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Charitable status

BlewShed is now a registered charity – Charity number 1213692. This will allow the further development of the Shed over the next few years.

Machine Shop

Following the expansion, we have dedicated the ‘old’ area to being a metalworking machine shop. To this end we have accepted a kind donation of a Colchester Student 1800 lathe and a Bridgeport style milling machine (see picture below). Added to our existing mill and Myford lathe, and a metal bandsaw, we now have a very capable machine shop.

Expansion!

At last, we are moving into the rest of the building! Due to an understanding Blewbury Parish Council (many thanks!), we now have much more space in which to Shed. We will be agreeing to do repair, maintenance, and improvement work on the building with the BPC, to enhance the facilities and preserve the property. Our greatly increased membership has been a tight squeeze, especially with all the equipment we have had donated. We will now be able to put all of this to good use. If you have not been for a while, you will see a big difference! The entrance has now moved to the West end of the building, with better, level, access.

Projects

Following the successful repair (actually a complete rebuild) of the cricket club’s gang mower, we have embarked on a Sleigh replacement program. Santa needs it for this Xmas, so it is all hands to the pump. Fortunately we now have more space coming- more on this in a later update.

We have a marquee!

Thanks to Wantage Brass Band, we now have a Marquee over out entrance patio. Gives cover to our outdoor build area, and protection when we have an al fresco coffee break…

Clubs and Societies day at Blewbury Village Hall

Lots of interest generated at this event on 24th Sept 2023

Bench is now ready!

BlewShed has constructed a bench out of donated Ironbark wood, using traditional methods, for installation on Ticker’s Folly field.

BewShed are laying a new path to the entrance, and a patio area to take advantage of Summer weather- when it comes!

Being a Shed, it is not a stick-and-string approach- helps to have a surveyor in the group…

We have already made an outdoor work bench, more furniture to come.

Plans are underway to offer DIY courses for members of the public. Currently available commercial courses are expensive, and involves travelling. We hope to provide a local service to get people started…

There has been considerable interest in forming an Electronic/computing SIG (special interest group). This has now started, and meeting are a regular event on Thursday afternoons.

New Equipment

A kind donation from a member means that we now have a milling machine! Effort is going into mounting more of our now extensive machinery on wheels, to maximize working space.

OLDER

2022 AGM

At the AGM, it was decided to add a Membership Secretary, to handle the tracking and admin involved, and an Equipment Officer, to ensure we have an equipment maintenance and safety schedule.

Club Sec Mike has made this trophy for Abingdon Cricket Club

Wood used is Walnut and Ash from the cricket ground.

|December club night

Mulled wine and mince pies- a social get together in the workshop.

December 2021

October club night

A talk and practical demonstration of welding, conducted outdoors under floodlights!

Another small community project- brass fitting to secure a staff to a pew in St Michael’s Church.

With the further reduction in restrictions on 17th May, we are now open on a regular basis. Time to get that Summer project under way!

Club nights will resume on 8th September (second Wednesday of the month).

At last!

As we are classified as a ‘community centre’ we are able to re-open on Tuesday, 13th April 2021. Initially this will be with Covid measures in place, including pre-booking of attendance, to ensure manageable numbers.

You may come along without booking, but we cannot guarantee there is space, and it may not be open (no booked places). If you want to be sure of access, please book.

Why not come along! We would love to see you.

Re-opening! Following the reduction in restrictions, and a health and safety assessment, we are pleased to announce that the Shed will re-open on 1st September 2020.

The Corona virus outbreak has sadly meant that BlewShed has closed as of 17th March 2020. It will re-open when Government advice permits.

At last the opportunity to install the replacement bell rope boss to the ceiling of Blewbury church presented itself. The oak boss, turned by member Mike Wrottesley, covers the hole where the missing boss once was. This completes our contribution to this part of the restoration, but there are many other parts of the church that need some attention…

Christmas is coming- Toys are being made!