Our story so far

The story of Queensbury Shed.

  1. 2026

    1. May 2026

      Baptist Church opportunity

      We met with the Yorkshire Baptists Association (YBA) to propose our vision for the closed Baptist Church in Queensbury. Bradford Council's Conservation Officer expressed encouragement regarding the heritage and community potential of the project, and the YBA have given us the opportunity to take the building on, with some heavy caveats and a very short timescale to work out feasibility. As they say, when you're waiting for a bus... two come at once.

    2. May 2026

      St James Church space confirmed

      St James Church, Queensbury has offered us the use of a small operational space. St James Church trustees have agreed and Queensbury Shed trustees are finalising terms and paperwork.

    3. March 2026

      ARCH discussions end

      Communication from ARCH (Albert Road Community Hub) became increasingly limited and eventually stopped. Queensbury Shed abandoned efforts to pursue this route.

    4. February 2026

      YBA talks gain traction

      Discussions with the YBA started to gain traction, and the closed church began to look like a promising option.

  2. 2025

    1. 15 July 2025

      Leyburn Shed visit

      Trustee visit to Leyburn Shed. Prospective members invited.

    2. 8 July 2025

      Stone carving session

      Prospective members invited.

    3. June 2025

      Woodturning demonstration

      Woodturning demonstration evening held in Eldwick. Prospective members invited.

    4. Spring 2025

      Early premises discussions

      Explored potential premises at Black Dyke Mills and Denholme Business Park. Both opportunities required commercial rent, not viable for a charity.

    5. April 2025

      First Shed visits

      Trustee visits to Keighley Shed and Phoenix Shed (Halifax). People expressing interest in joining Queensbury Shed were invited to attend; these visits helped build understanding of what a Shed offers and relationships within the wider Shed movement.

    6. March 2025

      First enquiries with the YBA

      We began enquiries with the YBA on the feasibility of using the closed church in Queensbury.

    7. March 2025

      ARCH discussions begin

      Discussions began about locating a Shed in the car park of ARCH (Albert Road Community Hub).

    8. 13 February 2025

      Charity registered

      Queensbury Shed formally registered as a Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO).

Where we are now

Queensbury Shed is pursuing two complementary opportunities in parallel.

The immediate priority is establishing operations at St James Church, Queensbury. Although small, this space offers meaningful scope for Shed activities and represents a confirmed operational base from which the organisation can begin developing activities and membership more formally.

The longer-term goal remains the former Queensbury Baptist Church. Church trustees have agreed in principle that Queensbury Shed can occupy the building, subject to trustees validating that structural repairs (roof and ceiling work) are viable and fundable. Alex, as chairman, has until the end of June 2026 to obtain a structural survey, cost quotes, and secure grant applications. This is a tight timeline but represents a genuine pathway to establishing a permanent home.

Black Dyke Mills will be revisited at the end of summer 2026.

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