Bob's Christmas Blog

As Christmas is on the horizon it has come round to that time of year again when my blog needs to summarize what's been going on at the Wendover Shed leading up to the festive season. Traditionally, for some, Christmas is a time of joyful celebration. For others loneliness and isolation come to the fore. Other than Christmas day and New Years day our opening hours will be as normal – Tuesday and Saturdays (10am to midday) and Thursdays (2 to 4pm)

I have to mention our visit to the UK Men's Shed Awards held in Parliament, on the terrace outside the Commons, looking over the River Thames and the London Eye and Shell Centre where my father used to work for many years. It was a most enjoyable affair even if somewhat poignant. And whilst we were runner-up, Dave and I felt very proud to be there. Aside from that, it got me dressed up in a suit. We met the guy who is the patron of UKMSA and who is a blind wood turner. The best speech of the afternoon – in my view – was the Armed Forces Minister who tore up his prepared speech and spoke from the heart; The Speaker of the Commons was there (seemed much shorter than I thought) and many other luninaries. I also met two guys who wrote a play – all about shedders and shedding – which was at once time performed in a West End Theatre. They have agreed, if dates allow, to bring their play to Wendover to perform at Shedfest 2026

Another important occasion was when Paddy and Millie were nominated and invited to attend the Carol Service at Westminster Abbey, basically for people who'd volunteered and gone beyond the call of duty. William and Kate, and Children hosted the event. I know Millie and Paddy both enjoyed the occasion very much. Apparently the televised Carol Service is being broadcast sometime on Christmas Eve. The nomination was an easy one to put forward as a lot of progress in the last 6 months or so would not have happened without the important input from both Paddy and Millie

Another point I should mention in this Christmas blog is the fantastic progress that has been made with the new workshop, which will eventually house both metalwork and woodwork, and other workshops which may be formed in the new year; I've had electronics, weaving, painting, and Smithy work suggested to me. It will be a warm space. At the same time, we will be taking the opportunity to improve the capacity of the solar panels and batteries, as more space needs more electricity. We want to resolve the problem of making sure that we are always warm whenever any shedders go up to the shed. There will certainly be plenty of light. We have a nice internal area, nicely plastered and all ready for the electrics to go in. So fairly soon after Christmas, we will be having an official opening. Wait and see who the surprise guest will be.

Another point I wanted to make is we've just reached, by my calculations, our one hundredth Shedder - our hundredth member to have joined up to Wendover Shed. The interest and attraction of the shed certainly seems to be going far and wide. More and more people are contacting us on the website, communicating with us on Facebook and other social media avenues. Thanks to Dave for organizing all that social media kind of stuff. Really good.

We've also had some interesting projects that have come along. We have now been asked by the Wendover Library to help with repairing their seating, which is just outside the library. GA Building, aka Graham, who used to be a winger in my Aylesbury Colts rugby team, was involved with the re building of the brickwork and renewed concrete where tree ingress had occurred. The Shedders, once it gets warm, will be involved with preserving and restoring the wooden seating which are being stored in the library at present, so watch this space.

We also have many smaller items - lamps coming in, different repairs, mechanical repairs. We had a Christmas tree roundabout repair, so the repairs are still coming in and we're very grateful for that and for the donations that come through as a result.

Finally, I would like to say a big Happy Christmas shout out to everybody involved with the shed however large or small their involvement. And that's not just the Shedders, or the trustees or the committee, but also the members of Wendover community who've been so supportive over the last year and have helped us or helped guide us along our way. We're very grateful for all the advice and help that we've received. Shedders come in all shapes and sizes, different views and beliefs, male and female and especially they all bring different skills. On hand skills training, arms around the shoulder, just helping folk get along in life whatever their abilities or competencies

We're especially grateful, looking back, to Mike Clare and the Angel's Den folk who granted us £12,000, which meant that we could go ahead and completely build our new workshop without worry of any overdraft or debt. Also, we've been very fortunate in being given some money by another trust, for which, again, we are extremely grateful.

It just remains for me to say Happy Christmas and a Merry New Year, or is it Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year? Whichever suits your way. We will be only closed on Christmas Day, New Year's Day, and Boxing Day. Otherwise, we will see you sometime over Christmas.

Good luck for 2026.

Bob