An Aberdeenshire Men’s Shed group is aiming to build a new home within the old secondary school its members used to teach at.
The Alford and District Men’s Shed committee is currently in discussions with Aberdeenshire Council to purchase the empty block of the old Alford Academy.
The move is under a Community Asset Transfer scheme (CAT) – an initiative which allows local organisations the chance to purchase or rent land or facilities at nominal prices in return for social benefit to the community.
Originating in Austraila, the Men’s Shed movement aims to give older men a healthy alternative to spending their free time drinking pints at the pub by allowing them the chance to work together on beneficial craft projects like building benches, flower planters, bird boxes and more.
Committee member Bobby Graham, who used to work as the rector of the old academy, said moving the group into the technical department would provide them with all they need to offer activities to men across the region.
The 77-year-old said: “We’ve been looking at a number of places for accommodation, including the heritage centre and maybe buying a metal storage unit, but the old Alford Academy technical department is ideally suited for a Men’s Shed.
“It would be tremendous, it’s got plenty of space and it’s already got all the equipment we would require, all maintained to a high standard.
“We’re working closely with the council and we’ve had quite a number of meetings, we’re hoping to get things finalised by autumn and we can think about moving in.”