WAYLAND MEN’S SHED

WMS Newsletter December 2018 Issue 20

Your monthly update of News and Events

Chairman’s Foreword:

“Gentlemen, Well here we are at the end of yet another year, I would like to thank you all for supporting your branch of the "Men’s Shed"  its pleasing to see so many of you attending our open sessions during the past year, your committee will continue to listen to your comments and will do our best to try and make any improvements to the running of our group and to our meeting place in the way of Activities, comfort and facilities available to all WMS members.

I have recently had talks with the owners of our premises namely being the MOD and they are instructing their contractors to visit our hall to inspect the large rotten window frames at either end of the building and to price up the cost of total replacement at some time in the near future, as expected this will mean an increase to our rent but I am assured that it will be kept at an acceptable level and this will avoid us having to pay out for the replacement work out of our own funds. As and when more information becomes available all members will be kept informed. In the meantime, I look forward to seeing you all at our Christmas Dinner at Broom Hall and in the New Year ahead. Merry Xmas and A Happy new Year.” Richard Adams.

Editorial:

Confirmation of Christmas period opening times – The last day the Shed & Workshop will be open before Christmas is Wednesday 19th from 09:30 to 13:00 and then reopens again on Monday 31st December 2018 from 09:30 to12:00. The last day for the Computer Room will be Saturday 22nd December 2018 and re-opens Friday 4th January 2019 at usual times.

Fund raising ideas for 2019 – We all need to be conscious of the necessity to generate revenue in order to maintain a sound financial footing. Other than attempting to obtain grant funding we need to look at raising money through local self-help schemes. If any member has a potential idea(s) please come forward. Now there’s a challenge!

The Old School House - As mentioned above our lease expires on 31st March 2019 and your Committee have opened formal discussions with the MOD with the intention, if negotiable, of taking on a three-year term now that WMS is well established and currently on a sound financial footing. There are several hurdles to overcome as mentioned but if we can get agreement it then means we can move forward more positively with confidence.

Workshop promotion – As reported below we are indebted to Brian Lawrence for coming forward with a novel idea to make more use of the workshop. If any member has other innovative ideas please get in touch. We have a wonderful facility which needs putting to greater use for the benefit of all.

Let’s all talk Wayland Men’s Shed – There is expectation that this campaign will continue to gather momentum as we move forward into 2019. New prospective members are coming forward (see membership secretaries report) which suggests the message is filtering through the community. Please do not hesitate to ask for more prospective enrolment folders to handout as required. Our membership secretary John Chamberlin is more than happy to facilitate as is any other Committee member.

Photographic Archive – The search is on to gather any old photographs of The Old School House (Shed). Please investigate your cupboards, boxes in the loft or anywhere else. Ask the neighbours or friends. We have been very unsuccessful to date but we remain hopeful. Please start searching!

WAYLAND MEN’S SHED

Update on Shed Facilities and Amenities:

Workshop Activities: “The Workshop has been slowly, quietly growing of late. We are slowly receiving more members, keen to try whatever we have to offer. We do hope that every shed member knows that they are very welcome to visit and participate in the projects that we are into, or they may wish to try.

Man-of-the-month has to be Brian Lawrence! He has not only produced a very smart nesting box, but has also produced the very impressive plans and building instructions. We do hope that he will entice prospective woodworkers in here with us!

We have found that we will need to improve our dust extraction facilities in order to use the new wood turning lathe (it produces a massive amount of wood chips). We believe that we may be able to adapt the existing vacuum for the bench saw by adding a 'Y' adaptor and more piping. We are looking for some now.” Dave Gambrell, workshop supervisor.

The Computer Room:“Hello Fellow Shedders. Well it is that time of year again, seemed to be busy running up to the Big Day, problem I have, I am getting older these days and it is more of a walk, but still we do are best, I am sure you all are.

I was doing one of my many visits to the kind people of Dereham who have donated many item to WMS, and on this occasion I came across a gentleman called Richard that collects old Radios and Test Equipment dating back to the 1930’s, I have seen his collection which is housed in his workshop, and it has the wow factor, I am sure many of you have used or had the Radios and Test Equipment like these. I can remember using the Old style AVO (Electrical Test Equipment) many moons ago, also visiting my Grand Mother who had one of the Radios from the late 1940’s.

Malcolm Trayhorn has kindly put a poster up on the noticed board for you to put your name down to visit the Radio and Test Equipment, if you wish. If you would like to see the collection just Google: www.richardsradios.co.uk and have a look and see what you think.

The Computer Room will be closed from 22nd December 2018 till the 4th January 2019, hope to see you then. On behalf of The Computer Team, I would like to wish you a very Merry Xmas and a Happy New Year 2019, and thank you for your support. Till the next time.” Jeff Heath & Computer Team.

Recent HappeningsWatton Festive Christmas Market 25th November - WMS supported this event by providing six eager volunteers, on the first shift, to man the road blocks either end of Watton High street from 10:00 to 13:00. Despite attempts by some drivers to run our members over they found it an enjoyable task, particularly as the weather was very kind for time of year. The WMS safety vests came in very handy.

WAYLAND MEN’S SHED

Future Social Events:

Mulled Wine & Mince Pies gathering takes place Friday 14th December at the Shed from 10:00 to 13:00 and we look forward to as many members and guests as possible attending. A big thank you to all members who have generously volunteered to bring along some mince pies for the occasion and to David Gambrell for arranging the mulled wine supplies.

Please keep an eye open for the events notices either posted or pinned on the Shed noticeboard by Malcolm Trayhorn and ensure you make your booking & reservation in good time to help with the organising. Malcolm’s contact details: - 01953 529531 or malcolm.trayhorn@lineone.net

Business, Administration & Housekeeping issues:

Normal Shed Opening Times - Mondays and Wednesdays from 9.30 am to 1.00 pm.

The Shed will also be opened by the IT team on Fridays from 10.00 am to 1.00 pm, and Saturdays from 10.00 am to 12.30 pm.(Please note anyone using the computer room must only do so under the supervision of one of the listed supervisors).

Help – We still in need of volunteers to help man the Shed. Your help will be appreciated.

Housekeeping - Please assist your fellow members by remembering to help with washing-up and keeping the place generally tidy. The member who has kindly volunteered to open the Shed is not expected to clear-up after other members. Your co-operation in this matter will be much appreciated.

Shed attendance registration - Please remember to log-in and out and pay your subs on every visit. This is also to know, in case of fire or other emergencies, all persons have been safely evacuated and accounted for. The muster-station is at the front of the Shed.

Membership - “Memberships now stand at 64 which means that the word is getting about. Attendance is steady with a few more members attending now the weather has closed in. It’s good to touch base with everybody.” John Chamberlin - Membership Secretary.

Finances - “Shed funds remain very stable and our balance is healthy. I thank all members for their regular attendance as this helps maintain our income, I also thank the computer team for continued sales, they have raked in £300 in sales and scrap over the last 2 months alone. Well done lads.” John Chamberlin - Treasurer.

Committee meetings: The next committee meeting is on Wednesday 9th January 2019 at 19:00 hours, and as always non-committee members are very welcome to sit-in and observe proceedings but not participate, unless invited to do so by the Chairperson.

Health & Safety: Please always be diligent. Accident / Incident book: please record all incidents.

WAYLAND MEN’S SHEDCommunications. Please liaise with John Chamberlin as regards contact details and any changes.

WMS Committee Members:Richard Adams – Chairman 01953 881004John Chamberlin – Membership / Treasurer 01953 886892Jezz Hookham – Secretary 01953 881808Malcolm Trayhorn - Social Sec. / Press Officer 01953 529531Dave Gambrell – Workshop Supervisor 01953 799846Harry Moult 01953 882992

Malcolm Taylor – Site gardener 01953 889962Gordon Williams – Vice Chairman 01953 884082Ron Payne 01953 884061Robert King – Procurement officer 01953 885047Jeffrey Heath – Computers & Technical 01362 694055

Thought for the month: Compound interest - “They who understands it, earns it. They who do not, pays it.”

Please remember to visit www.waylandmensshed.com for updates and news items or to communicate via our email address: waylandmensshed@gmail.com

As always, a big thank you to all members who have contributed to this month’s newsletter.

A very HAPPY CHRISMAS and HEALTHY NEW YEAR to all our readersJezz Hookham, Editor. JMHDecember2018WMSNewsletter