November 11th is a major date in this year’s calendar because it is the anniversary of the end of the 1st World War. To commemorate this day in Southbourne, Men’s Shed, along with other groups are fund-raising to pay for commemorative plaques for each of the brave men from Southbourne who gave their lives for their country in both wars.
Our contribution was to make over 200 large poppies using aluminium kindly donated by two local companies, Metspin of Clovelly Road and T&C Precision in Manor Road, to sell.
Several Shedders took up tools to cut the metal to shape then beat it with hammers to form a texture finish on each petal. Jim, our resident wood-smith and project leader then turned over 400 small wooden centres on his lathe before the team put all the parts together on wire stalks and painted them to withstand the weather. They will look beautiful when ‘planted’ at the War Memorial in St. Johns Church or in your own garden.
The poppies look terrific and the team are very proud of their efforts for this great cause. Poppies ARE on sale in various village locations including the Southbourne Men’s Shed on a first come first served basis.
Southbourne Men’s Shed is pleased to consider helping with community projects in our catchments area from Fishbourne to Emsworth and are open to new ideas.
Those men who wish to join in are welcomed but there is no obligation for any of our Shedders to do more than they wish. Southbourne Men’s Shed is a social club where older men who have ceased full time employment can sit and chat, put the world to rights over a free coffee, work on a group, community or individual project or hobby and make new friends without commitment.
If you live in the area from Fishbourne to Emsworth and would like to know more about Southbourne Men’s Shed, please call in any Tuesday or Thursday morning and enjoy a free coffee and biscuits, call 07539 10 30 15 or look at our website; www.southbournemensshed.btck.co.uk