Foggie Men's Shed seals first-ever title
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ABERCHIRDER and District Men's Shed has scooped up a prestigious award after only three years being up and running.
The group took home the title of the very first Scottish Men's Shed of the Year at the Scottish Men's Sheds Association annual meeting.
A cash prize of £500 was given to the Men's Shed headed by Mike O'Brien which is a welcomed cash boost for them.
The award was presented to them by the Scottish Men's Sheds Association chairman Derek Keiller with 15 entries being recognised.
This event celebrated the work carried out by the organisation, which was launched in March 2016 by Kenny Christie after seeing the interest for a group in the village.
The current chairman of the local Men's Shed, Mike O'Brien, was delighted with the award in recognition for their hard work.
The group's premises were just officially opened back in May by the Lord Lieutenant of Banffshire Clare Russell.
Chairman Mike O'Brien said: "It gives me great pleasure to accept the award on the behalf of the Men Shed.
"We certainly do appreciate the recognition.
"We have been recognised out of the around about 115 Men's Sheds in the whole of Scotland that is a real privilege.
"We are more than pleased to have won it."
The money won by the group will go towards a variety of projects that they are working on currently.
Mr O'Brien added: "We are still quite new as only been going for three years.
"We have projects on the go and would like to purchase a lav and other tools.
"So it will be put towards getting those items.
"Likewise we do have some community projects coming on so some of it will be used for those projects.
"We look forward to displaying it at the shed and wish to formally thank the Shed's original 'Magnificent Seven' for all the work they have done and, in particular, the founding chairman Kenny Christie, whose shoes I will have a challenge to fill."
While councillor Glen Reynolds has hailed the group's work as an "inspiration" for others to follow. He added: "Well done to the Foggie Men's Shed for this fantastic and richly deserved accolade.
"The Aberchirder Men's Shed has been a shining light of inspiration to many community groups and is a model that should be copied by any group that wishes to work in partnership with the Council and local folk, to develop an initiative that addresses a serious need in a local community.
"They must be fair chuffed and rightly so."
Ever since setting up, the men have been kept busy working on a variety of projects.
The Men's Shed is a community space which encourages men to come together to connect, create and support their local communities and groups across the world have been described as "life changing" in combating social isolation and loneliness.
