A Box Within a Box: Music, Memory, and a Touch of Rowan
When Jean brought in her 1960s Olive wood music box from the Holy Land, it was missing its original interior. With Bob M’s Rowan wood and John’s craftsmanship, a new inner box was made and finished in shellac. A family heirloom restored—and in time for Christmas memories to be shared.
Shed Happens at Otley Green Fair
Wharfedale Men’s Shed had a fantastic day at the Otley Green Fair, selling £113.37 of handmade wooden items and connecting with the local community. Our Marble Run drew plenty of smiles before the drive shaft gave way — a great reminder of the fun and purpose that community events bring.
Sectional Flower Kiosk build!
Bob M, Stuart, and Bob E built a bespoke red cedar kiosk for Jo in Menston, who sells plants to raise funds for the MS Trust. Using donated materials and teamwork, they crafted and assembled the kiosk on-site—delighting Jo with the finished result. A proud project for Wharfedale Men’s Shed.
Sowing Solidarity: New Planters Bloom for Otley’s Community Larder
To support the expansion of its “pay as you feel” food offering, Otley Community Larder teamed up once again with Wharfedale Men’s Shed to construct eight custom planters—including two striking three-tiered designs. Faced with space constraints at the workshop, Shed members pre-built the planter sides for easy transport and assembly. Despite delivering on a cold, rainy Monday, the team installed all eight in time for the 31st May group planting session, where vegetables and edible flowers will be sown to enhance the larder’s fresh food supply.
WMS at Colton Methodist Church Plant Sale
WMS joined the Colton Methodist Church plant sale, where Malcolm, Loz, and John shared Shed-made wooden crafts and a crowd-pleasing marble run. The event was full of friendly faces and great conversation, highlighting the power of community and shared purpose. A big thank you to our hosts for a wonderful morning. We raised a total of £113.87 for our WMS funds.
Katie White MP visits WMS
Kate White MP visited Wharfedale men’s shed on Monday 7th April 2025. She met many of our members and watched them as they worked on various projects. Katie was very interested in our plans for using the section of the Tittybottle Park Oak and particularly our plans to build a new workshop.
A Fantastic Donation from the Otley Lions!
Yesterday we were visited by Otley Lions President, Stephen Bellerby, who delivered a cheque for £1,000, a generous donation from the Otley Lions. Clearly we still have a long way to go to reach our funding target but every contribution is gratefully received.
Resurrecting the Silsden History Group Sign
Wharfedale Men’s Shed rebuilt the historic information sign in Silsden, replacing its weathered oak frame. Using seasoned oak, members crafted a new double-rebated frame, preserving the original sign. After applying protective finishes, the team reinstalled it, receiving praise from the Silsden History Group for their excellent craftsmanship and dedication.
WMS New Home Will Benefit Other Local Groups
Wharfedale Men’s Shed (WMS) is set to expand its operations with a new facility at Grove Hill, available 24/7, unlike the Old Courthouse’s single-day restriction. To optimize use, WMS will share space with local groups, including Burley-in-Wharfedale Men’s Shed (BMS), which will access workshop facilities at least one day per week.
Otley Matters!
The Wharfedale Men’s Shed (WMS), which is based in Otley, has completed bird boxes for Wildlife Friendly Otley, adding to recent projects like wooden bench refurbishments and garden planters. Meeting every Monday at Otley Courthouse, WMS offers social connection and woodworking skills. We’re fundraising for a larger workshop to expand our community impact.