History
We do try to keep a record of projects and when someone has remembered to photograph them it is great to be able to look back and see what we achieved!
August 2025
Whenever Phil has a moment he makes another hardwood super accurate lovey message!
August 2025
Peter has been turning lots of bowls with sometimes a little and sometimes a lot of bark showing.
August 2025
This Welsh Love Spoon is cut from lime wood – reckoned to be the best carving timber. Experts say, ‘it’s softness lets the tools glide with ease, the shavings fall gently, and before you know it, your vision begins to take form’ Keith found it just a bit harder than that and decided this was just a practice piece. We all thought his work is great and it is much admired.
August 2025
The point of coming to the shed is to get some social contact. Caroline was telling us about her 14-year-old cat Jazz dying. In less than an hour Lee had made a really nice commemorative plaque. Caroline was more than a little pleased!
August 2025
When Helen came into the shed wanting to learn how to use the lathe Brian showed her the basics, but when she produced some hawthorn wood and wanted to make a bowl with a natural bark edge we said see Peter. Here are some of Peter’s bowls.
August 2025
Lee made this sign for a little dog’s special place.
August 2025
Lee made 30 of these coasters! Each one has a tough leatheret base.
August 2025
Lee is the shed expert for turning pens on the lathe and for designing intricate items using laser cutting. Here the two skills come together to display some high-quality pens.
August 2025
A lot of people at the shed think and think about a particular piece of material until an idea becomes a plan. Here Malcolm reckoned an interesting piece of olive wood might be made into a clock – and eventually it just took the addition of a black steel ring to complete the design.
August 2025
Peter often starts a turning project by cutting flat surfaces then gluing various timbers together before they are mounted on the lathe. At that stage it is impossible to tell what is going to emerge, but it is always a good surprise!
July 2025
Phil’s precision joinery is always in great demand! The Horticultural Skills Unit at Hepscott asked for a sturdy picnic table and we think this is certainly built to last. Notice the overhang for a wheelchair user. Question now, can this large group of men manoeuvre it onto the awaiting trailer?
July 2025
Ian at North East Organic Growers (NEOG) on the Earth Balance Site had a great idea to speed up accurate seed sowing and when seedling are ready, the same device can be used to push them out ready to be transplanted. Rob took on the job of trying to get the dowels in the correct positions.
July 2025
Peter turns lots of bowls, this dark and mysterious one is the first we have seen that is partly made with coloured resin.
July 2025
Helen popped into the shed to ask could we make a little chair for her niece, Phoebe? In moments Brian was cutting mortice and tenon joints and we think he has made a rather good job.
July 2025
The Horticultural Skills Unit at Hepscott asked for some key fobs to commemorate their 40th year. Lee had a design sorted and in a remarkably short time he had 40 of them made and delivered.
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July 2025
Mark just finished this high gloss sign for the textile recycling business right next door to Earth balance Shed. At the shed nobody seems to mind how long a job takes. It is just great that there is a place to go, maybe use a few decent tools, have a cup of tea and see what other local people are making.
June 2025
Brian and Malcolm helped a visitor, Angela cut some most attractively grained olive wood into slices. They are to be used as part of a display.
June 2025
Phil and Lee made three more of these popular oak signs
June 2025
Lee used thin slices of oak newel post to make these coasters.
June 2025
Many people might guess that Phil was making bird nesting boxes, but only an ornithologist might know these are for swifts.
June 2025
Peter turned this beach found timber into an interesting shape.
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June 2025
Wine bottle stoppers (for those who keep their wine for another day) are a new project for Peter enabling the smallest bit of timber to be put to good use.
May 2025
Rob collected opinions on whether to paint the rocking horse.
The question is will it look better or worse?
May 2025
For one of his turned bowls Peter uses AI powered Canva to help design an inset sign, which was cut with the laser cutter.
May 2025
The most important work in the shed is to provide a friendly place to connect – and in this case with the essential cup of tea!
May 2025
Keith and Mark using the nail gun to put together one of the corn bag games for the Choppington Disabled groups.
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May 2025
Surpisingly Phil just used a router on a swinging arm to make these popular oak signs.
April 2025
Peter turned this special pestle and mortar mainly from several pieces of ash with eight pieces of elm making up the rim.
April 2025
Ed carving a duck for his two year old niece. He was somewhat in a hurry because he is planning to start a cycling adventure to China next week!
April 2025
Fran is rather clever with the pyography tools! She is making signs for a Scottish mountaineering club.
April 2025
Lee and Phil working together got the perfect result.
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April 2025
What could be nicer for Easter than more Easter Bunnies from Phil!
April 2025
Bill a great friend of the shed, made this classic garden seat quite a few years ago. So, when the top began to show a tendancy to disintegrate, Brian quickly restored it for him – ready for more relaxing in the sunshine!
April 2025
What could be nicer for Easter than a White Easter Bunny? Another simply perfect project from Phil!
April 2025
It is great in the shed to share that ‘would-you-believe-it’ smile, when you’ve had a top class idea, cut everything to the nearest half mm and you are assembling everything carefully when you notice that one little slip of concentration!
A lesson from Phil to us all.
March 2025
Keith made this corn sack game for the Choppington Disability Group . We like being able to respond to all sorts of requests especially from local super groups!
March 2025
Rob made this letter box for the wonderful North East Organics on the Earth Balance site. He was probably thinking it might save him searching the fields and polytunnels to pass on their post!
March 2025
Peter our best wood turner tackled the request to use some sweet chestnut to make this urn for the remains of a much loved cat. Brian helped with the finishing and Graham bravely took on the task of bending the hard brass.
March 2025
Graham built this fold-up potting bench for the allotment.
March 2025
Phil made these neat shelves with biscuit joints
March 2025
Now with Newcastle winning the Carabao cup it seems a good time to show Phil’s precision cut in this historical badge.
February 2025
It was hard for some of us to believe our eyes watching Keith make the tiny joints on this model settle. This miniature piece of furniture is just 100mm long. He cut the shape of the two arms from one thin piece of olive wood and then sliced it in half!
February 2025
Dave has made a wobbly horizontal ladder for his two and a half metre high critter platform. His little pets are known for their adventurous climbing!
February 2025
Andy is becoming quite skilful on the wood lathe. This fine bowl is made with sapele.
February 2025
Rob with advice from Ed made a hang board for another rock climber. The idea is to strengthen the fingers. Starting by hanging from the deep four finger holds, then trying the less deep holds, aiming eventually to be able to hang from the shallow two finger holds.
February 2025
Phil’s skill and smooth cutting is shown on this curly design.
January 2025
Phl’s little letters must have been rather tricky to cut!
January 2025
Phil turning image and letters into a special message.!
January 2025
Lee is unperturbed by a rush of orders for his latest heart shaped designs. Production is in full swing!
January 2025
Dave made this steel leg dining table. The feet were a special triumph – notice the recess in the oak and the neat felt pads.
January 2025
John is starting to produce blank ply shapes for the Chrysalis charity in Hexham
January 2025
Phil is way ahead of the rest of us with his skill on the scroll saw and he is also leading the way in romantic thinking!
January 2025
Phil shows another surprising use for a small piece of oak!
January 2025
Ed the rock climber testing an early version of his hang board, which he will use to exercise and strengthen his fingers until he can hang from just a 20mm deep groove!
January 2025
Our top turner Peter made this bowl in Purple Heart wood. A timber known for its colour changes – light-purplish brown to start, but as the wood dries, it turns deep purple. He made the lid from a piece of Elm, which should stay exactly the same beautiful grain and colour for many years!
December 2024
Amy came in on the last day of the year to quickly make these two Christmas trees! At least they will be ready for next year.
December 2024
Ed is a rock climber and frequently has to resole his climbing shoes with very sticky rubber.
He came to the shed to make a shoe last so the shoe will be properly stretched during the resoling process! We thought this was brilliant!
December 2024
Nose in the air reindeer from Phil.
December 2024
Dave showing his giant pet cage. Apparently the flying animals will be at the top of this tower and when he gets it home a spiral pathway will be added, which goes right to the top!
December 2024
Alan was the outright winner of our pre Christmas competition.
December 2024
Who would think a hole in a Christmas tree idea would work so well? Phil again!
December 2024
Phil cannot turn out these high quality ideas fast enough to keep up with requests.
November 2024
The Santa surprise!
Phil is working hard to keep up with requests for his quality items.
November 2024
The merry snowman!
Those of us who have used the scroll saw recognise Phil’s outstanding skill especially in cutting the tiny lettering so precisely.
November 2024
Brilliant design and accurate craftsmanship – Phil does it again and the rest of us can only look on and marvel!
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November 2024
Phil showing us all the way again!
November 2024
Andy likes a challenge, for a first go on the lathe this oak pot is quite ambitious. Peter added a little expert guidance.
November 2024
A WW1 gun emplacement by Andy
November 2024
Andy used the nice new chop saw blade to slice these attractive coasters.
October 2024
Phil made this ‘Measure twice’ clock last month.
Some of us are still muddling through and wondering why shapes are never quite what we thought they would be!
October 2024
Brian’s rustic letter openers.
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October 2024
Great rejoicing as Adrian’s refurbished 1927 lawn mower magneto produced its first spark in many decades!
October 2024
Nobody can guess what Phil’s next Halloween idea will be.
October 2024
Peter glued 2 rough oak lumps together then turned this large bowl – the little chip proves it was hand made!
October 2024
Brian’s rustic letter openers.
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October 2024
Phil gets so many Halloween things finished – this dashing broomstick is just right.
October 2024
Rob with a bit of guidance from Peter tried a slightly larger bowl. This one is made from an old coffee table chopped up and glued together in a shape suitable for the lathe.
October 2024
Brian used donated olive wood to make reindeer, some coasters and a shield.
October 2024
Brian used some donated wood to make some arty candle sticks
October 2024
Phil’s Happy Halloween.
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October 2024
Rob had a go at making a little bowl.
September 2024
Phil finishing the fourth seat for the Horticultural Training Unit’s gardens. This is the most solid and sturdy picnic table any of us have ever seen!
September 2024
Keith and Rob fitted some donated cupboards, which should give a little more space.
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September 2024
Phil used a router to engrave the letters for this distant places sign post.
August 2024
Adrian is now on to rescuing the motor for his 1927 Atco lawn mower, but he now needs new parts for the magneto and the carburettor.
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August 2024
Phil and Malcolm’s third seat for the Horticultural Training Unit has arms and a back, but like the others just two legs so it can be securely concreted in position.
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August 2024
Alan is so busy playing bowls matches he misses a few shed sessions, but he came to show us his ‘bowlsmobile’ trolley.
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August 2024
Rob finished doing up the two water walls for The Toby Henderson School. Luckily with the open day several children visited so every tube and water wheel was thoroughly tested!
July 2024
Light touch laser. Lee can control the power to score the surface and create light and dark shading.
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July 2024
Malcolm can now do wedged mortice and tenon joints in his sleep.. These lovely little stools are for his grand children.
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July 2024
Lee’s brilliant ideas for laser cut images.
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July 2024
Brian made a Japanese joint – all locked by the little black centre block.
July 2024
Full power laser cutting through 3mm ply to make this brilliant tree of life
July 2024
Adrian has been hammering and filing upstairs at the shed for weeks rescuing this 1927 Atco lawn mower. An advertisement from that era shows what he is aiming for.
July 2024
Phil made this neat bird feeder with a log construction.
June 2024
Keith declared his five drawer jewellery case finished! The use of contrasting hardwoods and his own design for 3mm runners were much admired.
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June 2024
Brian made two raised beds for the Armstrong centre.
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June 2024
Lee’s ideas for laser cut signs get better and better.
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June 2024
Rob’s ‘packing case plywood’ wheelbarrow planter lasted just two years. He has thrown away the rotten ply and replaced with some solid oak.
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June 2024
Malcolm testing one of the garden stools he made for his grandchildren.
June 2024
North East Organic Growers needed some heavy branches cutting down so their delivery waggons could get along the track scratch free. Shed members were soon leaping up ladders (and moments after that other members began speculating on just where branches might fall!
June 2024
Phil and Malcolm answered a request from the Horticultural Training Unit for a nice strong seat.
June 2024
Rod testing another strong bench made by Phil and Malcolm for the HTU gardens.
June 2024
Brian made a potting bench designed to enable tall wheelchair access for the Armstrong school.
June 2024
Fine filigree – Lee adjusts the cut to leave the thinnest a certain part of a mm and just strong enough to hold together.
June 2024
Blue butterfly is most popular.
June 2024
Two bowling figures
June 2024
Who would have thought? You come along to the shed and end up, up a tree!
May 2024
Phil’s steady hand and charming ideas produce another brilliant sign!
May 2024
For a leaving present Fran made this little rustic sign so her colleague would remember to care for his new unusual plant.
May 2024
Phil is now so precise with the scroll saw we’ve all given up looking for mistakes!.
May 2024
Peter made this yarn holder using his own ‘cut round corners’ chisel to hollow out the inside.
May 2024
Graham’s wheelbarrow is now brightly painted and beautifully planted.
April 2024
Malcolm made this brilliant oak toy box seat for his grandaughter.
April 2024
Adrian celebrating the completion of his garden seat refurbishment.
April 2024
Malcolm added an oak frame to his so accurate chessboard.
April 2024
Phil used free pallet wood to make this neat nesting box.
April 2024
Rob decided to use some donated drawer runners to make a set of drawers to store the many donated spare drills, donated fixings.
March 2024
Phil said just a few weeks ago that he had never cut a dovetail joint before. Now with a confident accuracy he has committed some contrasting hardwood and produced this brilliant piece of work.
March 2024
The horticultural Training Unit on site are developing some new areas and asked us for some signs. So Rob and Brian used a hand held router to cut only slightly wobbly lettering.
March 2024
Phil carves a message in oak! Never mind the big letters, how did he get the scroll saw to do those tiny letters?
March 2024
Dave and Mark worked together to produce this very strong good looking shelf.
March 2024
Amy is now well practiced on this circular theme. So this wedding present for her sister is going to be just perfect. Look closely at the edge to see the LED lights, which should help the newly weds to avoid the nettles!
March 2024
Phil has been creating magic with a little bit of oak and a now fully tamed scroll saw.
March 2024
The box Alan made a year ago was admired and a ceertain lady asked him to make one for herself. I think she will be rather pleased with it!
March 2024
Phil has a connection across the water so a little shamrock and an Irish Top Hat seemed like aessential items ready for St Patrick’s day this month.
February 24
Phil was dissatisfied with the jig and router cut dovetails, so he made a new box cutting them all by hand. We think this waxed softwood has a splendid antique look.
February 2024
Lee’s laser cut boxes are in great demand. Made with 3mm birch ply, we are all amazed at the fine cutting to make the ‘stretchy hinge’.
February 24
Rob and Brian with help from few others made a new sign for the Earth Balance trustees.
This one is at the South Entrance to the site.
February 24
The North sign shows the charities and businesses at this entrance.
February 2024
The birds in Brian’s garden will be dining in style very soon!
Phil knocked up this carry home box in the blink of an eye!
February 24
The romancer of the month goes to Phil. He must have a very steady hand on the scroll saw!
Some of us have already been pointedly asked, “Why don’t you ever make lovely things like this?”
February 24
Graham is always super accurate and this little roof for a bird feeder made with treated timber should keep the rain off perfectly
January 24
Phil experimented with softwood making finger joints using his new jig. He got quick and really accurate results, though in fact he still wasn’t satisfied!
January 24
Amy had a little ‘catch’ whilst turning the little fine bowl – hence the glued repair on the lip.
January 24
Brian, Rob and Adrian fixed more storm damage. They heaved this heavy fence upright and fixed it to the ReDress building and the office – it should stay safe for everyone who walks this way.
January 24
Amy did all the cutting and sanding for this oak table at the shed then decorated and fixed the legs to finish this delightful little piece of furniture at home.
January 24
Dennis restored this much admired fine Finnish serving table.
December 23
Lee takes plain slate coasters and adds laser etched decorations.
December 23
Christmas day winds saw the North entrance gate smashed. Rob managed to start cutting some new mortices before having to call Brian.
December 23
Lee’s laser cutter seems to be quietly cutting away turning out lots of etched and cut items. This clock has a rather nice look.
December 23
Adrian’s beautifully solid wheelbarrow planter is beginning to be put together.
December 23
Lee’s laser cut boxes made from 3mm ply are delicate and beautifully accurate.
December 23
Lee is making a decorated chopping board using laser etching to decorate the wood.
December 23
Brian finished cutting the mortices and got the gate reassembled so the site could again be secured. Rob added the bolts, dowels and wood stain
December 23
Brian turned this nicely proportioned goblet with a little advice from Lee regarding the hollowing out into end grain.
Lee was also busy giving Adrian lathe lessons.
December 23
Rob and Brian answered another request to fill tarmac holes in the Earth Balance North entrance driveway. We were pleased to see the patches we did two years ago are still holding together.
November 23
One of Phil’s green trees finds a new home.
November 23
For the last few weeks Graham has been bringing in rotten pieces of timber and copying them in new hardwood!
November 23
Another nicely made mystery piece by Graham.
November 23
Graham’s mangle revealed!
Memories from simpler mechanical days turning similar handles for our mums.
November 23
Phil’s stylised reindeers waiting for a little sanding.
November 23
Some of Phil’s lanterns being tested in proper dark condition1
November 23
Much later we saw these parts were important for a grand project.
November 23
Graham sometimes had help from the other Graham (engineering) to make accurate biscuit joints.
Some of us began to guess he was making a tray – maybe with a new idea for sweeping out the crumbs?
November 23
Graham’s tray in position – ready to collect the water squeezed out by those powerful rollers.
October 23
Phil’s most ghostly lantern so far!
October 23
Peter made this bowl in less than two hours.
October 23
This metal cutting bandsaw donated from the family of a clockmaker was got going by Rob. Surprisingly it cut brass sheet easily!
October 23
Trying to organise upstairs in the shed to a more useful space Brian and Rob made some new benches. As usual all materials were just what we had – so cost is zero.
October 23
Brian and Rob answered a request from Toby Henderson Autistic School to repair 2 Velux windows, (pic here is of a good hinge – we forgot to photograph the broken wood). We also adjusted the catch on this new door and got a little paint applied before the winter rains!
October 23
Phil has a brilliant eye for design. He made several versions of these ready for Christmas decorations. This is the only one we were quick enough to snap!
October 23
We only rarely receive letters at the shed, but Rob and Dennis decided to cut a hole in the door and make this brass flap to keep the rain out.
October 23
The many faces of Phil’s lamps!
September 23
Phil is trying out some haloween lantern ideas.
September 23
Graham’s latest pair of planters are engineering perfect in their accuracy.
September 23
Fran popped in to finish the walking stick for her Dad. The turned handle was drilled and epoxy resined on to the hazel stick.
Her pyrograph decoration makes it a very personal present.
September 23
Alan made this cute piece for some very special young people.
September 23
Malcolm made these oak dice with great precision even the rounded corners all have the same radius!
September 23
Phil made this oak chopping board with the grain going the correct up and down way. Phil’s accuracy as always is perfect and seemingly effortless!
September 23
David’s approach to cutting so many mortice and tenon joints showed his professional experience.
September 23
Peter made use of the power cut last week to glue these 4 pieces together and this week he turned them into a rather interesting bowl.
September 23
Nostalgia for 1976
The two Ronnies are fondly remembered by Alan. Everyone seemed to spend the whole afternoon smiling the day Alan showed us this!
September 23
Brian refurbished this toolmakers cabinet to nearly the original quality of finish. Rob made a new key to fit the lock.
August 23
The Ashington Veterans like to play bingo on their bus trips, so Rob made a board to help them keep track of play.
August 23
Alan’s new stool is an improvement on the last one – more stable, more accurate and this time he used the ‘waste wood’ to make a pair of bookends!
August 23
Brian refurbished this beautiful ‘Tambour Roll Front’ cabinet, which had suffered years in a damp shed.
August 23
Malcolm brought in his unique coffee table. Look closely at the resin centre panel to see the coffee beans!
July 23
Peter turned this oak bowl successfully confounding the rest of us who thought the crack would lead to disaster!
July 23
Peter turned a bit of a trunk that eventually revealed quite a lot of soft rot! Undetered he scorched it to produce an ‘object of interest’.
July 23
Brian had us all guessing when he first turned this cylinder with detail!
July 23
Alan’s sister in law had a need for a foot stool so Alan made this perfectly proportioned project!
July 23
Graham’s engineering background was obvious when he made this new square for the sander.
July 23
Keith made this clock in the shape of an historical 1000 mile Italian motor race track called the Millie Miglia. Stirling Moss drove the route at an average of 99mph!
July 23
Graham making a pair of rather nice planters.
June 2023
Keith and Brian rightly proud of their construction of the bench for the William Purves memorial garden.
Thanks to Loud Photography for the photo.
July 2023
Mark and Lee have been experimenting with Lee’s new laser cutter. Their first result cut in 2mm ply looks pretty impressive!
June 2023
Malcolm made this oak whisky flight.
June 2023
We put a brass label with the shed name to show who made this super quality item!
June 2023
The shed was awarded a Parish Council Community Service Award. Well done us!
June 2023
We got lots of interest with our display of recent successes!
July 2023
Keith the falconer examining the finished stand. He seemed really pleased with it. We hope he’ll find the time to come back and make another himself!
June 2023
A Falconer asked if we could turn a large stand with some ash he had been carefully seasoning for the last 8 years. We had never turned anything as big or heavy, but Brian and Dennis gave it a try!
June 2023
Brian receiving the Parish Council Award.
June 2023
Lee’s fabulous display of pens got the most interest and some new orders!
June 2023
Rob finally got his weather vane fished and working!
May 2023
Ashington Veterans and Elders have been working hard to produce another batch of brilliantly painted items ready for their monthly sale. It is easy to see how they manage to raise so much money for their charities!
May 2023
Planter – Phil always has a professional standard of accuracy and finish.
April 2023
Brian made another sturdy stool.
April 2023
Alan made yet another box – this one made from one solid block of wood.
April 2023
Rob made a new bench for the noisy dusty machining area.
April 2023
Adrian’s dovetail jointed planters are also finsihed.
April 2023
Lee has so many people who want a pen. Here is his latest designs, he is experimenting with various acrylics and hardwoods.
April 2023
This bespoke shelf is Susan and Gary’s first project in the shed. With a little help from Mark.
April 2023
Alan’s fine box – he says he has a few more ideas to add!
April 2023
Fran made a banjo starting with the neck made from a poplar tree!
Also showing the detail of the bridge and tail piece.
April 2023
Fran started to learn wood turning – first lesson was to make a large amount of perfectly formed shavings.
April 2023
Alan’s fine box, now with a stay, brass ring lifters and a really accurate black wood catch.
April 2023
Rob made an easily moveable stand for the router table.
He was rather pleased with the tool drawer.
April 2023
Graham taking his finished wheelbarrow planter home.
April 2023
Keith added a makers mark to his bed.
April 2023
Fran’s finished banjo. It plays! She did say it goes out of tune rather easily so maybe Fran or others will be starting a new instrument?
April 2023
Keith’s magnificent Victorian four poster is finished. It will be installed in Caroline’s dolls house.
February 2023
Brian and Dennis installed four wired linked fire alarms and an extra emergency light. We hope the building inspector will soon be able to sign off the building!
January 2023
Vince turning out more candle holders for the Elders and Veterans of Ashington charity.
January 2023
Part of getting the refurbishment signed off we came back at night to do an emergency lighting test!
Glyn got a lot of admiration with his spoon carving
January 2023
Vince getting rather good at pyography.
December 2022
Brian made a clever spiral Christmas tree.
A close look at the acrylic, which Lee used for this pen shows the quality of his craftsmanship.
December 2022
Graham made this super little oak goblet on the lathe.
December 2022
Lee has started to use a mandril to turn pens on the lathe.
November 2022
Caroline admiring Adrian’s rather well made artist easel.
November 2022
For the first time ever, we had a queue to get on a lathe! It is great that more people are coming to the shed and we do now have 3 lathes.
October 2022
Rob is experimenting with stainless steel tube to make bearings for his kestrel weather vane.
October 2022
Adrian likes a challenge so with help from Glyn he is cutting these finger joints with mitred corners!
October 2022
Caroline with lots of help from Brian is making progress with the doll’s house. Next lighting and carpets are being planned.
Lee and Rob rebuilt this lathe stand to support Lee’s lathe. They are still thinking how to cover up the bodged screw fixing.
September 2022
Brian made a new safety screen for our donated grinder.
Dennis and Adrian checking out Keith’s craftsmanship?
September 2022
Vince is making candle holders for the Ashington Elders and Veterans Institute who sell them to raise money for the NHS.
August 2022
Adrian and Brian trying out the super sharp Japanese saws.
August 2022
Last bits of the sign being added
July 2022
Keith made this rack to hold our new carving knives.
July 2022
Rob and Keith used off cuts to make another woodwork bench,
July 2022
Our favourite dust extractor motor had a worn out motor.
Brian made a new bearing,
which failed,
so he made a better one,
but the brushes were worn, so he got new ones,
which didn’t fit,
So he cut them to fit,
And now it works fine!
July 2022
We always knew Rob’s wooden spanner would be useful one day! There cannot be a shed with a better loo roll holder than this made by Keith.
June 2022
Every bit of wood has its place.
We are so organised! Now just a bit of tidying!
June 2022
Hanging new units.
May 2022
Brian organising getting our timbers to the new shed.
May 2022
The important bit – shall we have a cup of tea?
March 2023
Simon brought in a two timber bowl he made. We all admired it and quizzed him – amazingly the yellow wood is Berberis from his garden!
February 2023
Rob made an old fashioned clothes horse for a lovely lady who donated lots of engineering tools to the shed.
January 2023
Which is your favourite carved spoon?
Glyn’s carving is now so accurate one of these lets the light shine through!
January 2023
Brian made the coolest santa!
January 2023
Give vince a bit of birch ply and suddenly brilliant images appear!
January 2023
Brian repaired the bandsaw with a new drivebelt and a careful realignment.
December 2022
Lee made this beautiful fruit bowl from some unidentified hardwood, which used to be part of a coffee table!
December 2022
Lee made this cute little figure with a piece of beech.
December 2022
Lathe work is being produced faster than it can be photographed!
November 2022
Bud modified his Christmas tree stand with a new base so this year his tree will not fall over!
November 2022
Alan repaired a plane handle by inserting two new pieces of timber.
October 2022
Rob made a wobbly board to show when the shed is open. He used very thick strong springs, but the sign just fell over! After lots of experimenting 4 little bedspring worked rather better.
October 2022
Keith is putting together a clever drawer to store sharpening stones and diamond cards.
October 2022
Alan is making this large mahogany box with finger joints.
September 2022
A wedge of coincidence! Adrian B repaired an axe and Brian is making a new handle for a donated sledge hammer.
September 2022
Vince is developing a new design for tea light candles.
September 2022
Adrian B is making metal brackets.
August 2022
Keith’s arty pyography will be the lid of a new box.
August 2022
Rob applied his Heath Robinson thinking to repair an old energy wasting lamp!
July 2022
Brian got the new lathe working and made this excellent beechwood bowl.
July 2022
Brian fixing the new shed sign made by Rob and Keith.
July 2022
Brian moved some shelves to the new shed so we can display small projects.
June 2022
Tea urn takes pride of place.
The drill just about fits under there.
May 2022
Planning meeting number 33.
May 2022
Dismantling the Warkworth kitchen.
April 2022
Dennis and Adrian clear another corner of the old shed.
March 2022
A new community task – fix a broken sleigh
March 2022
Brian and Keith soon got it repaired.
March 2022
Phil was unfazed by second hand wobbly doors and soon had them fitting perfectly.
April 2022
Keith investigates how this bench was fixed.
Brian and Keith removal day
Phil, Graham and Brian cover everything in Brilliant white.
March 2022
Dennis + Keith started building the balustrade with stainless steel rods. Later it was finished in double quick time by Brian.
February 2022
Brian and Phil got quick at putting 31 screws in every ceiling board
February 2022
Dennis got 4 ring mains and three lighting circuits into the distribution box, mind he never quite got himself in there!
Rob was really happy with his air admittance valve – nobody else noticed.
Finding the hidden support by drilling and drilling again!
February 2022
Brian’s board lifting aid
January 2022
As we heave the new stairs into position Graham checks for the required 2m headroom.
January 2022
North East Organics veg box collection cupboard had been blown over in the December storms. Brian took on the task of repairing it and setting it up in a better position.
December 2021
Graham O cutting holes in the plaster ready for the sockets.
Rob finds the scaffold is a good place for a nice little sit down.
December 2021
Meanwhile, after the storm Brian takes on the job of fixing an Earth Balance fence and gate.
Here he gets a railway worker to help extracting the broken posts.
December 2021
We haven’t finally decided whether to add the planned toilet, but here Adrian is doing the ‘first fix’ for the lighting and extractor fan circuits, just in case!
December 2021
Fixing OSB board to the walls for strength.
Then covering with plasterboard to give half hour fire resistance.
Graham O doing a round of inspection.
Keith with a bandolier of plasterboard fixings.
November 2021
It is a surprisingly tough job to pull cables though, especially when somebody has drilled the holes too small!
Dennis makes sure all our wiring is to regulation.
November 2021
Dennis makes sure we understand the cabling for the second ring main.
November 2021
It is going to be a great space up here!
Brian takes on the job of fixing all the upper floorboards, helped by Adrian and shown here, Peter.
November 2021
The second beam goes up quite quickly.
It is slightly ‘banana shaped’ so we are quite pleased when we manage to make the middle of it perfectly level!
October 2021
We start constructing the first structural stud wall, which will become the permanent support for the beam.
October 2021
Very quickly we start feeling it is safe to walk under the heavy beam.
October 2021
Adrian starts fixing joists to the beam.
October 2021
Adrian getting ready to drill the 16mm holes so the beams can be securely bolted together.
October 2021
The timber arrived from Percy Hudson.
Brian and Graham W started cutting to make one of the big twin beams, which will hold up the new mezzanine.
September 2021
Everyone helped with this community task for the Dance Studio.
Jayne wanted the door to open the other way so we removed the frame and turned the whole thing round.
September 2021
We painted some more.
We wondered when we would hear from Building Control.
And we fitted two new LED strip lights.
October 2021
A dramatic moment the first half of the beam is propped up.
October 2021
Our plans receive approval!
August 2021
We started looking at becoming a registered charity, we re wrote our safety policy and we got some lottery funding!
August 2021
We painted and painted and painted.
As soon as we hear from Building Control we will start the Mezzanine.
July 2021
Dennis took charge of installing our first ring main with help from Keith
July 2021
The Ashington Veterans and Elders Institute make flowers, which they sell to raise impressive amounts of cash for an NHS charity. The veterans asked for some help cutting petals and Caroline volunteered saying she might cut ‘one or two’!
June 2021
Caroline worked with everyone.
The diesel generator was sold destined for a new life at sea.
May 2021
Keith strengthened the side door
George and Brian cut yet another piece of plasterboard.
May 2021
Dennis fixes one of the final pieces of plasterboard.
Brian needs two ladders to replace a high tile.
May 2021
Mark took charge of accurate drawing.
We gave up trying to find a professional to help with our building regulation application and in the end Rob sharpened his pencil and sent some drawings to Northumberland Building Control.
April 2021
Brian and Rob hired a van, drove to Hartlepool, found the ‘olde Sweet Shop’ and brought back this magnificent 6m high scaffold.
April 2021
George answered a call from a new community centre in Cambois to make a free mini library.
February 2021
With advice from Keith Nicholson we increase our bid for resilience funding to finance the refurbishment of the Energy building with the promise of a peppercorn rent.
March 2021
Keeping well distanced because of lockdown Keith, George, Brian, Adrian and Rob repaired the Earth Balance tarmac drive.
January 2021
Rob started learning how to make a website by watching 4 hour videos by the very clever Hogan Chua.
December 2020
Keith, Caroline and Rob did make a few decorations
November 2020
Mark is making a fan and Hepa filter to ensure dust free spray booth work.
October 2020
Brian, Keith and Rob using a rubber hammer to practise the black art of paving. It worked with perfect wobble free flatness! Autistic centre can now use a covid safe exit.
November 2020
Brian made a 2nd table for the MPA Dance Studios
November 2020
Mark’s fan, look at the finely engineered sliding seal.
October 2020
Caroline made these decorative hearts
October 2020
We had a first look inside the Energy Building, which we hope will be our new workshop at the end of the year!
July 2020
Brian and Rob repaired the Toby Henderson door (again) it was tricky to find any un-splintered timber to fix into!
May 2020
Margaret again has a Japanese theme in this painting.
September 2020
Dennis, Adrian and Rob made a table for the new dance group on site.
Workshop closed
from 17th March. We Opened again at the end of July 2020 with restricted numbers in the workshop and face masks required inside the building.
April 2020
It is heartening to see George managed to make this smart box during lockdown.
August 2020
Rob started on a kestrel shaped weather vane.
May 2020
Don made this bird feeder Japanese style.
May 2020
Margaret may not be able to get into the shed just now, but she seems to know what she is doing with a paintbrush!
April 2020
George is going to find a lot of people copying this romantic candle holder!
April 2020
George made a copy of this pawn, but which is the original?
May 2020
Margaret again has a Japanese theme in this painting.
January 2020
Rob finished another wheelbarrow planter
April 2020
George keeps designing new phone stands, this one is neat and it also holds a watch.
March 2020
Brian M, recently joined the shed and already he has made this little cactus holder – his first Shed project!
January 2020
Brian’s Dolphin on a wave. Look at the quality!
To do or knot to do?
Some of us have been trying to solve this puzzle for longer than Brian has taken to accurately mark and cut and make them fit together!
January 2020
George made this stainless steel log and axe some time ago, but now he has used it in his new phone charger stand.
January 2020
Rob then added a little brass plate so the new owners of the planter would remember where it came from!
December 2019
George has been creating these wonderful painted Christmas decorations.
November 2019
Keith is lying down on the job in the kitchen, but making a brilliant job to undercut the door jambs, whilst Rob is having a pensive moment, admiring his work and thinking about where to lay the next board.
September 2019
Rob was pleased with the look of his signs to point people in the direction of our shed.
July 2019
Colin took a little bit of bench top and made this sleek dolphin. The fixing of the stand was an engineering triumph!
December 2019
George made these Christmas decorations by slicing small logs and then painting these delicate bird images.
November 2019
The floor is nearly done, but what about the dust?
September 2019
Shame Rob’s signs did not really stand out so he painted them. Now he just needs to fix the blistering paint!
July 2019
Dennis made these fabulous cricket stumps for his lucky grand children!
November 2019
The Shed had a request from Carers Northumberland to help a couple in Amble. They had seen hard times over the last year and had been living on a concrete floor. The Shed took on the challenge we laid a laminate floor. The magnificent three, Rob, Keith and Brian did the job, though there were a few tired limbs the next day! Age creeps onwards!
November 2019
We had enough laminate to do the entrance hall as well.
August 2019
Yet more creativity by Keith … An beautiful elliptical box.
June 2019
Rob found this 1927 gramophone in a ditch fifty years ago. It needed some repairs, a little tidying and now it is ready to play “Enjoy Yourself”!
May 2019
Keith got creative with end grain making a Key-fob.
May 2019
George made this neat box with impressive mitre corners.
April 2019
Rob then took the wheelbarrow apart again to apply wood preservative in every joint.
March 2019
Keith’s jewellery box has a two tone lid, bespoke hinges, a velvet lining and his insert tray sinks slowly in place as the air escapes!
May 2019
Keith’s speciality … another box … his wife must have a lot of jewellery!
May 2019
George developed the candle holder idea using this attractive cherry wood branch.
March 2019
Keith started, simply playing with dovetails, but he kept adding interest until he had produced a classy Jewellery box.
May 2019
Keith’s end grain symmetry makes the lid special.
April 2019
Rob declared his wheel barrow planter finished.
February 2019
Mark made these rather clever coasters.
February 2019
Mark completed these bespoke planters and installed them in the Toby Henderson garden.
December 2018
Caroline made this stylish display case for her mineral collection.
October 2018
Brian made this smart plant pot rack and Mark added the decoration.
September 2018
We begin to get the new wood store organised.
August 2018
Steve made both this unique cake stand and also these ‘lollipop cakes’!
November 2018
Brian made this large sign for the front of the shed. It is rather grand!
October 2018
Enjoying autumn sunshine and testing Brian’s design for a new picnic table – all made from pallet timber!
Sepember 2018
We add a letter box to the new wood store.
July 2018
Brian made these brilliant sawing trestles.
April 2018
Mark has been busy making coasters for a sale of goods later in the year.
October 2018
I bet Brian is going to have a few people trying to copy these robins!
October 2018
Rob and Brian made these large shelves for the Toby Henderson Autistic Centre.
August 2018
Mark likes to give himself a challenge – these dovetails are so accurate!
May 2018
An order was placed by Bedlington Dr Pitt Allotments for 5 outdoor notice boards.Two shown here.
April 2018
Mark also made these candle holders.
March 2018
Brian topping out with the final roof panel of our marvellous new lean-to.
January 2018
The eagle landed at the allotment and fitted with a rotating base, so its a weather vane as well !
January 2018
George is making this base for a golf trophy. He is using a mini router for accuracy.
April 2017
Brian made a new adapter for a circular saw blade when a request came in from the Autistic Centre requiring a cube to be constructed. This filled a Friday afternoon for Brian and Adrian.
March 2018
Building the new store. Soon we will have a secure place for all our timber.
January 2018
Brian’s eagle has a scary look so the crops do survive and the pigeons stay away!
December 2017
Rob completed his bird table, made from recycled maple, which came from the London Underground
March 2017
Phil who runs Sleekburn Trout Fishery wants numbers for each of his fishing jetties. Dennis and Rob are learning how to use a router to do stylish signs in treated softwood. Maybe, we’ll start a sign writing money making venture?
February 2018
Rob strengthened this slide for the wonderful Toby Henderson Trust, which does great work with children on the autistic spectrum. I am sure George the Labrador inspecting considered his work satisfactory!
June 2017
We are gifted several loads of plywood from Carlisle Railway station refurbishment. Ideas now needed for projects using ply!
February 2017
Mark made this chopping board for his cousin, hope she likes it. Top marks for quality! To do the grooves he first had to refurbish a very old router and fix it to a donated router table.
s.
January 2017
We made a metal ramp to help Fresh element move their heavy wheeled racks.
November 2016
We need a bigger tool rack.
August 2016
We put new safety edging in two observation rooms at the Autistic Centre.
January 2017
NE Organics kindly let us rescue three lovely heavy vices.
October 2016
Is it straight? We put this sign up for the Toby Henderson Autistic Centre.
A little tricky because we had to move the light first!
August 2016
We built a strong bench with hammer-tight mortice and tenon joints.
January 2017
Steve and Dennis help Mark to make – yet more – shelving
September 2016
We receive several more donations of tools.
August 2016
We made a ‘magic door’ for the Earth Balance play area.
July 2016
We need more members! Some people are busy for the summer, though 8 new people turn up one Friday!
May 2016
We clear rough ground and help make a herb garden on Earth Balance site for ‘Fresh Element’ – they have the restaurant at the Baltic!
March 2016
A setback
We have the use of the grass roofed building, but one director worried about safety blocks a gift of tools.
Early 2016
Earth Balance wants a play area here.
April 2016
Kind people donate tools: We get this woodwork lathe working.
February 2016
We deliver hundreds of leaflets to encourage new members.
February 2016
Two members
No tools
No materials
Lots of live willow
April 2016
We spend £214 lottery fund money on new tools.
March 2016
We wonder, “Can we build a tree house?”
February 2016
Lots of support from Keith Nicholson, manager of Earth Balance site.
We decide to teach ourselves willow weaving!
