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Six years of hard work, and meaningful chat and laughter, fuelled by bacon rolls and biscuits has gone into developing a "vibrant community of men with a love of tools, tea, and tall tales".
If you've not heard of it before then the Men's Shed, formed in late 2016, is potentially one of Guernsey's best kept secrets.
A charitable initiative, based on the lead UK organisation of the same name, the Men's Shed encourages men to socialise, make and do things together to enhance their sense of purpose and wellbeing.
The main shed in St Peters is a former double packing shed, described as a "dilapidated dumping ground" which has been transformed into a hub for men sharing a variety of talents and interests.
The shed offers woodworking, metalworking, electronics, sewing machines, laser cutting, 3D printing and in the words of 'Head Shedder' Marcel Lenormand, "a host of other toys for chaps to play with".
Mr Lenormand also runs an 'outreach shed' at Le Grand Courtil in St Martins.
Pictured: Six years ago the Men Shed launched with regular work to improve the facilities available.
Express last visited the main shed in 2019. When asked what has changed since then, Mr Lenormand said: "Everything has changed!"
"The north shed — the ’noisy/dirty’ shed — has evolved to having a metal working machine shop and a welding/grinding room," he said, "and the wood workshop has been through a few iterations of machine tools but is now settling on some really capable machines like lathes, bandsaws, tablesaw, planer/thicknessers and morticer.
"The south shed — the ‘clean and quiet’ shed — has changed the most. It now has insulated walls and an insulated ceiling so the place has been utterly transformed in terms of comfort!
"We have a little private lounge, called the 'hide-hole’ or ‘inner sanctum’ or ‘retreat'. It’s a place where guys can sit in quiet and read a book or newspaper with a brew, plus it’s a place where personal conversation can be had."
Pictured: The Men's Shed offers somewhere for men to talk as well as to make.
"The latest addition is our ’tech room’ — another 'shed-within-a-shed’ where electronics, computers and 3D printers are being installed."
With so many attractions, Mr Lenormand said there are regularly "around 15 guys on a Saturday at 'bacon o'clock' (12:30) and we're open on Wednesday afternoons (14:00-17:00) and Mondays (10:00-14:00)."
As well as the regular bacon rolls available on Saturday lunchtimes, Mr Lenormand said there is always "tea on tap and a generous supply of biscuits".
Aside from the refreshments and the general making they do, Mr Lenormand said the 'shedders' are at the very heart of everything within this community.
"...there’s the guys who come. Every one has a story. For some it’s a nice place to hang out and get involved in something for the community. For others it’s a lifeline of social contact," he said.
Pictured: The Open Day this weekend is on between 10:00 and 16:00.
Anyone interested in finding out more about the Men's Shed is welcome to attend the Open Day on Saturday 1 April, between 10:00 and 16:00 where bean jar will be "on tap".
More information is available at sheds.gg
Pictured top: Some of the 'shedders' together at the main shed in St Peter's.
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