A north-east charity was celebrating a happy ending to its two-year hunt for a home last night.
The Ellon and District Men’s Shed group was set up in 2013 and has been looking for a permanent workshop and social space in the town ever since.
Its dreams were realised yesterday when members of Aberdeenshire Council’s Formartine area committee agreed to hand over a disused local authority depot on Hospital Road.
A 15-year deal will now be drawn up, allowing the group to rent the space for £100 a year.
Last night, Jock Taylor, vice chairman of the Ellon and District Men’s Shed, said finding the right site had been a trying process.
“Many a day we thought we were banging our head against a brick wall – that’s why we’re so chuffed that it has finally come through today,” he said.
“It was always difficult to say to people that we might be getting this or that building, but now that we have we can start doing it up and making a difference. The whole thing starts now, really.”
Until now, the group has been meeting in Aberdeenshire Council’s offices in the square in Ellon and has so far raised £7,500 towards setting up a permanent base.
Locals were inspired by the success of the Westhill Men’s Shed, which provides a space for members to work on projects in a social environment.
A large number of the “shedders” who attend are retired, but the scheme is open to all ages.
Men can suggest ideas for others to take on at the shed, or bring in their own projects to work on.