I have an important appeal for help here from John Morris of Walsall Council on behalf of the wonderful Aldridge Shed project where local folk get together every weekday to make and repair stuff, socialise and generally have a great, creative time.

You can find out about Aldridge Shed here – it really is wonderful. I’ve also covered it in previous articles too.

Anyway, here’s the deal: The Shed are currently located in Alrewych Court, the special care accommodation on Northgate, smack bang on the border between Aldridge and Walsall Wood; whilst their current premises has been wonderful, they are growing so much they need a building with much more space.

John said:

Good morning,

I have met with members of Aldridge Shed recently and they have a dilemma, a good dilemma, following their success. They are now at the point, after being open 3 years in June, that their current premises are too small for the number of members they have which is increasing almost every week. Following a recent review of their 5 year plan, it would seem that the next stage in the progression of the group will be to operate from larger premises. This would enable them to take on activities other than woodworking and crafting, such as metalwork and welding. This would also enable more people in the community to be part of this movement that helps with social isolation and loneliness that is prevalent in our area.

I am emailing you to see if you are aware of any potential premises that Aldridge Shed may be able to consider as their next home? Listed below are some of the features than any potential building will need:-

• Floor space of 2,000 square feet as a minimum
• Availability 7 days a week
• Parking
• Disabled access to the premises
• Somewhere within the East locality would be preferred (Brownhills / Pelsall / Shelfield / Rushall / Aldridge / Walsall Wood / Streetly)

If you are aware of any vacant premises that would be suitable, please can you let me know and I will pass on to members of Aldridge Shed?
It is also worth saying that the group would be interested in collaboration with other local community groups to set up a community hub. So if you would be interested in this idea, again please contact me and let me know.

Many thanks…

John Morris

Locality Manager – South / East
Resources and Transformation
Walsall Council
Civic Centre – 1st Floor Zone 1b
Darwall Street
Walsall WS1 1TP

Tel: 01922 653711

Email: John.Morris@walsall.gov.uk

You can also contact or visit Aldridge Shed directly:

Email: aldridgeshed@gmail.com
Telephone: 07973 657328

Open from Monday to Friday 9:30-16:00: Alrewych Court, 220 Northgate, Aldridge, WS9 8AF.

If you can help, please do: This is a really wonderful project, and I thank John Morris and the young David Evans for bringing this to my attention.