The Wood Turning Shed has now been re-clad and undercoated including the roof. Inside it is now fully insulated and cladded with ply. Power outlets have been added ready for final hook up of supply at a later stage. The internal roof area is being insulated and fitted out with ply so it’s nice and warm in the winter and cool in the summer!  

Cupboards have been fitted to house the many tools needed for turning. At least two lathes will be positioned in the shed on completion. Outside work still to do – final painting of the outside, fitting gutters and plumbing the outlets into our stormwater system. So a little way to go yet! John and his crew have put in the hard yards on this and should be congratulated on the progress made – well done guys!  

Unfortunately, it’s sad to report that our light-fingered neighbours have decided to make an unwelcome visit to our site again. No doubt taking advantage of the holidays and night’s drawing in. The wire perimeter fence was breached and items removed to the stop bank – even barbed wire seems to be ineffective deterrent!                              

This will no doubt continue to be a challenge for us during the winter months. It’s not as if what is taken is high value, but it is really frustrating that we must consider spending our time and funds on upgrading our security measures yet again.                           

We are still waiting for our building consent to be granted before the concrete can be laid. The site has also been reorganized by relocating our container from its current position to a new location to make the area available for the concrete pour. The local iwi has also started to process some of the Totara logs we are storing for them, thanks to Hector and Sam. 

Community projects are still coming in from a variety of sources, local residents and Kindy’s mainly.  The cast iron bird reported last month having leg surgery (Phil K), has now fully recovered and was returned to its owner. Two dining chairs were repaired, being re-sprung and fixing joint problems, and a C – table made for a member’s family (Doug). 

The Lilliput Library and Community Pantry has started its new life in Mount Marua and looks magnificent after being stained. We were rewarded with a sumptuous morning tea for our efforts which was much enjoyed by all!  

We are always running out of storage space whether for our stock of timber or equipment. If you know of someone with a surplus container, please contact us at the contact address below. 

We would also like to remind all the Kindy’s in Upper Hutt of how we may be able to help them. During this year we intend to be in contact with as many Kindy’s as we can and provide help to at least some of them. We have noted a few Kindy’s have been in contact already and several new projects have been requested. So don’t miss out and contact us.  

If you have a project in mind and you think we can help, then feel free to contact us for a chat and we will do our best to assist you.  

contactus@upperhuttmenzshed.kiwi 

Don’t forget to visit our website for details on where we are and what we do. 

You can visit it here:- 

https://upperhuttmenzshed.kiwi

We are always on the lookout for new members and later this year we will have a metalworking facility. Maybe you have seen our display in the Mall which shows some of the things we do and who we do them for. If you have and would like more info, contact us for a free tour and meet the team. 

contactus@upperhuttmenzshed.kiwi 

If you want to join us, even for just a cup of tea and a yarn, pop in to see us, you will be more than welcome. Just come along @ 10am Tue to Fri. We are open 9 – 12 Tues to Fri. You will find us at McLeod Park just past the BMX track. 

A “thank you” to Upper Hutt Menzshed for sending this article to The Upper Hutt Connection.

20/04/26