A Shedload Of Goodness

Etymologists disagree on the definition of ‘shedload’ – some say it is the amount of a shed load [which fell off the back of a lorry] others say it is amount of stuff which can be loaded into a shed. Who knows…

I’ve heard it said that if you put a dozen women in a room, and ask how they are feeling, all will start talking at once – but if you repeat the exercise with a dozen men, six will leave the room, and the others will try and hide in the corner. However, if you put a dozen men in a room, with a lawnmower, and say “This isn’t working” you will go back an hour later and find they are all chatting away to each other- and you may even have a mended mower.
That’s the rationale behind the Men’s Shed Movement. The aim is to help develop men’s health and wellbeing. In retirement, many blokes can feel bereft - they’ve lost the companionship of the workmates, they may have moved to a new area, and perhaps been widowed. It is hard to establish new friendships. But working alongside someone at a bench, with hands-on practical activities is a good way to meet people. Sharing skills and making useful things for others gives a sense of purpose and job satisfaction.

Our “Shed Project” in Swanton Morley is thriving since Bob first launched it in 2023. Every Wednesday, a group of guys meet at Mulberry Farm. They make and mend things, and have a mardle [chat] together. There has already been tremendous support from private individuals, and larger groups. As well as refurbishing their meeting space- with shelves, a woodstore, and a refreshment area, the Swanton “Shedders” have already done a significant number of projects to benefit the community: 

• a bench on the Brownies allotment, 
• refurbishing the All Saints Church noticeboards, 
• puppet stands for Swaffham Museum, 
• picnic benches for Swanton Primary School
• doorstops for the new Hospice, and more.

There are plans afoot to link with the charity “Tools With A Mission” and refurbish old tools for development projects in the Third World. Many local individuals have kindly donated tools which they no longer need. Some from people who have given up woodwork, others from bereaved folk, passing on tools from deceased spouses and other relations, so these items can still be used and appreciated. 

Bob has a stack of special cards he can send to express the gratitude of the Shedders for such gifts [I cannot do woodwork, but I can make cards for him].
That’s definitely “a shedload of goodness” happening right here in our village, and something to celebrate. I feel privileged to be a small part of. It is truly making an impact in this little corner of Norfolk

 

Normal Service

I am struggling to function normally in this heat, and rather grateful I can take my time about things and not have to worry about guests. I have loved having family and friends around over the past three weeks, but provision of clean sheets and towels and food has been a higher priority than usual. At least the good weather has meant the extra laundry dries quickly!
Last week Rosie muttered [and rightly imho] that when you walk into Sainsbury's the first thing you see is a display headed "Back to School". "But Grandma, it is four weeks till the new term..."
In these lazy, hazy days of summer I have been busy with Services. Not just all the Sunday Services Bob and i have been involved in at various chapels, but also the service on my car [my little Fabia flashes up a message on the screen alerting me that it is due] and the annual service on our boiler. Necessary expenses, and important to get both sorted before the autumn sets in. Thank you Gavin, our efficient boilerman
Normal -now that's anothe rmatter entirely. I mentioned last week that we had saved money at the Museum using Guest Passes for Ro and Julian. This is a new scheme - and the lady at the desk did not know how to put these through her till. She asked a colleague who promptly responded 
"Oh just treat them as if they were a normal family"
The four of us just stood there laughing. She had obviously realised we were anything but a normal family. As we went round, peeping through the holes for photographs, and trying on the dressing up clothes, and generally entering into all the activities with enthusiasm, I'm not sure if we looked 'normal' or not. 

And do normal people go out into their back garden at midnight and sit in deckchairs for an hour, staring up at the night sky, looking for the meteors? The first evening we did it, the sky clouded over immediately, but on Sunday night we saw a fair few "shooting stars" as they are often incorrectly called. 
They were truly beautiful.
I went into town on Monday morning, with a bizarre list of tasks

• return some library books
• take 'soft plastic bags' to the Co-op
• check out the dinosaur trail

I did those things, then I came home with some red felt from the Charity Shop [because I am doing Christmas Craft Activities with the Brownies next term - is it normal to buy Xmas supplies on the hottest day of the year] 

and information for Bob and the Mens Shed about the offer of some free wood.

I think I know how Macbeth must have felt...