Alton Men’s Shed

MENS SHED HAS COME TO HOLYBOURNE

Alton Mens shed (AMS) announced earlier last year that it had extended its activities into two rooms kindly loaned by The Lawn care home. AMS first set up as a group in 2015 after a public meeting and constructed its own small wooden shed built by members on land provided by the All Saints church in Alton, where members engage in carpentry projects and general repairs. To date, they have a current membership of 18 members. The group, a registered charity, has come to the village in early 2019 in two rooms lent by The Lawn care home, there, members can meet, chat, have tea and biscuits, and follow a craft or hobby, or engage in various creative activities on a Wednesday afternoon from 2.00pm to 4.00/4.30pm. Despite the name, the group is open to men and women, young and old (over 18 years) and, in fact, one of the rooms is occupied by ladies following various craft activities, led currently by Sharon Wood.

The Mens shed group was originally set up with three aims in mind – firstly, to provide a safe, social opportunity to meet and chat. Secondly, to provide the facility and equipment, tools etc. to enable woodwork and craft activities to be followed, and thirdly, encourage members to get involved in local projects in their community, of which there have been many completed in Alton in the last 3 to 4 years. The Mens shed concept started in Australia in the late nineties/ early twenties, then came to Britain and spread rapidly through-out the country during the last 10 years – there’s thought to be 400 to 500 ‘sheds’ now – were inspired by the fact that some people, especially men, after full time employment and retirement, find it hard to maintain social contacts, become lonely and isolated at home, and sink into depression, thereby creating mental issues. AMS seeks to address this by encouraging men and women to come together on a regular basis in a positive fashion. The Lawn is clearly hoping that some of their residents, and residents from Holybourne village come along, with the regular members of Alton mens shed, come together every Wednesday after noon from 2.00 pm to engage in the various activities on offer. Peter Beckham, who’s lived in the village for many years, and Gordon Anderson a resident of Alton, help to co-ordinate the mens shed activities, would welcome any villager to come along to The Lawn and see what we get up to! have a cup or tea, and perhaps consider joining us on a regular basis. So, if you have time on your hands, why not come along? Peter or Gordon can be contacted for more details on tel 01420 85419 or 01420 362530.

Holybourne Wine Club

Would you be interested in coming along to taste some wine or share your knowledge and/or tastes? You don’t have to commit to anything or even attending every meeting.  We are just looking for people who may be interested in meeting up monthly, somewhere locally, if it’s small numbers, possibly in member’s homes. You don’t have to be an expert or at all knowledgeable, you may just be interested in learning more to make more informed choices when buying wine or eating out. It is primarily a social event. We hope to see you!

If you are interested please contact:

Richard Hill at richard@hilllocks2.plus.com

Or

Chris Lion at chrisjlion@icloud.com

Gallery

Location

The Lawn, 119 London Road, Holybourne, Alton, Hampshire GU34 4ER