November 2024 Newsletter part two

I have to say I love the picture of the "supervising team" watching two workers taking down a fence panel. There was plenty of playful banter that day!!

2. The other event last month was the annual summer BBQ. As you know in alignment with our new lease we cannot open on weekends except for the two tool sales each year. An alternative venue was found by John Skerratt. This was the Anders Hall, Jubilee Park and looking at the photo it looks like everyone had a great afternoon. I was disappointed not to be there myself but I contracted COVID just before and to mix just wasn’t a good idea. A big thank you to John for, quote from one person ‘working like a Trojan’ all afternoon.

3. On Wednesday 16th we enjoyed a joint if a rather warm meeting with Berewood Women’s Institute. The aim of the evening was to assist the WI members in making a bottle bird feeder. Through the dedicated work of John Skerratt, Dave Sy and other members we took fifty bird feeder kits for their members to assemble but we came away with some unused kits. Full report will be in next month’s newsletter. I did inform their President that we didn’t consume the contents of all the bottles for the sake of a joint evening!

4. The list for the Christmas lunch is now up in the galley. Christmas Lunch financial arrangements. It was agreed at the 2024 AGM that for future lunches the membership criteria for a WMS funded lunch would be those who are fully paid up members as at 1st October of each year plus partners. There will be a leeway to pay membership fees for this year only as an exception rather than the rule, so the final closing date will be end of October for this year only. Those members paying any later and new members joining would still be able to attend but at their own cost for them and their partners. A list for names and meal requirements will be posted on the noticeboard on Monday 7th October. Although the Shed will be closed for any personal work, you will be able call in the galley and place your requirements on the list. For those who will be paying and only require a two-course meal the cost would be £15.99. The three-course option would be £17:95. List closing date 1st November to enable Paul Turner to finalise arrangements and menu with the Activity Centre.

5. On Thursday 9th I gave a talk about Admiral Nelson and the Battle of Trafalgar 1805 to the Portsmouth & District Masters Freemasons Lodge 5990. After the talk, I was invited to share a dinner with the members and received a donation of £100:00 for the Waterlooville Men’s Shed. On behalf of the WMS a big thank you.

6. Christmas is fast approaching now and I’ll be joining the crew in putting up the decorations at the Kings Theatre 11th and 12th November in readiness for the Panto season. If you haven’t been before, find your inner youth and come along to the panto. You won’t be disappointed. It’sbehind you! Panto dates: Friday 29th November – Tuesday 31st December (Various times)

7. The HBC Community Lottery has sent us a further £27:50 having achieved the magic 50+ total tickets sold. Well done. We will now qualify for a grant application when we require it. It’s not too late to join the ‘winning team’. We’ve won four times so far.