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Hi
Although I’m back in Currie you will not be seeing me at the shed for another week at least. Mary got notice that she could have her cataract op this coming week subject to all the covid tests etc. so we came back early and started to get organised for self isolation. The test is on Saturday morning and the op on Tuesday if all goes to plan so after my visit to click and collect today we will both be isolating until at least Wednesday or Thursday of next week. It was good to get the opportunity for Mary to go early, if it happens. Some cancellations are due at the moment because the patients test positive and therefore cannot be done on their due date which is why we are trying to be cautious.
News via What’s app suggests that John is now on holiday so all the form filling seems to have worked John, Enjoy the break and the beers!
I spent a most enjoyable three hours this morning on the SMSA Zoom meeting, don’t worry if you missed it it has been recorded and it is fascinating. All I’m going to say at the moment is if you have not seen it, and you are an SMSA member you can see it when it comes up on the SMSA link, then you can form an opinion on how well you think our shed is doing in the overall scheme of things. One thing came across very clear, we have to be inclusive so I’m not undertaking any more work for the shed in my garage, it will have to wait until it can be done at the shed where others can see it and take part if interested or observe if not. If I heard correctly six Scottish sheds have folded over the past two months due to members feeling it was not worth continuing their membership and much of it, but not all, was due to COVID with some wishing to carry on as normal. All discussions for another day but let us keep Friday morning going as our get together day without timescales or deadlines for anything else on that day, no taking work home but leave it to be sorted or explained at the next agreed time. Maybe start off this Friday with a general chat with all members as to what they get out of, or would like to get out of, the Shed.
There is a general feeling in the organisation that while the tea and tools idea started the surge in sheds and got men talking to each other it is now tea and companionship and learning from each other on all aspects of life that is becoming much more important. This is where we as a shed have greatly benefited, not only from the excellent cameraderie but by becoming known in the community through the work we have been doing in making things, for them, but doing it together. Also, although we don’t have a ‘workshop’ yet we do have, courtesy of the Scouts an excellent venue suitable for socialising, even at the distances we have to do it at the moment, a room to store stuff and carry out limited assembly and I would suggest this is the way to continue progressing for the rest of this year at least, while we get the workshop part of the shed up and running. We should continue to do that by using the available volunteer labour available on days other that Fridays for whatever is the next part of the project. I’ll be interested to hear of your deliberations on this and please if you can view the presentations when they become available, it will explain much more.

Finally, the following from the coop via Lorraine
Dan from the Currie store should be contacting you very soon as there is to be a 'big cheque' presentation on Sat. Nov 20th (failing that the Thursday/Friday before). Ravelrig RDA will also be presented to from the Currie store, so might be the same time - plenty of room outside so that should work.

Just a heads up for now, I have been in touch with Dan to contact you re this.

Please keep this date in your diary, i'll give you any updates I receive, we have done extremely well from the Coop who have allocated us a lot of the 'Unassigned' monies in the member fund so it was very worthwhile attending their zoom meetings and answering all of their questionaires.

That’s it for now,
Keep well and stay safe.
Regards
Alister


Best Regards,

Alister Skinner
Chairman
Pentlands Men's Shed