Shropshire Star

Men in Sheds dig in to bring Telford garden up to scratch

Community group Men in Sheds has unveiled its newly reinvented walled garden in Telford.

Published
The Men in Sheds group at work at The Wrekin Housing Trust’s Hall Barn retirement living scheme in Madeley

An open day showed off the garden at The Wrekin Housing Trust’s Hall Barn retirement living scheme in Madeley, after 12 months of work.

Men in Sheds is a group that aims to combat social isolation by bringing men together so they can get involved with practical activities rather than just staying at home on their own.

The walled garden, which is located next to the original grade II listed barn, had become very run down and neglected, but now thanks to the work carried out it is now far more accessible and appealing to the residents.

Willie Gormley and Sam, from Men in Sheds, with Mayor Stephen Reynolds and Wayne Gethings, group chief executive at The Wrekin Housing Group

The project was helped along with financial support from Veolia and Ironbridge Lions, as well as from The Wrekin Housing Trust.

Willie Gormley, a member of Men in Sheds, said: “We have been working on regenerating the walled garden which was pretty much neglected before we arrived, with help from The Wrekin Housing Trust who allowed us to take over the garden and provided us with funding.

"We hope to inspire the other schemes to do things similar to what we have done for the benefit of the residents.”

Terrific

Rob, another member of Men in Sheds who lives in Leegomery, said the group has had a huge benefit on his life.

“It’s life-changing. I travel twice a week to come here and be a part of this terrific outlet," he said.

"It’s great for me to mix and chat and I’ve met lots of new people and it helps me to keep as active as I can. It’s great to be involved in something that enriches the community and we all work together as a team and own our own projects too. My job for this season is to raise the tomato beds.”

Wayne Gethings, group chief executive at The Wrekin Housing Group, said: “I came to officially open the Men in Sheds group here two years ago when we brought the old barn back into use. It’s amazing to see what you’ve all done with the space.

"It’s a cracking project that brings a lot to the lives of everyone involved with it and I’m really pleased to see the incredible results of what you’ve all worked so hard to do. I’d also like to thank Veolia and The Ironbridge lions for their support.”