Meet the old boys making wooden furniture for charity

Just before the pandemic, Michael Lancaster, 73, sold his skip company and formed The Old Boy’s Club in Old Wareham Road, Poole, after meeting and befriending five other old boys at another club. 

He then bought portacabins and carpentry equipment where he and his friends meet up every day to socialise. 

But beneath all the laughs, taunts and long discussions putting the world to right, Michael and the gang will spend hours building and crafting wooden furniture to sell, with profits going to charities - and it's all self-funding. 

Old Boy's Club is in Old Wareham Road, Poole

Michael said: “We’ll sit in here playing cards or chess, sometimes we’ll go on days out and treat ourselves.  

“There’s a wishing well we made, and we will give money made to a charity without a hierarchy, Cherry Tree Nursery.” 

The old boys have also made furniture, bird table and picnic tables which they donated to Alderney Hospital. 

He added: “We’re not politically correct: we swear, we fart, we pick our noses and if people don’t like it they know where the door is.” 

The club has a well-stocked drinks cabinet and drinks fridge ready for one of their curry nights or pizza nights. 

Michael and his friends build wooden furniture at the site he used to run a skip company

Burt Bartlett, a 92-year-old RAF veteran, turns up to the club every other day. “A place like this does a lot for me.  

“It gives me somebody to talk to because I lost the missus 17 years ago. I met Michael at the Men’s Shed and he said come down here. I'm happy here. 

“It gives me something to do. What else would I be doing at 92? I’d be in a box by now. 

“Never stop. You can’t afford to.” 

Peter Hammersley, 70, added: “We look out for each other. If I don’t turn up, Michael will ring up to check if I’m still alive.” 

The Old Boy’s Club currently has seven members, but Michael said he wouldn’t mind accepting another three. There is no joining fee.