A Shed-Load of Talent

A brand-new Community Shed has been launched at the No.7 Bottle Shop, Cannington Shaw, St Helens.
This project is delivered in partnership with Groundwork in Cheshire, Lancashire and Merseyside.

Its aim is to provide a welcoming, active space where local residents can meet, share skills and restore a piece of our town’s identity.

More Than Just Repairs

John Tabern, Project Director at Cannington Shaw Preservation Trust CIC, says the response so far has been incredible.

“We’ve been overwhelmed by the number of master tradespeople and enthusiastic DIYers willing to donate their time and skills. We already have carpenters, joiners, plumbers and engineers signed up. The £1.3 stabilisation and repair of the Bottle Shop, supported by the National Lottery Heritage Fund, has made this initiative possible. This Shed will go beyond the physical projects it will be involved with, it is also about tackling isolation and offering a way for people to give something back.”

When I heard they were looking for volunteers, I got in touch straight away.

Meet the Man Leading the Craft: Paul Gauchwin

Heading up the Community Shed is lifelong St Helens resident Paul Gauchwin. As the owner of Heritage Wood Products, Paul specialises in the meticulous work required for listed buildings. For him, this project is personal.

“I’ve been driving past this building for over ten years,” Paul says. “It was sad to see it boarded up and rotting away. I’d always say to my wife, ‘That building needs to be something.’ So, it was brilliant when work began to restore the Bottle Shop and to see how it looks today is amazing. When I heard they were looking for volunteers, I got in touch straight away.”

Paul is on a mission to ensure traditional skills don’t become a “dying art.” He recalls a time when college classes were full of aspiring tradespeople—a sharp contrast to the much smaller numbers seen today.

“My craft is wood, but you need that soul in buildings like this,” he explains. “I’m looking forward to meeting people with that same passion, sharing knowledge and keeping these skills alive. I’m hoping this is just the start—perhaps leading to a more formal way for people to learn and preserve these vital heritage crafts.”

What’s on the Workbench?

Cannington Shaw Community Shed has an ambitious “to-do” list for the coming months. Volunteers will be rolling up their sleeves to build and install:

• Handcrafted windows and internal doors designed to honour the building’s original character.
• A new external ramp and emergency exit to make the space accessible for all.
• A dedicated bar and refreshments area for future hospitality events.
• A community garden to green the historic site and provide a place for people to spend time in nature.

They Need Your Hands (and Your Heart)

Whether you are a seasoned professional with a lifetime of expertise or a “handy” DIY enthusiast with a few hours to spare, there’s a place for you at the Shed.

You don’t need to be a master— they are also looking for people with lived experience, who want to help restore a local icon and work alongside a great group of people.

Want to get involved?

Simply email your contact details and a brief note about your skills or interests to Caroline@CanningtonShaw.org.uk.

PHOTOS:

Top photo: Caroline Paul John Cannington Shaw:
(L-R) Caroline Platt (Cannington Shaw Preservation Trust CIC) Paul Gauchwin and John Tabern (Cannington Shaw Preservation Trust CIC)

Bottom photo: Volunteers gathered inside the Bottle Shop Building.