Hit the nail on the shed

It was a beautiful crip winter morning and a perfect day to build a shed - this time for our friends at the Stargarallot. Word has spread amongst our communities about the GoodGym Cardiff and Vale ability to construct a shed and we were ready to tackle a wooden shed this time!

As our experience of shed construction has shown us, it is not a quick job so we'd built in a series of community missions to operate in shifts.

Up first - Mikey, John, Jemma and I (Emma). The Stargarallot had laid the base of the shed and we just had to build on top. After a quick review of the instructions and assurance from Mikey that they were merely 'suggestions', we began with the panels. We made good use of the power tools available - in true Bob the Builder style. They seemed to fit in a logical way albeit that the wood was a little warped which left some gaps. In no time at all, we had an end and a half together.

Up next - John and Jemma departed after helping with the foundation of the structure. Aimee and Emma D-B appeared to pick up the virtual baton. We quickly assembled the rest of the base, tightening screws and having fun banging the nails into the base. We now had a solid structure upon which to build the roof. Another reference to the instructions and a worrying reference to the word 'accurate' and we were ready for the gables. The first gable went on easily - a very satisfying moment. The second gable slighly more awkward and then the middle gables (as this was a giant shed) proved problematic but nothing that this GoodGym team couldn't overcome. Using all our might, we lifted the panels up onto the roof with the help of Lowri who had arrived for shift number three. With a few more nails and lots of innuendo bingo, we (well Mikey) nailed the roof together.

The final push.... Aimee and Emma D-B departed with a near solid structure in place. Just the finishing touches then for the remaining GoodGymers.... We unveiled the felt and began the endless tacking process. Lowri and Mikey perched on ladders and me holding the ladder securely as it sank into the now very muddy surroundings. Good news - the felt fitted. We couldn't quite leave it there though - we all 'felt' the need to put the final boards at the end of the roof to secure the felt in place and topped it all off with the traditional diamond finial.

Our friends at Stargarallot had kept us fed and watered during the mammoth mission (just under six hours in total!) and were delighted with the result - so much so that they've invited us to the grand opening! They plan to use the shed as a shelter during the winter months to encourage more people to partake at the community allotment with the firm belief that it will help the physical and mental health of the community. Great work team - 2020 - the year of sheds!