Old friends meet again at Westbury Shed

WESTBURY Shed has welcomed a return of members after its first week of opening since Covid restrictions relaxed.

The Shed restarted its Wednesday and Saturday afternoon sessions from May 19th, following the government’s announcement. 

The Shed announced, “Its been nice to meet old friends at last at the workshop – a good productive day, here’s to many more good times.”

Trustee and treasurer, Martin Mcgiff said, “It’s been a slow start up but we have only had two meetings. Members have not yet returned in any great numbers but it’s only been week one”.

The Shed offers people a space to socialise while working on community and individual projects. Founded in 2015 by local resident Dan Gmaj and a small group of like-minded, local people, it built on the Men’s Shed movement ethos developed in Australia. 

With the support of Westbury Town Council, they initially functioned from the Chestnut Grove allotment, which continues as a Shed resource. Small workshop premises were then secured at the LA Works in Alfred Street.

Membership numbers increased and larger premises were secured at the same site, where community and individual projects were undertaken. Continued support from Wiltshire and Westbury councils and other local organisations, including Imperial Charity, has enabled Westbury Shed to develop and grow, resulting in a move to workshop premises at Westbury Community Project, with charitable status being awarded in 2019.