the planes of Africa

A trip to WorkAid in Chesham first thing this morning.  WorkAid is a charity which takes unwanted tools of all sorts - hand tools, power tools, garden tools, sowing machines, knitting machines - and all the paraphernalia that goes with them - screws, nails, nuts and bolts, hinges, brackets, wool, cotton   …….  you get the picture.

In my picture you have to imagine this shelf is about 12 feet long and 6 feet high.  It’s full of planes of all types waiting to be tarted up.

Once they’ve been cleaned, sharpened, polished and repaired, they’re put in a container and sent to Africa where they will transform lives, by helping people to help themselves.

We take a car load of my unwanted tools.  A few years ago I put in new kitchen units, including the plumbing.  I also did the utility room and the bathroom.  Now all that is behind me.  And thank goodness.  I no longer have the desire or the energy to do that sort of thing again.

I took a couple of my Dad’s old wooden rebate planes on the off chance they might want them.  To my surprise and delight they added them to their collection of wooden planes.  Eighty years old and they get a new lease of life.  I’m quite envious.

They not only recycle tools - they also recycle people.  The workshop is full of old men, cleaning, sharpening, polishing, packing …..  It’s like Men in Sheds on steriods.  They have around 100 volunteers each week.  

If you have any unwanted tools please consider this rather than sending them to the dump.  They have collection points around the country.
 
If you live in the general area, you can combine a trip to WorkAid with a walk around the Ashridge Estate or Ivinghoe Beacon.  They’re not too far away.