Kentish Men’s Shed
MEN’S SHEDS can provide a worthwhile community service and at the same time give members an abiding sense of self-worth. In the very near future members will have a choice of various crafts or be able to repair and restore small engines, build a boat or whatever their interest may be.
The Kentish Men’s Shed group is in its infancy but shows clear indication that it has potential to become a valuable social asset, driven by the individual interests of the membership. We have a plethora of historical items begging for restoration, ranging from furniture to steam engines and horse-drawn vehicles. You can bring your own pet project to work on or immerse your energies in a community-related project. No craft or hobby is precluded from the list of potential activities. If you can carry it in to the shed – then it can happen.
As an off-shoot of Redwater Creek Steam & Heritage Society Inc., we have access to at least 3 steam portables and a number of elderly agricultural machines needing restoration. We can also help Bronwyn Rayner in her efforts to build a settlers’ village.
Further info. call Peter Willcox on 6491 2026
October 2011
There are several projects in hand at the Men’s Shed some of which shall take time to develop. The most ambitious is the further development of the shed itself which shall enable the installation of the wood working machines recently donated. Once wired in and properly guarded we should have a comprehensive work shop capable of quite large jobs including , we think, manufacture of carriages. Plans for the development application are almost ready to be submitted for approval
and include the shed extension, a portico to keep out the beastly weather, large car port and the blacksmith shop.Other projects in hand include firewood fundraiser, demolition of the Roland Station weighbridge building and fetching it to Sheffield where Redwater will restore it and hopefully have the scales in working order at the station.
Work on the Adirondack chairs is progressing well and we expect to fill our first orders soon.
All visitors can expect a cordial welcome. We are open every Thursday from 9 am to 3 pm.
Aug.2011
Thursdays are busy days at the Mens Shed. We now have a regular roll call of familiar faces. Various projects, including lining the shed, have moved along nicely. Also showing life are our plans to expand the shed itself (we out grew it before it was built). We have been fortunate to have Paul Wood (Wood Drafting and Design in Devonport) offer his services. Paul is preparing the drawings necessary to apply for building approvals and we are hopeful that we can submit our plans for the shed and blacksmith shop in a month or so. Also on the horizon is an opportunity for us to assist in developing the model rail layout facility within the loco shed annexe and, when the Hunslett arrives there will be work aplenty.We are open from 9am to 3pm Thursdays and visitors are always welcome.
June 2011
The Mens Shed is presently under-going a radical change bought on by advice tendered to Redwater in Mr Paul Wilson’s report early this year. His recommendation that the Mens Shed ought to become a separate entity due to financial implications at first caused some consternation but now it can be reported that appropriate insurance has been obtained and application for Incorporation applied for and it is to hoped that a healthy baby will be delivered by the end of this financial year. Spurred on by this development and the fact that the Shed was found to be too small in the first week of occupation, three members attended a recent council forum and outlined a three stage development plan receiving from council in-principle support for our endeavours. We are now
seeking a draughtsman to help us prepare the development application (and funding from available grants). Despite the change to an incorporated body we do not expect our relationship with Redwater to change. We are confident that as our membership grows so will our partnership with Redwater. It is acknowledged that without the initial support from Redwater the Shed would not now be a vibrant part of the Kentish Community. Members are invited to check us out on Thursdays from 9am to 3 pm.
Feb. 2011
The Mens Shed has taken delivery of wood working machinery which will enable our members to begin work on an out door furniture project that we hope will not only develop the skills of participants but also be a source of revenue that will provide for expansion of our facility and services. Commissioned recently the band saw, linishing machine (sander) and dust collector compliment our growing range of equipment much of which has been loaned or donated from within our community. We have yet to thank Ken Bailley for his very generous donations which include a splendid jig saw, dust collector and other items not to forget his loan of a spray unit and compressor. Redwater members are reminded that the Mens Shed is a part of the Society and you are welcome to visit and or participate in our activities. At this time we open from 9 am to 3 pm on Thursdays.
Dec.2010
Thursdays have been well attended at the shed of late and work on lining the shed is progressing well. We recently had a day trip to visit the Wynyard Mens Shed for a BBQ and gossip and brought home a gas fired furnace(just a small one) that Wynyard men thought would compliment our Blacksmith forge. As we are lucky enough to have a pattern maker on staff we can look forward to some creative activity in the future.
For the moment the Austin A40 is mothballed until we can build a secure leanto and then work can get underway. Our sausage sizzle fund raising returned to the station platform for the December running and we hope that our members can find time to sample our snags on Saturday running days.
All Redwater members are cordially invited to join us Thursdays 9 am to 3 pm
