Lottery boost for Men’s Shed

A Perthshire Men’s Shed has been awarded £10,000 from the National Lottery.

Scone Airport Men’s Shed, based in Building 30 at the industrial complex at Perth Airport, will use the cash to provide equipment such as bench saws, belt and disc sanders, an assortment of hand held power drills and grinders, chop saws , bench routers, sawdust extraction units, dust filtration equipment, heating and broadband.

The Scone Airport Men’s Shed was started at the end of 2019 by a group of men who wanted to provide a place for like-minded men to meet, help others in the community, assist the community and share skills, also to stop by for a cup of tea and a blether.

The group received an almost brand new ‘shed’ from Morris Leslie of the Morris Leslie Group at Perth Airport.

Prior to the enforced lockdown by COVID-19, the group had approximately 20 men attending, and were restoring the Scone in Bloom flower cart that stood at the north end of the village for the last 15 years.

The group had also been approached by both RDM School Parents Council and Balbeggie Nursery to carry out projects that would assist them in the running of their organisations.

A spokesman said: “We were open on Wednesday afternoons and Saturday mornings and we are all very eager to return when conditions allow.”

John Swinney MSP, whose constituency covers the airport, said: “I am delighted that Scone Airport Men’s Shed have received such a significant level of financial support.

“Men’s Sheds provide an opportunity for men to learn new skills, whilst also combating social isolation.

“Our current lockdown restrictions have clearly highlighted how beneficial socialising with others is to our mental health, and I am hopeful that in the near future the group will be able to put their funding to good use.”

Go to www.sconeshedders.co.uk for more information.