The Chichester Shed continues to evolve as we move towards creating the project a permanent home. The Shedders have taken to meeting weekly, every Thursday, in the ‘Old Lodge’, neighbouring Graylingwell Chapel as a temporary home whilst funds are sought to get the permanent Shed’s groundworks underway and the site completed.
A flurry of work was delivered by the group in advance of the Summer Garden Party as the team made a selection of items to trade at the event, generating funds and raising the profile of the project to those that might like to take part. They created a flock of seagulls from recycled 4-pint milk cartons; crafted some wooden items that were decorated; and made some children’s windmills. Simon Taplin co-ordinated the Chichester Shed stall, ably supported by fellow ‘shedders’ Sarah and Barry where the products were sold, and spider plants kindly donated by Sarah were given away.
The next steps to get the project underway is to find funding to get the groundworks done. This will enable the team to create a permanent site comprising of two conjoined steel containers that are timber-clad to look in keeping with the site at Keepers Green, alongside the Community Garden. Quotes have been sourced, design documents completed and planning approved so the CCDT team are working hard applying for grants and searching out sponsors that may be interested in funding the next phase.
The latest project the Shedders have got involved in, is working alongside Priory Rotary Club of Chichester focussing on furniture restoration. The rotary club have supplied tired and broken furniture in need of restoration and the Shedders are bringing them back to life in order to donate them on to those in greatest need – particularly the local refugee population and those entering emergency accommodation having come out of abusive relationships. To date, the team have restored four dining chairs and a table and look forward to receiving the next items the Rotary has to offer. Where additional items have been restored they have been donated, with some recipients providing cash donations in return all of which go towards funds for the ongoing running of the Shed project. The dresser shown in the picture above is the latest project of theirs.
Exciting plans are underway to agree tools that will be housed in the future Shed, enabling all members of the project to use materials and tools that they may otherwise not have access to. Most recently Simon has given a display of his latest gadget – a laser cutter and engraving machine.
Partnerships are developing well, with a visit from the fire service to see how they might support the project; and the Shed team, who have been donated an industrial sewing machine passing it on to Tools With a Mission (TWAM) who will use it to develop a project they’re supporting in Africa. A community truly coming together to support shared endeavours.
We would love to hear from anybody that would like to be involved in this project, or organisations that would be able to support the Shed through sponsorship or donations to ensure that we break ground as soon as possible and bring this wonderful Shed to life. Simply email info@chichestercdt.org.uk.
