Men’s Shed Ottery 2023 A. G. M.
Chairman’s Report
After a very busy and successful 2022 we have certainly carried on where we left off.
Here is a summary of some of the things we've been up to during the year.
Jeff, Tony and Stan opened the Shed for the Ottery Late Night Shopping event and did brisk business during the evening. This year I hear they will be wearing fancy dress as well- or maybe not!
It was a very well attended and enjoyable festive get together and meal in the Volunteer Pub. They did us proud again. Roll on the next one.
There were some very hectic and enjoyable evenings making Xmas Trees with the Ottery Scouts. But they provided us with a good supply of biscuits, to keep all of the Shedder helpers going. The scouts sold all of the trees they made and I attended a presentation in the scout hut when the money raised was given to Hospice Care. Well over £100 was donated.
In early December we again participated in the Christmas Tree Festival in the Parish Church. Our tree had pride of place at the entrance. Tony Mitchel, Jeff Wyldes and myself decorated the tree which included lots of smiling, angelic “Shedder faces” decorations made by Richard and Jeff.
This was followed up in the New Year with visits to our Shed by the Guides and more local Scouts when we made loads of bug boxes and did pyrography work. Again great work by all the Shedder helpers who volunteered their time.
In the summer Jeff Wyldes and I did a project with Tipton Primary School where we were judges of their design a bridge competition. We chose the winning designand planned how we could construct it.
Then, with the children, we used recycled timber to make the winning bridge design and it became the main feature of their new school nature garden.
Tony Pugh and Magnus worked really hard to make a range of owl boxes for the Tipton St. John Eager Beavers Group.
A number of Shedders worked together to make a new work bench for the local primary school children to use. Three raised platforms for the smaller children to stand on were also constructed. Many thanks to Dave Holland, Mike Stephen, Wayne, Len and the others who chipped in when needed.
As an aside, it was found that the bench was ideal for Stan to use.
And of course we continue to have a steady stream of Commissions coming in on a weekly basis. Including the Shedders favourite job- bench refurbishing!
Tony Pugh continues to represent our Men Shed by attending the Ottery Health and Well-being Meetings.
Stan, Tony and myself attended the inaugural meeting for the local Men’s Sheds, hosted by Axminster Tools at their Axminster Store and Factory.
We also found a very nice pub for lunch and would recommend a Shedders visit in the future. (Shedders get 10% discount at Axminster Tools)
A few of our members enjoyed another Cold Harbour Mill Steam Day visit.
A larger group of Shedders and partners enjoyed a visit to Yandle’s in Martock. Where again we managed to find a very hospitable pub for lunch because the Yandle’s restaurant was bursting full with a coachload of WI ladies.
Mike Stephen instigated a loosely monthly visit to the Volunteer Pub after the Friday Shed for a “drinks on the Shed” session. This was approved by our treasurer (good man) and has proved to be very popular for some reason.
At this point, I would like us to remember the untimely passing of Mark Rowland. Mark was a lovely sociable person and he really enjoyed the time spent in our Shed. In fact he was one of Peter Gradon’s favourite pupils.
We also need to thank Tim Bentley.
Tim, sadly, had to stand down as a trustee and give up his membership because of ill health. Tim was our go-getter for grant applications. He managed to obtain thousands of pounds of grant monies for our Shed during the last two years.
Hopefully he will be able to visit us in the future.
I would also like to thank Dave Sheppard for all the help he has given by providing lifts and the use of his trailer to transport materials and equipment. And for his numerous What’s App posts showing the fantastic array of items that he makes for his home and family. He is a valued member of our Shed.
We wish him well with his recovery from illness.
The Shed has attended and supported numerous fetes and events throughout the year. And also the Ottery Community Market.
Quite a few Shedders, including the ladies, have helped out by making items to sell and manning the stall at these events. This has enabled us to raise our profile in the community and provide us with another income stream.
I would like to give special thanks to Stan for all that he does for us. He does virtually all of the organising for these events. He donates many useful items to the Shed. He really enjoys helping other Shedders. Whether it is helping them to get to the Shed, or helping with their project work. He set up, with Sainsbury’s, the regular supply of tea, coffee and biscuits, for free. All this he does despite having a tough time over the last couple of years. Stan- you are greatly appreciated by all of us.
I would like us to give a round of applause for Mark, Tim, Dave and Stan.
Mensshed Ottery Income& Expenditure fortheyearending31 December 2023 2022 2023 Income Subscriptions Session Fees Donatkms Sales £ 481.01 £ 5,130.76 £ 5,151.57 £ 1,245.00 £ 13,746.00 £ 300.11 £ 1.035.00 £ 7,979.75 £ 5,820.30 £ 1,093.00 £ 1,500.00 £ 1,219.87 Grants Grt Aid £ 26,054.45 £ 18,647.92 Expenditure Rent Uti14e5 capal Iterns Sundries Timber £ 2,500.48 E 1,294.69 £ 10,343.31 £ 3,875.99 £ 885.04 £ 2,500.08 £ 2,748.52 £ 1.593.56 £ 6,517.11 £ 579.22 l E I £ 1,048.78 E 974.10 £ 953.58 £ 1,630.00 Insurance £ 1,523.56 £ 12.55 £ 415.00 £ 1,050.00 £ 1,992.00 £ 1.138.64 Misc Car Parkimg Training S(ra1 Events £ 892.16 £ 24,398.13 É 20,070.24 £ 1,422.32 Excess of Expenditure over Income £1,656.32 Excess of Income over Expenditure £7.912.50 Balance blfvld £6,490.18 Balance Sheet at31 December2023 £7,912.50 Lloyds Bank Cash £6.490.18 £0.00 £6.490.18 £7,912.50 £7,912.50 General Account TrainingAccount £6,490.18 £0.00 £6.490.18 £7.912.50 R Badger Treasurer I have examinLMI theseaccounts and confirm that they represent atrus statement of the current financial position of theclub. P Ccasey Account Examiner 26-Jan-24