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Coffee, cake and a bit of woodwork in Grantown





There is a network of Men's Sheds in the Highlands including this one in Milton and Grantown will be getting its own venue later this week.
There is a network of Men's Sheds in the Highlands including this one in Milton and Grantown will be getting its own venue later this week.

A men's shed is to officially open its doors in Grantown later this week.

The so-called Spey Shed will be available at its new home at the town's YMCA Community Centre.

It will be unveiled at 5pm this Friday.

Men’s Sheds exist throughout the world, first arriving in Scotland in 2009. It is estimated that 190 Sheds have now been established in Scotland.

A ‘Shed’ is an unique place where people can come together and socialise with a purpose.

Designed for shoulder to shoulder communication, the activity is wood craft but just as important is the chat with coffee and cake.

A Shed had been instigated in Grantown four years before Covid-19 outbreak thanks to the generosity of Grantown Grammar School and the head of CDT, Kenny McGougan.

A group of retired people would turn up on a Friday afternoon and create bird boxes, candle arches and other wood items.

Spey Shed project spokesman Hamish Thom explained: "With no constitution or formal organisation, this much valued club was the highlight of the week for all involved.

"When Covid came along, things changed and we no longer had our shed facility."

Sadly post Covid and with new regulations, the use of Grantown Grammar School is no longer an option.

Last Autumn , following conversations with former participants, it was decided to try to resurrect the ‘Shed’.

Mr Thom said: "Following a meeting, we were fortunate to be offered a space in the Grantown YMCA Community Centre. This room required renovation and we were permitted to reconfigure the space to suit our needs.

"With the help of Grantown Initiative and Karen Derrick, Chief Officer of Voluntary Action Badenoch and Strathspey, we established a committee with a constitution and bank account and are becoming a SCIO.

"To refurbish the room and create an appropriate workshop, we required funding. We are very grateful to Highland Council's ward discretionary fund and Highland Communities Mental Health and Well-being fund for their support.

"Without this help, we could not have progressed."

Mr Thom added: "An appeal for wood working tools was made to commercial suppliers and we were fortunate to receive a substantial donation from Wicks in Inverness.

"Following an on-line appeal, we were encouraged by receiving several very generous donations of tools from the public too. The

appeal for tools is on-going and any donation would be most welcome."

Anyone who can assist can contact Mr Thom on 07841729046.

Anyone interested in joining the Spey Shed (there is no membership charge), is welcome to come along to the launch or contact Mr Thom for more details. It is hoped to fully open the workshop next month.


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