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The New Town Together Men’s Shed may have only been officially opened in July 2019, but it is already very well established in the community of Newtownhamilton, Co Armagh at the outset. Shed chair Peter Haughey and other members of the community called a meeting to see if there was interest.
They wanted something for rural people to do instead of just going to the pub. Forty people turned up, a lot of whom were women and it was decided to set up three community groups, a mixed walking group, a women’s group and a men’s shed.
The shed has 35 members, all retired and ranging in ages from 50 to 80 years old.
“Not all members visit at the same time,” according to Peter, but you will have a good mix and variety. The shed currently operates out of 40-foot container but in the future they hope to get a better premises and build a small community centre. For the moment though Peter says: “We are very happy to be where we are. We had no idea it would be so successful.”
The shed is busy with orders of picnic benches and planters. In the summer, members made window boxes and for Christmas they created “well-finished” wooden Christmas trees and snowmen. For a group of people who didn’t work in traditional trades, they do everything to a high standard and take great pride in what they do.
Members “don’t have to work”, they can just come down to the shed and have “a bit of craic and a cup of tea”. Newtownhamilton is a small village at least 13 miles from the closest town. The shed is for people who want to get out of the house and the general theme is wellbeing.
The shed is open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 10am to 1pm and on Saturdays from 1pm to 4pm. For more information contact Peter Haughey at 0044-774 037 8714.
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