Shed Chairman Ranald McGregor said: “We are absolutely thrilled to announce that Biggar and District Men’s Shed has officially secured the purchase of the former Walston Primary School through a Community Asset Transfer from South Lanarkshire Council!
“After six years of hard work, since we began this journey back in 2018, we are proud to announce that we now own our Shed and will preserve this valuable space for community benefit. We can now focus on restoring the building and developing our activities for posterity.
“A special thank you goes to our Shed Secretary Stuart McKay, whose dedication and persistence were instrumental in making this happen.
“Work is already underway—our members have started redecorating the social room, creating a warm and welcoming space where members and visitors can enjoy a chat over a cuppa and a biscuit.
“Meanwhile, our workshop and finishing room have been reconfigured and fully equipped, allowing us to make and repair wooden items. We replaced the old flooring and also installed a dust extraction machine.
“Members have also embraced new skills—with woodturning and 3D printing proving especially popular and nine of our members undertook a useful workshop tool training day with David Young Training. We also held a Defibrillator Awareness/Cardiac Arrest Response Seminar which covered how to use our defibrillator.
“In addition to this, we trialled a new Monday opening and hosted visits from other Sheds including a minibus-full from Stonehouse Men’s Shed. Some of our members enjoy painting and drawing, while others are restoring a motorcycle. One group even meets weekly one night a week to craft award-winning Shepherds’ Crooks!
“Beyond the workshop, we’re proud to support a local charity, Help for Children of Ukraine, by recycling laptops, tablets, and mobile phones. And, outside in our Shed garden, our polytunnel and raised beds are thriving. This year, our gardeners will nurture plants for a spring sale and bring new life and purpose to the space.
“We wish to take this opportunity to share widely—a heartfelt thank you to everyone who has supported and encouraged us throughout this journey—it has been a roller-coaster ride to say the least.
“This support will ensure that Biggar and District Men’s Shed will continue to grow and serve our community for many years to come.”
