MSH Newsletter Winter 2024
Chairman’s Message
I am delighted to report that 2023 has seen a growth in Shed membership and activities. In addition, we have received grants and sponsorship which enables us to move forward in developing our future plans and strategy. One of the most pleasing and satisfying things to note is that MSH is now firmly on the map and becoming well known within the Horsham area.
Congratulations goes to all our members who have worked so hard in producing goods for our Christmas sale, the woodturners deserve a particular mention as they produced some first-class items of high quality.
It was with great delight that trustees we were able to show their appreciation to members by heavily subsidising the Christmas dinner. There were 58 members and guests in attendance with positive feedback.
The first challenge we have for 2024 is to deep clean and sort out the Shed where stuff has been allowed to accumulate over the last year. Once completed work will start on projects for the community and individual jobs undertaken by members.
And finally, we wait in anticipation for the results of our planning submission associated with our Chesworth Farm project, the result will be published soon.
In the interim, a Happy New Year to all our members and those who support MSH
Christmas Carfax Stall
A very wet and windy day in mid-December saw some shed members bravely manning a stall at one of the Saturday market days. Unfortunately, because of the poor weather conditions footfall was down generally around the town and business was light compared to the number of sales that have been achieved in previous years with the no sales in the first few hours! However, we managed to clear just under £300. Again, all our thanks go to everyone involved to make this event happen.
Stand at John Lewis
John Lewis kindly supported Horsham Men’s Shed once more by hosting a two-day sale in the lead up to Christmas. This again proved to be very successful with a high volume of sales achieved over both days and interest shown in Horsham Men’s Shed. Sales across both days accrued around £2K. Thanks are due to all those who helped in any way to make this a successful event whether giving time to set up and man the stall or those who made the amazing items to sell and of course our thanks to John Lewis for hosting this event.
John Lewis Networking Event
On a Thursday evening in Late November Ben (Chairman), Karen (Treasurer) and Ann (Administrator) joined others for an event arranged and organised by John Lewis. All those invited were there representing community organisations based in Horsham and the surrounding area and had an opportunity to meet and find out more about each other and discover ways that we can potentially support one another in the future. Our thanks to John Lewis for facilitating the evening and helping forge links for the future.
Christmas Meal 2023
A very happy time was had by all those who attended the Christmas meal, which was held at Brewhouse and Kitchen, Horsham. This was attended by nearly 60 people comprising a number of Shed members and their guests. Throughout the evening, while those there enjoyed the meal provided there was conversation and lots of laughter which could be heard around as everyone spent time together catching up with old friends and meeting new ones. We look forward to seeing as many as possible of you at next year’s event.
Two More Worthy Projects Completed
Tombola Drum
We were delighted to receive this report from Warnham School PTA about the tombola drum and what it means to the school.
For years, our PTFA has borrowed a tombola drum from a previous committee member for our Summer and Christmas raffle prize draws. These play a huge part in our annual fundraising and can often bring in as much as £2.000 per year thanks to our generous families and supportive local businesses. So, at the start of this school year, our team decided it was high time for us to invest in a tombola drum of our own. Upon looking into this, we were slightly disheartened as we really couldn’t justify the cost involved with buying a new one from the options available. That’s when one of our members suggested we reached out to our local Men in Sheds group to see if they could help us. We got in contact via the web enquiry form, and the team very quickly came back to us confirming they could help; they checked our requirements and ran us through the proposed design and cost and then set to work! Their skilful work not only resulted in an eye-catching design but also ensured that our lovely new drum will be the highlight of all our future raffle draws. We extend our heartfelt thanks to the talented individuals who contributed their time and expertise to make this project a success.
The Nativity scene, St Marks Church Horsham
Another worthwhile project recently completed was the nativity scene requested by St Marks Church, Horsham. This was beautifully made and was much admired by many and will be used for many Christmases to come when the shed will also be remembered for its important contribution to the life of the church.
Friday Lunchtime Get Together
A reminder that for Shed members there is a pub meet up at the Brewhouse And Kitchen (East Street) which is a regular occurrence on the last Friday of each month from 2pm – we look forward to catching up with you all, just turn up if you fancy it!
Safeguarding – along with Health & Safety this is everyone’s responsibility. If you are concerned about a fellow Shedder’s health/wellbeing please talk to your Shed Supervisor, Ben or Ann. Also please report any incidents at the Shed that may impact anyone in a negative way. If you have any questions don’t be afraid to ask.
WhatsApp is a useful tool for shed members to keep in touch, so please ask admin if you would like to join the Shed group. You can also request copies of our handbook, policies etc should you wish to have some light bedtime reading!
Newsletter Sign Up
Thank you for reading this newsletter which we hope you have enjoyed. Please sign up to receive future copies via our website www.mens-shed-horsham.org.uk
Facebook – this is a vital source of advertising and publicity; we currently need some help in managing this. Please do get in touch if you are interested and willing to have a go at this.
Spotlight on a Shed Member
Hello, my name is Chris Avery and firstly a little bit about my life before the Shed but after my school days! Work was largely based around both the transport industry and furniture. I travelled around Eastern Europe and beyond with contracted work and also as self-employed, keeping me busy in the area of removals. Another aspect was in the field of retail as a furniture trader. All of this has been a good backdrop and useful in my shed life.
Having moved to Horsham for my wife’s work project – I found myself at a loose end – having retired and in a new town. I started volunteering with Horsham Matters. I also met Ben and I was invited to a very early shed related meeting – from that day I became a committed Mens Shedder.
When we first had the keys of the Cadet Centre – we were faced with the whole place being stacked from floor to ceiling with what some would say was rubbish and clutter but I saw an Aladin’s Cave which could provide much needed funds to support the growth of our seedling venture. That’s where my role was found as I had experience and confidence to know how we could turn the ‘rubbish and clutter’ into tools and equipment needed for our start up.
I still raise funds – by responding and managing donation enquiries and organising tool sales. I step in as a supervisor and remain active on the Boad of Trustees. There is a great deal of ‘behind the scenes’ work to do and I am glad to be a part of that. I can be involved in new member contact – as well as being very much part of our shed community -through all our personal highs and lows.
I enjoy the social contact between our group of very varied men, be it ‘shoulder to shoulder’, face to face or through the mixed joys and trepidation of I.T. As always the whole is much greater than the sum of its parts. Each individual at the shed has something to offer, and I am proud to be part of such a supportive network. My links with the shed are a strong as ever – despite now living 80 miles away. I am pleased to say that I still get excited when the phone rings as someone has a further donation to make, or rubbish to clear, a fellow member just wants a chat, or someone is making a lose enquiry because they are not now working and is at a ‘loose end’. So as another the year begins, I look forward to what it may bring.
Spare Tools and Wood
If anyone has tools or wood they wish to donate to the Shed, please contact Chris Avery first. We currently have a large number of tools and we are struggling to store/check and PAT test them. Chris has his own Shed email: chrisavery@mensshed-horsham.org.uk or 07974 431194 for more information.
Membership
Due to the ongoing success of our shed here in Horsham we are sorry to say that we will be introducing a waiting list for new members for the time being. If you are interested in joining do contact us to be added to this.
Donations
If you or someone you know like what we are doing and feel you would like to support us in this important work with a one-off donation of any amount or more regularly or perhaps you are part of an organisation that offers grants. Please contact us at admin@mens-shed-horsham.org.uk for ways to achieve this.
You can also support us is via the Horsham District Community lottery – Tickets for the lottery cost just £1 per week and at least 60% from each ticket sold goes to support Horsham District good causes such as ours for which we are very grateful. There is also a chance to win the £25,000 jackpot every week!
Email for general enquiries:
admin@mens-shed-horsham.org.uk
Tel: 07934 507523
Business Hours:
10.00am – 4.00pm
Monday – Thursday
Registered Charity Number: 1173345.
