Banff and Macduff Men's Shed set to celebrate new chapter
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A RAF veteran and retired boat builder from Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed has shared his experiences of being part of the community group as it gets set to celebrate the official opening of its new venue.
The shed members moved from Banff and took over the former Fife Street School in Macduff after an asset transfer was successful last year.
The group has now settled in its new premises and has welcomed other community organisations to use it including the monthly Macduff Market.
The Men's Shed will hold the official opening in October, which guests have been invited to.
The Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson will have the honour of carrying out the duty.
Alfie Wood (79) has shared why he enjoys being part of the group.
He said: “I began working at the age of 11 on my paper round and left school at the age of 15 to build large wooden fishing boats.
“I then served in the Royal Air Force for 12 years as a Corporal – protecting airfields and helicopters – and as a result had the experience of travelling all over the world.
"For a short time after that I became a joiner for a local firm before returning to boat building for 37 years.
“I was fortunate to be part of the small team that constructed the 85ft masts for the RSS Discovery. I was the chargehand and we received the wood which was specially selected from ‘straight as they come’ trees back in 1988 and dried it out – ensuring the perfect air flow – before making the masts in 1991 following the original drawings. I am extremely proud to have been involved in that project.
“On top of all of that I was also part-time in the fire brigade for more than 20 years, volunteered at the boat yard and have been known to pose as Santa Claus in my time.
“I am starting to feel my age now, the body and mind are not quite what they used to be but I still go for a walk every single day, watch what I eat, look after my house and make sure to attend my local Men’s Shed – Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed – most days.
“As a retired and divorced man, I go for the company but also after working my whole life, the Men’s Shed gives me purpose and a place to go to utilise my skills as a builder and joiner and also share this with other members.
“Five years ago, I heard about Men’s Sheds and just knew there and then that it was for me. I went along and joined straight away.
"I have been involved from the start and one of the best memories of my time at the Shed so far was having our 99-year lease approved for the former Fife Street School by Aberdeenshire Council.
“We had totally outgrown our North Castle Street home in Banff and were in desperate need of larger premises. Now, we have so much space that we can offer this to other community groups.
“The previous owners, Banff and Buchan College, had spent thousands of pounds previously renovating the building but it had lain empty for 12 years and still needed a bit of work and a big tidy up. With the Shed only being a 10-minute walk from my house, I was there almost every day helping out.
“Most of our members are over 60 but we also have some in their 30s and 40s and I am also happy to supervise and mentor the others if they ask for help and require my input.
“My son and daughter and four grandchildren live close by and are extremely supportive of the Men’s Shed, my son has even been to the Shed a few times and they are delighted that I have this place to go and so many friends.
“As I near my 80th birthday, my plans are to just keep going along to the Shed and keep the brain and body active.
"Despite slowing down a bit, and taking a bit longer to get there with my walking stick, there’s no stopping me going to the place I love.”
Shed secretary John Bloor said: “Alfie is a true inspiration to all of us at the Shed. Throughout the pandemic and the agonising process we had to endure to get our community asset transfer, Alfie turned up to every weekly socially distanced and otherwise meeting, believing that we could achieve our objective and spurred us all on.”
Visit scottishmsa.org.uk for more on the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association.
