John Briot with items made at the Men’s Shed.

Men’s Shed to take part in wood market

Members of a charity that offers companionship and a sustainable hobby will be selling their wares at the wood market organised at the Alexandra Park community greenhouse in March, reports Lynda Foy. Photos by Colin Foy.

The market at Alexandra Park greenhouse, off St Helens Road in Hastings, will host the Men’s Shed stall where members will sell items such as wooden bird boxes. The public can also place orders for bespoke items to be made or repaired.

The market, running from 10am to 3pm on Saturday 22 March, will be part of a Wood Weekend to celebrate World Wood Day. Admission is free.

The Hastings and St Leonards Men’s Shed at Manhattan Gardens, Ore, is a charity founded in 2016 and run by volunteers. Godfrey Bevan, one of its trustees, said the Shed is part of a national association of Men’s Sheds. It currently has about 186 members, 10% of whom are women. “Our members range from able-bodied to the disadvantaged and vulnerable,” he said.

The Shed aims to mitigate loneliness and social isolation, and the consequent mental and physical ill health. “The Shed provides a welcoming environment where they can make friends, pursue a craft hobby, and feel valued.”

Members often work with donated materials, with income from sales contributing to running costs.

A timely device made by a Men’s Shed member.

The Shed is housed in a rented building which includes a wood and a metal workshop, plus a social area. The trustees are fund-raising to buy the building and secure the project’s future.

Woodworker John Briot, a former painter and decorator who once played football for Crystal Palace, said: “I really enjoy working here. You can make up your own mind what to make and you’re able to do it.”

Saturday’s market will also feature stalls including the Sussex Trug industry, a demonstration of brush-making, and Rupert Bozeat, a former lecturer in furniture and product design, making and selling simple wooden utensils.

On Sunday 23 March Rupert Bozeat will lead a wood carving workshop at the greenhouse. Beginners will learn how to carve useful utensils from soft, recently-felled hardwood. The event runs from 9.30am to 5.30pm; tickets costing £60, plus a £5.71 booking fee, can be bought from Eventbrite.

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