Last nail in coffin for happy handyman

FITTING FINALE: Wes Dalefield takes his own hand-made coffin for a trial run with fellow members and "pallbearers" (from left) Ian Campbell, shed chairman Murray Campbell, co-ordinator John Bush, Dougie Hornigold, Peter Tibbs and David Wilkin.

Henley Men's Shed member Wes Dalefield likes to say he's "not dead yet" - but he's still prepared for when his time comes.

Not content with making wooden chairs and bedside tables at the men's shed, Masterton's Mr Dalefield has planned ahead and built his own coffin.

The casket, which Mr Dalefield designed himself, took around five months of "toiling away" to complete - mostly while kneeling, as he has balance problems which leave him unable to stand for long periods.

He fashioned the casket from plywood - durability is not a factor, as he plans to be cremated - and finished with polyurethane, with imported soft rope from the US for handles.

He said the whole casket cost "a couple of hundred dollars" to make, with the inner cloth lining being the most expensive part.

Although happy with the finished product, he reckons he may be waiting a while to use it.

"I chose my ancestors carefully," he said. "An aunt and an uncle both lived to over 100".

Mr Dalefield has been an active member of Henley Men's Shed for the past two years, and rides his three-wheel bicycle down to the shed every day, "rain, hail or shine".

He next plans to make a deluxe cage for a stud cat and, at her request, a coffin for his wife.