OVER 100 people attended a meeting about the start-up of an over 50’s Men in Sheds group in Yate this month.

Members of Yate Town Council, who had organised the free drop-in event, were delighted with the interest in the project.  

Representatives from a number of other Men in Sheds groups within South Gloucestershire attended the meeting, all of whom shared their experiences of setting up and establishing their own groups. 

Martin Castree (of Patchway's Men in Sheds) and Mervyn Bishop (from Warmley's Men in Sheds) were among several ‘Shedders’ who spoke enthusiastically about their own positive experiences of bringing men together to share skills and learn informally, as well as working on individual pursuits and community projects.

Ian Richardson-Baker (from Thornbury's Men in Sheds) spoke of the sense of purpose, achievement and of the invaluable social interaction that the groups give.

Patrick Abrahams described how the The Frome group were challenged by the Welsh Men's Sheds Association to make and race a coracle. He brought the vessel for display at the meeting, which had been made in the traditional manner by two of the Frome group.  

Patrick enthused about how the Shed format can make a difference to the community and how it is place that men can work in a safe, friendly and inclusive environment.

Councillor Sue Walker, a representative of the Yate Town Council ‘Yate Ageing Better’ Working Group, spoke passionately about the value of the project.  She said: "Members of Yate Town Council are very pleased with the response and are looking forward to working with Men in Sheds in Yate.

"We are committed to provision for older residents in our town and the Men in Sheds project is one strand of that work which we are thrilled to see being supported today."

For all those interested in getting involved, email:info@yatetowncouncil.gov.uk or phone 01454 866506.