The Men in Sheds project, which is run from The Douglas Brunton Centre Caterham on the Hill, is now entering its 3rd year and is going from strength to strength. They are a small band of loyal hard working retired men who have, and still are, producing a range of wooden products to sell or make bespoke for a variety of clients. This included local Hillcroft School.

Recently the school had secured some funding for a conservation project and Men in Sheds were asked to make bat boxes, insect “hotels”, notice boards for laminated information sheets and bug boxes. They also hosted visits from groups of the children to show them how the items were being made.

However it had become evident as the months progressed that the project needed a purpose made canopy “extension” to the front of their shed in order to provide more cover for outside work including the use the electric power saws and sanders. The main problem was to raise sufficient funds for the financing of the materials.

Their leader Paul Gregory decided to approach Caterham Rotary Club who had helped originally to fund the purchase of electric tools for the project. As a result he was delighted to hear that they had been granted £500.

Paul commented  “ We are very grateful to Caterham Rotary  for their generosity and we have now been able to purchase a good quality twin wall roofing section, rain water goods and timber, all from local suppliers. Our members have now spent two days constructing the canopy.”

On a recent visit to present the £500 cheque, Claude Bertin Caterham Rotary President said “We were very impressed with the size and quality of the canopy and are proud to be associated with this thriving community group who are providing such a great opportunity for local retired men.

Men in Sheds is also looking for more volunteers who have an interest in or experience of sourcing tools, woodwork, design, marketing, fundraising or would like to assist in supervising activity sessions in the shed.

If anyone knows of any other individual, school or organisations that need wooden items made then please contact the Centre Manager, Stella Banks on 01883 347230 or Paul Gregory on 01883 347381