The market at Alexandra Park Greenhouse, off St Helens Road in Hastings, will host the Men’s Shed stall where members will sell items such as wooden bird boxes. The public can also place orders for bespoke items to be made or repaired.
The event on Saturday, March 22, will run from 10am to 3pm and will be part of a Wood Weekend to celebrate World Wood Day. Admission free.
The Hastings and St Leonards Men’s Shed at Manhattan Gardens, Ore, is a charity founded in 2016 and is run by volunteers.
Godfrey Bevan, one of its trustees, said the Shed is part of a national association of Men’s Sheds. It currently has about 186 members, 10 per cent of whom are women.
He added: “Our members range from able-bodied to the disadvantaged and vulnerable. The Shed aims to mitigate loneliness and social isolation, and the consequent mental and physical ill health.
“The Shed provides a welcoming environment where they can make friends, pursue a craft hobby, and feel valued.”
Members often work with donated materials, with income from sales contributing to running costs.
The rented building houses a wood and a metal workshop, plus a social area. The trustees are fund-raising to buy their building and secure the project’s future.
Woodworker John Briot (correct), a former painter and decorator who once played football for Crystal Palace, said: “I really enjoy working here. You can make up your own mind what to make and you’re able to do it.”
New members are always welcome. Further details from info@hastingsmensshed.org.uk or telephone 01424 444246.
Saturday’s market will also feature stalls including the Sussex Trug industry, a demonstration of brush-making, and Rupert Bozeat (correct), a former lecturer in furniture and product design, making and selling simple wooden utensils.
Sunday, March 23, will see a Wood Workshop at the greenhouse led by Rupert Bozeat. Beginners will learn how to carve useful utensils from soft, recently-felled hardwood. The event runs from 9.30am to 5.30pm and tickets cost £60, plus a £5.71 booking fee, from Eventbrite at our-greenhouse.org