BBQ
We had thought of holding a bbq on Friday the 5^th May but unfortunately, we are having to cancel this but hopefully we shall hold one in the summer.

AGM
Please save the date to attend our Annual General Meeting on Wednesday 7^th June at 2pm at the Half Moon pub in Sheet. Following on from the AGM we shall hold a Members’ Open Meeting and Q&A; an agenda will be posted out nearer the date. We also want to share the new opportunities and possibilities the Shed now offers; do please come along if you can.

Chairman
I have now served 3 years as your chairman and feel it is time for another member to take over from me to bring fresh ideas for the next stage of the Shed’s development. Therefore, I have advised the management committee that I shall stand down in May 2024. This gives plenty of time for a member to work alongside me and the management committee (as vice-chairman) to ensure a smooth hand-over. I have prepared a one-page brief of what I believe the role is but vitally my successor, with the management committee should make the role their own.
Please consider this and if interested, email or phone me for a no obligation chat. It’s not that demanding and has been great fun!
[email protected]
07584 229656

Membership
We are now over 60 members and as you know, the Shed is now open Monday to Friday 10am to 4pm. A Shed Supervisor is on hand at all times for advice and guidance. The wood-working shed is fully operational (for your own or Shed projects), Trev has started the gardening group, we are about to start sorting all the equipment and tool donations currently stored in the future metal-working shed, Ray has started a guitar group on Friday mornings, the bike group has a bike shed to build as a home to mend and refurbish bikes, Rob has creatively stated up-cycling all sorts, and we have started making bird boxes, bug hotels, coat hooks and garden trugs for sale and for community displays.
Plenty for members to get involved with or simply socialise and much more to come; just come along.

Steven Watts
Chairman

• The Open Day was a resounding success with over 100 visitors, the rain stayed away, and we also attracted 15 new members. My thanks to everyone who contributed towards the event.
• We are now open every day, Monday to Friday between 10am and 4pm. The wood shop is fully operational for your own projects, and we are going to start birdbox and other workshops soon. The only requirement before using is that you must have received training for the general area and each specific piece of equipment; to arrange email Nick at [email protected]
• Mike Bookham has set up an IT and Electronics team to develop both the upstairs IT and Craft rooms and launch workshop sessions. Watch this space.
• A Gardening Group is in full swing developing the grounds.
• Ray hopes to start a guitar playing group, contact Ray at [email protected] if interested.
• As soon as we have storage, we will empty the small shed and bring together a team interested in developing and equipping the metal shop.
• We are waiting to receive a donated shed to create the bike shop. Michael Cowen has already gathered a sizable team who will fettle bikes to sell or donate to charities.
• Murray Whewell has taken over as Secretary from Neil Slatter and joins the MC.
• We are thinking of having a BBQ for members and partners and suggested date is early evening on Friday 5^th May, just before the coronation weekend. We’ll provide the food, and you bring your own drink. If you are keen, please email me at [email protected] and confirm one or two places.
• Our AGM will be taking place in late May, probably at the Half Moon. TBC.
• Talking of socials, the management committee (MC) would like to appoint a member to take on a Social Secretary role. This person would work with the MC to organise future social gatherings like the BBQ above, arrange trips and visits to local places of interest, invite members, sort tickets and payments and possibly arrange transport. The scope of this role is wide and just needs an enthusiastic member, if interested please email me at [email protected]
• If you have other interests that we are not yet discussing, please drop me an email [email protected] with your ideas; we are so lucky to have very flexible premises which can accommodate a wide range of activities. Like Ray above, the MC are very supportive to include all member interests where we can.
• Lastly, as per our constitution, I have given the MC notice that, after 3 years as Chair, I will step down in a year’s time at the AGM in May 2024. I have requested expressions of interest from the MC members to take on a Vice-Chair role over the next year to allow a smooth transition. I will keep you posted of progress.

I am delighted how we have progressed so far and with all members continued input we shall continue to develop and expand – thank you to everyone for your support.

Steven Watts, Chairman