members profiles

Colin (69 years)

"  I’ve been involved with the Shed for a year and a bit. Many years ago there was talk about starting a Shed and we all went over to Harpenden [to the Repair Shed] and it was brilliant – they made us very welcome. Everybody was enthusiastic and then Covid hit and everything stopped. Getting premises was the hardest thing. Finally Standalone Farm was offered but it needed a lot of work to get it sorted. I joined before Christmas before work had begun.

I was retired and wanted something to do to keep my brain working and it seemed ideal. I keep coming back because I enjoy it – the company, the work ethic – you’re not pressurised - that’s unusual these days. I enjoy it and would recommend any other men to ‘give it a whirl if there’s one near you’. I think you need to be of sound mind and reasonable health.  

At our stall at the Steam weekend, most of the people who showed interest were women saying things like ‘this is just what my dad needs’. We’re pretty full to capacity at the moment with just one session. The sooner we can clear the garage and get the stored tools in use, the better.  "

Simon (61 years)

" My wife had seen about Men’s Sheds on the internet - she obviously thought, as I was retiring she should find something for me to do! I then came to the Steam Fair [at Standalone Farm in June] and that was my first contact with members of the Letchworth Shed. I started coming about six weeks after that and have only missed one week since then.

For me, a Men’s Shed is a place (doesn’t actually have to be a shed) where you can have a cup of tea and a good chat. You can get involved in jobs – or not – that’s entirely up to you. Some people prefer to have a chat and watch others doing stuff, I like that flexibility. I enjoy the company – everyone’s friendly. I particularly like doing jobs for the farm – like refurbishing the litter bins - you feel you’re giving something back in return for the Shed space, and you’re helping the wider community. And people who have been here have noticed the upgraded bins – It’s nice that they noticed!

I do practical things at home. I don’t do things like making wooden toys, but it’s something I could get into here. I’ve noticed the hobby horse that Ray bought in – he’s talented. Looking ahead, I want to continue with jobs that support the farm and start making things with the tools we’ve got. "

Keith (67 years)

My first contact with the Men’s Shed was attending one of the monthly planning meetings in Letchworth and I then decided to take a closer look by visiting the Shed itself.

 I’d describe a Shed as a social club, mainly for older men. There’s a real mix of ages, abilities and interests, but the friendliness is the thing that strikes me most. That said, I’m the sort of person who likes to be active as well as having a good chat – if I see something that needs to be done, I get on and do it! I like tinkering.

I regret we don’t have more space – with bigger premises we could grow our membership and our range of activities – we have plans but the space is limiting. As we grow we could also do more social activities to help everyone to get to know each other better.  "

Jon (83 years)

" I’ve been involved with the Shed for three years. I met Astrid (the driving force behind the Shed at the start) through the Letchworth Arts and Leisure German Conversation Group. I’d heard about Men’s Sheds somewhere, but Astrid had local details.

 I’d describe a Men’s Shed as a place for men to get together. When you’re working you have a lot of contact with people but when you retire you’re suddenly cut off. A Shed brings people together for companionship. I’ve always love tinkering – small jobs around the house but less so now. I’ve had four potentially lethal illnesses, but I’ve survived them and I’m here! 

Our garage at home is full of stuff, including a kit car - I don’t have room to put up a bench. So I’m looking forward to doing more in the Shed and particularly when we get the lathes going. I did metal-turning as part of my graduate apprenticeship after university and really enjoyed that.  More recently my wife gave me a two-day wood-turning course as a birthday present - I made a couple of plates and a vase.

I’ve always enjoyed working with people - to kick ideas around – I work better like that. I enjoy the companionship here and as more workspace becomes available there will be more opportunities to get involved."

Bob (81 years)

"  I’ve been involved with Letchworth Shed for approximately 4 months. I lost my wife and spoke to my doctor – I was very lonely and needed to speak to people. The doctor put me in touch with Herts County Council and a person came and interviewed me to find out what my needs were and they came up with the Letchworth Shed address. I also got a young lady to come out once a week and talk to me in my own home. That was a great help – the main thing was that I wasn’t meeting anyone to talk to and I was beginning to worry. I was a carer for my wife for many, many years – she was bed-ridden – so I couldn’t get out. I would get up in the morning, put the telly on, and not see anyone all day.

I used to do joinery and this [the Shed] has helped keep that going. The people here are wonderful – it’s the comradeship, it really is. At work I had people day to day – it just worked, no trouble at all. Many years ago I played cricket, football, and table tennis – up to about four years ago I was still playing league table tennis.

I’ve had problems with my knee – I had a replacement but it went wrong. I’ve had eight operations in five weeks to put it right but it’s still giving me problems. I couldn’t walk when I came out of hospital, but I can now – so I must be making progress!

The friendship is the thing with the Shed – everyone is so, nice. It’s a treat to come here and obviously altering the building is good – it was a heap when we moved in and we’re getting it into shape. I’d like to get more involved in the Shed when it’s sorted. I can’t bend down now so that makes things difficult, but I’ve done a lot at home in the past – I put an extension on many years ago, I did all the household repairs, l’ve also laid paving, and enjoy gardening – but I can’t now!

If you’re lonely, the Shed is a good release – it puts the cap on your loneliness – you get terrific friendship with the people here. When you’re at work, you’ve got your comrades there and see them every day. I worked for a local authority for 57 years – I started as an apprentice carpenter and joiner then moved into the office and was a trainee surveyor – doing alterations and upgrades for people who were infirm. I prefer to use my hands rather than my head.

I have a daughter who is extremely busy. She’s got to work to pay off a mortgage - I see her maybe once a week. I’ve lived in Letchworth for about 50 years so I feel I very much belong here.  "

Ray (83 years)

"  I’ve been a member of the Shed for around four years – from the days when we met in the Nourish Café [at the centre for healthy living between Letchworth and Hitchin]. I first heard about the Shed when I saw an ad in the local paper asking if anyone had premises. I went along to one of the meetings but we didn’t have a space for many years. 

When Covid came along we had to stop our regular meetings. It wasn’t until after lockdown that we started cleaning this place [a farm building] – we got access in April 2022, started cleaning it all out.

I would describe a Shed as a place for people to go to make things, meet pals and get to know more people, have a coffee – a social thing. I come back every week in the hope we might be able to start using some of the machines someday. Space is still a problem – the noise when the machinery gets going.

I used to do woodturning at home to make things for the Countryside Restoration Trust Open Days from 2003 – ever year I used to get £2-300 and give them 25%. I made loads of things for the 2020 show and it never happened because of Covid. My back decided to retire at the end of 2019 so I was at a loss from not doing the conservation work and there was no point in woodturning if the was nowhere to sell it. I’m hoping we can sell stuff in the farm shop and that’s why I made a hobby horse.

Now we need to get the Shed laid out so we know where everything is. I’ve got holes in my shelves for dropping in tools, and nails on the front for hanging things on, and honey jars for nails and things. At home I can find tools easily, here it’s probably in a bucket somewhere, and there are still lots of tools in storage!  "

Chris (69 years)

I’ve been involved with Men’s Sheds at a local and national level for the past decade. When I retired I promised myself I’d join my nearest Shed. The place where I live doesn’t have one, so I joined the Letchworth Shed.

I was determined not to get involved with the ‘boring bits’ – policies, administration, and raising funds. Two years later, I’m a trustee, committee member, and membership secretary. So that plan failed, and my week is spent working more on the Shed than in it, but I love it.

I’m surrounded by great people with a wide variety of interests, experiences and life stories. We don’t even seem to have the grumpy old man that is common to most Sheds… unless that’s me? "

Alan (76 years)

"  I’ve been involved with the Shed for 3 - 4 months. I found out about it through the internet – I was searching for somewhere to socialise and I can’t remember where, but I’d heard about this thing called Men in Sheds. I live in Stevenage but my nearest one was Letchworth.

I’d describe a Shed as a great place for people of all walks of life to get together. There are no strict rules and there’s an element of comradeship with the possibility of getting involved in little projects – I’ve just been applying mastic around the new door. It’s a great social space and you can either sit down and have a chat or get up and do stuff. I enjoy the company and the ‘low key’ atmosphere. It means if I’m not feeling great – I suffer from long Covid and some mornings I have to push myself – there’s no pressure.

I’ve done many things in the past – including being a prop maker and building scenery – I’ve always been practical – always done DIY. This is such a nice environment – in what used to be a piggery, but better than a Shed! But I imagine that all Men’s Sheds are different.  "

Danny (51 years)

" I heard about the Letchworth Shed through my GP just over a year ago and came to have a look. For me, the Shed gets me out of the house and meeting people which is important - I don’t work because of physical disability and have some other health issues. But we’re all in the same situation really, and meeting up and feeling able to talk really helps. It’s a relaxed and safe place to be – there’s no pressure to be doing work, you can just sit and chat if you want to.

I can recommend Men’s Sheds for anyone who’s feeling lonely, has mental health issues, or maybe has lost a partner – it’s better than watching daytime TV and gets you out to meet other men who may be in a similar situation.

I really like that we’re on a farm – where we do lots of little jobs, and I do what I can. We’re very lucky to be surrounded by animals, and the farm staff make us feel very welcome. If I could wave a wand I’d like us to have a bit more space, but everyone will always want more space! "


Peter (85 years)

I first learned about the Shed at the Hertfordshire Steam Fair more than a year ago but I didn’t follow it up immediately. Then this year, I was talking to Keith [a friend] when we were wood-turning together, and we decided to go along to one of the monthly meetings to see what was going on.

It’s a great opportunity for people of similar ages and interests to get together and to make things as required. Attending is the best thing – I can’t wait to come each week! I travel to woodturning groups but this is in my home town. I don’t like being idle so I may also start coming regularly to the wood turning sessions here.

I think the Shed is great – I’d recommend anyone who might be interested to come along and find out more.  "