Newsletter February 2025
First, may we extend a warm welcome to our new members.
Julie, Edan, Steve and Phil. Thank you for joining us all in the Shed.
Dates for your diary.
Saturday 29th March from 10.00 – 16.00 hrs.
Secret Garden invited us to have a table in their Garden Centre. Susan has been a great support to us, and we are so grateful that she has asked us to have a table there free of charge. Anyone who can help from 12.00hrs please let us know. Also, please note that Susan has asked us not to park in her carpark, as that is for her customers …. also in our interest that people can park and carry away all our goodies!
Saturday 19th April from 10.00 – 16.00 hrs
Is Our Open Day
This is our chance to show the residents of Birchington what we do in our Shed. Hopefully we will have all our activities displayed and have some items to sell.
We are doing a “Bottle Tombola” so if you have anything new in a bottle that you no long want, please can you leave it in the shed in the box for us to collect.
Drinks, cakes and biscuits will be offered to visiting guests and residents.
John is going to have the BBQ on so that we can have something hot for our lunch.
Saturday 17th May
The Centre. Alpha Road. Birchington.
Birchington Active Leisure have offered us a free spot on their open day
More details to follow and we would appreciate if anyone could join in the fun of showing us off! No selling just promoting!
Fundraising
Penny has been in contact with Broadstairs Town Shed who have been so helpful with sharing their knowledge of fundraising. A meeting is arranged in March with them to help gaining larger grants.
So following up on that applications have been made for a mentor to come and assist Penny in doing so. In the meantime, Birchington CiC has received our request and also the Crispe Foundation. The Parish application form is being filled in at present. Also 2 local companies have been approached to see if they can help.
Work Shops
These are now being publicised, and our first one will be in April, entitled
“How to publish a book”
The second workshop in May is “Ladies learn how to use hand power tools”
Already 2 places are taken on both of the above. The income will really help existing members and allows us to show that we are trying to raise funds. As this is a new project it makes it easier to ask for funding.
Tuesdays / Wednesdays in the Shed
The Shed is now open Tuesdays from 10.00 – 13.00 and it is hoped to be all day very soon.
Also a mixed training afternoon on Wednesdays.
New
We are in the process of writing a “welcome letter” to new Shedders explaining the many quirks of BMS! That way everyone has the little extra bits of know-how, like the quiet morning on a Monday. Also, we have so much equipment that when you are new, you may not know about. It will also explain the necessity of Health & Safety and keeping the Shed safe [TIDY!].
If you would like to write anything for the next newsletter, please let Penny know.
Have a great month and keep “Shedding”
On behalf of your committee.
John, Penny, Mike K, Michael F, Dawn, Chris W.