PICTURES: Official opening of Banff and Macduff Men's Shed is celebrated
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Banff, Macduff and District Men's Shed has officially opened its new building in the former Fife Street School.
A special ceremony was held on Saturday to mark the occasion.
Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson had the honour of declaring the group's building in Macduff open.
The event was also attended by the Scottish Men's Shed Association's development officer Tim Green, local dignitaries and other groups and guests.
The Men's Shed moved from Banff to Macduff after it was successful with a community asset transfer for the former Fife Street School building.
It topped off a great week for the group after it was named as a finalist in the 2023 Scottish Men's Shed of the Year award.
Men's Shed chairman Bob Copland said: "Men's Sheds are fantastic for the area and can transform communities.
"We started just a few years ago as an idea and it is thanks to initially The Railway Inn which gave us a room free of charge.
"I had no idea back then, and every member will agree, that we would be where we are at now in such a short time.
"At one of the meetings we had in The Railway Inn Alun Dyson from Deveron District Age Concern attended and he'd heard what we were trying to do and asked if there was anything they could do to help.
"We said we really needed a shed, a space, so Deveron District Age Concern gave us a sizeable donation which allowed us to rent a property and that got us going.
"It was a bit of a fight to get the former Fife Street School building but we got it and it's really thanks to the members and their determination and tenacity that we are here.
"A lot of people helped us so it's a big thank you to every one of them who helped.
"To make the top three of the Men's Shed of the Year is fantastic and to win would be the icing on the cake not only for the members but also for the groups that use the building and the community.
"This is an area that gets overlooked quite a lot and to get an award like this would be brilliant."
Lord-Lieutenant of Banffshire Andrew Simpson carried out the official opening duties and unveiled a commemorative plaque.
He said: "Men's Sheds are terrific and I've had the privilege of visiting a few around Banffshire.
"What they are doing is absolutely amazing and the fact that we now have one in a great base in Banff and Macduff is wonderful for the whole community.
"Men's Sheds make a difference. Mental health is a big issue and one of the aims of Men's Sheds right from the beginning in Australia was to support men.
"They enable people to pick up skills. People sharing their skills, sharing their expertise and being together it makes a difference to everybody involved and that is fantastic.
"They also help the community. We all want more for Banff and Macduff and we want the towns to be thriving in a way that maybe was true years ago and we know could happen again.
"The Men's Shed can have a key role in that and it is already giving a home to different organisations.
"It is fantastic for the community to see an old building being brought back to life and getting used.
"I remember when this was just an idea and what impressed me most at that time was the vision. Speaking to some of the members they could see what they wanted to happen, they saw the potential of this building.
"It is great to see this now making a difference and the possibilities of what can be achieved in the future.
"Looking forward the vision is still there and that's what's exciting and I wish the group all the best."
