Charlie Bethel is the Chief Officer for the UK Men’s Sheds Association
Q: What’s your full name and title?
A: Charlie Bethel, Chief Officer
Q: What part of the world are you based in?
A: Nottingham
Editor: Sorry about your footy team mate…Rumor has it FOREST actually stands for Fear Of Relegation Every Saturday Teatime 🙂
Q: Tea or coffee?
A: Lapsang Souchong Tea
Editor: My my aren’t we fancy…
Q: Guilty pleasure when it comes to fast food?
A: Bacon, Black pudding and egg cob from the greasy spoon – everywhere is takeaway now!
Q: What’s your favourite film(s)?
A: Star Wars – Angels and Demons – Amazing Grace
Q: What is your favourite book?
A: Letters of Note – lovely book of inspirational, amusing, fascinating letters
Q: How good of a Maker/ Shedder are you? choose one option below
A: I’m like a toddler putting on lipstick… but I did make a lovely Christmas Tree from copper pipes – until the kids decorated it!
Editor: Excuses excuses…
Q: Besides Shedding what’s your favourite pastime?
A: My wife and children
Editor: Your wife make you say that?
Q: What one thing we’d all be surprised to know about you?
A: I make awesome poached eggs
Q: What makes you laugh?
A: Political satire.
Q: What makes you sad?
A: Anti-societal behaviour, people have so much potential that is diminished by certain behaviours.
Q: If you were a tool in a Men’s Shed which would you be and why?
A: A pencil because I love to sketch
Editor: So not just ‘the’ tool in the toolshed then?
Q: What’s the greatest lesson you’ve learned this year?
A: To remember to use flux when soldering and to go with the flow – things change!
Q: What surprised you the most this year?
A: So many Shedders on Zoom, and my folks managing to get on Zoom on one occasion with the need of a phone call!
Q: Can you summarise what you believe Sheds have learned this year?
A: There is always a way and how to stay in touch with people who can’t make it to the Shed, even when lockdown is all over.
Q: Thinking forward to next year what can Shedders can be optimistic about?
A: Reopening those doors, staying more connected with those unable to attend
Q: You’ll probably get more socks, but what do you hope you get for Christmas?
A: A lathe – I have a lot of yew and need for wooden bowls!
Editor: Thanks Charlie thank ‘yew’ for being a sport!