I am not sure quite how many tears have been shed over the last few days, whether from emotion or creaky joints and pulled muscles, but we were informed on Friday 13^th that the Shed had to be completely empty by Friday 20^th as the builders were about to start transforming our old site into the new theatre.

Panic started to set in but some of the old and faithful members got really stuck in. Storage was organised at Lok 'nStore in Fareham for the tools as the new area has not yet been completed, lacking proper doors and windows. Hopefully these will be installed in a couple of week's time but the way it has gone so far I don't think anybody is holding their breath.

Some of the guys from the building crew helpfully joined in with some muscle to load the big items onto the Theatre lorry that the Theatre very kindly loaned us for a few hours and everything was more or less clear by lunchtime. A few members stayed to clear the last knockings which Theatre staff are going to move into the new area over the weekend as the site was very busy in the afternoon and we didn't want to get in their way.

To all those members that have helped Thank you. We know not what the future holds, we can but hope that the next chapter in our life will be as successful as the last 6½ years have proved. Big things are afoot, we obviously have a hiatus over the next few months. Please bear with us, we are attempting to get everything back together as quickly as possible. For the immediate future The Shed will obviously be closed as our new area currently needs to be finished, wired, painted and all of those other little finishing touches. Worst point at the moment is that we have nowhere to boil the water for those life-saving cups of tea.

Please check back here, watch our Facebook page and keep an eye on your e-mails for the next steps. So far we have completed the easy bit, Members involvement and help is going to be needed even more when we start to re-build.

While we are homeless, members can still get together. We are planning a regular pub lunch, but there must be lots of other things that could be done in small groups. Why not have an open day for your own workshop? Host a darts match in your garage? Start a walking group? Let's hear your ideas. Author: Chris Nixon