Men’s Shed South Molton

by Wally Stephens

Many of us like to watch the Repair Shop on TV and marvel at the items that are repaired. Here at the Men’s Shed we also can repair items that have been damaged or broken. We may not have the varied skills of the Repair Shop and maybe not as much knowledge, but we do our best with amazing results!

We mainly work in wood at the moment, but with new members joining skills are broadening. We are always after donations of tools, so if you have old unwanted, unloved tools, working or non working, then please give us a thought - we can repair them to sell, which will help us to pay our rent etc.

On Saturday, August 10th (10am to 2pm) we’re holding a surplus tool sale at the Men’s Shed, Cemetery Workshop, Mill Street, South Molton EX36 4AR. There will be garden and DIY tools, all will have been cleaned, tested, repaired, refurbished and will be in full working order.

We also make things like bird boxes, dormouse boxes, hedgehog houses and feeders, or maybe there is something that you would like us to make for you. Call in or phonel Wally: 07857 605816

South Molton garden is ‘on song’

by Rebecca Blackman

We’ve kept the garden ticking along nicely over the past few weeks with most vegetables doing well so far. Work on the ‘mud kitchen’ is still ongoing. We’re clearing and weeding the space and making progress, slowly but surely.

Our first ‘Songs From the Shed’ music session took place on July 6th (above right). Due to the stormy weather, the garden was too soggy to host a gathering! Instead we enjoyed ‘Songs NOT From the Shed’ at the YMCA, with live music from Mike Rigby, Mick Osborne, Llongstone Moon and Arnwyn. Thanks to our performers, organisers and the audience.

If you’d like to join us, visit the garden on a Thursday afternoon at 2pm (weather permitting). See our website for more information: southmoltoncommunitygarden.co.uk

Sad to be closing down

The North Devon Animal Ambulance service is set to close down on August 31st. Founder Diana Lewis (pictured right) said the “difficult decision” had been made partly because of trustees retiring, but also because of rising costs making it hard for them to continue to afford to keep running.

The Cobbaton Combat Collection at Chittlehampton has also announced it will be closing to the public from the end of September. The team said they will continue to host special events, open days, military vehicle restoration and militaria fairs, stating, “This has been a monumental decision and we will really miss the familiar faces of our many visitors.”

Hoping for good weather

The 2024 North Devon Show is nearly upon us, with the event taking place at its usual location at Barton Farm, Umberleigh on Wednesday, August 7th (advert page 12).

Celebrating the region’s rural life with new family friendly attractions this year, show secretary Theresa Soanes says they hope “the weather will be back to normal” after a freak storm caused problems last year.