Paul’s Plum tree survived! It is still in a state of shock but having dropped all of its’ leaves, Colin spotted that it has now started to replace them.
We really could do with some more support. It may not be apparent from the picture but Paul’s tree is not the only thing that is growing. Potatoes are in flower, corn has set ears, the other stuff we planted to growing well BUT so are the weeds! We have been doing a lot of necessary work on hard standing and the weeds are getting out of control.
The good news is that we are now the proud owners of a really good shed. Some grant money became available to us, so we invested it wisely. The shed was built to order with double doors to allow access for those with mobility problems. A ramp will be provided A.S.A.P.
As well as the shed we have purchased some tools to enable more people to get involved. Will you be one of them? Please! We are there most Tuesdays and Fridays for about two hours from 10 a.m. Please check with Colin before you go. If we are not going to be present you can get the shed key and work away on your own – or bring a friend.
Catherine is the Community Development and Planning Officer.
A remarkable day out with few other Men’s Sheds. Pictured here at the end of the day along with Janine and her colleague Pamela who organised the event. The day was arranged as part of Men’s Health Week hosted by South Antrim Community Network and funded by Public Health Agency. Naturally some segments were more obviously health related and others were just great fun.
This IMSA Cluster includes Sheds located in Antrim/Down/Armagh. Ian Mahood and James Carroll represented our Shed.
There is not much to see at the moment, just some steel markers with blue rope round them. It has been arranged to have it rotavated for us but the grass needs to be strimmed off first. We have the use of two petrol strimmers but need some people to use them and others to help tidy up.
Jim talked to us about the history of Carrickfergus, his theme being “Royal Visits”. We were informed that the town of Carrickfergus has been in existence since medieval times. The earliest known name for the area was Dun-so-barky, meaning “strong rock or hill”. It gained the current name under tragic circumstances. In the sixth century, Fergus Mor, the son of Eric of Armoy, left Ulster to found a kingdom in Scotland but was drowned on his return. The area was thereafter called Carraig Fhearghus, meaning “rock of Fergus”.
Carrickfergus found itself entangled at the very heart of national and European politics when, in 1688, the town and castle were held by the garrison troops for James II, despite local overwhelming sympathy for the Williamite cause. In 1689 Frederick Duke of Schomberg landed with Williamite forces at Groomsport, Co Down. The siege of Carrickfergus began on August 20 with heavy mortar bombings, causing a breech in the town wall near north gate. The defenders drove cattle into this breech and shot them to block it up. Never-the-less, The surrender of the garrison troops took place about seven days later. This picture is of the North Gate as it stands today.
As a token of our thanks for his visit, Jim was presented with a Carrickfergus Men’s Shed Mug (with Easter Eggs) and Alan offered him the choice from his selection af hand turned wooden pens.
Mark McWhirter, Watch Commander, introduced himself with a short description of his 20 years experience in the Fire Service. Like many other fields of endeavour, codes of practice have changed dramatically over that time.
Mark went on to use a computer presentation with slides and video clips to illustrate his “Home Fire Safety Advice”. The main points were introduced by the simple acrostic S T O P
Lyn Campbell started her talk by asking “What is a Carer?” The very simple answer is “Someone who cares for another person”. There are thousands of people in our community who function as a carer, without realising that they would receive recognition and assistance if only they would ask.