Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed presented with national trophy
A community group has been officially presented with its trophy after being named Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year for the second year in a row.
Banff, Macduff and District Men's Shed retained the award at the charity’s 10th anniversary celebration in Perth.
Also reaching the final were Maryburgh, which came second, and Breadalbane, which took third place.
Representatives from the Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) – the national support hub for 200+ groups and Scotland’s largest member-led men’s health and wellbeing charity – made the big announcement at their gathering and day conference.
The event featured a day of learning and networking for guest sheds from all across the country.
SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder said at the ceremony: “Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed won the title last year and are the first former winner to ever reapply and we are delighted that they did.
“When we launched these awards back in 2019, it was never about winning – every shed is a winner.
“The purpose is to raise awareness, celebrate, recognise and reward Scottish Men’s Shed volunteers for the work they are carrying out to improve men’s health and wellbeing and the impact that they are making in their local communities.
“Since then, the awards have grown tenfold. The tenacity of the Shedders to pull together never ceases to impress me. It is testament to personal and community commitment working selflessly for better quality lives.”
Mr Schroeder visited the group at its shed on Fife Street in Macduff to present members with the prestigious Targe Trophy.
It is engraved with the shed name and displayed in its stand designed and produced by inaugural winner, Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed.
Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed chairman Bob Copland said of the win: “We got so much out of the awards last year that we reapplied to support the programme and the SMSA.
“We really didn’t expect to win again but, now we are over the shock, we are absolutely thrilled.”
Along with the title and trophy, the shed receives prizes and discounts to support its running including a £500 unrestricted cash prize from the SMSA (paid for through SMSA shed membership fees); a £150 voucher from Axminster Tools; a £250 voucher from Scotmid Co-operative to keep the members going for a while in tea and biscuits; a free Machine Competency and Woodwork training day from David Young Training worth £638; and a year’s free accounts package from Thyme Accountants worth £360 to support the group’s treasurer.
Visit www.scottishmsa.org.uk/find-a-shed for more information about the association.
