MEN’S SHED members took part in British Science Week, a national celebration of science that takes place each year, by surfing the airwaves.
Norman Kearey shared his passion for radio communications with members of Crowthorne and Wokingham Without Men’s Shed group, by giving them the opportunity to explore amateur radio.
Group members were able to operate on the amateur radio bands, using radio waves to transmit messages to other operators around the country.
Norman set up the event after responding to a call to action by the Radio Society of Great Britian (RSGB), the UK’s national society for amateur radio enthusiasts.
The Society encourages radio amateurs from across the country to get involved and show what the hobby has to offer people of all ages and interests.
RSGB British Science Week Coordinator Prof. Ian Neal said: “British Science Week is a fantastic way to introduce amateur radio to new audiences, and we’re delighted to see how radio amateurs from across the United Kingdom are getting involved.”
Norman, who also runs the Men’s Sheds Electronics and Computer Group said: “The Men’s Shed group provides us with a space to socialise and meet new people.
“I have a lifelong passion for amateur radio and this event has given me the opportunity to share it with others.
“Who knows, maybe they’ll be inspired to become radio amateurs for themselves.”
The RSGB is an official partner for British Science Week 2025 and, as part of its participation, the Society has developed several activities that people can take part in, including using amateur radio to see if people in different countries are seeing changes in their weather patterns.
The Crowthorne and Wokingham Without NMI Men’s Shed is open on week days when its 50+ members use an extensive range of tools and machinery to work on projects for the community, personal projects and to create items to sell in order to raise money for the Shed.
The group recently had a defibrillator installed for use by the community at large.
As well as working on projects, the shed acts as a meeting place where members can come for a ‘chinwag and a cuppa’.
It currently has two special interest groups: the Electronics/Computing group and the 3D Printer group, and members can access free wifi, and two web-enabled computers.
The shed is open on Monday to Friday, from 10am until 4pm each week.
The first Tuesday of each month is a Social Tuesday where member instead of working on projects, members ‘put the world to right over tea/coffee and biscuits’.
For information, visit: nmishedww.co.uk or email: info@nmishedww.co.uk
And for more about amateur radio, visit: rsgb.org
