The Martinborough Mens Shed held its first Annual General Meeting at the Old Courthouse on Cork Street on the 16 April. It was a good turnout of members who gathered in the larger room of the building currently under refurbishment by the members.
Many hours of work have already been spent to clear the building of stored items and remove the suspended ceilings. After removal, it was discovered that original wooden ceilings were damaged by the installation of the hangers for the suspended ceilings. Members are in the process or restoring the profiles of the original ceiling throughout the building.
The business of the AGM included adopting a rule change (to comply with the charities office requirements) and elect the Management Committee for the coming year. One current Committee member stood down, Kevin Lund, and another member was elected, Adrian Blackett. The remaining Committee members were re-elected: Ric Geisler, Colin Chamberlain, Mike Woolley, Derek Wilson, John Mansell, John Errington, Ian Thomson, and Colin Hadley.
One of the purposes of the Mens Shed is to provide and maintain premises for men to carry out projects in an atmosphere conducive to the sharing of experiences and working in harmony. To help realise that purpose, the Mens Shed applied to the Martinborough Community Board for a grant to kick start the refurbishment of the Old Courthouse.
Recently, the Community Board approved a grant of $2000.00 which has come at a critical time allowing work to continue on the electrical upgrade required before the building can be occupied. Lisa Cornelissen, Chair of the Community Board was an invited guest at the AGM allowing members to personally thank the Board for their support. The goal is to be operating from the Courthouse by the end of May when colder weather makes the use of the temporary site unsuitable.
Another purpose for the Shed is to provide activities and projects for the benefit of the community. The public is encouraged come around to open hours to discuss any project that they have in mind. Shed hours are 10am to noon on Wednesdays at the temporary shed behind the i-Site or 10am to noon on Saturdays at the Courthouse.
