It's been the UK Men's Sheds annual Shedfest today at the University Arena at Worcester University. Here are some images of the day, courtesy the university, Chris Lee, Phil Parkes, Warm Welcome UK, Sam Moon, and Tackle Prostate Cancer.
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The UK Men’s Sheds Association annual jamboree, Shedfest, returns on July 11. Held at at Worcester University Area from 9am until 4pm, tickets are free and include lunch. As well as the afternoon AGM, there will be chances to meet shedders from sheds all around the UK, plus talks on technology, mental health and DBS mythbusting. As usual there will also be live demonstrations.
Organisers say it's looking like it will feature the event's largest ever exhibition hall, not to mention prizes for the best turned item, and the best animal habitat. Tickets are available here.
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One of the many knock-on effects of the decision to call a general election in early July is that the UK Men's Sheds awards organisers have decided to push the dates of the competitioon back. Here's the full announcement from CEO Charlie Bethel:
"Following the announcement of the Prime Minister on Wednesday to call a General Election, the country enters Purdah and a dissolution of parliament for the 25 days leading to the General Election.As such the Speaker’s State Rooms are no longer available for the Shed of the Year Awards. As such we will postpone Shed of the Year to the autumn as we hope to move the event and not lose such a prestigious venue fitting for our Awards.
"All nominations will remain and you can still submit them to the deadline. We will reopen nominations for a short time when we have a new date. As you can imagine this is out of our control, but we thank you for your efforts so far in such amazing nominations. Our very best wishes and we look forward to welcoming you to ShedFest which will certainly be going ahead."
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ShedFest 2023, the UK Men’s Sheds Association annual celebration of Men’s Sheds and Shedders across the UK, is nearly upon us, this time round with an expanded exhibition, demonstrations, and workshops offering.
The exhibition opens at 9am, with a welcome at 10am and ends at 4pm. The UK Men’s Sheds Association’s AGM will be held in the afternoo.
Tickets for the gathering on July 13 at Worcester University Area are free and include lunch sponsored by Carveco. Book your tickets here.
Here's what the organisers say about it:
A chance to meet up with Shedders from across the UK, exchange banter, advice about tools and running Sheds, and attend some great talks including ‘Finding funding for your Shed’, and ‘The Role of Trustees’, and ‘Cancer Awareness’ presented by Cancer Research UK and more. We’ll also have live demonstrations from Axminster Tools too for those of you looking for more practical creative advice.
It’s shaping up to be the biggest ever exhibition hall with over 25 partners, including Ronseal, Tite-Fix, Metalcraft, Lumberjack, Carveco, St John Ambulance, Tackle Prostate Cancer, Silvertime Legal, Cancer Research UK, Paul Burton Sculptures and more. Again this year, there will be a space for Sheds to bring their creations, and there will be prizes provided by Onduline of £100 Wickes vouchers for the best turned item, and the best utensil.
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If you've not come across it before, then have a think about listening in to the excellent UK Men's Sheds Association podcast which has been going for nearly three years. Regular readers will know all about the organisation's marvellous work in raising awareness of Men's Sheds and the life changing
impact they can have. Below is the talk given by Sir David
Spiegelhalther as the keynote speaker at the recent annual gathering, Shedfest 2022 at the University of Worcester Arena last month.
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The annual UK Men's Sheds jamboree is returning later this month. ShedFest (featuring their own Shed of the Year) will be held on June 25 at the University of Worcester Arena. Tickets are now available and this year are free, regardless of membership. This year they are expanding the exhibition and having demonstrations on skills for Shedders running alongside the development focussed workshops for Shed Leaders.
The keynote speaker is Sir David Spiegelhalter, the statistical science expert who became a media regular during the covid pandemic, and who has been in the same men's group since 1986 - he also has his own shed where he says he "makes stained-glass panels and bodges things". Workshop presenters are still being announced but will include blind woodturner Chris Fisther who will also be speaking at the awards ceremony.
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