Men in Sheds Lancing and Sompting
"Each shed participant is both a teacher and a learner" ..." Associate Professor Gary Misan
website update 21 09 2023
"Each shed participant is both a teacher and a learner" ..." Associate Professor Gary Misan
website update 21 09 2023
20 09 2023 We were delighted to be invited along to Shoreham Fort by Gary Baines and his team to help with the restoration projects that are going on over there.
Work to build Shoreham Fort began in 1857 in response to a perceived threat from over The English Channel in France. The Fort has a glorious history of people, historical events, and importance at a time of war that you can read about on their website at https://www.shorehamfort.co.uk/
Gary asked if we could help to recreate what the Clean Room would have been like originally. This was the area where those working at the Fort, military and civilian came through each day to work. Given the work involved gunpowder, weapons, shells, and other ordinance it was most important that clothing and footwear were fit for purpose, safe and in the case of the latter did not cause sparks! This area was in modern terms, the Changing Room.
Being asked by Gary is a source of considerable pride to The Shedders. In addition to our aim of helping and supporting our local community with our skills and time, it is a privilege to “be part of History.” The work had to be done with great sympathy to The Fort as an historical building.
Shoreham Fort took part in the “Heritage Open Day” weekend and on Saturday 17th September some of the Shedders were present to share with other visitors the works that we have been involved with – as well as having a wonderful time at this fantastic local site!
Work to build Shoreham Fort began in 1857 in response to a perceived threat from over The English Channel in France. The Fort has a glorious history of people, historical events, and importance at a time of war that you can read about on their website at https://www.shorehamfort.co.uk/
Gary asked if we could help to recreate what the Clean Room would have been like originally. This was the area where those working at the Fort, military and civilian came through each day to work. Given the work involved gunpowder, weapons, shells, and other ordinance it was most important that clothing and footwear were fit for purpose, safe and in the case of the latter did not cause sparks! This area was in modern terms, the Changing Room.
Being asked by Gary is a source of considerable pride to The Shedders. In addition to our aim of helping and supporting our local community with our skills and time, it is a privilege to “be part of History.” The work had to be done with great sympathy to The Fort as an historical building.
Shoreham Fort took part in the “Heritage Open Day” weekend and on Saturday 17th September some of the Shedders were present to share with other visitors the works that we have been involved with – as well as having a wonderful time at this fantastic local site!
18 09 2023 Another week of super weather for us all! Lots of talk about a poor summer but so far September has been kind, garden areas are really “blooming”. Lovely roses and the climbing plants that we are using to screen our toilet areas are growing so well. The Jasmine is flowering – next year that that area will look a picture. Big thank you to John W for doing so much work on the garden – ably assisted by Keith S with the hosepipe!
From September we have been focusing on a key areas of what goes on at the Shed, chatting! Some Shedders spend their time with woodworking/project working. Some shedders come along and chat to their friends, get company and catch up with events. Some do both of course! Andy has made his main Shed day a Tuesday to encourage the “chatters” (he is quite good at that himself!) either in the Chill Room or in the present lovely weather in the shade outside with a cuppa. We like this twin approach to the needs of our Shredders and will continue.
We had a visit from Doris Martin to collect the Quoits game that Alan has made, excellent. Young Steve is busy getting ready our Wishing Tree, it looks great. Tom is beginning work on a Beehive, fascinating. John H has been continuing on the Book House.
Martin and Ken went over to our near neighbours at Noah’s Ark Day Nursery to install a new gate for them – reaching out to our community with their requests like this is a key part of the project.
We had a visit from Courtney Everett, Social Activities Coordinator for Adur at West Sussex Mind. Way back in 2015 we started to “challenge” isolation and loneliness that affects us all at certain times and have concluded that our Shed is a wonderful way to build our resilience against that. Courtney, like all visitors was shown around by The Shedders who talked about what they get up to at The Shed and what impact it is having on them.
Maureen Ross from The North Lancing Community Association called in with a “Thank You” card and donation for our help in making frames from the spectacular Scarecrow Festival that is going on throughout this part of the village throughout September – pop up and see the dozens of Scarecrows that residents have put up in the gardens and at the roadside!
Another great week for us and many more to come. Best wishes to you all!
From September we have been focusing on a key areas of what goes on at the Shed, chatting! Some Shedders spend their time with woodworking/project working. Some shedders come along and chat to their friends, get company and catch up with events. Some do both of course! Andy has made his main Shed day a Tuesday to encourage the “chatters” (he is quite good at that himself!) either in the Chill Room or in the present lovely weather in the shade outside with a cuppa. We like this twin approach to the needs of our Shredders and will continue.
We had a visit from Doris Martin to collect the Quoits game that Alan has made, excellent. Young Steve is busy getting ready our Wishing Tree, it looks great. Tom is beginning work on a Beehive, fascinating. John H has been continuing on the Book House.
Martin and Ken went over to our near neighbours at Noah’s Ark Day Nursery to install a new gate for them – reaching out to our community with their requests like this is a key part of the project.
We had a visit from Courtney Everett, Social Activities Coordinator for Adur at West Sussex Mind. Way back in 2015 we started to “challenge” isolation and loneliness that affects us all at certain times and have concluded that our Shed is a wonderful way to build our resilience against that. Courtney, like all visitors was shown around by The Shedders who talked about what they get up to at The Shed and what impact it is having on them.
Maureen Ross from The North Lancing Community Association called in with a “Thank You” card and donation for our help in making frames from the spectacular Scarecrow Festival that is going on throughout this part of the village throughout September – pop up and see the dozens of Scarecrows that residents have put up in the gardens and at the roadside!
Another great week for us and many more to come. Best wishes to you all!
17 08 2023 Painted pebbles. We found these left for us on the large planter outside The Shed this morning. To whoever did this, "Thank You" it makes our day go even better...
We just saw this on another page and wanted to share this post about this great project : Carol Albury Writes: Having been asked by so many residents to have some benches overlooking the Bowling Green in Lancing Manor Park and keen to see this happen, working together with our Adur Park Rangers and Men in Sheds Lancing and Sompting we now have the first of these put in place this morning...Thank you to Men in Sheds who are now working on lovingly restoring the second one... MORE
PLEASE SUPPORT US We have just received an email from Co-op Local Causes Uk to confirm we are a local cause this year, they have supplied the link for our local cause for anyone that may wish to add us as their cause in this round of funding. Thank You to all those who support us and the other local groups via The Local Causes fund, by doing so when you buy selected Co-op products and services, 2p for every £1 spent goes into your membership account and the Co-op split the same between like-minded organisations and local causes, Thank You again to all those who support local causes via the Co-op, the email confirmation containing the link to our local causes page is below: Men In Sheds Lancing And Sompting is part of the @Coopuk Local Community Fund, to find out more about our project and to choose us as your cause, click here https://membership.coop.co.uk/causes/65691 #ItsWhatWeDo
!!! Wow !!! What a week at the shed. We started the week with great news regarding our latest planning application to extend our opening hours to allow access to set up our units ready for when our members arrive it was approved Monday evening Big Thanks to all of our neighbours, visitors, council officers and our landlords who gave support and advice during this latest application it will allow the smooth running of our group on each shed session morning, we celebrated the great news with an evening out at The Royal British Legion. This week we also fitted a project we have made for Lancing Parish Council which is a Toy lending Library, what a great idea and we hope it will be well used, they are situated either side of the perch and have numerous beach toys to ensure the little ones ( and big ones ) have as much fun as possible. We have also been busy in the shed the Shoreham Fort project is now ready for installing, a new whirligig is well underway this time a sailing boat one and it looks like it is going to work great (see video in comments) , the ducks are looking great, the model building is coming along nicely as well. Our coffee table we are making has had a second coat and the chair refurbishment is also well underway. There have been lessons on the lathe for shedders and a second Spitfire whirligig is almost finished as well . We will be finishing the week by attending the Care for Veterans Summer Fayre, what a lovely way to end the week helping this great cause raise funds to care for our veterans, there is lots going on take a look on their page for details. Have a great weekend .
MORE.
MORE.
We were recently visited by video.filmaker Jon Rist of .Futurist Media who made a marvellous film about us. Here Shedders talk about the Shed, what it means to come along to the Shed and there are also great shots of Shedders working. Take a look at
https://www.facebook.com/FuturistVideo
PLEASE NOTE YOU NEED A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT TO VIEW THIS
Jon's website is at www.jonrist.co.uk
https://www.facebook.com/FuturistVideo
PLEASE NOTE YOU NEED A FACEBOOK ACCOUNT TO VIEW THIS
Jon's website is at www.jonrist.co.uk
We reach out to our local community by .
Please note that we are not a business. We do not seek to take work off local tradespeople. When we work on projects we simply ask for the cost of the materials that we use (if we do not already have then) and a donation to cover our running costs for the project like insurance, electricity etc.
- repairing items such as benches and planters for our local councils, local charities, sheltered housing projects and care homes
- making items for playschools and groups working with young people
- visiting local groups like the Sea Scouts to make items such as bug boxes and bird boxes,
- making items for community groups like The Friends of Brookland Park and Keep Lancing Lovely
- wood, materials and surplus items from local builders and developers, householders and community groups
- tools that are no longer required - if we cannot use them, we can usually find someone who can!
- donations of tea, coffee and biscuits!
Please note that we are not a business. We do not seek to take work off local tradespeople. When we work on projects we simply ask for the cost of the materials that we use (if we do not already have then) and a donation to cover our running costs for the project like insurance, electricity etc.
Our Shed Manager, Frank King keeps everyone up to date
with what is happening at the Shed(S) and our involvement in the community
with what is happening at the Shed(S) and our involvement in the community
Men in Sheds Lancing and Sompting is where
- we challenge isolation and loneliness by providing a warm, safe and encouraging atmosphere
- we learn and teach each other skills and ideas
- we get together for a cuppa and a chat
- we have lots of power and hand tools for people to work on woodworking projects they may have like bird tables, planters and the like
- we can show you how to use lathes to make beautiful items
- we go out into our local community to work on projects, build items and share our skills and time
Left. Howard Attwater or "H" as he was affectionately known was at our very first meeting and offered his double garage to be our first Shed. We were so grateful. H passed away in 2017 and the Shedders continue to support his partner, Julie.
