Petersfield Men's Shed
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
We have a fantastic update from Peter highlighting a couple of recent, wildlife-focused projects that have just been deployed in our local area. It is always incredibly rewarding to see the Shed’s handiwork making a tangible difference to local conservation efforts.
Peter recently completed two beautiful new owl boxes. A couple of weeks ago, the rangers from the South Downs National Park (SDNP) stepped in to help install the first of these for a local resident over in Milland. As you can see in the photo, the spacious wooden box is now safely secured high up in a sturdy, ivy-covered tree, ready to provide a safe nesting space for its new feathered tenants.
Along with the owl boxes, the Milland resident also requested one of Peter’s special, lifesaving creations: the unofficial “Men’s Shed Patent Cattle Trough Frame”.
Peter has built a couple of these clever wooden frames now, and they serve a vital purpose. Barn owls have incredibly soft plumage that offers absolutely no protection against getting waterlogged. If they accidentally venture into a steep-sided cattle trough for a drink and fall in, they are unable to fly out and can easily drown.
By installing these floating, fitted wooden frames inside the metal troughs, it provides the owls with a safe, grippy surface to land on and easily climb back out of the water. It’s a simple woodworking solution to a serious hazard, ensuring the local birds stay safe.
A massive well done to Peter for his brilliant work on these wildlife projects.
The workshop has been buzzing with activity recently as our members teamed up for a fantastic local cause! We are proud to share that the Petersfield Men’s Shed has been busy crafting a new set of sturdy wooden playground blocks for the children over at Petersfield Infants School.
As you can see from the latest photos sent in by Nick Broom, it’s been a brilliant team effort. From measuring and cutting the wood to carefully gluing, clamping, and screwing the pieces together, the guys have put their woodworking skills to great use.
These hollow, durable wooden blocks are built to withstand plenty of wear and tear, and they are sure to provide hours of creative, hands-on playtime for the kids. Projects like this are exactly what the Shed is all about, sharing skills, enjoying some great camaraderie, and giving back to our local community.
A huge thank you to everyone who pitched in on this project!
Want to get involved in community builds like this? Come down to the Shed, grab a cup of tea, and say hello.