How time flies, it doesn’t seem, five minutes since we opened in November 2024. In January 2025 we increased to five sessions on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Friday mornings and subsequently added Saturday mornings. We regularly have 4-9 people attending each session. New members are always welcome, so if you haven’t made an appearance,
please do pop in.
On Saturday 31st May we had the official Grand Opening, it was an opportunity to invite the many companies and individuals who donated either, financially or with donations of time, professional skills and/or equipment. The lunch time barbeque was a highlight and prepared and cooked by Saturday Lead, Tim Elwell. It was a glorious sunny day, and we were able to bring our families along and show them where we’d been “hiding” for the last few months. Thanks was given to Sheila Maughan after her original idea was brought into reality – a great reason to celebrate!
Changes at the Shed
One problem had been identified very early on, was that we were already running out of working & storage space! For safe use of floor mounted machinery, there must be space around these machines for ease of working and for personal safety. Therefore, after much thought, the solution was deemed to build a Lean-To Shed on the rear of the cabins for timber storage. Mike Woods stepped up to design and manage the build and installation team. He drew up plans in consultation with other members, using his local contacts from when he had his wood working company in Twyford. Sadly, Mike will not see the fine structure he designed as he has passed away recently. I had only known Mike since I joined the shed and I know how much he will be missed because if the shed needed something collecting or sourcing, he was the man who would jump in and make it happen. RIP Mike.
Bob B has taken over the project lead, so “Bob the Builder” and along with Philip D and other members have laboured away to build what looks like being an excellent Lean-To at the rear of the cabins. For a lot of members, Shedquarters has become the “Man’s Cave or Workshop” however it may not stay that way forever as we hope to encourage a female lead and welcome women to future sessions.
Whitchurch Hill Fete 24th May
Big Phil suggested we have a presence at this fete for three reasons. The first to spread the word about Shedquarters, the second to show items that had been made at Shedquarters with the intention of selling them to generate funds. His last reason being he had seen tools on sale at last year’s fete, and he thought we could sell some of our renovated tools
For me, the day produced two personal highlights. The first was a young girl who was interested in the jewellery made by Tim E. She could not make her mind up which pieces she wanted and said she would come back, and she did later in the afternoon and made her purchases. She passed by a couple more times and each time gave me a lovely smile.
My second highlight was a young lad of 9 years. He was studying the tools we had for sale and his mum gave him permission to buy a Stanley knife on the understanding he used it under supervision. Given his interest in the variety of tools that we had I decided to ask him if he could name a particular tool. He answered without hesitation that it was a spoke shave. I was impressed because it was an old fashion wooden one which your average person would probably not know. His mum said that he enjoyed wood working and had recently made her a wooden spatula. Later, he came back to buy the spoke shave but unfortunately it had been sold. Roger S and I said we would get one for him. We found him one, along with some chisels which his mother agreed he could have. I enjoy encouraging youngsters to do wood working, hence the donation of the tools. His mum sent me an email with a picture of a salt spoon he made for her birthday. For his end of term gift for his teacher he made a small noughts and crosses board and for his brother a fishing rod – amazing skills for such a small person!
Stained Glass Workshop
When I filled in the form to join Shedquarters there was a question “what are you interested in?” and I wrote down Stained Glass, (as I had always fancied trying my hand).
Recently, six of us spent three consecutive afternoons at the Shed learning the basics of stained glass work under the excellent tutelage of Nicola Kantorowicz, Master stained glass artist, who has her studio in the Sonning Common. We were shown how the professionals do it then given a choice of basic patterns to choose from along with a selection of different coloured glass. Then we set and cut the glass and fitted the lead edging and once we had finished that it was on to the soldering iron. It sounds simple, it is, but some hands are more dextrous than others, and yours truly struggled if I am honest but I enjoyed the challenge. I am pleased with what I achieved and would love to do some more. I believe, I speak for all involved in saying that found the course very interesting and fulfilling. The ‘works of art’ we had produced will be hung at home and will be used as sun-catchers to allow the sunlight can shine through.
Sonning Common Village Day
A really hot day, compared to last year! Our stall had a variety of items for sale, welly boot stores, jewellery stores, earrings, necklaces but we were there to promote Shedquarters to local people. New members signed up and we also sold some rejuvenated tools. Thanks to all involved.
A Final Thought
Outside the door to our Shed, alongside the concrete path, Richard M has created a wildflower patch. I was expecting some grass to grow but was told to leave the “weeds” and sure enough, as if by magic, they became beautiful flowers, nature can surprise one.
The Shed is open Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday 10-12.30.
Please come along to any of these sessions.
Roger Phebey, July 2025