It’s been approximately 12 months since our dedicated members at Petersfield Men’s Shed undertook a fantastic community project: the restoration of two classic phone boxes.
This project remains a wonderful example of the Shed’s commitment to preserving local history and contributing positively to our community’s appearance.
These aren’t just any phone boxes – they are the iconic K6 models! Our skilled team worked hard to give them a new lease of life, bringing them back from a state of disrepair.
We want to extend a huge thank you again to everyone involved in that project, particularly John Liddell, Rob Brailey, and all the other dedicated members whose efforts made this restoration possible.
The transformation was remarkable, and they continue to stand proudly a year on. Please view the photos below to see the results of their hard work and dedication.
This project highlights the valuable skills and community spirit present within the Petersfield Men’s Shed, showcasing what can be achieved when members come together for a common purpose.
A big shout-out to the talented folks at the Petersfield Men’s Shed. They’ve been hard at work crafting some fantastic traditional pieces for the upcoming East Meon Village Fete.
Special recognition goes to Peter for his excellent work on the Pillory and to Trevor for crafting the Stocks. These are sure to be a fun (and maybe slightly intimidating!) feature at the fete.
The Petersfield Town Crier, Faye Thompson & Faye’s consort and husband Martin Johnson couldn’t wait to give them a try, as you can see from the practice run picture! Here’s the official announcement:
Oyez Oyez Oyez!
The Petersfield men’s shed have made us some stocks and a Pillory for the wonderful East Meon village Fete and we decided to do a practice run! Only after this picture Martin ran off ! So on May the 5th i will get my own back!
So do come and take part in a lovely traditional country Fete! Live music, dog show, splat the rat, tombola, tug of war, stalls, May Pole dancing, brass band and much more!
Bring your friends and family, starts 12 noon on May the 5th! Ends depending on weather or when the beer runs out!
God Save The King!
Don’t miss the East Meon Village Fete this Monday, May 5th, starting at 12 noon. It promises to be a fantastic day out with loads of traditional fun, food, and entertainment for everyone. See you there!
Following up on the wonderful news of Peter Gillard’s bat box installation, we’re excited to share another inspiring conservation story from within our community! This time, we shine a spotlight on Peter Reeves, who has been diligently crafting a fantastic array of owl boxes.
Peter has been busy in the workshop, creating no fewer than fifteen bespoke owl homes. His impressive creations cater to a variety of species, including:
Barn Owl Boxes: Designed for both mounting in barns and attaching to trees, providing safe havens for these iconic birds.
Tawny Owl Boxes: Offering secure nesting sites for the more common Tawny Owl.
Little Owl Boxes: Perfectly sized for these charming and smaller owls.
It’s truly heartening to see such dedication to supporting our local wildlife. By providing suitable nesting sites, individuals like Peter are making a tangible difference in helping these important species thrive.
This initiative perfectly complements the recent efforts to support our bat populations, highlighting a broader commitment within our community to biodiversity and conservation. Every little bit helps, and these handcrafted boxes offer vital shelter and breeding opportunities for these fascinating creatures.
We extend a huge thank you to Peter Reeves for his hard work and passion for wildlife conservation! It’s individuals like him who make our community a better place for both people and nature.
Stay tuned for more updates on local conservation efforts and contact us if you would like to get involved!
Here at the Petersfield Men’s Shed, we’re passionate about contributing positively to our local community in a variety of ways. This week, our efforts took us to the beautiful Hammer Wood in Chithurst, West Sussex, demonstrating our commitment to conservation and ecological support.
Peter Gillard putting up bat boxes in Hammer Wood
As you can see in the photo, Peter Gillard one of our members was busy installing bat nesting boxes within the woodland. Hammer Wood, a publicly accessible area owned by the serene Chithurst Buddhist Monastery, provides a wonderful natural habitat, and we were delighted to contribute to its biodiversity.
Yesterday’s work saw the successful installation of four bat boxes, carefully crafted by our talented members, Peter Gillard and Simon Ralfe. These boxes will provide safe and crucial roosting sites for local bat populations, playing a vital role in the ecosystem by controlling insect numbers.
We’re not done yet! We have another four bat boxes to be installed, further enhancing the habitat within Hammer Wood.
This project is just one example of how the Petersfield Men’s Shed actively engages with environmental initiatives within our community. We believe in hands-on contributions that make a tangible difference.
Stay tuned for more updates on our community projects!
We’re thrilled to share an update on our second fantastic ‘Tree’ project with Herne Juniors! As you know, we’ve been working hard behind the scenes, and we’re delighted to announce that the new Herne Junior School Tree has now been successfully installed.
It’s up! Our second Herne School Tree is now proudly standing in its new home!
Last week saw a burst of creativity as some enthusiastic Herne Junior pupils joined members of the Petersfield Men’s Shed for a vibrant painting event. The afternoon was a fantastic success, and we managed to get all the necessary elements beautifully painted, thanks to the hard work and artistic flair of everyone involved.
We were so impressed by the dedication and imaginative ideas of the Year 6 pupils who participated. Their energy was infectious, and they truly brought the ‘Tree’ to life with their colourful contributions. A big thank you also to the two supportive teachers who joined us and the half dozen of members of the shed who kept the session running smoothly. We kept the creative spirits high with plenty of squash and biscuits to keep everyone going!
The positive feedback we received makes all the effort worthwhile. One particularly heartwarming comment from a mum whose child attended the painting session truly highlighted the special nature of these projects:
“One of the children hasn’t stopped talking about it. He said it’s a nice place for retired people.” 🤣
This lovely sentiment perfectly captures the wonderful intergenerational connection and sense of community that these collaborations foster. It’s fantastic to know the children feel such a positive connection to what they helped create.
But don’t just take our word for it! We’re excited to share some photos from both the fun-filled painting day last week and the newly installed Herne Junior School Tree. Take a look below to see the colourful creations and the finished piece in its rightful place!
We hope the new Herne Junior School Tree will be a source of joy, inspiration, and perhaps even a nice spot for contemplation (for all ages!) at Herne Junior School for many years to come.
A huge thank you once again to the wonderful Herne Junior School pupils, the supportive teachers, and our dedicated shed members for making this second ‘Tree’ project such a colourful and successful endeavor.
We’d like to extend a huge thank you to 1st Petersfield Scouts for kindly allowing us to use their building to host a free emergency first aid session today.
Following that, a big thank you to Gerald Pilkington, a volunteer instructor with Meon Valley Heartstart, for generously providing this session for a group of 11 of our Petersfield Men’s Shed members.
The 2.5-hour program covered essential life-saving skills, including:
Action at an emergency
Treatment of an unconscious casualty
CPR and defibrillator use
Recognising heart attack signs
Treatment for choking
The session was engaging and practical, using videos alongside hands-on exercises. We’re grateful to MV Heartstart for offering these free courses and our attendees were happy to make a donation towards their costs. Learning these skills can make a real difference.
If anyone would like access to accredited courses recognised by the HSE for first aid in the workplace, Gerald can offer any of those although the one-day Emergency First Aid at Work (EFAW) is the most popular. The course content is regulated nationally and so all training organisations and providers must deliver exactly the same topics and content.
Herewith is a poster for the next course on 22 April 2025 being run in Petersfield. Other courses are also planned for 30th June and late September.
The Men’s Shed joined a thriving crowd at Winton House on March 8th for the 3rd annual Seed Swap!
Organized by Claire Vennis and supported by Shine Radio, the event offered seed swapping, gardening workshops, and a chance to connect with local organizations. We even saw a dedicated ‘Seed Sowing Corner’ for young gardeners. A truly inspiring morning for all!
Members of the Petersfield Men’s Shed recently had the privilege of experiencing “The Ultimate Collection” at Vintage Bentley in Hill Brow, just outside Petersfield. This unique, one-off assembly of the finest WO Bentleys is a testament to automotive history and craftsmanship.
Vintage Bentley Attendees December 20241930 Speed Six Close Couple Coupé1925 Bentley 3 Litre SuperSports1933 Barnato Hassan 8 Litre1930 Bentley 4½ Litre
William Medcalf and his team at Vintage Bentley have spent years curating this extraordinary collection of five Cricklewood Bentleys and it is very rare to see them all together. Each vehicle represents a significant milestone in Bentley’s success and has undergone meticulous preservation, ensuring they remain mechanically original. The knowledgeable curator, Chris, guided the Men’s Shed members through this remarkable display, sharing captivating stories of the design, engineering, and racing heritage behind each magnificent vehicle.
The tour was not just about admiring the cars from afar; members were able to see the intricate restoration work in progress, gaining insights into the dedication and expertise required to bring these vintage vehicles back to their former glory.
The Men’s Shed expressed their gratitude to Vintage Bentley for their hospitality and for making the tour so memorable. The event was a resounding success, raising an additional £200 for Vintage Bentley’s chosen charity, Alzheimer’s UK, and leaving a lasting impression on all who attended.
We’re delighted to announce that the Petersfield Men’s Shed will be open throughout the festive period, offering a welcoming space for all.
Here’s our schedule:
Christmas Eve: Normal hours Christmas Day: CLOSED Boxing Day: CLOSED 27th December onwards: Normal hours New Year’s Eve: Normal hours New Year’s Day: Normal hours 2nd January onwards: Normal hours resume
Whether you’re looking for some company, want to get involved in a project, or simply need a break from the festivities, our doors are open.
The Petersfield Men’s Shed was honored to be selected as a finalist in the UK Men’s Shed Association’s esteemed Shed of the Year Awards. This national program acknowledges the remarkable contributions of Men’s Sheds and their members to their local communities.
Representing the Petersfield Men’s Shed, Chairman Nick Broom and Treasurer Trevor Nichols attended the awards ceremony and afternoon tea. They were invited by Mr. Speaker, The Rt Hon Sir Lindsay Hoyle MP, to this distinguished event held in the State Rooms of the Speaker’s House in the House of Commons on International Men’s Day, Tuesday, November 19th, 2024.
The Shed Awards are sponsored by TiteFix, with specially designed trophies for the winners, crafted by Carveco.
The commitment of all the Men’s Sheds to community and camaraderie is truly inspirational.
and a chat.