April 2024 Newsletter part one

1. Welcome to the April edition of the WMS newsletter. I hope you have been able to get out between the constant rain showers we have had during the month. Lets hope the April showers arrived early! I suppose the main news item this month is the possible move to new premises in Waterlooville. There are a great many factors still to be considered before a final decision is made to move. After an anonymous vote amongst the thirty members in attendance at the new site on Wednesday 20th March it was voted by 23 for and 7 against to move forward. It was emphasised that the agreement to move was just the first stage and each decision must be acceptable to all and to the future of WMS. The Vice Chair reiterated that the last thing we wanted was division amongst members over the decision. Another aspect of the potential move is the fact that many members would be required to step forward and help with the move as at the moment a minority group cover many of the day-to-day aspects of the WMS. A project of this immensity will require a major contribution by all capable members. The alternative option would be to remain in our current building with a lease up to 2028 when it would be up for review. This will almost certainly involve a new monthly rent charge, which is not known at this time. As we know, the roof is in desperate need of repair. We have three quotes for the work, which HBC now hold, but to comply with the latest building regulations the height of the external walls will require raising to accommodate the roof, which will involve planning permission. As you can see there is a great deal of work and decision making on behalf of WMS. All I can promise at this stage is that the Committee will keep members abreast of any developments, but be reassured that no decision will be made without consultation with the members.

The site does have potential with car parking and an area at the back for our BBQ’s and Socials. There is also a possibility behind the Shed for those wishing to work on projects too big for inside. We have been offered the option to extend our footprint out to the front also for storage or what ever we require. Facilities like power water supply and drainage, toilets etc. we understand would be covered by HBC. The urgency in getting a membership decision is the fact that other parties are also interested in taking on the premises. The Committee are not an autocratic body and are there to reflect and address members concerns. So if you have any comments, suggestions or ideas please get in touch.

2. On the social front, we have had a couple of events. The first was seven members travelled to Tichfield Festival Theatre 16th March to see a new play entitled ‘Men’s Shed’. It told the comic story of a ‘Shed’ and it’s members and how a female wanted to join the Shed. Help to over come this situation came from an unexpected source, namely the Women’s Institute. It was quite partisan in the audience, with groups of both Shed men and WI women cheering their respective organisations. The WI helped the Shed by telling the women that the clue was in the title and that saved the day. After the play I called backstage to say hi to an acting mate who was in the play. When he found I was with a Men’s Shed he asked how many characters did we have in our Shed that were depicted in the play. I responded with, most of them, but that was the attraction of Sheds, having a cross section of men with varied skills and backgrounds meeting together. The programme also gave the audience information of Sheds and how it has helped men to come together and share their experiences without any pressure or embarrassment. It is a fact that men do not talk freely about their concerns both physical and mental but are more relaxed to talk in an all male environment.