The Courier & Advertiser (Angus and Dundee)
Tayside man carves out niche role to fundraise for Men’ s Shed group
ATayside man has crafted a new partnership with a successful upcycling centre to fundraise for his local Men’s Shed.
Kevin Clayton, of Broughty Ferry, teamed up with Tayside Upcycling and Craft Centre (TUCC) after visiting it last month.
He was already making key holders, trinket trays and coasters from reclaimed oak floorboards using a CNC laser machine.
So he decided to sell them to support the Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed that means so much to him.
And TUCC founder Alfie Iannetta believed the items would be a popular addition to the centre.
TUCC, based near Errol, diverts items from landfill by giving them a new lease of life. To date, it has saved around 12 tonnes of furniture.
It shot to prominence when artisan Sarah Peterson began appearing on the BBC upcycling series Money For Nothing.
Kevin is a retired design technology teacher so woodwork has been a significant part of his life for decades.
Before moving to Broughty Ferry in 2006, he taught in Ealing, West London for 40 years.
He has continued with his passion, while also dedicating much of his time to the Men’s Shed.
He said: “Being retired and having made all the necessary furniture I need for my house, I spend three afternoons a week making things to raise funds or to help others.
“Sometimes it is charity work such as plaques for the tree trail at the Barnhill Rock Garden.
“It gives me something to plan and make, keeps me occupied and is a chance to meet other like-minded men of my age.
“Lockdown was really difficult without the shed.
“Now we’re back and getting more new members, because the shed is large and there’s room for a lot more.”
And for TUCC, the new partnership meant more items would be saved from landfill while another cause also benefitted. Alfie said: “I’m delighted to launch this new project in our centre. Not only does it fit in with the core aims of our upcycling centre, the funds raised are going to another worthwhile local community enterprise.
“What Kevin has produced is unique and sellable.”
He added: “We are well aware of the Men’s Shed as a national organisation and the fantastic job they do in providing a venue for people to visit, share and learn lots of new skills.
“Lots of our visitors here have been involved in local Men’s Sheds and have told us what a difference it’s made to their wellbeing.
“Lots of the sheds were closed due to the pandemic and it’s great to see them opening again.”
“Lockdown was really difficult without the shed, now we’re back and getting more new members
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. So goes the saying, and Kevin Clayton of Broughty Ferry has proved it is true.
By transforming reclaimed oak floorboards into key holders, trinket trays and coasters he is raising valuable funds for his local Men’s Shed. And by selling them at the Tayside Upcycling and Craft Centre he is partnering with a venue which has already diverted 12 tonnes of furniture from landfill.
Sometimes the smallest steps can make the world a better place.