17th June 2006
This year’s Tools for Self Reliance AGM was held at the Wakefield Camphill Community, on Saturday 17th June. We welcomed visitor Vincent Subbey from Ghana, and enjoyed a host of activities including an evening barn dance. The day was a great success and a lot of fun.

4th March 2006
More than 130 people, from all over the UK, came to help us celebrate our 25th birthday. Founder Glyn Roberts outlined our origins with the help of several other original volunteers. We had talks on our programme in Uganda, packed a kit for Tanzania, plus lots of tool activities and quizzes. The birthday cake competition provided us with at least 15 sumptous cakes to eat over the tea break. Mavis Sargent from Didsbury won the overall winner’s prize.
The evening buffet was accompanied by gentle jazz from Roar Sextet, and several volunteers with more than 20 years service were awarded certificates to thank them for their outstanding contribution to our work.

17th November 2005
TFSR kicked off its 25th birthday celebrations in style on 17 November 2005 with an informal reception at Romsey Town Hall with about 100 invited guests. Guest speaker was TFSR founding member Glyn Roberts. Glyn started collecting and refurbishing tools after returning from teaching in Tanzania. He was struck by the fact that there were so many ordinary people trying to improve their lives by making and mending things, but who lacked even basic hand tools.

There was a special presentation to Eddie Grimble who has been volunteering from the beginning.

The launch marks a significant milestone in TFSR’s history. It is the first of what we hope will be many events throughout the country in recognition of our successes with projects undertaken in some of the poorest countries in Africa, and in appreciation of the invaluable work done by our volunteers in the UK.

I and my colleagues wish you every success in your coming 25th birthday as a charity and we say “Happy Birthday” to you at TFSR. Best wishes to you all. F E Sauwa, Regional Manager, SIDO

4th October 2005
Netley Marsh opened its doors to 20 guests on 4 October for a Funders’ Day for some of TFSR’s long-standing supporters. The visitors met volunteers in the workshop and learnt about our plans to increase support for artisans in Africa.

Bryan Summerfield talking tools with guests at the NM workshops