10 minute read
MEN’S SHEDS
Garden, made a treasure chest for an
Easter challenge in Stony Stratford, and their replica music stand for The Rhythm
Aces – a band active in the area from the 1940s – took pride of place at the 2021
Wired For Sound exhibition.
They have carried out work in support of the MK Food Bank, completed theatrical props and also created a fabulous tree for a touring theatre group. That job saw them employing help from a specialist company to assist with the machining – because if they can’t do it, they might know someone who can!
Their DIY skills keep them busy, but also colours up the area.
Anyone who is looking to spend their time productively and perhaps to contribute to our community projects is welcome to join...”
Nigel Pigott (above) Men in Sheds member and Milton Keynes branch secretary
From the left: Replica music stand for local band The Rhythm Aces, ‘Ears’ a Mickey Mouse bird box made by MiS and an engraved ornamental box An outdoor library for Russell First School in Stony Stratford
You need to be at least eighteen years old to join, and those currently signed up here in Milton Keynes include members in full and part-time work, those out of work, carers who need to take some ‘me’ time and people who have long-term medical conditions.
By far the largest group are people who have retired from the day job, but still have plenty to offer, and want the warmth of a ‘working’ community.
Collectively, the various Shedders bring a variety of skills to the table that can be shared and learned from. It’s the members who decide what happens in the Shed, which in MK is located in a large industrial unit in Kiln Farm. The space also incorporates the Men in Sheds sub group Milton Keynes Maker Space, which provides facilities for technical projects including electronics, computing and 3D printing. And at odds with the name, these days Men in Sheds also welcomes ladies to the fold. “Until fairly recently we resisted approaches from prospective female members – given our name and the focus on men’s health,” Nigel explained, “However, we began to receive requests from a small number of women who were keen to learn woodwork and for whom no other facilities existed in Milton Keynes, so we let them join, and the outcome has been very positive.” It’s safe to say that things are going from strength to strength: “Not only have they become, in a short time, some of the most skilled woodworkers we have, but the effect of having women in the Shed, from my perspective anyway, has been beneficial.
“They generally have better listening and other ‘soft’ skills and they are very tolerant of the occasional laddish behaviour from the men. We now also run evening groups in more traditional ‘female’ activities such as crochet and machine sewing.”
If you’ve been away from work or social circles for any period of time, the thought of attending anywhere new might be daunting. But do take the plunge and reach out – you’ll be glad you did.
“Anyone who is looking to spend their time productively and perhaps to contribute to our
A large planter made for Home Instead at Crownhill
community projects is welcome to join, as is anyone who is looking for a friendly social group with diverse backgrounds,” Nigel encouraged.
Join Men in Sheds and two things are guaranteed – you’ll make acquaintances, and be called upon to operate the kettle every once in a while. After all, brews make happy Shedders!
Men in Sheds – what you need to know
> Annual membership costs £1, but members are encouraged to donate regularly to help with running costs; £15 a month is the suggested amount, but members unable to make regular payments won’t be turned away.
> The Shed is open every Monday,
Wednesday and Friday during the day, and on Sunday afternoons. It also meets on
Monday and Wednesday evenings when the MK Maker Space meets.
> Want to donate? To make a one-off or regular payment, visit localgiving.org/charity/mismk
> Make contact: Email info@meninshedsmk.org.uk Call them on 01908 267126 Visit the website: meninshedsmk.org.uk
A productive start to 2023
Iain Stewart MP standing with the Knife Angel at Stadium MK I hope this article finds you well after a positive start to 2023. It has been a busy but productive month back in Parliament and I wanted to take this opportunity to share some of the things that I have been doing as your local MP.
Knife Angel
In early January, the Knife Angel departed from Milton Keynes following a month of action against violence of all forms. The Knife Angel, also known as the National Monument Against Violence and Aggression, has been made from over 100,000 weapons that have been seized by or handed in to the police. I had the opportunity to visit the monument and to meet with the CEO of MK Dons Sports Education Trust, Maralyn Smith, to learn more about the range of work that is being done whilst the Knife Angel was outside Stadium MK. Hearing the positive feedback and the progress made with schoolchildren across Milton Keynes was really reassuring and so I would like to thank all the partners involved in making it possible.
Funding To Tackle Homelessness In Milton Keynes
I am pleased to share that Milton Keynes has received a boost to end homelessness in the city with a further £4.2 million worth of funding from the Government for the next two years. As part of the Homelessness Prevention Grant, Milton Keynes will receive £2,082,830 in 2023/24 and £2,165,337 in 2024/25 to prevent more people from becoming homeless or sleeping rough in Milton Keynes. I welcome the news that this Conservative Government is providing £4.2 million of funding to tackle homelessness in Milton Keynes over the next two years. Whilst the funding is ring-fenced, I am pleased that the Council will have some flexibility in how to spend it and so provides the maximum impact.
Funds Available To Improve Facilities For HGV Drivers
Also, I have been encouraging Milton Keynes businesses to improve their facilities for HGV drivers with Department for Transport funding. Whilst it is no secret that Milton Keynes is an ideal location to have a logistics hub, I know that the facilities and parking in the city for HGV drivers are not as good as they could be. I have visited businesses at the Magna Park site and have heard first-hand of the issues that HGV drivers face on a regular basis. I am also fully aware that there are other distribution centres that would like to see better facilities and parking in Milton Keynes for their drivers. That is why I really welcome this funding opportunity from the Department for Transport to improve conditions in Lorry Parks and I hope that distribution and logistics businesses in Milton Keynes will apply to take up this opportunity.
Marston Vale Line Suspension
Over the last month, I have been lobbying the Rail Minister for an early as possible reinstatement of rail services on the Marston Vale line between Bletchley and Bedford. I am fully aware of the disruption that the line suspension has caused for my constituents and users of this line, and I will continue to lobby for a resolution to this situation.
As always, if I can be of any help as your local MP, please do get in touch with me on the contact details provided below.
Iain StewartMP for Milton Keynes South
CONTACT DETAILS: Tel: 01908 686830 Email: iain.stewart.mp@parliament.uk www.iainstewart.org.uk Suite 102, Milton Keynes Business Centre, Foxhunter Drive, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes MK14 6GD
Since I wrote my last column for MK Pulse we’ve had some fantastic news with a number of people from across Milton Keynes receiving awards in His Majesty The King’s New Year’s Honours List. To name just a few, congratulations to David Foster, the former Parks Trust’s CEO of almost 20 years, for his BEM, Leah Williamson, Newport Pagnell’s very own Lioness, for her OBE, and Louisa Hobbs, who does fantastic work with the Food Bank, for her BEM. It’s wonderful to see people providing such a positive, impactful contribution to our community being recognised for that.
We’re a month into the new year now and I want to remind you of my priorities for Milton Keynes. Getting tough on crime. Investing in healthcare. Tackling the cost of living. Preventing reckless overexpansion. Campaigning for MK:U. And there’s much, much more. Whether that’s fighting for better bus services or working to prevent flooding. I will continue to work for you.
2023 Cost Of Living Support In Milton Keynes
As we know the impact of Putin’s war in Ukraine and significant spending to keep people in jobs and businesses afloat during the pandemic have both caused an increase in the cost of living in the UK, and around the world. The Government is committed to supporting the most vulnerable people in society through this difficult time and I’m pleased they have now set out plans for support across 2023/24.
Exact payment windows will be announced closer to the time, but are spread across a longer period to ensure a consistent support offering throughout the year, with 3 Cost Of Living Payments worth £300 coming in Spring 2023, Autumn 2023 and Spring 2024, a £150 Disability Payment coming in Summer 2023 and a £300 Pensioner Payment arriving in Winter 2023/24.
Ben Everitt speaking in the House of Commons during the debate on the West Coast Main Line
£4.2m For Milton Keynes To Tackle Homelessness
I’m delighted Milton Keynes will receive £4.2 million as part of the Conservative Government’s the Homelessness Prevention Grant. The funding will be spread across two years with £2,082,830 in 2023/24 and £2,165,337 in 2024/25 to help prevent more people from becoming homeless or sleeping rough in the city. This follows a £321,034 boost announced in December to tackle homelessness this winter in Milton Keynes and is on top of significant funding provided over the last few years. The ringfenced grant will be provided upfront each year and can be used flexibly by councils to deliver their homelessness and rough sleeping strategies - by offering financial support for people to find a new home, providing temporary accommodation, working with landlords to prevent evictions or other measures to prevent homelessness.
Also this month…
• Many residents have shared concerns over disparity in petrol prices in Milton Keynes compared to neighbouring towns and cities and I have written to the appropriate Government Minister and the Competition &
Markets Authority about this
• I’ve been continuing to support constituents with Homes for Ukraine cases and applications with the Home Office
• I’ve met with the Federation of Small Businesses about the challenges facing small businesses and how we can support them through the current global economic uncertainty.
Fighting For Better Rail Services
I’m continuing to fight for better rail services in Milton Keynes as I’m well aware of the frustrations faced by commuters on the trains being a regular train user myself. I recently spoke in a debate in the House Of Commons on the West Coast Main Line and called on Avanti to be stripped of their contract if the service they provide does not improve. Before that debate I had written to Avanti and they had apologised about the service and promised improvements, and I have also now secured a meeting with them to discuss this even further. Thank you to everybody who shared their experiences with me and if you would like to see my speech you can find it on my website beneveritt.com.
Ben EverittMP for Milton Keynes North
CONTACT DETAILS: Tel: 01908 686830 Email: ben.everitt.mp@parliament.uk www.beneveritt.com | Facebook: beneverittmk Suite 102, Milton Keynes Business Centre, Foxhunter Drive, Linford Wood, Milton Keynes MK14 6GD
