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Sheringham shed people 640CF

Lighthouse Church to open Men’s Shed in Sheringham

2018: Lighthouse Community Church in Sheringham will be setting up a Men’s Shed in the town centre, hopefully by the autumn of this year. Tony Rothe reports.

 
Sheringham shed outside 640CFThe process of buying the former St John Ambulance Hall in Wyndham Street, right, is underway, and planning permission for a change of use, to bring it back to being used as a community hall, has just been received. Sheringham Shed will be a project of Lighthouse Charity Trust.
 
The day after the shed development group, set up by the church, met for the first time, they learned that the premises were coming on the market. Within a matter of days, they also learned that a Christian Trust had agreed a grant for the charity to purchase the building and make it weatherproof — a cause for great rejoicing!
 
Dan Ward, who leads the group said, “Once the purchase is completed, the work begins in earnest to get the Sheringham Shed ready to be used. There is a lot of clearing out to be done before we can do the necessary repairs and alterations to meet health and safety regulations and make the whole building accessible to those with disabilities.
 
“One of our guys, David Bickford, a former building surveyor, has been busy getting quotes and drawing up a work schedule, ably assisted by Kevan Taylor and Mark Ward. They can’t wait, like many of the other guys in the church, to start getting their hands dirty!
 
“Sheringham Shed will provide a place where men of all ages and backgrounds can meet together to encourage each other and promote general physical, mental, emotional, social, relational and spiritual well-being. Somewhere to relax, learn, discuss issues, and share concerns, knowing they are among friends. We want guys to able to share skills and interests, to exchange ideas and pass on knowledge. We also want them to actively pursue hobbies and pastimes, as well as work on projects that will aid the community and help develop a positive sense of achievement.”
 
Eryl Williams, the Lighthouse Charity Trustee designated to oversee the development of the shed commented: “As Trustees, we are delighted with the way everything is coming together and we are grateful to the men we believe God has brought to the fore, ‘for such a time as this.’ We are now aiming to be operational by the end of September, with a Grand Opening pencilled in for Saturday October 20.”
 
sheringham shed logo 640CFPeter Farley, who is responsible for the administration and fundraising added, “For over eight years, some of us have had a vision to open a Men’s Shed, so these are exciting times. We have been really blessed by the funds we have already received, and we believe that, in time, we will have all we need to refurbish and equip.
 
“We want Sheringham Shed to be a place where the lonely and isolated, and those who feel discouraged or downhearted, sense they are accepted and valued. We believe therefore that Sheringham Shed should be somewhere love is expressed; hospitality is practised; inclusivity is paramount; acceptance is sacrosanct; abilities are developed; learning is nurtured; skills are learned; wisdom is shared; development is organic; sharing is engendered; creativity is encouraged; sensitivity is cultivated, and tolerance is cherished.
 
"These aren’t just lofty ideals; they are our core values. We don’t want somewhere that is ostentatious, but we do want a place that lets guys know the extent to which they are welcomed and appreciated."
 
For more details, email : sheringhamshed@btinternet.com

Follow the Shed on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SheringhamShed/

Visit: https://menssheds.org.uk/

Pictured, top, are, L to R, Peter Farley, Dan Ward, David Bickford, Eryl Williams, Kevan Taylor. 
 
 



TonyRothe150Do you have a news story or forthcoming event relating to Christians or a church in North Norfolk?  

If so, e-mail tony.rothe@networknorwich.co.uk with details and, if possible a suitable picture. 


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