Saturday 25th June 2022, University of Worcester Arena
The UK Men’s Sheds Association is pleased to thank Axminster Tools, title sponsors of this year’s ShedFest event which took place on Saturday 25th June at Worcester Arena.
We are also very grateful to our other event sponsors – Carveco who provided lunches and Tite-FIx who provided refreshments.
We enjoyed welcoming a host of exhibitors including Axminster Tools, Carveco, Ronseal, Tite-fix, Metalcraft, Chris Fisher RPT, E&G Insurance, Gloucester Model Boats, Peter Sefton, Wessex Insurance Brokers, Arthritis Action, Sheds Cymru, Cruse Bereavement Support, and St John Ambulance. In addition, we had stands from Health and Wellbeing Action Group (HAWAG), UKMSA Ambassadors, Shed Projects and also Competition Entries as well as the first sighting of the UKMSA – Ellandi Lego Man Movember Challenge!
In the first annual Awards Dinner since Lockdown Broadstairs Town Men’s Shed lifted the award of Shed of the Year. See our galleries below to see award winners and get a flavour of ShedFest.
CONGRATULATIONS to all the Sheds who won awards this year CLICK HERE to see all winners!
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ShedFest Workshops
We hosted the ever-popular workshops again at ShedFest this year, with three options to choose from in the morning, and three for the afternoon. Check back soon for resources from the workshops which will be posted up when they have been prepared for download.
Keynote Address with Sir David Spiegelhalter
Morning Workshops
Workshop 1 – Managing our differences
This workshop is designed to better identify our difference and provide support mechanisms where challenges might arise in the Shed environment. With a fun interactive quiz, this session will look at what motivates people and how to get the most out of people whilst recognising why we might do things in certain ways.
Workshop 2 – Supporting Bereavement in Sheds
Cruse Bereavement Support helps tens of throusands of men across the UK very year, providing counselling and advice. Together with members of the Health and Wellbeing Group of UKMSA they will speak about their work and explore the many different ways Sheds are supporting people.
Workshop 3 – Peter Sefton Masterclass on Sharpening
Master Craftsman, Peter Sefton of the Peter Sefton School of Furniture will demonstrate techniques that will support you in getting the best out of your tools. His session on sharpening will get your tools better than new! Peter is fascinating to watch and has a wealth of knowledge and top tips.
Afternoon Workshops
Workshop 4 – Leadership and Succession Planning in Sheds
An ongoing challenge for Sheds is knowledge retention, sharing the running of the Shed and succession planning. This session will provide simple and effective practices to support Sheds and provide an opportunity for people to share what has worked and where their challenges have been.
Workshop 5 – Something Different, Shoulder to Shoulder
Men’s Sheds Cymru and Brendan Wheatley from Swansea City Opera will share the journey from Shed to stage for he upcoming Opera – Shoulder to Shoulder which will be launched later this year. This is a great opportunity to see what else is possible with Men’s Sheds. There will also be a sneak preview of some of the performance.
Workshop 6 – Axminster Planet Jewellery Woodturning Demo
Anna-Marie Bennett from Axminster Tools will be showcasing her woodturning skills with a demonstration on how to create wooden jewellery in the shape of Saturn. Anna-Marie will use the Axminster Woodturning Micro Handle and Tools to create a miniature planet inspired by Jason Clark’s Saturn bowls. Anna-Marie will cover timber selection and turning techniques as well as discussing how to create your own tools.
After ShedFest, the networking and celebration of Men’s Sheds across the UK continued at the Shed of the Year Awards Dinner 2022. We had an inspirational after dinner speaker, our Patron Chris Fisher RPT (aka The Blind Woodturner), followed by the award giving ceremony where we were able to recognise the amazing contributions Sheds make to those inside, and outside of their Sheds. You can read the full article on Shed of the Year celebrations here.