The Aberdeenshire team behind Scotland’s first ever men’s shed has made the case for more of the centres to be opened up across the country.
The founders of the Westhill Men’s Shed were in the Scottish Parliament yesterday to meet a group of 10 MSPs as they promoted the groups across the country.
Men’s sheds are social and workshop spaces where men can get together and work on DIY projects and socialise.
Westhill was Scotland’s first, while others are now being set up, in places such as Ellon, Inverurie and Portlethen.
MSP for Aberdeenshire West, Dennis Robertson, invited the Westhill team to Holyrood to discuss the scheme with other politicians.
Nick Pilbeam, chairman of the Westhill Men’s Shed attended with fellow member, Marty Kehoe, Aberdeen Voluntary Action men’s shed development office, Jason Schroeder, and Aberdeenshire Council’s Jill Sowden.
Last night he said the talks had gone well.
The 63-year-old retired IT worker and handyman, of Lyne of Skene, said: “We had a good day, we set up in the room and told them all about it. Everyone said they were impressed. We enjoyed it and certainly got a lot of positive responses.
“The shadow minster for social justice (Mr Macintosh) said if they wanted to put in a parliamentary motion then he would back it and was really keen.
“They all understand the issue and really want to make it happen.”
Mr Pilbeam added he hoped the talks could “help men’s sheds” in the works across the country.
He added: “That was two years ago we opened our doors and there are now about 40 in the process of starting up across the country. One or two have opened their doors recently.
“We have been tremendously successful. We have about 70 regulars.”