Suffolk College Refectory

The Men's Shed has been helping with a large project involving the renovation of the student refectory at the Suffolk College Annex in Harrison Lane.

In the college's bid to build links with the Halesworth Community, Sherry Storer from the college paid us a visit hoping the Men's Shed could be involved with their students, possibly providing work experience for some of them. Following a reciprocating visit by us, a request was made by Sherry for help in the renovation of the students' recreation area by making a counter where students could be served their food and drinks and also constructing a seating area under the windows.

Keen to establish links we agreed to help and were given a brief to work to. This emphasised using reclaimed timber and to use scaffolding for the building of the window seating.

By the beginning of August, we were ready to begin and a few of us set about installing scaffolding to make a raised top for students to sit at to eat, with views over the playing fields. A design for the counter was drawn up and work began on making the frame. We were able to make use of the college's workshops, which helped us a great deal. The college had obtained a number of reclaimed scaffolding boards, destined to become the tops of both the scaffolding already erected and the serving counter.

The end of August and the beginning of a new term saw all the work completed and a big thank you from Sherry and her colleagues.

It is hoped further collaboration with the college will be forthcoming.

This is what the refectory looked like before the work started.