Public given a say
Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has announced three finalists for the Men’s Shed of the Year 2024 Awards and officially opens to a public vote.
The three finalists – Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed; Breadalane Men’s Shed and Maryburgh Men’s Shed - were shortlisted by the SMSA’s board.
Chairman of Banff, Macduff & District Men’s Shed Bob Copland said: “Our shed was delighted to win this award last year and as an avid supporter of the SMSA, the awards programme and what it can do for Sheds, we decided to get our application in again this year – not knowing that we are actually the first former winner to ever reapply.
“Once I had got over being utterly flabbergasted and speechless after hearing the news - that out of over 200 Scottish men’s sheds' eligible to apply, we had been shortlisted as a finalist again this year – we are immensely proud to say the least. We wish the other finalists the best of luck but the most important part of this process is not the winning but raising awareness of what the men’s shed model is all about, the impact it has on the men in our local communities and reach more men to encourage them to head to the shed and check it out for themselves.”
Phil Richards, chairman of Breadalbane Men’s Shed, said: “We are absolutely thrilled to have been shortlisted for this year’s awards. It really is recognition for the hard work and persistence of our shed committee and members since our inception back in 2016 to get us to where we are today.”
Andy Barnett, treasurer of Maryburgh Men's Shed said: “We are astounded to make it through to the final three. Since starting out during the pandemic in 2020, our members have lobbied and campaigned tirelessly to secure and transform the much-loved former primary school building in our village, which had lain empty for almost ten years, and bring it back to community benefit.”
SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder said: “This is the sixth year of our awards programme and it continues to go from strength to strength and is hugely successful in promoting the huge positive impact made by men’s sheds across Scotland and the volunteers that run them.
"This year, the awards coincide with the tenth year of the SMSA charity and we will showcase the work of sheds and our association through our gathering which includes a day conference with networking, workshops, guest speakers, our AGM business and the awards announcement on Friday 4 October 2024 thanks to civic hospitality granted by Perth & Kinross Council to use their council chambers and civic hall.
“We now hand over the reins to give the public a chance to have their say on their Shed of the Year. There is no fierce competition however as our finalists all support each other immensely – which is what the men’s sheds movement is all about and we look forward to celebrating all of the sheds, not just our finalists, to mark our tenth year.
“Since our inception in 2014, there are now over 200 men’s sheds groups in all 32 local authority regions across Scotland but there is always room for more. It is our vision that every man in Scotland will be aware of and have the opportunity to attend his local shed if he wishes to do so and we will strive to achieve that goal and help sustain those sheds for future generations.”
Sheds across Scotland will gather at the event on Friday 4 October 2024 in Perth. The winner, who will be announced live at the event, will receive the targe trophy to display at their shed for a year on top of a cash prize from the SMSA (paid back from SMSA shed membership fees).
The public has until midnight on Sunday 15th September 2024 to vote online at
https://scottishmsa.org.uk/smsotyawards
