Author: Iain Millar
Retired IT project manager / IT manager Developer of the basic website for Pentlands Men’s Shed Keen dinghy sailor – sails a Laser dinghy and a Mirror dinghy at St Mary’s Loch Sailing Club Reluctant gardener Originally from Forfar – lived in Aberdeen for 24 years before moving back to the Edinburgh area

Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway visit

Bo’ness and Kinneil Railway visit

A group from Pentlands Men’s Shed visited the Bo’ness and Kinneil railway and museum on 19 September 2023. By all accounts it was a most enjoyable visit despite the weather, and at least one member expressed his wish that he could use the machine tools and equipment in their “proper” workshop. It’s great that the Shed isn’t just about making things, and that social activities are also a feature of what we do.

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Table Saw Safety

Table Saw Safety

We don’t want anyone to get hurt, so please take care with tools in general, and power tools especially. The table saw will be the most dangerous tool that the Shed has and while there are obvious dangers associated with it, kickback if you don’t know about it is a hidden danger which can happen extremely quickly and result in serious injuries. The YouTube video below does a good job of explaining the risks and how to avoid them.

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Health & Safety Video

Health & Safety Video

Shed safety is of paramount importance and the Scottish Men’s Shed Association has co-created the following film lasting about 7 minutes,  in collaboration with Stonehaven & District Men’s Shed, premium spirits producer Edrington, and film producers and the largest specialist social media agency in Scotland, We are Hydrogen. It is intended to help members know the basics of good governance and health and safety protocols in the Shed.

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Mental Health Information Station

Mental Health Information Station

The following was received in an email to Pentlands Men’s Shed in June 2023. It is listed below for information and for the use of anyone who feels the need for such a service.

The Mental Health Information Station is a weekly NHS mental health information drop-in service that runs every Thursday at the Walpole Hall in Palmerston Place. Our drop-in service not only provides mental health related information advice but also runs a phone and email service. Our team is made up of Mental Heal Nurses, Occupational Therapists, OT Assistants, partner service and volunteers.

– DROP-IN service is open to the public every Thursday from 10.30 am till 3 pm (no appointment required). Located at Walpole Hall, (next to St Mary’s Cathedral), Palmerston Place, Edinburgh. EH12 5AW.

– Phone – Thursdays 10:30am – 3.00pm on 0131 537 8688

– Email – MentalHealthInformation@nhslothian.scot.nhs.uk

Air Cadet Robots

Air Cadet Robots

The Cadets from No 297 Squadron Musselburgh) Royal Air Force Air Cadets are building Robot vehicle from kits supplied by Leonardo Systems. The project is also part of the STEM learning. The Cadets have to build the kits, which involves soldering circuit boards to link the controls to cordless drill motors to create method of propulsion.

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Currie Nursery “Bunny Hutch”

Currie Nursery “Bunny Hutch”

In response to a request from Currie Nursery, Alastair “2 Sheds”, with help from other members, has built an architectural masterpiece to house two rabbits. Domino and Woody now have a superb hutch that has been constructed from a big storage box and a host of other components including a dog crate and some bathroom panels. With signs carved by Stewart, the whole installation looks fantastic and we hope that the bunnies enjoy their accommodation.

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Balerno Nursery – Planters and Signs

Balerno Nursery – Planters and Signs

Jan agreed to take on a project for Balerno Nursery, to build some planters so that the children could learn about planting and growing flowers and vegetables. The job was quite sizeable, and Murray and others helped him to build these impressive, custom-designed items. Jan also engaged Stewart to carve some signs for the Nursery to highlight some of the items in the garden and playground area. We think the results are first class – and so do the leaders and teachers from the Nursery!

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2023 Members’ Survey

2023 Members’ Survey

We carried out a survey of our members in 2023 to find out what we should be doing differently to continue to meet our members’ objectives in the future. The results of the survey have been tabulated and summarised.

At this stage the summary consists only of the responses from members: at some future point we may be able to expand the summary to include any proposed changes to the way the Shed is run or the facilities or services that we can offer.

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First Aid Course

First Aid Course

A large group of Shed members welcomed Stephanie Wilson from the British Red Cross to the Shed on 17 March 2023, when she gave an excellent first aid course which was both enjoyable and highly informative. Some members had never had any previous first aid training, while others used the session as a refresher to top up their existing knowledge.

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Theme: Overlay by Kaira Website developed by members of the Pentland Men's Shed
98 Forthview Crescent, Currie EH14 5QP, Scotland
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