Area’s first ‘Men's Shed’ opens

A facility that will help older me to fight social isolation has been opened in Llanfyllin, and it was first suggested by a local woman.

The Mayor of Llanfyllin officially opened the first Men’s Shed in Montgomeryshire, namely the Llanfyllin Men’s Shed at Y Dolydd Llanfyllin Workhouse. 

They have been popping up all over the world since the first one was introduced in Australia in 1998, and Llanfyllin’s becomes the 52^nd in Wales.

Local Community Co-ordinator, Sheela Hughes, first suggested setting up a Men’s Shed to Vic Brown who is now its Chairman. They moved to the Workhouse last year and won an Awards for All grant from the National Lottery of £10,000 last month.

Mayor, Cllr Simon Baynes, said: “Our town can be very proud of this achievement and the Llanfyllin Men’s Shed is the 52nd to open in Wales since 2014, all part of a worldwide Men’s Shed movement which started in Australia in 1998 and brings older men together to combat social isolation. They are keen for others to join and we all wish them every success in the future!”

Russell George, Assembly Member for Montgomeryshire, also attended and added: “I would like to congratulate Llanfyllin Men’s Shed for being the first in Montgomeryshire and for securing this National Lottery funding.

“I became aware of the work of the Men’s Shed Association a few years ago, and it’s a great organisation that exists to improve the overall health and wellbeing of men.”

PICTURE: Top row, (from left): Malcolm Worth (Chairman of the Men’s Shed Cymru Association), John Hainsworth and Izzi Zahorik (both Trustees of Llanfyllin Workhouse), Rob Barnsby, Andy Evans.

Bottom row (from left): Cllr Simon Baynes (Mayor of Llanfyllin), Simon Poole (Development Officer of Men’s Sheds North Wales), Vic Brown (Chairman of Men’s Shed Llanfyllin), Dai Williams and Stevie Winder.