The Adlington Post

Over the past few months I have been talking with many members of Men’s Sheds throughout the North Island of New Zealand, as well as reading extensively on issues relating to retirement. The key themes apparent in my study of retirement issues are that a loss of purpose upon retirement after decades of responding to the manifold demands of work and family can make life appear to be meaningless. Faced with a loss of purpose and a lack of meaning can lead people to give up hope. A sense of hopelessness is often what precipitates a rapid decline in physical and mental health in retired people, and it may be noted that the loss of hope can be the final straw which drives people to commit suicide. In discussions at the Shed about retirement, Shed members often refer to the fact that their fathers and other older male relatives were often dead within eighteen month of retirement. Studies have shown that eighteen months of feeling “blue” (not even mildly depressed) can have a severely negativ

I have been busy at the Men's Shed North Shore refurbishing some old tools, which I will take up to the Pacific Islands next year. The boys at the Shed have been helping me with donations of tools, as well as technical advice on woodturning, sharpening and other technical matters - thanks guys! www.pacificneighbours.blogspot.co.nz/ www.mensshednorthshore.org.nz

My chum Eric from the Shed and I scored some free metal for the Shed from a local demolition site. See more pix at my Shed blog: www.shedyarns.blogspot.co.nz

Last Sunday I went for a drive amongst detritus of the annual inorganic collection...finds included a sleeping bag (new), a pair of woman's hiking boots (good condition), an oil can (with oil), and a couple of old wooden planes - I will refurbish the tools at the Men's Shed North Shore. See: www.mensshednorthshore.org.nz and my Shed blog: www.shedyarns.blogspot.co.nz  

Last week Men's Shed North Shore member Bob Stirk gave us a demonstration of vacuum-forming veneer. This is a process (on a much larger scale) used to make the Americas Cup boats. Bob uses pieces of curved veneer and laminated wood to make some very interesting furniture.   Bob kindly gave me a piece of this laminate to make some jewellery with. See more photos on my Men's Shed blog www.shedyarns.blogspot.co.nz

Geoff (right) is giving Constantin some help with building a 3D printer at the North Shore Men's Shed...see more pix at www.shedyarns.blogspot.co.nz

Last week I spent the day with the boys at the Whangarei Community Mens Shed. They have just bought the old railway goods station for one dollar from the local council, & are in the process of moving their equipment over from their old shared premises at the steam engine heritage centre. The station has been derelict for 15 years and has been knocked around by kids with nothing better to do. The shed members have some serious working bees ahead of them, & I will go up whenever I can to give a hand - so stay tuned for progress reports.... The chairman is Mike Mansell: mikeandrosie@clear.net.nz

How's this for a great idea for a bike rack! I will look into making one for the Men's Shed North Shore.... For info on the Shed see: www.mensshednorthshore.org.nz And/or read my Shed blog: www.shedyarns.blogspot.co.nz

After seven years work the Men's Shed North Shore was opened on Sunday 7th April 2013. Kaipatiki Local Board Chair Lindsay Waugh did the honours and cut the "ribbon" to applause from the large crowd of members and supporters. The Shed was then opened for inspection, and The "Pink Ladies" put on a sumptuous afternoon tea in the lunch-room. Photo courtesy of Jude Woodside, The Shed Magazine www.theshedmag.co.nz See more snaps at  www.shedyarns.blogspot.co.nz See the MSNS facebook page HERE

I have joined the crew at the Mens' Shed North Shore, and have had a lot of fun helping the team with the final finishing-off of the new shed they have built at Glenfield. The grand opening is scheduled for early April, and after that things will swing into action and the place will come alive with people working on all manner of projects.. .