The Press and Journal (Inverness, Highlands, and Islands)
Men’ s Shed to revamp place on high street
Buckie Men’s Shed is carrying out a major refurbishment of a High Street building to turn it into their permanent home.
The group was launched in February and has already attracted 17 members.
It is currently based at the Fishermen’s Hall.
Rent is being covered by a local Peoplehood project with Men’s Sheds tackling social isolation and promoting wellbeing.
Work is well under way on a vacant building at 19A High Street.
Chairman Les Forman hopes they can move in by the end of the year.
The building’s entrance is between Zen Ink and Motion Fitness.
Mr Forman said: “In the Fishermen’s Hall, we can’t have mental and woodwork workshops.
“So we decided to look for premises.
“We came across this empty shop with quite a bit of ground which has been sitting unused for a while.
“The owner has kindly allowed us to rent it for a minimum amount.
“It used to be a bookies at one time.
“At the moment, we can’t use the premises as it needs a lot of work, and people are clearing it out as it is full of rubbish.
“We are hoping to move into the premises by the end of the year.”
The idea was sparked after Mr Forman saw how Cullen and Findochty already had men’s sheds.
He added: “It has developed very quickly.
“I had been thinking about the need for a men’s shed in Buckie, and last year the Fishermen’s Hall was advertising a men’s cave.
“After the new year, I went to see them and told them about the vision I had for a men’s shed and they were all happy to go with that.
“It came about towards the end of last year – there is a men’s shed in Cullen and I thought it would be nice to have one in Buckie.”
He has thanked local businesses for being generous in supporting the initiative.
Meetings will continue at the Fishermen’s Hall on Thursdays from 1pm to 4pm for the time being.
Men interested in joining can email buckiemensshed@outlook.com or contact them through their Facebook page.