Up and out bright and early for the first on-site meeting of the Swanton Morley Shed Project. We put signs by the entrance to the farm outbuilding. Another committee member arrived early too, so we set about putting up the church gazebo which we had borrowed for the day. The wind suddenly got very gusty. So Bob went home for ropes and tent pegs, while Roger and I held the gazebo down!
At 10am, people started to arrive - the sun was shining
But by the time we had packed up and got home, we were both utterly exhausted.
I'm very proud of Bob for getting this community venture off the ground. I bought him a book to mark the day. [OK, it was 50p in the Charity Shop!] It is extremely funny. [see below]
I did get the feeling that its general premise seems fairly accurate - many men go to their Shed to avoid helping with housework or entertaining the in-laws.
This time I sorted and served the refreshments - from now on, they will make their own. And whilst Bob is 'shedding' every Wednesday I can do housework get out my sewing!
*It appears nobody can agree about the origin of the term shedload meaning a significant amount. It first appeared in the early 1990s. It may be 'the amount you need to fill a shed' or perhaps 'the amount spread on the road when a lorry sheds its load.' But it definitely means LOTS. I hope Bob's project gets shedloads of members and they make shedloads of projects - and more importantly, shedloads of new friendships.
Has anyone else got one in their town,
or belongs to one themselves / has a spouse who is a 'shedder' ?
Many sheds have a women's contingent now as well.
From "The Shed" ... Michael and Gwen are looking for the placemats Gwen's mother bought them for Christmas.
'Quick,' says Gwen. 'She will be here in twenty minutes!'
'I bet we hid them in here,' says Michael, closing himself inside the quiet shed.
Michael says he will not give up looking for the mats in the shed, even if it takes him all day.'
What a great project!! Well done ro Bob and co.
ReplyDeleteCBC's housework avoidance device is his phone. The shed is too full of junk for that! Kx
😉
DeleteWhen we put up a 'sentrybox' style shed for my gardening stuff I did consider converting it to a reading and writing shed for me; I could just fit in with my head looking out of the little hatch above the door.
ReplyDeleteThat would be cute!
DeleteWe have a local men's shed. I bought a planter from them last year made from recycled tongue and groove pine. They delivered it and assembled it for me (I wanted a large piece of trellis attached to the back). They make some lovely stuff, all from recycled timber and they do requests too. I also bought a birdhouse for my Mum's garden. It's a great concept, the Men's shed.
ReplyDeleteIt's brilliant
DeleteVery, very well done in getting a Men‘s Shed started down your way. A young friend gave Norrie that book (also from a charity shop) not long after the Shed started in Hamilton. They will be 10 years old this summer! Catriona
ReplyDeleteSo good to read that. I hope our Shed thrives too
DeleteIt's a brilliant movement isn't it, well done Bob on bringing it to your area. I bet he'll be after a supply of cake to take with him each week. :-)
ReplyDeleteHe's suggested to the "working group" that they could contribute. So yesterday one brought a platter of delicious samosas and bhajis. And a packet of Tunnocks. (then admitted he'd delegated the job to his wife!)
DeleteWhat an excellent project and I hope the members can teach younger folks to handle the tools safely and competently so they, in turn, can teach those who are now too young!
ReplyDeleteAbout 20 years ago, DH went to a tool sale helpd at the home of an elderly man who needed to sell his tools. The seller was so pleased that his beloved tools were going to younger men (at the time!) who would put them to good use.
Hugs!
Safe handling of tools is an important priority. We are grateful to all those who have already donated tools and materials to the project.
DeleteWhat a worthwhile project. We have a former neighbour in southern Ontario who is involved with a group that repairs appliances. I don't think there is an actual shed, more likely a room somewhere, but the sense of pride is there.
ReplyDelete👍
ReplyDeleteI hope the project grows to include many members. I don't know if they have anything like that, here.
ReplyDeleteThe idea began in Australia, I don't know if there are Men's Sheds in the USA
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