Did you know Oxted had its very own Repair Shop? It may not be quite as picturesque as The Repair Shop from the telly, but the crafters, carpenters, caners, upholsterers, sewers, paper crafters, knitters, woodturners and repair experts at The Woodhouse Centre and Men in Sheds (behind Morrisons / Tandridge Leisure Centre) are just as lovely and talented.
The Woodhouse Centre, now incorporating Men in Sheds, was founded in 1971 by Betty Woodhouse – originally with the aim of providing employment for elderly and disabled people in the Oxted area. Nowadays, it’s more about social interaction and it has done wonderful things in the local community to help combat loneliness in men and women of all ages.
A drop-in centre that’s open Monday to Thursday mornings all year round, it’s completely free and welcomes anyone from the community who wants to have a go at traditional crafts, to learn or improve their skills, or just to sit and chat for a bit of company over a cup of tea and a biscuit or two.
They love to encourage younger people to come along and learn some skills that are no longer taught at home or in school.
Creative Commissions
Did you know that the centre’s skilled regulars also take on commissions for their work – including furniture caning, sewing, upholstery, soft furnishing and woodcraft?
Just bring in your item for repair or make a request for new curtains, a quilt or cushions, they’ll give you a quote and a time frame and all proceeds go back into The Woodhouse Centre.
Pop into The Woodhouse Centre shop
On sale daily at the centre are all the lovely items made there. Cards, bags, toys, sewing kits, wooden toys, ornaments and wildlife homes such as bee hotels, bug hotels, bird boxes and bird tables, which are brilliant, made entirely from donated materials and turned into wonderful gifts that are available for purchase during open hours or at the Country Market every Friday morning.
It’s the perfect place to buy locally made, quality gifts, and with the satisfaction of knowing you are helping out a great cause and all the wonderful people who enjoy time at the centre.
The centre is currently looking for SEWERS to take on commissions and to help out, although they are more than happy to welcome people of all ages who have any kind of craft skill they could employ or teach to others. If you have the skills and some spare time, please get in touch.
Tel: 01883 715 189
Open Hours Monday to Thursday 9.30-12.30
Friday Country Market 9.30-11.30am
Address: Hoskins Road (opposite the Tandridge Leisure Centre), Oxted.
Facebook / Instagram @thewoodhousecentre
