Okehampton Men in Sheds more than doubled their storage capacity recently in one slick move after they were offered two surplus storage containers by a kind-hearted local business.Alro, sewage and drains specialists, offered them two surplus storage containers.

These enormous intercontinental steel cubicles are both heavy and difficult to manoeuvre so the persuasive ’shedders’ asked for help from South West Crane Hire, who gave their services free of charge.

The crane, part of a large lorry, duly paid a visit to Alro’s yard on the Exeter Road industrial estate to transport one of the storage containers to its new home next to the Men in Sheds’ current HQ off Fatherford Road.

This skilled operation involved setting up the crane on the lorry ready to drop long chains onto the top of the container. The extremely skilled driver/operator then climbed up an extending ladder to connect the chains to the container hooks. Standing below with his electronic controls, he then manoeuvred it onto the lorry.

After this first challenge came the more unfamiliar one of manoeuvring the lorry and container up the narrow Fatherford Lane and through the even narrower gate into the field.

It was a breath-holding moment with not an inch to spare. All then seemed straightforward, as he moved up the field and into position to off-load. Sadly that wasn’t the case, as the ground was too soft and the wheels span. He had to off load the container, reposition the lorry, load it again and then off-load it onto its new base.

All this double operation was watched by a small team from Okehampton Men in Sheds who were very impressed by the skill and expertise of the driver, Ade Lees. The men opened gates and controlled traffic whilst this difficult exercise was carried out. The driver then went back and picked up the second container and took it out to a farm at Folly Gate, where it will sit until needed.

OMiS spokesman Tony Wood said: ’The outcome is that the Okehampton shed now has a very extensive and secure new storage facility, which will reduce pressure in the shed and allow for future expansion of their activities. Their sincere and warm thanks go to Alro and to South West Crane Hire.’