Latest News and Features

In September to November 2023 we ran the following workshops for Todmorden residents with help from the local Ward council who paid for resources and workshop leaders and CFFC who provided support via Nicola our volunteer coordinator.

Many Thanks to Grace for Making this Video. https://youtu.be/jF1mdf1aY4A

Repairing Digital Devices: While we have some capacity to physically repair digital devices, especially older laptops, we are limited in what we can do for a couple of reasons. First, they are so small you often need a specialist microscope for electronics repair. Second, if it’s your main device phone/ computer, it’s best to get it repair by a professional who is doing that work all the time. It’s less risky and it supports the local repair economy. We suggest Tech Direct or DOT Communications (computers only) or the computer/ device repairer on the Thursday market is really good too.

For quite a while we have been finding new homes for older laptops that people have donated. We wipe the hard drive put on low power operating system and make sure it works well enough to browse the web. We are now widening this out to phones and tablets. They are tricker to fix so we are also doing a partnership with St Augustine’s refugee project who can fix the devices that we can’t.

Vikki took a fun wide angle picture of our making session today for the after-school club. We wanted to create a fun activity that mixed technology and craft making. Doing these puppets really seems to have attracted a good mix of people. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lGjxYHAlehU Gil & Artemus Video of Puppet show https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIqoLOo52cc Robyn’s

We take peoples old laptops and get them ready for new homes at the Makery. To do that we need to wipe the hard drives and put on a new operating systems. The easiest way to do that is to put a linux operating system on instead of windows. It also avoids the ongoing problem of laptops being slow and getting viruses. A lot of the laptops we have are older ones that still work but are not very fast. For this reason they are jokingly called craptops and marked with a poo emoji sticker.

Have a look at our upcoming workshops here. The Makery has been a fantastic project to get involved with. As we come up to our second birthday we now have 6 weekly drop-ins and other regular Men in Sheds and Women in Workshops sessions. These are great spaces for doing repairs, getting on with your making projects or getting help to do particular project. These sessions are now usually thriving and lively. It can be a bit hectic for some. We now have a dedicated quiet session on Wednesdays at 1.30.

Men in Sheds is now on every Thursday. The venue is the Makery workshop in Tod College next to Aldi in Todmorden.

Drop In Sessions Tuesdays 6.30 - 8.30 pm Monthly on First TuesdaysMakery Workshop - Tod College, Burnley Rd “Build, brew & bond” Upcoming dates Tuesday 5th September Tuesday 3rd October Come along to Women in Workshop at the Makery (Todmorden’s Community Workshop project). At these sessions you will have access to the tools and materials available in the workshop. Wood, Textiles and DiY etc. What happens? It’s an informal learning space. Women come to work on their projects or to ask for help with specific ideas. Sometimes there are demonstrations of specific skills. If you have questions feel free to get in touch on todmordenmakery@gmail.com

Elaine and Christine ran a fantastic workshop on making decorative repairs. You can come into a Wednesday or Friday drop in in the days if you want to try to get help doing the same. [ngg src=“galleries” ids=“19” display=“basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=“0”]

[ngg src=“galleries” ids=“21” display=“basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=“0”] Ben Duxbury ran this workshop which managed to fit in making stools into a very short timeframe by carefully planning the workshop to allow different pairs of participants to make one piece each which slotted together at the end.

We invite you to the Makery community workshop to use some of our equipment and materials at these workshops. These Events are kindly supported by Todmorden Town Council. You can book in the following ways Pop into the college and sign up at reception Text your name and the date of the workshop to 07763395917 - we’ll text back to confirm Email us on todmordenmakery@gmail.com Follow us on facebook and message us there If you have questions feel free to get in touch at todmordenmakery@gmail.com

First up a practical one. We are open today Wednesday but closed on Friday the 17th March 2023. Then it’s back to normal service. Secondly - you are invited to an event at the Makery next Friday Come share ideas with us Every now and then we have a Meet Up & Eat Up to share food and ideas for project, events and other things at the Makery. All welcome to this open Meet Up & Eat Up gathering

Feb 23rd March 9th and 23rd April 6th and 20th May 4th and 16th June 1st

Save the Date - Pilot Session - Women in Workshop # Pilot Session Tuesday : 18.30 - 20.30 : 28th Feb 2023 Makery Workshop - Todmorden College - Burnley Road Book on the Pilot Session here - or please add yourself to the waiting list so we can invite you to future ones. https://wiw-makery.eventbrite.co.uk

Here’s a link to some online manuals for the machines in the space. Please leave the sewing machines threaded up. Videos to help you to thread up Machines. # https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REpKV7kw1eQ Janome 2200xt https://youtu.be/t1b6uc-45l4 How to change a thread colour the easy way - works with sewing machines too. # https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o66Uq-rDIE4

A Textiles Surgery and Club Wednesdays 13.00 - 15.00 Makery Workshop - Todmorden College - Burnley Road This session is a chance to use the sewing and textiles equipment at the Makery. Note - you can also come to the Monday and Friday drop in sessions (at time of writing check here) It is also a way to get help with ongoing projects or to start new ones. Here are some of the things that we may be able to help with.

If this looks strange to you then click here to see it with better formatting

A recent free workshop led by Matt Davies on screen printing looked great. Let’s hope, it can be the start of on-going work on Screen Printing in the Makery. Screen Printing is a perfect project which could bring together all the different areas of the Makery and suitable for all ages. [ngg src=“galleries” ids=“15” display=“basic_thumbnail” thumbnail_crop=“0”] Loading…

Wednesday 9th November – 1pm to 3pm Saturday 12th November – 10.30am to 12.30pm Come and grab some bargains and declutter your unneeded fabric and haberdashery. Bring your unwanted fabric, thread, knitting yarn, buttons, zips, knitting needles, patterns, bits and bobs, swap for something you’ll use. And give a donation if you can to help keep us going! To help us plan the event, please let us know you’re interested at makery-textiles-swap.eventbrite.co.uk

What do we get up to at the Makery? Well, why not come along to have a look! It’s free, it’s friendly and it’s full of stuff to do. You can make and craft using loads of tools, materials and bits and pieces. You can make something creative or get help from our volunteers to repair things like bikes, clothes, household items and electronics. Repairing and reusing is good for the planet and our warm and welcoming atmosphere is good for people. Every week we have free drop-in sessions where you can bring along your repairs or projects. Just turn up whenever you see the A-board outside. You don’t need to be a member, but joining us comes with benefits! Or you can simply get email updates.

The amazing community tool library is open 9am to 12am every Saturday morning at Todmorden College. There’s a fantastic range of power and hand tools – from mitre saws to leaf blowers. We also have free (donated) paint you can take. Tool hire is free. To sign up, just bring photo id and proof of address. There isn’t a booking system set up (as we’re all volunteers). Just turn up and, hopefully, the tool you need will be there.

Here are the next Men in Sheds sessions. DAY DATE TIME Thursday 3rd November 17th November 1st December 15th December 6.30pm – 8.30pm