mike Tizzard brought in an attachment for a Holtzapffel lathe.These are fantastic machines intended for ornamental turning including spirals

Next Room 1 Meeting, Greystone's House, Highcliffe

Our next general meeting will be on Tuesday 7th May starting at the usual time of 2.00 pm and finishing by 4.00 pm. Hopefully we might have some news on the lease by then.

That all folks - just time for the poem:

Farmers fear unkindly May

Frost by night and hail by day!

And, if you want to know why April is the cruellest month and have an hour or so to spare, check out "The Waste Land" by T.S. Elliot

https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/47311/the-waste-land

See you all soon,

John Pegram