Buckie Men’s Shed making huge strides in bringing people together as new home takes shape
From humble beginnings to crafting a new home from a disused former bookie’s, Buckie Men’s Shed have come a long way in just over two years.
The group, whose primary goal is men’s wellbeing, mental health and social inclusion, first formed back in February 2023, meeting temporarily in the Fishermen’s Hall as they searched for a home to call their own.
Later that year, the shedders were overjoyed when Cameron Ross from bakers JG Ross handed them a property at 19a High Street in Buckie on a 20-year lease at a peppercorn rent. The property, which among various previous guises had been a betting shop, was in need of a lot of revamp work and TLC and since first getting the keys the men’s shed have been busy transforming the site beyond all recognition.
Buckie Men’s Shed chairman Steve Thornton, who took over in March from the group’s first chairman Les Forman, said: “We started at one end of the building and created a little meeting room first where we could sit.
“It was also easier to heat warm while we worked on the rest of the building.
“We did the kitchen next then the main room.
“At the moment we’re working on what will be the workshop. There’s a new concrete floor in there and we've now got most of the sockets and everything in for the wiring. The lights are up, although it's still a temporary situation, we'll need to get them fixed in. Once all that's done, then we'll be getting all the machinery in that we've got donated, which includes bench saws and chop saws.
“There’s a lot of stuff so we’ll have to sort through it once we’re up and running and see what we’re going to keep and what we’re going to donate.”
Once operational, shedders will be able to use the workshop to work on projects either for themselves, for community groups or for a donation. Due to health and safety restrictions, there must be at least two people in the workshop when it is operational. Steve stressed that men’s sheds are not allowed to work on commercial projects which may place them in competition with businesses or tradespeople.
However, whatever the shed’s 40 or so members - around 15 of whom are regulars - decide to do when they come along, the most important thing is wellbeing in whatever form that may take.
Steve continued: “I did a bit of research when we first started out on this and 37 per cent of people who go to a men's shed go for companionship and to be able to meet other people.
“They might not meet other people throughout the day, throughout the week, throughout the month, but they can come to a men's shed and have a cup of tea. There's a lot of people who come here wouldn't be out otherwise.
“That's the mainstay of their week, really, to come in and meet others and have a cup of tea and a chat. They don't have to do anything when they're here. You can have a pie or a piece and they speak to like-minded individuals.”
In addition to working away in their building, shedders have also been out lending a hand in various capacities in the wider community, including the nurseries at Millbank and Lady Cathcart as well as at Seafield Hospital.
Havin lain disused for many years, the men’s shed had a job on their hands not only clearing out the detritus of previous users but conducting an extensive list of repairs to tackle the likes of rotten floorboards and a rotting roof in what will be the workshop.
Steve went on to praise the ongoing generosity the group have been shown.
“We’ve managed to get grant funding for some things and we’ve had a lot of donations from the local community.
“The people of Buckie have been very kind to us and we’re very grateful for their ongoing support.
“Finechty Men’s Shed as well as others have been very supportive since our earliest days.”
Finding a permanent home itself involved both a stroke of luck and an act of generosity.
Les explained: “Some of the guys had been at a meeting of the Men’s Shed Association and they heard that one of the sheds had got property from JG Ross the bakers.
“We got in touch with Cameron Ross and he gave us this place on a £20-year lease for £5 a year.
“We’re very grateful and Cameron has continued to be very supportive.”
Buckie Men’s Shed is currently open on a Thursday from 1pm to 4pm, although those hours are set to expand as refurbishment work on their premises continues. The group can be contacted by email at
Buckiemensshed@outlook.com or via their Facebook page.
