Growth, Grit, and Good Cheer!

A year at Wendover Shed

By Bob Duggan, Chair

As we approach the close of another busy and rewarding year, I’m delighted to share some fantastic news and highlights from the Wendover Shed. It’s been a time of hard work, laughter, teamwork, and community spirit — everything that makes our Shed such a special place to be.

A boost from the Angels Den

We were absolutely thrilled to receive a £12,000 grant from the Angels Den earlier this year. This generous support has given us the confidence and resources to continue developing our facilities and expand what we can offer to members and the local community. A huge thank you to everyone involved - especially Derek - in securing this funding — it’s a real game-changer for our Shed’s future.

Earlier in the year Local fitness studio, BML Fitness and Personal Training, organised a charity Fit-a-Thon that raised around £8,000. This was split between Wendover Shed and Aylesbury Women’s Aid. The event saw six fitness instructors (including Shedder Dave Walls) and around 150 supporters take part in various fitness activities including weights, stretching, bootcamp and an incredible 24-hour continuous Indoor Cycling marathon.

raised around £8,000 to be split between

Workshop progress

Our new workshop is really starting to take shape! After months of planning, digging, and doing, we’re seeing the dream become a reality. The new space will provide a modern, well-equipped environment for our members to work on their projects safely and comfortably — and with room to grow. The spirit of collaboration on site has been fantastic, with shedders rolling up their sleeves, lending their skills, and sharing plenty of tea and banter along the way.

Thanks too to Max for the gift of a Summer house.

Growing membership

We’re proud to report that membership has increased to 94 this year — a wonderful milestone! Every new face brings fresh ideas, stories, and energy. Whether you’re in for the woodworking, the metalwork, the tea, or the company, there’s a place for everyone at Wendover Shed.

Nominated for UKMSA Shed of the Year 2025

To top it all off, Wendover Shed hope to be nominated for the UK Men’s Sheds Association “Shed of the Year 2025” award! This recognition is a testament to the hard work and heart that our members pour into the Shed. Whether we win or not, being shortlisted will be an incredible honour that reflects the strength of our community.

Shedfest and the Wendover Shedders Band

Shedfest 2025 was another huge success — full of fun, food, music, and friendship. One of the highlights was the formation of the Shedders Band, a lively group of members who swapped spanners for strings and put on a fantastic performance. It just goes to show the creativity and talent that lives within our Shed. Bring it on for next year!

Out and About

We also enjoyed attending the Marsworth Steam Fair and the WPC Summer fair in Hampden Meadow where our team proudly represented Wendover Shed. It was great to meet so many fellow enthusiasts and share stories of the projects that keep us busy.

Helping the community

True to our mission, we’ve completed numerous jobs for members of the Wendover community — from repairs and restorations to creative builds that make everyday life a little easier. Giving back to our neighbours is one of the things that the Shed movement is all about, and our members continue to make a real difference through their skills and kindness. On Friday 24 October was our annual Quiz.

A grand central project

In an exciting addition to our workshop floor, we’ve acquired a Grand Central locomotive (on loan from the Faber family and being looked after currently by Pete — albeit one in need of a bit of TLC! The restoration project will be a labour of love and a fantastic opportunity for members to get hands-on with a piece of railway heritage. We can’t wait to see it brought back to its former glory, and we’ll keep everyone updated as the work progresses.

Looking ahead

As we look forward to the year ahead, I’d like to thank every member, supporter, and friend of Wendover Shed for their time, enthusiasm, and good humour. Together, we’ve built far more than a workshop — we’ve built a community.

Here’s to more sawdust, more laughter, and more great memories in 2026!