The Shedders – Working in the Community
The Shedders are part of the almost worldwide Men’s Shed Association set up to promote well-being in local men. The Association has its roots in Australia and was defined as follows:
“AMSA recognises as a Men’s Shed any community-based, non-profit, non-commercial organization that is accessible to all men and whose primary activity is the provision of a safe and friendly environment where men are able to work on meaningful projects at their own pace in their own time in the company of other men. A major objective is to advance the well-being and health of their male members.”
The Wincanton Shedders meet Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday of each week to work on their projects. Tuesdays concentrate on the manufacture of owl boxes. Wednesday’s group gets involved in servicing lawn mowers. Thursdays are open sessions. There is a group of 6 or 7 who attend regularly, but around 23 others who attend as and when they can. For the moment membership is free.
As well as making owl boxes, the Shedders have also provided an A-Board for the Town Council, easels for therapy groups, repairs to the Balsam Centre front gate, and new herb planters. Now they aim to use their talents to help maintain the park benches in Cale Park. On Thursday 5th March the Shedders met in Cale Park and enjoyed a gentle stroll around the park, checking the condition of all the benches, and creating an inventory of the materials that will be needed to complete the repairs. The Shredders hope that the Town Council will provide the materials.
There are also some men who are interested in working with metal and it’s hoped that there will soon be a second shed on site geared to metalwork.
The Shedders are yet another great example of local organisations getting involved in the community that they live and work in. Cale Park also benefits from the work of the C.A.T.C.H. group who work hard to maintain the Wincanton stretch of the River Cale.
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