Breathing New Life into a Ramsdean Bench

We’ve just completed a nice little project at the request of Langrish Parish Council, and we are absolutely thrilled to share the fantastic ‘before and after’ shots with you.

They had a good quality oak bench that was desperately in need of a clean-up and a fresh finish, having spent many years positioned under a tree. Take a look at the attached photos to see the weathered original alongside the beautifully restored result. A massive well done to Trevor Nicholls and Trevor Glover, who did a brilliant job on it.

Ramsdean Bench - Before

This sort of refurbishment is exactly what the Petersfield Men’s Shed is all about.

If you’ve been thinking about joining us to learn new skills or just fancy a chat, we’d love to welcome you.

Community Crafting at the United Reform Church

We are thrilled to share a fantastic update from out in the community. A friend of the Shed at the Petersfield United Reform Church recently asked if we could provide a hands-on task for the older members during their summer ‘Holiday at Home’ event this August. They were looking for an engaging alternative to their usual offerings, such as jigsaws and cooking, and we were more than happy to help.

Our very own Peter Reeves kindly prepared some “easy to assemble” kits based on our standard Men’s Shed birdbox design. Sharing our skills is at the heart of what we do, and this was a wonderful extension of our core woodworking and conservation activities, much like the kestrel and starling boxes we regularly build together in the workshop.

Peter guided the group through the activity on the day, with the participants assembling the birdboxes in one session and painting them in the next. The photos from the event show what a great success it was, and the church was very grateful for the Shed’s contribution.

Installed and In Use

Remember the new, hand-crafted solid oak notice board our members built for Buriton?
We are thrilled to share that it is now installed on North Lane, right by the church.
As you can see, the parish has already put it to good use.
A massive thank you to everyone who helped bring this project from the workshop bench to its final home.

Parish Notice Board for Buriton – Built to Last

When Buriton’s old parish notice board began rotting away, the Shed team stepped in to help.

To ensure the new board stands up to the elements for years to come, it was hand-crafted from solid oak. It also features durable, weather-resistant outdoor felt, making it easy for the parish to securely pin up local updates, news, and events.

A huge thank you to the team involved in selecting the materials, cutting, assembling, and putting the finishing touches on this beautiful piece of public woodwork.

Supporting Our Local Villages

Projects like this are exactly why the Men’s Shed exists, lending our skills to support local communities, restore vital public fixtures, and save a bit of history (and budget) along the way.

Next time you are passing through Buriton, keep an eye out for our handiwork.

Got a project or want to learn?

Whether you are a seasoned woodworker or looking to pick up a new skill, there is always a project on the bench. Drop by the Shed during our open hours to see what we’re working on next.

Petersfield Wildlife Thrives in Men’s Shed Starling Boxes

A Community Effort

Starling Chick

We have some fantastic news to share regarding one of our recent community projects. Many of you spent time in the Shed crafting and assembling starling boxes, and we are now seeing the direct impact of all that hard work.

Nick has shared this wonderful photo of a starling chick, one of the 29 healthy chicks that have been weighed and ringed this spring from the boxes we provided.

It is incredibly rewarding to see these boxes being put to such good use. This project is a perfect example of what the Men’s Shed is all about; working together to create something functional that gives back to our local environment.

Well done to everyone involved in the construction and installation of the boxes. Your craftsmanship is officially housing the next generation of Petersfield wildlife.

Want to get involved? If you’re interested in joining our upcoming projects or want to see what we’re currently building, pop into the Shed.