Shed report to Committee February – June 2020
General The shed had no sooner got back into operation after the summer break when Covid 19 closed us down. However, at the time of writing we are now operating at full strength with up to twenty five Sheddies attending each day.
Outside Community projects Atawhai Play Centre The mud kitchen (ie Junior mini stove/oven) for this group has been completed by Robert Shade and really is a work of art. It has now been painted by Wayne and delivered.
NCC rodent eradication programs This project was interrupted by the Covid 19 lockdown but is now sorted and delivery of the first fifty traps is now complete under the coordination of Colin Johnstone and his team. The partnership with the Shed and NCC would appear to be ongoing with this valuable program.
Wharariki Onetahuna Healthpost Nature Trust rodent eradication program The trust intend placing an additional 200 traps between Puponga and Wharariki effectively creating a virtual fence in order that Farewell Spit can be predator free. This very large project under the control of Colin Johnstone requires us to build sophisticated double traps which have systems built into the design and construction which will make the task for the trappers out in the field as easy and as safe as possible. All materials have been supplied by the Trust and we produce the traps being paid per unit completed. The traps have fast, efficient opening and resetting systems and are quite time consuming to produce. Therefore, we invested considerable time and effort into designing and making jigs and fixtures so that the various components could be made and assembled on a production line system with tight quality control. The first hundred have been completed and despatched. It has been an ideal project to start operations after the lockdown involving a large percentage of the membership.
Health Post Nature Trust Traps are also being produced for this organisation
Rodent Monitoring Tunnel refurbishment Trent Roberts completed this important project prior to lockdown
Stamp collectors project The local stamp collectors club require some aluminium display frames to be modified and more storage units made and so this project under Colin Johnstone and Wayne Logan will be started once the trap projects are nearing completion.
Bridge Street Early Learning Centre We supplied an epoxy coated Macrocarpa flitch tabletop and machined new window surrounds to replace some rotten MDF versions at this (not for profit) centre. Unfortunately, Corvid 19 intervened and only the tabletop was supplied. The window frames have now been fitted by Wayne Logan and Richard Watson. The Centre made a generous donation in the form of a Mitre 10 voucher.
Nelson Hospital Children’s Ward Outdoor Seat This project was one of many that were interrupted by Covid 19. Mark Cox developed the drawings and patterns and then Mark and Sam Broaddus (from Maine USA) completed the construction of what was in effect a kitset to be installed around the tree. As soon as the Covid lockdown was lifted, Mark and Richard fitted the seat in place. The general workmanship and finish was of an exceptionally high standard (almost too good for an outdoor project!)
Maurice Gee chair refurbishment This project was yet another that was interrupted by the Covid lockdown. It was fully stripped of the original coating, some rotten sections replaced and then reoiled. John Bunting, Mark Cox, Sam Broaddus and Richard Watson all played a part in this worthwhile project.
Boathouse storage system This project was completed and installed just days before the Covid lockdown started. Many members were involved in this project including Colin Johnstone, Richard Watson, Wayne Logan, Tashi Wallace, Hal Martin and Rudi Husiman.
Fire screen repair A donation was received as payment for a small weld repair on a fire screen completed by Wayne Logan
Wood Retirement Village refrigerator base A donation was received for this project. Wayne Logan measured, and Ken Heraty built a refrigerator base for a Wood retirement home resident.
Inhouse projects
Builders pegs Production has stopped on this project, but we have stocks of pegs still for sale.
Members Projects Mark Philips has completed several projects including some “ponies” for leather work moulds.
John Elkington found some superb recycled rimu and under the guidance of Richard Watson has produced a beautiful hand-crafted kitchen bench top. John will barely have enough time to install the benchtop before returning to the U.K.
Mario Perroni has an old family pedal car repair on the way.
Membership Peter Shelton’s health continues to improve after knee surgery went seriously wrong. It is great to see Peter back at the shed assisting with the production of the primary parts for the rodent trap production.
Ken Heraty is back at the shed after his coronary artery stent implant.
Peter McGowan is still experiencing debilitating migraine pain and has not been attending the shed regularly but has dropped in occasionally of late. He will shortly start a new course of medication and a book stand is being made at the shed for him by Tashi Wallace to make it easier for him read his library books at home.
Sam Broaddus had a very difficult time returning to Maine (USA) as Covid 19 hit. Sam and his wife just made it home as air travel became more and more difficult.
Two others affected by Covid 19 are John and Sally Elkington (UK). They have become stranded in Nelson and so have experienced their first New Zealand winter. They hope to return to their “other” home in August at this stage.
Sunday Opening Sunday opening continues to attract a small number of members some of whom cannot attend during the week.
New Equipment A new, industry standard Skil saw and battery drill/driver were added to our inventory to allow us to keep up with the demands of rat trap production.
Safety No issues at present but as membership increases, we will continue to put as many members as possible through our machine assessment system.
Hand Sanitizer Dispenser Craig Lines has kindly donated and installed this dispenser at the doorway between the entrance area and the main workshop
