Shedding Light on Local Conservation: Bat Boxes Installed in Hammer Wood

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
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!

Herne Junior School Tree: Part Two is Officially Planted (and Painted!)

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.

1st Aid Course

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.

Email: geraldpilkingtonfirstaid@outlook.com

Petersfield Seed Swap Recap

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!

Petersfield Men’s Shed Enjoy Exclusive Tour of Vintage Bentley

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.

Members of the Petersfield Men's Shed admire the impressive vintage Bentleys on display
Vintage Bentley Attendees December 2024
1930 Speed Six Close Couple Coupé
1930 Speed Six Close Couple Coupé
1925 Bentley 3 Litre SuperSports
1925 Bentley 3 Litre SuperSports
1933 Barnato Hassan 8 Litre
1933 Barnato Hassan 8 Litre
1930 Bentley 4½ Litre
1930 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.