The Orange Toolbox

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A multi award winning construction workshop designed to help develop a child’s knowledge and practical ability towards construction, resulting in valuable skills to utilise throughout life.

10/06/2026

I often get asked about my time before The Orange ToolBox. I have had a memory come up of a promotional video this evening for one of my former building companies and also memories of my time as Drusilla's Head Estate Carpenter. So I have put them in a reel plus some other images of my work through the years including custom green oak buildings, and furniture restoration during the recession of 2008. I will find some internal building work images but for now....

What some people do not know about me, is that I had a photography business as well, shooting weddings, portraits and landscapes but COVID put an end to this. I used to love doing this whilst riding my motorbike and at times cycling to different parts of the south east.

10/06/2026

Wednesday

Uckfield College cohort made good use of their time today. Brickwork to start with and then inside the workshop building their own individual projects. Including a ply board bird house, an oak sign and an oak wooden spoon curved out with a face etched into it. We also have a small box being made as well.

Private 1:1 and the finger board half pipe skate ramp is coming along nicely.

09/06/2026

Tuesday

Private 1:1 with a new member today who did very well and even made a toy car/tank. Brilliant job!

SEN session and we had a shield and hammer made. There is a bird table underway and a car as well. A light saber is currently under design which involved some experimental work of different materials and various ways of fixing it all together. We had a cool boat made complete with a cannon.

Mixed Primary group and the wooden raised planter is almost finished. We had a nice looking speed boat complete with a motor mounted underneath.

Private 1:1 and the sea plane is coming along nicely. It got it's engines, rear tail and supports as well as wing supports made today and wood glued into position via some drilled out holes.

After-school Primary session where a lovely corner table is being produced. We have a good looking bug house and a go cart being out together as well.

Busy day but a fun one as always

08/06/2026

Monday and the start of our new term.

Private 1:1 and we finished the bird house that we started last term. We also had fun in the garden and lots of chatting whilst working today. Love it!

Mixed Primary group where there is a model house currently underway. A square bowl was produced as was an awesome medieval axe.

11+ group. The arcade machine framework and sheeting up is complete along nicely. We had two beautiful trellis' made from scratch! An out storage unit for a local school is underway. We had a bench made and a wooden dagger. Brilliant!

Ukrainian children have got most of a bookshelf made now, just needs it's backing. We had some experimental sanding tubes made to attach to a drill to sand one of their current prices. Lots of fun with some 3d printed elastic bank pencil shooters I made them a couple of weeks ago.

What a great first day back and a pleasure to see so many returning faces every term and we also welcomed a few new members as well who did amazing.

New term starts 8th June 2026There are still a few spaces left. Please feel free to book asap via our online booking sys...
30/05/2026

New term starts 8th June 2026

There are still a few spaces left.

Please feel free to book asap via our online booking system which will also show times and dates of each group and session.

Link on bio or please use this link below. https://bookwhen.com/theorangetoolbox

Best wishes,

Ben and the team here at The Orange ToolBox.

29/05/2026

Friday and today marks the last of our May Holiday Sessions.
11+ group and check out the bird house feeder, the storage box and light stand. We even made an oak trug. Amazing from everyone today.

SEN session and lots of activity. We had a creative Minecraft item made, there was a hamster pedestal put together as well. Plus the Sussex Game is coming along nicely.

Primary session saw a go cart almost made in one session, just some finishing touches to do and we had a Minecraft time warp scene created as well. Plus lots of water table fun and experimental work.

We have loved seeing children return for the holiday sessions and welcoming some new faces this week as well. You each have out done yourselves one way or another. See you all soon!!

Back on Monday 8th June 2026 for our new term. We are closed next week and I will be taking some time away with my wife and young children.

ThursdaySEN session and the baseball bat is coming on lovely. We had a hamster house and a sign made as well. Brilliant ...
28/05/2026

Thursday

SEN session and the baseball bat is coming on lovely. We had a hamster house and a sign made as well. Brilliant stuff!

Juniors session where we had a cool planter finally finished and solely designed and put together by its owner. Well done!! We also have an A frame being made for a climbing apparatus. Lots of sawing and measuring today.

Around all this today, I undertook a good 4 hour deep clean and reorganisation, an inspection of all tools and stock levels. I love a good de-clutter!

26/05/2026

Tuesday and the May half term holiday sessions started today.

Private 4:1 today and such a joy to have this family with us making their projects. A great little storage box, a characterful wooden trug and a solid pencil holder were all made in the 60 minute session this morning. Well done all!!

SEN session and considering the uncomfortable heat of the day that some of our SEN children find difficult to cope with and understandably so, a lot of the children still came along and we saw the two tiered planter box finished, an axe, a sword and a mental piece object with a name drilled out and then clout nailed in the holes...I can't say what it said so to keep it a surprise for the receiver. Great job. Look forward to seeing those who could not make it today due to the heat! There is always another day 👍🏻👍🏻😀.

Mixed Primary group and check out the rocket backpack complete with boosters! Pretty awesome! We have a nice bench seat put together, a custom wooden piece and a compact little box produced. They even found time to play with the water table! Just what today warranted.

24/05/2026

🚓 SPECIAL COMMUNITY EVENT 🚓

At The Orange ToolBox, we are always looking for meaningful opportunities that benefit the children and families within our community. We are incredibly proud to have organised a very special meet & greet visit with PCSO Susan Choppin from Crowborough on Friday 24th July 2026 at 10am. 🧡

PCSO Choppin will be bringing along a police car for the children to explore, sit in and enjoy up close! 👮‍♀️🚔

Children will also have the opportunity to ask questions about her role as a PCSO, the wider role of the police, police uniforms, equipment and much more in a relaxed, friendly and engaging environment.

As a multi-award-winning construction workshop for children aged 2–16 years inclusive of SEN, creating positive experiences and inclusive opportunities for all children is at the heart of everything we do. We also feel it is incredibly important to help promote a positive understanding and appreciation of our hardworking emergency services and the important role they play within our communities.

This event has been organised to give children a completely free opportunity to explore, learn, ask questions and develop positive connections within the community.

This is a FREE event but spaces must be booked in advance via our online booking system:
https://bookwhen.com/theorangetoolbox/e/ev-s6l37-20260724100000

We really hope lots of families are able to join us for what is going to be a fantastic morning of fun, learning and exploration! 🔧✨

Address: The Orange Community Hub (adjoined onto The Orange ToolBox), Brownings Farm Workshops, Blackboys, East Sussex TN22 5HG

22/05/2026

Friday and that is term 5 complete!

What a glorious day in the sun that was to finish on as well!

11+ group created a trench for the 230v armoured cable to be installed as well as running the water table pump power cord through some conduit. We set in an oak post using postcrete for a fast set which will have an IP65 double plug socket installed to plug in the water table pump away from the table itself keeping water and electric away from one another. It also allows for a central electrical plug in point for the garden. The oak framed ferret hutch is now at the makers home and a solid job done on this...well done!! The bird box is coming on as is one of the go carts on the go. We also have a play house being made and a heavy duty footstool.

SEN session and the 'Godzilla' lamp cut out lettering feature was finished today and I think they did a fantastic job working with 2" thick timber to make this based on their vision. Brilliant!! The ferry boat was also finished and it floats!!! Hurrah!!!

Tiny Tools and we had a boat modification from one that went home two week ago, now a catamaran! It floats! There were two other boats produced and the 2-4year olds learnt lots about center of gravity and weights...watch this space. We had an awesome sea planes created by a new member today which even had our former Milwaukee jigsaw base attached as it's landing water ski's. Love this!!! I knew that piece would inspire the right person which also meant they learnt how to drill through metal using a HSS drill bit to secure it to the fuselage with screws. The water table got a lot of use as well.

What a term!!!! All legends in our books!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

We have recently been shortlisted as one of the top 10 Finalists for 'Best Childrens Service' in Sussex by MuddyStilletos. We need as many members of the public to vote for us to win this honour.

Please vote via the link on our bio or via https://sussex.muddystilettos.co.uk/awards/vote/

Thank you!

Ben and my team at The Orange ToolBox

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The Orange ToolBox, Brownings Farm Workshops, Lewes Road, Blackboys
Uckfield
TN225HG

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