News - March 2019

March was the month when records were set, a weasel escaped in the workshop, there were light bulb moments, a small tailed blue shed fish was spotted for the first time in Highcliffe and a pair of blue tits took up residence in their new home - and all thanks to Christchurch Men's Shed!

Mudeford Club Lunch

A record 22 members made it to our monthly lunch at the Mudeford Club! Having been asked to order our meals individually at the bar, we were then told to revert to the normal ordering system. Next time we have been asked to submit our food orders in blocks of 6 to make it easier for the kitchen staff, which will be on Friday 26th April.

Greystone's Workshop

New attendance records were also set in the workshop with Tuesday and Thursday mornings still being the most popular days. There were 11 of us last Tuesday and 13 the week before!

Len, our master carver, has taken on an apprentice in the shape of Jerry who so far has managed to avoid another viking long ship moment (ask Jerry!) Jeff made several turned lamp stands for his daughters, each engraved with their names and Andy brought in a vintage brass ship's light for restoration. Jeff is also giving advice on wood turning to anyone who is interested in having a go.

Ron and Peter straightened the tines on a garden fork - I couldn't help thinking it was a bit like tuning a guitar by ear, identify the out of tune string and tune all the others to it!

We were given a Dexion rack which needed to be stripped down for transport to Somerford. John Fisher and myself chose the wettest most horrible day to do dismantle it in the yard outside Greystone's. What I can say is that my trusty waterproof bought in a sale about 15 years ago no longer does what it said on the tin!

The bird boxes we made are now a proven design! There is one remaining in the workshop if anyone is interested (price is £5 payable to Christchurch Men's Shed. The entrance hole is sized for blue tits and the lid is hinged to allow the nest to be observed and removed at the end of the year.

CMS Membership Renewal / Next General Meeting

Membership renewal is going well with a total of 31 members so far. This has contributed a (much needed) total of £465 to our coffers. Anyone who still needs to renew their membership can see me in the workshop on Tuesday or Thursday mornings or come along to our next general meeting on Tuesday 2nd April in Room 1 Greystone's House starting as usual at 2.00 pm.

Secret Shed Assistant

Untidy home shed? Need some help? Why not get a Secret Shed Assistant! Check out the link below

https://news.google.com/s/CBIwqsONwj8?oc=em&r=12

Donations of Tools and Equipment

As well as the Dexion rack donated by Maurice Cocking at Greystone's, Mike Shipman gave us a planer-thicknesser and a table saw which are now safely stored at Les Mercer's home workshop.

Martin Johnston donated some tools and also several sheets of brass and lengths of 10mm (3/8") brass angle - just the job for any model engineers or for some brass inlay work!

Community Projects

Brian Vaughan made emergency repairs to the shed roof at Highcliffe library which had been ripped off in the recent storm and is currently coordinating the restoration of the planters for Highcliffe village centre in partnership with HAT (Highcliffe Action Team)

Additional (admin) help for the CMS Committee

Jeff Perkins has volunteered to organise our social events and John Blakeman will work on an application to the National Lottery for funding.

And finally, its poetry time:

Welcome March with wintry wind

Would thou wert not so unkind!

See you all soon,

John Pegram

Christchurch Men's Shed