Unpacking boxes in the Shed
Bob ‘Boxman’ Pymm is one chap at Helensburgh Men's Shed who makes boxes – and other items
Boxes. We all need them. Big, small, heavy-duty for that son who is moving out (again), or light and dainty for sparkly grandchild girly things. Made of timber, stone, cardboard, plastic (eeww), metal, boxes are everywhere in our lives. Taken for granted, kicked across a garage floor, piled high in the supermarket, full of fishing lures, or a little box placed in a treasured spot on your mantelpiece.
We’ve made quite a few boxes at the Men’s Shed over the years; boxes to hold a new tool and its accessories; boxes for beautiful hand-turned pens that we make and sell; boxes with lids, boxes with doors; boxes inside boxes; boxes with drawers, flowers, patterns, mirrors, secret openings; even boxes with no visible means of holding together.
Everyone has a favourite box.
Paul, Mike and Mark enjoying the Shed. At right: Bob Pymm making a box
Bob ‘Boxman’ Pymm is one chap at the shed who makes boxes – and other items. Bob’s a retired academic archivist (library shelves are almost like boxes), a top chap to share interesting words with, discuss books, England, BB King’s handshake, and what it’s like to kiss a girl who once kissed Elvis.
Boxes. Just like us, really. Humans come in all shapes, sizes, patterns, colours – and sometimes we get kicked around. Taken for granted. Put on a shelf. Maybe we feel like we’ve been chucked away. But even the humblest box, in the right setting, can be useful, needed, cherished. Where’s your right setting?
You never know who you will meet at the Men’s Shed, and what that box we call your humanity can become. Everyone 18 years and on is welcome.
624 Darkes Forest Road, 0478 892 485, info@helensburghmensshed.org.au or visit helensburghmensshed.org.au
