Cow shed turns carpentry shop
A group of older volunteers have turned a wildlife charity’s carpentry workshop into a money-spinning enterprise with help from a children’s playground firm.
A cow shed within the grounds of the Cheshire Wildlife Trust's base at Bickley Hall Farm, Bickley, near Malpas, was converted specially for the Create for Nature project, with the help of students from Cheshire College South and West with volunteers creating bespoke furniture.
The Trust launched the workshop after securing funding from the Ageing Better Brightlife initiative, created by the Big Lottery Fund with the aim of combating social isolation for older people.
It has been donated treated timber from Creative Play which designs, manufactures and installs children’s playgrounds across the UK.
Creative Play managing director James Harris visited the project to see items that will be sold for environmental conservation projects.
Mr Harris said: “I never for a moment envisaged the standard of professionalism which is clearly evident here. I’m hugely impressed. It makes me proud to think our company is helping to resource such an outstanding venture.
“Seeing the carpentry group in action is a real eye opener which makes me re-imagine what we consider to be scrap.”
Dave Burton, 74, said: “I’ve been a carpenter all my life, starting as an apprentice when I was about 15, so I felt a bit lost when I retired. Coming here has rekindled my life."
The group meets every Monday between 10am and 4pm, with members free to pop in at their own convenience and use the tools provided."
Eleri Hunter, of Tilston, who retired 18 months ago from her job as a teacher, said the project came at the right time for her.
“I’d always had a desire to learn woodwork, I think because it was my father’s much-loved hobby.. So when I learned about the appeal for interested volunteers here it was perfect for me."
To contact Cheshire Wildlife Trust about the project, call 01948 820728 or email Sam Salisbury on ssalisbury@cheshirewt.org.uk
