Click here to view the September 2020 Ebulletin

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The UKMSA presented their annual ShedFest event online for 2020 – no easy feat, but the team were equal to the challenge and filled three days (7th, 8th & 9th July) with interesting and engaging content for Shedders across the nation to enjoy.

Broadcast live via Youtube and Facebook the event featured discussion, interviews with Shed veterans and luminaries, as well as demonstrations from talented individuals such as the ‘Blind Woodturner’. ShedFest 2020 was an unmissable online event but if you did miss it, the whole thing is available to view on the UKMSA website.

We were delighted to be a part of the event – which featured guests from across the UK as well as internationally – Sarah Troop (ESN Project Manager and Director of Maldon & District CVS) contributed on the panel discussing how Sheds could re-engage with their communities post Lockdown. It was an interesting conversation and covered a lot of ground which would be of interest to any Shed negotiating the choppy waters of re-opening safely: Click here to view and don’t hesitate to get in touch if you have any questions arising from the discussion.

Thank you to UKMSA for bringing us ShedFest 2020 and we look forward to 2021, be it online or otherwise!

As Lockdown restrictions ease it’s only right that we begin to look at the safest ways to re-open Sheds. And, with the guidelines under constant review in light of the shifting nature of the virus, this is no easy task.

A good place to start is checking the government guidelines thoroughly. Luckily for us all the UKMSA – as the national body for Men’s Sheds – are taking the lead on analysing and interpreting what the latest guidelines mean for Sheds:

The Essex Shed Network endorses this information as well as having released an abbreviated set of points for Sheds to Consider via email to all Essex Sheds.

The main point is really to go steady; we all want Sheds open again but rushing in carelessly and in ignorannce of recent events – even at just one Shed – will do harm to everyone in the movement.

We’ll be sharing all the latest information here and on our social media channels, so stay tuned all and we’ll all be back Shedding safely as soon as possible!

The following advice has been posted on the UKMSA website and we support this common sense approach: if you feel unwell please do not attend your Shed until you feel recovered and, if you are concerned at all, please call the NHS 111 service.

Stay well everyone.

We’re into the second month of 2020 already and, though there are plenty of exciting things happening this year, 2019 was a great year for the Essex Shed Network and our first year of funding from the National Lottery Community Fund. Here are just some of our highlights by month from 2019-

Jaywick Men’s Shed featured on Look East, the BBC evening regional news programme which aired Monday 13th January. Lead Shedder Steve Peterson was interviewed by Mike Liggins along with Matt Hume, ESN’s Shed Development Officer.

We got in touch with BBC Look East after seeing their series about the community of Jaywick (which aired through the week from January 6th) to tell them about the Men’s Shed we are helping to set up there and asked whether they’d be interested in filming.

They sent Mike Liggins and a cameraman to meet us at the Shed and put together a 2 minute piece which gave a good impression of what Jaywick Men’s Shed is about, as well as complementing the series which has presented a much more positive side of Jaywick then has previously been shown in the media.

The piece is available to view for a short time on BBCi player here and starts from 21mins 40secs.

We were honoured and amazed to receive a donation of £6038 from Taylor Wimpey East London. The incredible amount was raised from an auction during a Charity Golf Day organised by Taylor Wimpey. Thanks to the generosity of the various contractors and partners who took part in the auction, the Essex Shed Network received a sum which will make a real difference in helping to grow new Sheds across the county, whilst contributing to the support available to existing Men’s Sheds.

As well as a share of the proceeds from the auction, we were also handed a large box of tea and biscuits which had been donated by the staff of TW East London. This was gratefully received by Maldon Shed who also gave time out of their session to provide tours of their Shed and pose for pictures!

The Essex Shed Network were chosen alongside another charity by Taylor Wimpey East London to receive their support for 2019/2020. We were originally put forward by employee Steve Ellis whose uncle attends a Men’s Shed on the Isle of Man- so we owe a big thank you to Uncle Bob and Steve for thinking of us originally. Thank you also to the staff of Taylor Wimpey East London including Peter Sebry and Abigail Gray for your support.

We’ve just released the October 2019 Essex Shed Network Ebulletin containing all the latest news and more from around the network.

Don’t worry if you missed it, you can catch up by clicking here and then to make sure you get future monthly e-bulletins direct to your Inbox then just click here!

The Beacon Shed held its official launch event on the 2nd October under sunny skies and with a sizable crowd in attendance. Everyone who took a tour of the Shed couldn’t help but be impressed by what the Beacon Shedders have achieved; what started life as two 40′ shipping containers has now become something of a ‘Show Shed’ with its own kitchen, disabled toilet and even an office!

The Shed welcomes all men from the community and, although a project of Thundersley Congregational Church, Terry Irving as Shed Lead was keen to stress that there is “no expectation for men to be a part of or join the church to use the Shed”.

Opening on Monday, Wednesday and Fridays between 9am and 2pm from 7th October, The Beacon Shed is certain to make a real difference to the lives of men in the local community.

The Shed is located in the car park off London Road, opposite the Bread and Cheese pub. Anyone wishing to find out more can email – shed@thebeacon.org