Elgin men in search of perfect Shed
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MORAY MP Douglas Ross has pledged to help Elgin and District Men's Shed find a permanent, viable home.
The group, which currently has 80 members, meets at Linkwood View in Elgin. Next month they will move to a site at Pinefield, across from Robertson's yard.
However, their search for a suitable and affordable home goes on. The group is appealing for businesses to come forward which could offer them a home at a reasonable rate.
Mr Ross met the Men's Shed members at the Inkwell at Elgin Youth Cafe on Friday. The Conservative said: "It was great to meet the group and see what they are doing. Membership is really strong and it’s just a shame that Moray Council wouldn’t work with them to help secure permanent premises.
"At the moment, the group is having to rent a unit that is smaller than they would want for the men to get involved in all the projects they have planned, and I’m keen to work with them to find a more suitable place for meetings that has enough space for all the activities they hope to offer.
"I know that there are active Men’s Shed groups across Moray and it was highlighted to me at my meeting with the Elgin group how valuable they are in bringing together like-minded people in a way that helps reduce isolation and loneliness."
The Men's Shed can be a life-enhancing place – particularly for the recently retired, men struggling with their mental health, or those who find themselves laid off or between jobs. The social aspect is a well-recognised well-being boost – so much so that doctors often recommend that patients consider joining.
Cecil Taylor, secretary, said: "The Elgin and District Men's Shed were delighted to have Douglas Ross attend one of our meetings.
"We know he appreciates the benefits Men's Sheds offer to members and the problems faced by the Elgin Shed in finding suitable, affordable premises. It is good to know he is supporting our efforts to find our ideal Shed."
The Elgin and district group is open to men aged over 18 from all walks of life, and aims to improve well-being by being a place for men to make new friends, work on projects and hobbies, learn new skills and support each other.
The group hopes to provide a meeting place "with a big kettle", a workshop and hobby room, and kitchen. Once properly up and running in a suitable home, it plans to run computing and cooking classes as well as operate a workshop for hobbies. Members hope to set themselves up with wood-turning equipment and sell their wares to boost operating funds.
The activities of the Elgin group are many and varied. Over their first year as a group, they have held a snooker day, bag-packed at Asda in aid of MFR Kids and ran a stall at Elgin Rotary's Rotafun event. Cooking lessons are lined up soon at Elgin's Youth Cafe. The Men's Shed has also been asked to make picnic tables for the Youth Cafe as a future project.
The group pledges to undertake any work needed to maintain their eventual home. Member Gordon McDonald said: "At the end of the day, a lot of the retired members are tradesmen."
Any local businesses who can assist the group or those interested in membership should contact Pete on 07766 795868, email edms-moray@hotmail.com or visit the website at www.elginmensshed.uk.
