Men’s shed members launch own calendar
IT may not be the first group or society you would expect to release its own calendar, but a South Wales community’s men’s shed has done just that.
The Men’s Shed Caerau scheme, which helps change lives by supporting men experiencing difficulties in the area, will launch its calendar on Wednesday at the Caerau Athletic Club in Maesteg.
Set up under the umbrella of Men’s Shed Cymru, the group was established in February.
There are men’s sheds in every corner of the country, and they support men of all ages who may have experienced life changing events such as redundancy, retirement or bereavement, or be in recovery from addictions or mental or physical health problems. And besides making a donation of £150 to the Welsh Association for Blind Dogs, the group felt it wanted to draw at- tention to the issues men face, including isolation.
The shed’s Phil Davies said the idea behind the calendar was to be “poignant and humorous”, and it features images of the group’s members in various different situations.
He added: “The original idea was along the style of the calendar girls but when members realised the implication they decided to tone it down.
“The calendar is now being printed but the whole procedure was professionally filmed.”
A film that has been produced by the group as part of the launch will also be shown at the event.
Phil John lost his daughter and his wife as well as having recovered from a brain tumour, and is one of the club’s members.
He said: “These guys help me to open myself up. To be open, to be free. To express my concerns and also to help them with their concerns as well.”