Rather shed than dead.

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JD:
Gentlemen, I am a member of the Gosport Shed in Hampshire. Watch of how it all began for us about 2 years ago.
We have recently moved into bigger premises at the rear of the old military training establishment St Vincent Mill Lane Gosport now a 6th form collage and have a good working relationship with our landlord.
The whole Shed concept started in Australia some years ago, The movement helps keep the older retired guys out of Doctors surgeries and off the drugs for various ailments Depression, loneliness, eating disorders etc etc all of which come to some men after retirement.
Our youngest is 62 and the oldest 91 (this guy has all his faculties) from all walks of life.
A phrase runs through the movement "Women speak face to face Men talk shoulder to shoulder" (next time your in a pub/bar or restaurant have a look around you.
We are self funded, donations are also gifted from local businesses.
We carry out work on projects in the local community ie HMS Alliance the Submarine Museum, Gosport Historic Society.
The latest project is an early 1800 brick built magazine close to our workshop reportedly the last one in the country, the building is listed so we have to liaise with the Collage and the National Trust in its restoration.
We arrange day trips ( last one to see the field of poppies at the Tower of London and the Imperial War Museum with a few beers thrown in :beer: :beer:
All our tools are donated, at present we have 3 wood turning lathes 2 bowl turning lathes and all the associated wood working tools, wood carving is also has its place , plus 2 metal lathes an Adept shaper. This is my baby at present I am just beginning to set this up and will eventually have a separate work shop.
Tools come from the most unusual places.
We have 70+ members all individuals.
Being in a military town 25% are ex RN that includes me, 2 army, 1 special forces.
The remainder consist of (a rough cross section)ex Hong Kong Police officers, Vicars, University lecturers, Car and Motor Bike restorers, Builders, Printers etc etc.
We can come and go as we please, work on your own projects or help somebody else, or just come for a cuppa read the paper, a bit of good humored banter, or throw abuse and tell dirty jokes.
If you are in the area and would like to pay us a visit phone Office on 07852452664 or email gosportshed@gmail.com first also see web www.thegosportshed.btck.co.uk we are open Mon-Fri 0900-1600
Sat 0900-1200 .
This has been a life and marriage saver for me.
Sorry for the length of this post but I am very passionate about this movement and it does work plus no women are involved :thumbup: :clap: :med:
John

krv3000:
in a word brill as you no i had a rta that left me in a bad way a part from the hospitel ther seemd no hope for reabilatashon and thats the reson i started to go on to the forum to hellp me with my spelling sum times i get it all most right but uther times its crap but you all have helpt me to over cum this problem in this cuntery we seem to think that once you hit old age your scrap but as you sed if you is dowing sumthing you gowing to be more happy than siting in an old foks home looking out of a windo

Ginger Nut:
Hi just watched part one of the video good to see some shed popping up in the UK.

Like has been said Mens Sheds have become a big thing here in Australia one thing mentioned was lack of Government support That statement is incorrect grants from as low as $5,000.00 up to $300,000.00 have been made to build sheds from the ground up.

In Australia there are two Mens Shed organisations and some facts http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Men%27s_Sheds

I did some research a while ago and found Mens Sheds were originally formed in of all places Japan I think back in the 70's?

1
http://www.mensheds.org.au/ Australian Men Shed is "A NOT FOR PROFIT" managed by the group who starts it although now I am informed it as become much more political governance. Each shed has its own committee, runs all finances which go directly to the shed.

2 (Damn can locate the link) This one is totally governed by the organisation they do all the work of getting Government funding and manage all funds, they stipulate what work is to be done and regulate it all with a manager for each shed (in some case paid a mate was offered $60k a year to run the shed he got up and running he didn't take it the went with the other organisation)

I am not a member of a shed although I have checked out now about 8 different sheds to join being in a wheelchair has its disadvantages being told by one shed my wife who is my carer would not be aloud to stay at all drop me and go home or shopping. :bang: biggest disadvantage is mostly attitude of other members and "once in a wheelchair you have no brains" :doh:

For many I have seen great things for them have look at the Mens Shed Youtube site.
Largest shed I have visited was one at Mudgee over the Blue Mnts man is it huge brand new shed, it has lounge x2, showers, kitchen, offices, woodworking area, computer room, metal working area with 4 bays for auto/truck repaiirs :jaw:

Smallest was a single garage that was updated to a larger shed 30ft x 20ft all just woodwork.

SwarfnStuff:
If you want to make things complicated, "Get the government involved". As long as our sheds and clubs can stay self funded life is good.

As an Ozzie I am glad to see that the mens shed idea has spread over the water. They do indeed vary greatly in focus depending on members' aims and aspirations. Mostly though, I believe the gathering of like minded men from (as has been said in other posts) all walks of life talking whilst doing stuff is quite therapeutic.
Who said we can't multi task?
And, so what if sometimes chaps just want to sit and natter over a coffee. Our model engineering club is for me a great place to hang out especially the day meetings which are in no way formal. Got a problem with something you are working on? Someone there will have an answer or know someone who does.
Then there is Madmodders another great place to hang out. Cheers John B

Pete.:

--- Quote from: krv3000 on November 26, 2014, 06:32:36 PM ---you all have helpt me to over cum this problem in this cuntery
--- End quote ---

Your spelling makes me cringe sometimes Bob but this line gave me a good old chuckle. Well done!

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