Winslow Men in Sheds Chairman’s Report for 2022
Winslow Shed has been established for 7 years now so it’s fair to say that many, if not most have at least heard of the ‘Men in Sheds’ idea even if they weren’t too aware that there was such a flourishing example in Winslow, if not I spread the word as often as possible.
The main headline from 2022 is that the Winslow Shed has managed to find ways to keep going - even flourish - over the last couple of difficult years. It is easy to focus on project outcomes so, once again in my chairman’s report, I felt it important to emphasise that the Shed’s main purpose is to provide a social hub in a supportive way for men with time on their hands or those in need of social contact.
One other thing we’re pretty certain about is that the projects we take on can prove to be quite large to most visitors and this is due to the fact that we are quite unusual in having such spacious accommodation at least for another few years we hope.
Our A.G.M. was held on 5[th] April and was well attended. It was followed by our just slightly late Christmas Barbeque. However, it is with deep regret that I have to inform you that the said barbeque will not be happening again today.
During April and May we held some demonstrations on our machinery etc. this was aimed at satisfying curiosity or the first step towards developing confidence and competence for safe, independent use of machines in Winslow Shed. The sessions varied from using the woodturning lathe to tool sharpening and were well supported.
We were also very pleased to help MK Sailability an organisation providing sailing opportunities for anyone with disabilities that might otherwise prevent them from getting out on the water. Their boat Pippa spent her Winter and Spring at Winslow Shed while a team from MK Sailability treated her to new paint and a thorough refurbishment. She has now rejoined the Sailability fleet.
It was decided at our Committee Meeting that we needed to raise the session price from £2.00 to £2.50 from July due to fuel costs and material costs. This was the first time we have raised the price since we began so I think we have done very well to maintain the same price for 7 years.
Our visit to Bicester Heritage proved to be very interesting as this former derelict RAF base was transformed in 10 years into a hub for the classic car industry. Those who attended were privileged to be given a guided tour of the site, an introduction to some of the 45+ motoring related businesses now based there.
Just in time for Jubilee celebrations, Padbury village residents were delighted to receive their new bookswap cabinet - now installed outside the village hall which was the project of Ray.
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230717 MISW Report and Accounts 2022
Winslow Combined School asked if we could make some shed-like playground resources for their reception class. We made them a den and a scooter shed and managed to do it at no cost due to our fund-raising efforts during the year.
We also had a very successful day at the Winslow Bank Holiday Show after two years of it being cancelled due to Covid. The show gives us the opportunity to talk to the Winslow community and to encourage some of the older men to join us. Our speciality on the stand was that of wood turning, not quite the wood turning you might expect but turning blocks of wood upside down from one end to the other in the shortest time possible for a cash prize. This proved to evoke much rivalry between groups and families and at £1.00 a go it was also good for Men in Sheds.
It was with great sadness that we lost one of our founding members, Ian Whitehall, in late October. He came to be known as Mr Scooter and terrorised the vehicles coming from Great Horwood to Winslow. He was also in charge of the inside workshop - if you couldn’t find anything you asked Ian and if Ian didn’t know where to find one the chances were, that we never had one in the first place. A large number of Shedders went to Ian’s funeral on 9[th] November that was a sad but special day. Ian’s desire to help anyone who needed it, his patience, his kindness and his encouragement to everyone is a rich legacy he has left with us - we are all the better for having known him. We’ve now named the workshop after him and put up a plaque, a small tribute to a great Shed Man.
We started our Christmas Fair projects earlier this year as last year we were sold out by the start of the evening, the aim therefore was to produce a larger number of items to last for longer. We certainly need to raise some extra cash, if only to keep up with this year’s rising fuel bills. The Fair was a great success and again we sold out of most items.
Despite covid, financially we managed to come in at year end in the black, more from Colin on our finances.
At the A.G.M. last year, I raised a project that I wanted the Shed to work on, namely having a Defibrillator installed at the Men In Sheds building. I can now tell you that it is on the wall outside the main front doors and is available to anyone who needs it. We hope it is never used.
We are now also listed as a “Warm Space” for anyone who wants some heat and a tea or coffee.
With regard to our position with the premises, the future remains somewhat uncertain but at this moment we believe that we are secure for at least another 18 months or 2 years.
Dave Saunders Chairman Tuesday 18[th] April 2023
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230717 MISW Report and Accounts 2022
MEN IN SHEDS WINSLOW 2022 INCOME AND EXPENDITURE STATEMENT
| INCOME Subscriptions Session Fees Sales Donations Funding Interest |
ACTUAL EXPENDITURE 567.50 Equipment 2,415.05 Materials 1,223.00 Electricity & Gas 1,367.50 Insurance 26.00 IT 102.80 UK Men’s Sheds Ass'n Health and Safety Waste/Recycling Card Processing Fees Sundries Surplus 5,701.85 |
ACTUAL 2,121.36 532.50 1,298.63 345.80 14.39 30.00 99.54 174.77 18.71 245.29 820.86 |
|---|---|---|
| 5,701.85 |
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 DECEMBER 2022 RESERVE FUND
| Balance Brought Forward 01 January 2022 Surplus of Income over Expenditure 2022 Balance Carried Forward Financed as under FIXED ASSETS CURRENT ASSETS Cash in Hand Teachers B S T S B Current Account Sundry Debtors Less CURRENT LIABILITIES Eon - electricity Eon - gas |
50.00 16,500.92 799.21 0.00 90.29 81.07 |
16,357.91 820.86 |
|---|---|---|
| 17,178.77 | ||
| 0.00 17,350.13 171.36 |
||
| 17,178.77 |
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230717 MISW Report and Accounts 2022