‘Shedders’ mark a decade of helping health and wellbeing in Inverurie
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SATURDAY'S open day marking the 10th anniversary for Inverurie and District Mens Shed premises at Harlaw Way attracted a large crowd of visitors eager to have a guided tour of the workshops, smiddy and boardroom at Unit 19
One visitor chose to mark the 10th anniversary (tin) by presenting a decorated tin, formerly housing chicken soup, upcycled to be useful for pens and pencils.
Chairman Alex Smith explained how the Mens Shed was 'born: "In 2014 two Inverurie residents Archie Peebles and Graeme Shepherd visited the first Mens Shed in Scoland at Westhill to see how it worked. This was followed by a meeting at Gordon house where a group formed a committee and so Inverurie and District Mens Shed became a reality. Back then things were fairly basic.”
Said Alex: "A grant from Grampian Health Board allowed us to buy a polytunnel and while the new shed was being kttted out we held meetings in the polytunnel. An unusual board (but not bored!) room. During the first year through grants and donations funds were raised to buy machinery for the workshops and two portacabins as a social area. But as more and more interested men came along the size of the premises was simply not big enough. At this time the committee are proactive in seeking an alternative site, hopefully an adjoining buiding, through Aberdeenshire council.
He continued: "We'd like to say how grateful we are to the Scottish Mens Shed Association, local businesses, organisations, Aberdeenshire council and residents for their support and generosity over the past 10 years."
IDMS Chairman Alex Smith said: “It was great to see faces old and new. Guests were given a tour of our workshop and social area, then enjoyed a buffet lunch. Thanks for providing the lunch must go to Graeme Shepherd, Henry and Gwen Wilson, Bill Urquhart and Shantilal Fernando. We were delighted with the turnout, thank you all for your support. Guests were also informed about our future plans for the expansion of Inverurie and District Men’s Shed. We have just submitted a Community Asset Transfer Request to Aberdeenshire Council for the building adjacent to the Shed which we hope will be looked upon favourably by the Council.”
Wellbeing both physical and mental is very much the focus at the Mens Shed’s other location at Souterford, Inverurie.
A field leased from George Ross Howe Farm was 'born' three years ago as a co-operative and has flourished in its 2 and a bit acres abundantly ever since. The separate 40 allotment sections encourage families to come along and learn about growing things with Shedder members on hand to advise. Kellands primary school pupils are regular visitors with their teacher. A surprise for the advisors was when they asked without much hope if the youngsters would like to help picking tatties they all agreed with great enthusiasm.
Members can take home what they've grown, an honesty box is also on hand and any surplus goes to food banks. There appears to be nothing the fertile field can't produce - the usual tatties, onions, carrots, cabbage, turnips, peas and beans and the more exotic fennel, okra, cougette, asparagus, sweetcorn and garlic. Fruit trees are already well established having managed to survive the ravages of hungry deer. A clever bird-scarer device has proved most effective - dangling shiney CDs. The large polytunnel houses rows of tiny seeldings waiting to graduate to the outdoors. Member and visitors alike, all agree there is a feeling of wellbeing whether they are actively gardening or just enjoying being out in the fresh air.
