Local woodworker making products available for donation

By Rob Vogt
Brian Hadden wants to share his love of woodworking with the community.
Consequently, he is making various hand-crafted wood products such as cribbage boards and boards for sandwiches available to community organizations to use in raffles, silent auctions, live auctions or any other fundraising purpose.
The only thing he asks in return is that a minimum price is set that covers or exceeds the amount he has put into the project in materials and labour.
Hadden began woodworking in high school when it was part of what was then called “manual training”.
He enlisted in the air force and spent time in Europe before returning to Greenwood, Nova Scotia in 1973, where the base had a wood shop.
“I started making furniture,” Hadden said.
From Nova Scotia, he moved on to Cold Lake, Alberta where he spent his time coaching swimming, then on to the Canadian Forces Leadership Academy in Borden, Ontario.
When he got out of the military, he moved to Calgary where he had family. He decided to attend the University of Calgary where he earned a degree, then went to work for Trans-Canada Pipelines.
He retired and moved to Claresholm in 2016.
Hadden had started buying equipment, and did a lot of woodworking while working for Trans-Canada Pipelines.
When he came to Claresholm, he got more equipment such as band and table saws.
He stored it at a friend’s in Champion, until he could insulate and wire his garage, transforming it into a shop.
“(Then) I started doing things,” Hadden said.
He made folding tables for his family, and was given a pile of wood, in addition to the materials he buys from Black Forest Wood Products in Calgary.
Then he started making cribbage boards; sandwich or charcuterie boards; serving trays; and lazy susans.
“I enjoy it,” Hadden said.
Over the past while he has been making these items available for donation.
“Any organization that wants it,” he said, not including political or religious organizations. He also does not make anything on demand.
Hadden has donated items to the Claresholm Animal Rescue Society, Social Centre, and the Claresholm branch of the Royal Canadian Legion.
He does ask that a minimum bid be guaranteed on the item. If that is not received, he either wants the item back or asks the organization wait until they get the minimum price.
“I”m asking for value for the work that I do,” he said. “I do not make a profit.
“I hope people understand.”
Anyone interested in more information can contact Brian Hadden at bhadden@shaw.ca.