Update on what is happening at the Merseybank Men's Shed

Although we have called ourselves the South Manchester Men in Sheds, in practice we are becoming more and more embedded in the local community and an alternative name would be the Merseybank Men's Shed. Having said that, we do get people coming from all over south Manchester so best stick with SMMiS

At the end of this week here is a summary of what has been happening:

• The lease is about to get through its last legal hold up and we should officially take over the tenancy for the shop at 38 Merseybank Road from Sep 3rd 2018
• we are gradually working through developing our  policies and procedures (thank you John Mulvenna). On a day to day basis from September everyone new member will receive an induction pack and some basic training on safety issues and handling equipment especially
• We have submitted a NIF application for funding to design and construct 10 planters/raised beds on spare land, owned by the Council, on the corner of Whiteholme Ave and Merseybank Road . If successful this will be done in collaboration with the Barlow Moor Community Centre (BMCA) Groundwork Youth MSSTT 13+ programme. Should be an interesting and hopefully enjoyable and instructive experience in intergenerational cooperation
• DIY course a sub-group will be meeting to discuss the scheduling and content of the 2 approved DIY courses. This will includepeople who were on the first DIY course to see how it can be improved. Certainly we need to get more hands-on activity rather than talking about it (we are very good at that)  All being well we aim for first course to start on Sep 25 2018
• Work has started on preparing and then painting the outside façade of the shop, Nice shade of grey/green paint chosen by Bernard (very tasteful, very eco, very Chorlton….err…Green)
• Tool repair
   John meeting with the Conservation Volunteers (Kaite Lowry) next week to get to work on repairing the various handtools that need it for work in the Mersey Valley
• Prison Cell Project
  Mike Ossi aims to build a mock up cell and related acted-out scenarios for a schools roadshow. Bernard & Bob have met up with him y to discuss options for his project
• Lathe: Ken Norton is making the missing part for the lathe (impressive). He is happy to put on a course on using the lathe once the workshop is fully operational (very soon - back room floor just needs a couple of coats of lacquer
• Bike project
  Priority is to have a meeting of key people involved so we can get this started, now that we have the funding
• Mud Kitchen
  Bob has taken on the job of renovating the Toddler mud kitchen in the playgroup area at Barlow Moor Community Centre (BMCA). Again this will involve younger people too in carrying it out
• Spirit of the Beehive
  Denise Bishop, who lives locally and is a very experienced bee keeper and swarm collector, came to talk about possibility of a hive in the far end of our back yard which may catch some morning sunshine. 
• Future Social?
  We could always have a bitr of a do, perhaps with BMCA and make use of their outdoor clay pizza oven. Denise offered to make some scones and provide fresh Merseybank honey to have on them if we do have a social
  
  Bernard