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Ali Skinner is away again this week, so you will have to put up with my ramblings in this edition of the newsletter.
It is good to report another week of progress on a number of fronts: Covid restrictions are being lifted to the point where we can start to get the Shed back to more normal operation, and we are also moving forward with the refurbishment of the Portacabin and the set-up of our own premises.
We hope to soon be in a position to re-start work on the pallet fence for the primary school. This will have the dual benefit of helping the school, and clearing out some of the accumulated pallets around the Shed. An early activity will be painting or repainting the sections of fence that have been built, before moving them and installing them at the school. Plenty to do there!
Unfortunately, despite our efforts to improve the temporary patches on the Portacabin roof last Friday, the torrential rain of the last few days has provided even more evidence - if that were needed - of just how much the roof must have leaked before we got tarpaulins and boards up.
Inside the Portacabin, the new floor has been completed and work has started on framing the interior. John has provided the following update, along with some photos which you may have seen on WhatsApp, and which will soon be on the website:
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Geoff has been busy all week giving his apprentice John a ‘Masterclass’ in constructing wooden wall frames. The two gable ends are now completed and in their final position. The remaining pieces of flooring have also been fitted and all this has happened without either of them coming to blows!!
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Unfortunately due to the lack of floor space it hasn’t been possible to have more helpers or any spectators. One half of the floor was used for tools and prepping the timber whilst the other half was used to construct the frames.
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John has been very grateful to have had the opportunity to work with such a calm and meticulous craftsman as Geoff. He has even learnt a new word…’Dwang’ and it’s not one of Geoff’s swear words either!
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Viewing of the ‘show’ shed will be available on Friday and you can see what a ‘Dwang’ is. See you all then.
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As John said, there is only space for a couple of people working together on the framing inside the Portacabin. However, there are other jobs to be done outside, including laying slabs round the back of the Shed (the side nearer the road) and keeping the garden area clear of weeds. We have also acquired a lot of materials which has kept Stewart busy, checking out what is on offer, and coordinating and working with other members to collect the slabs and timber that we have subsequently acquired.
Before I finish, I would like to welcome Mark "Bing" Crosbie to the Shed as a new member. I understand that his nickname has nothing to do with his singing ability, but if the ability to sing had been a prerequisite for membership, I can assure you that I would never have been allowed to join the Shed!
Have a good week, and stay safe.
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