The talented members of the Ross-on-Wye Men’s Shed, which is situated on Ashburton Industrial Estate, have been busy building hedgehog dens, bee houses and Christmas gifts for the local community, and also other creations that people can have in return for a small donation. Recently, however, members at the Men’s Shed have been restoring and rebuilding the old benches that were situated in and around the garden at Ross Community Hospital.

The Ross-on-Wye Men’s Shed opened its doors in March, 2018, and has since celebrated great success. It is designed to alleviate loneliness and create friendship, and members are able to spend time there three days a week.

It was started by David Moore, who said: “When we retire from work, it can be quite traumatic. Some men may feel that life no longer has a purpose. Men’s Sheds give a purpose by providing male companionship, where we can interact with other men of a like mind, and can make, design and produce projects in metal and wood, and learn or teach new skills.”

On Wednesday, November 21st Jill Davies, Chairman of the Friends of Ross Hospital, was pleased to be able to visit the Men’s Shed to view the final, completed bench. Members of the Men’s Shed worked to restore 14 benches overall, some of which were intially built and installed in 1960.

Jill told the Ross Gazette: “My cousin, Henry, told me that he and a few friends were starting a Men’s Shed in Ross-on-Wye. As Chairman of The Friends of Ross Hospital I went to visit them in their premises on the Ashburton Industrial Estate to ask if they would be interested in a community project – all the benches in the garden and outside the entrance to the hospital were in need of refurbishment and I wondered if the Men’s Shed would like to take this on – to which they agreed.

“Over the last few months, they have collected the benches from the hospital and gradually refurbished them. They have now completed all benches and on behalf of the Friends of Ross Hospital I would like to thank them all for the wonderful job they have done and we are extremely grateful. This is a marvellous organisation and they are always willing to help if they can.”

The Ross-on-Wye Men’s Shed is a not-for-profit, community project for the benefit of the town and surrounding area, and only seek to cover their costs.See this week’s paper for more stories like this, available in shops and as a Digital Edition now.