Charlbury Community Workshop

Thu 11 Apr, 18:22

AGM Thursday 11th April at 7.30pm in the Thomas Gifford Room in the Community Center

This is advance notice that the Charlbury Community Workshop's AGM will be held on Thursday 11th April at 7.30pm in the Thomas Gifford Room in the Community Center. Please make a note of the date in your diary.

At the meeting, Workshop members will be asked to approve the accounts for 2023, as well as to elect or re-elect some of the current trustees. If you would like to stand as a trustee to help the existing group to run the Workshop, you will have the opportunity to do so at the AGM.

Tue 7 Nov 2023, 19:59 (last edited on Tue 7 Nov 2023, 20:01)

New events at the CCW.

November: Friday 10^th 1:30pm and Friday 17^th 1:30pm

Cushion and Garden Kneelers making session at the workshop.

Pat is running two sessions at the Charlbury Community Workshop making cushion and garden kneelers. Come along and get involved. Friday 10^th 1:30pm and Friday 17^th 1:30pm

Workshop Sessions Every Tuesdays 9am to 12 and Thursdays 2pm to 4pm

Come along and have a look at the new workshop and get involved and meet the team. We have many tasks for people of all skill levels from sorting out screw and nails to making tool boards.

The Charlbury Community Workshop is holding a Tools “Bring And Buy“ come and donate any unwanted tools and possibility purchase some surplus duplicate tools the workshop has. Any tools left over at the end of the session will either be used by the workshop or donated on to “Tools With A Mission” https://www.twam.uk/

Material donations also such as welcome, wood, screws, nails, fabric, cotton thread.

https://www.charlburycommunityworkshop.org.uk/events

Tue 3 Oct 2023, 20:45

Hi Jan, we only decided on Monday to open on Tuesdays so it has only just happened.  We are still organising the interior of the workshop and sorting out the tools. Anyone can pop in and have a look and see if they want to contribute or get involved. 

Tue 3 Oct 2023, 09:11

Didn't know this was up and running.  Can anyone come along if not a Charlbury resident?

Mon 2 Oct 2023, 21:29

Come along and have a look at the new workshop and get involved and meet the team. Workshop location between the surgery and the community centre.

Sat 20 May 2023, 20:45

Pictures of the opening link today which was well attended, thanks to you good people of Charlbury.

Wed 10 May 2023, 07:24 (last edited on Wed 10 May 2023, 07:24)

CCW opening Saturday 20 May 5:30pm onwards plus BBQ

‌‌The opening of the new Charlbury Community Workshop (next to the Community Centre). Come along to see inside the new community workshop and find out more about the planned activities. BBQ, beers and soft drinks and a celebrity guest.

Mon 10 Apr 2023, 19:53 (last edited on Mon 10 Apr 2023, 20:00)

More materials needed https://charlburycommunityworkshop.org.uk/donate-materials

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Wed 29 Mar 2023, 13:34 (last edited on Wed 29 Mar 2023, 16:24)

We need the following tools and equipment to get the Workshop off the ground. If you would like to donate something on this list please email tools@charlburycommunityworkshop.org.uk

Many thanks to all the generous people that have so far donated tools.

Where donation cost is zero the item is still needed. 

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Tue 7 Mar 2023, 10:51

Hi Liz,

Bike repairs are definitely on our wish list, but the actual activities offered will depend on what skills are available and what the members decide. Hopefully we will have a bicycle guru want to volunteer for this. I can certainly say that I am getting bike servicing provision in the insurance. 

Hi Stephen, I will contact you directly, great thanks!

Tue 7 Mar 2023, 08:32

Colin I have several items on your list that I wish to donate. Can you please email me 

stephen.cavell@yahoo.co.uk

Mon 6 Mar 2023, 21:32

Is there a chance that there'll be a bike mechanic as part of the offering?

Sat 4 Mar 2023, 16:55

Charlbury Community Workshop is asking for tools and materials donations see:-

https://www.charlbury.info/community/496

https://www.charlburycommunityworkshop.org.uk/donate-tools

https://www.charlburycommunityworkshop.org.uk/donate-materials

Wed 23 Nov 2022, 12:46 (last edited on Wed 23 Nov 2022, 13:01)

Hi Malcolm, please see this link for the meeting notes https://charlburycommunityworkshop.org.uk/meetings

Hi Liz, I believe you have communicated directly with the CCW working group with regards to the buildings energy status so I have nothing to add here.

Mon 21 Nov 2022, 18:03

Was very sorry indeed to miss the Community Workshop public meeting due to being quite unwell. Frustrating as I'd been looking forward to this meeting and making contact (received no reply to an email sent in some weeks ago). 

Community Resource Centres and Workshops are an old area of interest to me having been centrally and intensively involved, from the inception, with two Community Workshop & Resource Centres in the 70s and 80s (and less centrally with a number more via the late Greater London Council in advisory roles). 

My skills at helping people hands-on in a resource centre are now limited by years of not doing workshop stuff, and having only rather shallow generalist "skills" in any particular craft area, so really wouldn't be able to "teach" anyone anything too specific, limiting my usefulness. But I would still like to be involved, even though I suspect I would have had the most to personally contribute to the project in the early stages of setting-up ... having probably made most of the possible mistakes such projects are prone to during those commencement and building years! 

Will the organisers be publishing accounts of the meeting and its outcomes and tell us where an input of people and knowledge would be most gainfully used and how to get actively involved?

Fri 18 Nov 2022, 12:37

The reason why SusCha sets these conditions is to ensure that grant applicants have approached their building fabric and its uses in a different way from usual - thinking of the energy use associated with each element, how the building works as a system, and how to minimise energy use and associated emissions.  It's a challenge and also a great discipline.

Mon 14 Nov 2022, 15:39 (last edited on Fri 18 Nov 2022, 12:36)

Sustainable Charlbury will favourably consider an application from the CCW for funds that ensure that any new building has zero or close to zero energy costs and carbon emissions.

Thu 10 Nov 2022, 11:48

Colin / Michelle,

I've plenty of welding to be done on the hot rod I'm building. I'm replacing the roof shortly and the new one requires welding on, plus welding up the rear doors after shortening them to make it a 2 door coupe.  I'd be more than happy for you to come along and have a go / show you how using my MIG equipment. 

I don't have a gas or arc welder at the moment... but hope to have TIG at some point next year. I'm also about to learn how to weld Aluminium using MIG and would be happy to pass that on too.

Simon

Wed 9 Nov 2022, 14:37

Simon I would like some training with welding both arc and gas too!

Hans with regards to woodworking the current donations we have include a mini lathe, and wood working books.

With regards to metal work we have a pillar drill and a vice. 

I expect that we will try to be comprehensive with the range of equipment as space and funds/donations allow.

I do have a small CNC router that can handle mill aluminium and engrave slate (V cut), it also has a 5 Watt laser ( engraving) that I am too cautious to fit.

Also check the new website https://www.charlburycommunityworkshop.org.uk/

Wed 9 Nov 2022, 11:33

I would like to propose a carpentry workshop with tools enabling door and window making. Router table, table saw, mortice and tenon maker, planer etc. Yes, the tools are expensive if for professional use, but there are cheaper diy tools available. Second hand tools may also be an alternative. 

Wed 9 Nov 2022, 11:05

Simon I'm totally up for learning how to weld. :)

Wed 9 Nov 2022, 09:56

I'd definitely be interested in being involved, particularly if some metal working equipment was available. Lathe, milling machine, vertical drill, press etc. I'd also be happy to help teach people to weld and fabricate things.

Tue 8 Nov 2022, 16:29

Thursday 17 November 2022 Charlbury Community Workshop public presentation 7.30 to 8.30 pm in the Thomas Gifford Room at Charlbury Community Centre

A new Charlbury Community Workshop (CCW) is being set up to provide an affordable facility for repairing, making and training in a variety of practical crafts such as woodworking, needlecraft, electrical/electronic repairs, stained glass, and upholstery.

It will be housed in a new building on the site immediately adjacent to the Community Centre next to the Medical Centre. The current proposal is for a workshop area of 9m by 5m, which would provide one work space for fabric/materials and another work space for woodworking and other crafts with benches and various tools.

The CCW would be opened on prearranged mornings and afternoons, where supervision would be arranged, and there would likely be a small fee for each session booked. In the long term the facility needs to be self-funding e.g. from a mixture of yearly membership fees, session fees, and special fund-raising events.

It will be established as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, and an application is being submitted to the Charity Commission.

We explained our plans at Street Fair and there are now nearly 50 people who have signed up because they might use the new community workshop, or they just wanted to hear more about it. A website has been set up

https://www.charlburycommunityworkshop.org.uk

All are welcome to come along to hear more about this new project.

Mon 26 Sep 2022, 17:51

Nice little article about community sheds/workshops:

https://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2022/sep/26/the-people-making-a-difference-the-man-setting-up-woodworking-sheds-to-combat-loneliness

Wed 21 Sep 2022, 21:44

If you'd like to have any news on the project sent to you just let us know by clicking here. :)

Or copy and paste this link: https://mailchi.mp/16d78b918ac2/3ksq5kzwzt

We just need your email address but it would be really helpful to know what you'd be interested in using the workshop for, as Colin said, so I've included a section for that too. Thanks!

Tue 20 Sep 2022, 22:12

The plans for the Charlbury Community Workshop are progressing well, and our current thinking is to have, at least initially, one work space for fabric/materials and another work space for woodworking and other crafts. We were explaining our plans at Street Fair. Nearly 50 people signed up as they might use the new community workshop, or they just wanted to hear more about it. If you did not get the chance to speak to us at Street Fair and would like to hear more about our plans, please drop a line to info@charlburycommunitycentre.org.uk with your name, e-mail address and what you might be interested in. 

Well done and thank you Street Fair Committee.

Thu 1 Sep 2022, 09:56

Many thanks Alan any tools would be welcome. Hopefully next year we would be at the fitting out stage. 

With regards to 3D printing I was considering organising a couple of courses:- "Building a 3D printer" and "Simple 3D printing". I would also be interested in getting a stained glass course organised. We will have to see what the level of interest is.

Wed 31 Aug 2022, 20:32

Thanks to Claire App for giving the link and the correct name for the project.

If woodwork is popular I for one can bring certain tools and possibly donate a few.

Mention of 3D printing is great and by the time it’s set up, I’ll think of something to be done.

Five years ago I saw the start of Men’s Shed in Ross-on-Wye with strong activity since within community projects.  Here 

That is not to suggest that Charlbury will be similar to Ross.

Best wishes 

Alan Harrison

Fri 15 Jul 2022, 18:45 (last edited on Fri 15 Jul 2022, 18:46)

Hi Jane, we do not have any pricing at the moment only an idea that it will be self-sustaining with regards to the running costs. This may be covered by an annual membership, a session charge and special fund-raising projects. Personally I believe it needs to be very affordable  (sub £4) by most people. I do not want to guess any any figures at the moment so please be patient with me. I do know some of the yearly running cost we will need to cover will be insurance, heating, rubbish collection and power and internet so I would be surprised if that cost less than £1000 per year.

Thu 14 Jul 2022, 22:51

Could I ask what the cost would be to an individual to participate in the use of this space per annum.

Thu 14 Jul 2022, 19:37 (last edited on Thu 14 Jul 2022, 19:38)

Hi Kim, I may be able to look at the sewing machine mid August when I have some more time to work on repairs. I’m a bit hesitant as I expect it would need some specialised experience.

Hi Malcolm, I understand your aspirations for the workshop to be ambitious in scope, I will pass this on to the working group. I feel that the workshop doesn’t have to be fully equipped on day one and that it can evolve into what we need over time. It is a bit of a chicken and egg situation where users are drawn to facilities but facilities are defined by the users. The cheapest sintered metal printer I’ve seen is for 8K and that does not include all the extra waste, extraction and protective equipment required for it. The original concept for the workshop is not a maker space but more of a “persons in a shed” project to help people socially isolated and to provide basic workshop facilities :- soft-crafts, woodwork, small metal work, general electrics and basic electronics.

Thu 14 Jul 2022, 13:01

Just a thought. I remember 16 years, 17 years ago, there was a community workshop discussion online here.

I remember telling people then, that a MIT “Fab Lab” cost $1million- delivered complete.

This was from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and was designed as a hub for developing economies as a seeding base for design and prototyping and startups etc. In a functional container you got CNC lathes, millers, early printers, you name it, everything to make a satellite launcher just needed power water and gas…

I wonder if Fab Labs are still available? And the capability of the 2022 computer controlled equipment and printers….?! Wonder what a $1m would get you now.

Anyway love to see something really ambitious  like this and might be the sort of thing that could attract investment money if an appropriate organisation structure was found.

Thu 14 Jul 2022, 12:42 (last edited on Thu 14 Jul 2022, 12:47)

I may not be the only person who would put up some sort of share capital, with or without a return of capital arrangement etc for some sort of community enterprise to finance more capital expensive items or systems. Like a scintered metal printer as many things plastic won’t do.

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Wed 13 Jul 2022, 19:41

I do have a spare overlocker sewing machine that needs repairing as I tried to sew something that was far too thick. I would imagine it would cost around £80-100 to fix, maybe less. Someone in the community may be able to do it for nothing 🙂

Tue 12 Jul 2022, 18:34

Hi Liz, Graham, many thanks for the grants ideas I will pass them on to the CCW working group directly.

Hi Malcolm, for sewing machines we will have at least 3 which shall include a semi industrial Janome 1600p. With regards to 3D printers I will be bringing in my heavily modded Ender3 Pro and also a 3018 Max CNC router ( it can be fitted with a 5W laser but I think it is too much of a safety issue to do that). I know of the metallic dust printers which you mention but they are quite expensive, I’m thinking of a good quality 3D wax printer then we could do some investment casting with different types of metals ( assuming we have the right heat source).

Tue 12 Jul 2022, 14:57 (last edited on Tue 12 Jul 2022, 14:59)

Another case-in-point indicating the sort of tools the home workhierm (tring to coin a word, sort of joining up her and his him and them...hierm don't think is used in English anywhere else?) could not justify buying the tool even if have a shed/room/garage to set it up.

Case Study: We just bought and erected a cheap but "permanent" 3x4m Aluminum Gazebo with a sliding canopy to be a sunshade. We couldn't find one affordable that did spare/replacements for the cloth canopy or the clips for the runners that allow the sliding on the lateral small round poles on the upper frame.

The runner consist of a hook at one ende fror the cloth attachment, a round loop at the other that the round horizontal supporting poles slide through.

The clips seem to be made of a black, polythene like plastic. Whether they are UV sunlight proof material...? Who can say? But I bet that in not many years they will become friable and break.

Now if a workshop had a 3-D material printer for plastic - or even better, scintered or whatever metal! - then, voila, problem solved and runners replaced with no need to throw away a perfectly good aluminum structure.

Same goes for the cloth canopy when it fails - a tougher than domestic ((but by no means sailmakers!) sewing machine and a big clean worktop and again voila - replaced or neatly patched suncover.

Requires some money but decent 3D printers are now basically feasible in a budget would have thought.

Mon 11 Jul 2022, 08:00

Would you be able to apply for a grant from the Charlbury Beer Festival? 

Sun 10 Jul 2022, 11:15

This sounds as if some financial support might be required.  Something that both the town council and Sustainable Charlbury might be willing to consider.

Sat 9 Jul 2022, 12:55

Are there any planned meetings regards this project over the next few weeks or so  ??

Fri 8 Jul 2022, 13:51 (last edited on Fri 8 Jul 2022, 13:52)

Hi Zoe, I've put an overlocker machine on the list though we would need to know what size of machine as there are mini size ones available.

Hi Kim, I've looked at the Janome 16000p and it could be a nice heavy duty compromise machine so have added to the list. Second hand one below 500 new above.

Hi Paul, your offer to help with skills transfer will gladly be accepted, this may also help in the initial stages of fitting out the workspace 

Hi Malcolm, sorry it has taken some time to get replies to you. I apologise. If you could be concise and summarise your ideas to me that would be helpful, I've taken on your comments on the work area and it does mean the difference between two or three workstations per room. 

Hi Grace, I have added the large cutting table to the list and I am now thinking that one half of the workstations/tables need to be in a clean environment with appropriate flooring. We may end up with a light crafts and heavy ( dirty ) crafts room with sliding doors between to contain dust and noise.

Fri 8 Jul 2022, 09:29

If there was the budget for an overlocker in addition to a sewing machine, that would be fantastic. I feel it’s a bit of kit that many amateur sewers would like to learn to use.

Fri 8 Jul 2022, 07:53

For the average sewer a domestic machine like Stephen's Singer would be fine. Industrial machines are big and very powerful and possibly rather daunting to occasionally sewers. There is a semi industrial Janome 1600p which is strong yet portable and will sew leather. 

Thu 7 Jul 2022, 23:24 (last edited on Thu 7 Jul 2022, 23:25)

Another tuppence worth from bitter experience. FLOOR SPACE. If you think enough room to put a 8x4 sheet of material on the ground is enough and work around it .. err noooo.

Double it at least. Thats just for the guys. And then some dratted (woman) will come along to stitch up a stage backcloth or banner or some other infernal Womens' Work and need most of a sailmakers loft... A community project must serve everyone. Experience in the past of centres tends to ... devalue ... womens' work. Must be aware. The fems around the old, much lamented, GLC culture made that us uncomfortably aware of these thing.

Trust me in this.

You need Floor space.

Thu 7 Jul 2022, 23:14

The sort of heavy material sewing machine for sailmaking canvass and leather is NOT your average Singer! Our experience in previous resource centres involved in was there was an untapped need for "soft and bendy" materials working and "us" men had to scramble to catch up with the distaff genders' needs - which "we" had not thought of. "Mens" tools mentality as I put it as we put in a sizeable grant for things for dosh to the GLC etc we'd vaguely - or never - heard of; and hunts along the stalls of old handtools in Brick Lane ensued.

Let this be a warning to you.

Thu 7 Jul 2022, 22:28

It depends on the brand. You can get generics for some machines, it'd be a question of checking whether it fitted the model - should have a list on the packaging of models it fits. 

Thu 7 Jul 2022, 21:32

This is a great idea and project, I also believe if possible the workshop would benefit from being as big as possible, I have worked in woodworking workshops over 30 years space is so important. Storage for the range of activities would soon add up. I would be happy to pass on what past experience I have in shed making. 

Thu 7 Jul 2022, 20:17

Could it stretch to 28' or 30' on one dimension?

Thu 7 Jul 2022, 20:14

This sounds wonderful! A space with a large table to cut fabric on for dressmaking, curtains and blinds would be amazing and something that most people don’t have room for in their own homes. 

Thu 7 Jul 2022, 20:10

And not just any old sewing machine. Something as well that would be capable of punching through leather, sailcloth, bag canvass, so forth.

I emailed you lot over a month ago about this workshop and never got a reply. I've been centrally involved in setting up community toolbanks and resource centres in Brighton and London. 40 years ago now but must be something still of use nowadays?

Thu 7 Jul 2022, 19:09

Hi Harriet, I will put a "walking foot" on to the equipment list and follow up with Stephen about the Singer sewing machine. Is a walking foot a generic add on, or are they specific to each machine?

Thu 7 Jul 2022, 08:27

Colin/Harriet - I have a brand new Singer sewing machine , never been used that could be useful to you.

stephen.cavell@yahoo.co.uk    tel 811504

Thu 7 Jul 2022, 07:35

If you get a sewing machine, can you get a walking foot for handwoven fabric pls

Wed 6 Jul 2022, 18:52

Hi Claire,

I think a sewing machine and associated equipment and thread would be a must, as we want to encourage folk to repair and make clothing too. 

Hi Hans, many thanks and welcome aboard.

Tue 5 Jul 2022, 21:42

It would be great to have a sewing machine for shared use (not sure if needlecraft includes that?)

Tue 5 Jul 2022, 20:32

Hi Colin. I think you've covered it, well done. Love to be involved. 

Tue 5 Jul 2022, 20:17

The working group for the proposed Charlbury Community Workshop (CCW) is calling for ideas about this new project. The current proposal is for a workshop area of 20 foot by 16 foot, which would provide several work areas with benches and various tools. The initial start-up grant would fund the initial building, power, equipment, furniture and insurance. The CCW would be opened on prearranged mornings and afternoons, where supervision would be arranged, and there would be a small fee for each session booked. In the long term the facility needs to be self-funding e.g. from a mixture of yearly membership fees, session fees, and special fund-raising events.

The purpose of the CCW would be to provide an affordable facility for repairing, making and training in a variety of practical crafts such as woodworking, needlecraft, electrical/electronic repairs, 3D printing, stained glass, and upholstery. If there other suggestions for potential activities or facilities or you would just like to be involved then please respond here or email info@charlburycommunitycentre.org.uk