Menz Shed turns into crowd-puller

PITCHED IN: Members hold a working bee to start clearing the site in preparation for the further development of the shed and land around them. PHOTO/SUPPLIED.

The Greytown Menz Shed opened this week and people have rushed to become members.

Fifty men and women have already signed up to be a part of the social group which carries out personal and community projects, often with wood and metal.

President John Boon said new members kept on signing up.

"We have far more members than we thought we'd get, our plan was 30," he said.

The group held a working bee to tidy up the premises - a storage shed on vacant land behind the old Borough Chambers on Main St - donated at a peppercorn rental by the South Wairarapa District Council.

Mr Boon said their first official project was a picnic table for the public. Members built the table with materials from Greytown ITM, which helped out with a discount, and installed it outside Westhaven Flats on Wednesday.

"It's a way of saying thank you to the council," said Mr Boon.

The group already had other projects in the pipeline.

"We are getting busy, it's going very well."

A toast was made to the first day in the premises and it was planned to develop the site into the ultimate workshop.

The group is also on the lookout for a structure that can be moved on site and made into an "all-important smoko room".

The aim of the Menz Shed is to share skills and use the tools and facilities to undertake projects.

But that's not all, said secretary Bryan Butler.

"It's mainly about having a bit of fun, learning and a bit of a yarn," Mr Butler said.

The Menz Shed movement was spreading quickly across the world, including Wairarapa.

"There's already a successful shed at Henley and another starting up in Featherston," he said.

To find out more or donate tools or materials, contact Mr Butler on 06 304 9931 or email greytownmenzshed@gmail.com