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Renwick's Menz Shed Opened

Thursday 8 November 2012, 3:26PM

By Marlborough District Council

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RENWICK

District Councillor Francis Maher did the honours at last week’s opening of Renwick’s ‘Menz Shed’ – a new social hub for retired men in the township.

Centrally located on the Anglican parish land in High Street, the push for the new facility has come from Vicar Steve Allcutt who sees this as an opportunity for the many retired men living in Renwick.

The Men’s Sheds are for men who are no longer in the paid workforce and who are able to get together in a ‘garden shed’ environment to share practical skills, giving them a comfortable atmosphere to also discuss health and social issues. For some socially isolated older men it can provide good company as well as a rewarding hands-on way of using their abilities in areas such as gardening, building, woodwork, and metal work.

Rev Allcutt hopes the Renwick Menz Shed opening will help build a sense of community for this particular age group who often experience stress and isolation with the advent of retirement.

About 15 people turned out to the opening and already the first donation of materials has been received.

Picton’s Menz Shed is well established, with a new shed opening in Blenheim and plans for another at Havelock.