Loo-k what is opening
Stonehouse Men’s Shed is to officially open its new premises this weekend.
Members, their families, the community and the local Shed network are all invited to the event on Saturday, May 7, from 1pm till 4pm.
Stonehouse Men’s Shed, a charity, was formed in 2018 after a successful visit by the Seniors Together Mobile Shed to the town.
The Seniors Together Project supported it and has continued to receive backing from Men’s Shed development worker Paul Creechan, who helps the South Lanarkshire network.
With backing from South Lanarkshire Leisure & Culture and Seniors Together, the group started life off meeting in the Lifestyles centre at the top of the town once a week and have continued growing in popularity and numbers ever since while the search continued for a permanent home.
The time spent in the Lifestyles centre allowed the group a chance to form a music group and discover the interests of members.
Paul said: “After an extensive search for a suitable local building the former public toilets buildings in the centre of the town were seen as a great option as a permanent home for the Shed. The Shed entered negotiations with council departments using the Community Asset Transfer Act and the lease was signed to the Shed in February 2020.
“Even through the pandemic the commitment of the Shedders never faded, and the building has been completely renovated to look unrecognisable to its former use.
“I hope as many people as possible will come along to join in this real success story and see just how well the group have done.”
The Shed currently meets every Monday afternoon between 1pm-3pm, Thursday morning for a memories group and a Thursday evening for a music group.
The new shed is on King Street and is a former public toilets which closed in 2015.
Back in 2019, South Lanarkshire Council agreed to lease the old public toilets and office space to the Men’s Shed group for £1 a year.
A report at the time for councillors said the toilets had : “A nominal rental value reflecting its existing condition and status as former public toilets.
“The council has an ongoing liability for utilities, rates, insurance and security until such times as the property is sold or let.”