The Men’s Shed, which is open three days every week, is proving to be a great meeting place for its 35 members to share skills, interests, swap ideas and where they can pursue hobbies and pastimes and work on community projects.

Eildon’s chief executive, Nile Istephan, said: “Following recent modernisation of our business processes, and the reduction in the use of paper in the office, we had surplus furniture that we wanted to put to good use. In line with one of our corporate values of being ‘connected’ to the communities that we work within, we are delighted that this surplus furniture is of assistance to the Gala Men’s Shed.”

The Men’s Shed confirmed that the storage furniture is very much appreciated and they will be able to put it all to good use for storing their tools and equipment.

One of the members, John, said: “Just because you stop working does not mean your mind stops working too. You need to get out of the house and keep going and the Men’s Shed is a really good place to come to with a great atmosphere. We also do community work and recently did a project with Langlee Primary School making bird boxes which the school children then had to put together and paint. We did another project with dementia patients making small toys for them to assemble.”

Such is the popularity of the Shedder network (which originated in Australia) that there are now sheds in Hawick, Jedburgh, Eyemouth with two more planned one in Selkirk and Kelso.

For more information see attached leaflet here.