News - May 2020

The Corvid Chronicles, Day 53, Captain's Log:

Outside, the pestilence still rages but the crew remain in good spirits. Supplies are running low - only two slices of Christmas cake left and the Jammy Dodgers are all gone. No chance of obtaining more until the next delivery slot comes available - we scan the empty streets in vain for a sighting of the Tesco van.

Locked in for nearly 2-months with the present Mrs Pegram does strange things to the mind. I am already having improper thoughts about one of my old wooden jack planes. No, not those sort of thoughts, more like lampshades and vintage bulbs!

This has got to stop before it gets out of hand.

Three haircuts in, and not only have the clippers paid for themselves, but the outcome is steadily improving. Mrs P seems to have found her touch and I no longer need to wear a hat everytime I go outside for exercise!

Barry Atkinson's wife allegedly attacked him with dog clippers - a clear case of abuse if ever there was one. Les Mercer postulated that the result would be a poodle cut but I can confirm that Sue has gone for the full skinhead! Don't worry Barry, it will soon grow back again......probably.

Member's Activities

Les Mercer has taken to feeding badgers by his back door - they are tame enough to take food from his hand - see the two videos:

I first discovered I had badgers coming in the garden at the end of October when one morning I found that my bird-proof squirrel feeder had been knocked over. So I set up a camera trap and found the culprits.

They were coming in through the 5 inch hole I had cut in my fence to encourage hedgehogs into the garden. (Still haven't seen one). Having seen how tight a squeeze it was for a badger (see video) I decided to enlarge the hole because (a) I didn't want to find one stuck in the hole, and (b) they are very powerful and can simply break the fence.

I left birdfood quality peanuts on the patio each night. I then started opening the patio door a little and holding a handfull of peanuts out. Initially they approached it but as soon as they touched my hand, they got the smell of human and ran off. After a lot of patient evenings, they got used to me and then took the peanuts from my hand.

I guess I have probably six or more different visitors most evenings and can hand feed three of them. I have had as many as four together, and on another couple of occasions a badger and fox together.

A couple of weeks ago I was out in the garden trying to see the Spacex Starlink satellites (without success). After about ten minutes looking up I heard a noise and felt something brush against my trouser leg. I looked down to find a badger waiting to be fed!

Nick Mowll is taking the chance to do some maintenance on his boats - is careening the correct word Nick or will my lack of nautical terminology result in me walking the plank? He reminds us to run our cars for 15 minutes each week if we are not using them regularly so as to keep the battery topped up - alarm systems are constantly "on" and can drain the battery. Also worth checking the brakes haven't locked on!

Keith Vinycomb has built a blue thing in his back garden (see email for pic) and invites us to guess what it's purpose is.. We have had a few guesses so far - all wrong! Any ideas anyone?

Len has carved a "lockdown lovespoon" and the Saxon Bar in Christchurch has posted a picture on Facebook showing Len's Saxon Warrior in place on the wall. Now that is somewhere we absolutely have to go on a Shed outing when things are back to normal - just to check that the beer is up to standard of course.

Barry Atkinson has done some outside-in (or maybe it's inside-out) wood turning - no I don't understand either...

Phil Denson completed his Ammonite Table and John Blakeman has installed a water feature in his garden.

Jerry is working on a theme of sea shells and has added one of his carvings on behalf of Men's Shed to the NHS tribute at Avon Beach

John Smith tells me he is getting on a lot better, so much so that he has bought a new push bike. He claims the improvement is due to a hospital fix but I am hearing that the lady down the road has been making bread pudding for him and I think that has something to do with it!

(Councilor) Carole Gardiner sends her best wishes and looks forward to dropping in to the shed when things return to normal.

Speaking of which, Ian Hartnell tells us that there has been no response from HRA's solicitor regarding the lease (why are we not surprised?) and will chase things along to find out what is causing the delay.

I had an email from Bill Davis (Doctor Bill) in Australia who sends his regards to us all. They have not bought a house yet but are planning to live in Kiama - obviously the priority is to choose the shed first and then look for a house. Apparently Australian TV is crap and he is keeping up with happenings in the UK through watching the BBC.

And now I know the news you have all been waiting for: I have restored the Record 044 bought from Fergusons in Highcliffe a couple of years back for a few pounds. I wasn't sure what I had got under all the grime and paint but cleaned up, it is a little gem and works a treat .

And finally...

Just a reminder that our CMS Facebook page is up and running with 12 members and regular posts. It is proving to be a great way to keep in touch and to share what we are doing during lockdown. We have made the page visible on F/B but members can only join by invitation and please note that membership is restricted to CMS members. You can find the page under "Christchurch Mens shed" (note the spelling)

If you would like to join, click on "Join Page" and, if you are a member of CMS, your request will be approved.

John Pegram

Christchurch Men's Shed