News - June 2019

T S Elliot got it wrong. It turns out that for us April is not the "cruellest month" after all: June was the month when our plans for a new shed at Somerford fell through at the eleventh hour! However, we have now managed to re-home most of the equipment from Somerford., with just a few items remaining (see email from Les Mercer). Many thanks to all who helped.

One possible solution to our search for a shed has come via Rob Austin: the Old School House in Highcliffe. We are investigating this.

The "big" pillar drill has been installed on a purpose built table in our Greystone's House workshop and the blue wood lathe now sits on a sturdy bench, which should help damp out the vibrations when turning out-of-balance logs! (Thanks Jeff P, John MacB, Jerry and Len).

While on the subject of the lathe, Len Stone sold one of his carved bird boxes and donated the money to our Shed funds which enabled us to purchase a set of (7) turning tools (gouges, scrapers, parting tools and skew chisels) which will make turning that special candlelampbowlvaseclockplatter thing a whole lot easier!

I also have three sacks of wood off-cuts etc that came from the same place as the tools. they are currently under my car port at home as we are so short of room in the workshop.

Another recidivist in our midst!

What can you say about someone who breaks the switch on the pillar drill on Tuesday and the band saw on Thursday? We managed to get a replacement switch for the drill from China - via the Amazon! - for £2.60, including postage, (how do they do it?) and the band saw is still usable. Anyway, Jerry redeemed himself by painting the front door to our shed and adding a "Welcome" sign.

Get Well Soon

Best wishes to John Blakeman for a speedy recovery, also to Ron Ames-Lines and Bill Davies. Bill came to the workshop last week having missed a number of sessions. I took the chance to mention that he was going to be put on the wall of shame for not paying his Shed membership on time and his excuse was: "I had a heart attack." Have you ever had a moment when you wished the floor would open up and swallow you whole?

Workshop Projects & Community Projects

The total number of visits to the workshop in May was 69. Activities included:

Peter Turner helped bend a set of brackets for John Blakeman who was making a guitar rack; Jerry finished his Hot Rod fish and is now working on a Rooster fish - no, I don't know either.

Jeff turned a couple of clock faces from reclaimed wood and fitted quartz movements.

Len tidied up the area around the blue wood lathe, sorted through the tools putting the rubbish ones aside for disposal. We took a couple of loads to the tip and re-arranged the back room to make space (and remove the trip hazards) for some of the smaller stuff from Somerford.

Brian Vaughan completed the refurbishment of the planters for the Highcliffe Action Team (HAT).

Jacky Smith from the HCA photographic group approached us with a request to make a small folding desk easel for displaying pictures at group discussions. (There are some simple designs on the internet). If anyone wants to take this on let me know otherwise I will have a go myself.

We also received a request from Robert Fielder to help make a frame for traditional Japanese embroidery. Does anyone want to have a go at this - either to make one or to help Robert make one himself? Let me know and I will forward his contact details.

Men's Shed Barbecue

We have permission to hold a BBQ at Greystone's House sometime in August. The proposal is to invite CMS members and WAG's. But, Before we go ahead with any arrangements, please let me know if you would be interested so that we have an idea of the numbers we need to cater for. We plan to make a small charge to cover our costs and, if we raise any funds for MS, that would be a bonus.

Monthly Meeting - 2nd July

Our next monthly meeting is on Tuesday 2nd July at Greystone's House, Highcliffe, at 2.00 p.m., with a break for a cup of tea at t3.00 p.m. and wrap up by 4.00 p.m. I expect the main topic of discussion will be where we go from here.

...And finally, this months' verse from Flanders & Swann:

In July the sun is hot.

Is it shining, no it's not!

I don't think this poem gave sufficient consideration to the potential effects of global warming and climate change.

Hot or not, see you in July!

John Pegram