The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA) has today presented Westhill & District Men’s Shed with the esteemed ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ targe trophy to mark and celebrate International Men’s Day.
Westhill & District Men’s Shed, the first-ever Men’s Shed in Scotland which opened in 2013, was crowned the winner at the ‘Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year’ Awards 2021 event earlier this month after receiving over a third of the votes from the public. The SMSA team hand-delivered the targe trophy, now engraved with the winning Shed’s name, to be displayed at their premises on Hay’s Way in Westhill, Aberdeenshire over the coming year.
The Association also presented a replica runner-up trophy, created by SMSA partner David Young Training, to Stonehaven & District Men’s Shed who came in a close second.
International Men’s Day, on the 19th November each year, celebrates the positive value men bring to the world, their families and communities – putting the spotlight on positive role models and raising awareness of men’s health and wellbeing. Jason Schroeder, SMSA Executive Officer, said: “Today, we are delighted to recognise men from all walks of life and the contribution they make to society. We can think of no better way to mark International Men’s Day than to showcase and reward the tremendous impact that Men’s Sheds are making in their communities and the life-changing effect and benefits this brings to their members.
“The Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement, now in its seventh year, has grown exponentially and we now have 192 known open and developing Men’s Shed groups across the nation and it continues to grow thanks to these men.”
Chairman of Westhill & District Men’s Shed, David Thomson, said: “On behalf of our trustees and members, I am delighted to receive this exceptional trophy today. I would like to thank our Trustee Stuart Ellis who prepared and submitted our application for this award and would also like to recognise our supporters who voted for us – not just from the UK but also many from overseas. I am extremely proud of the contribution that each of our 300 members have made to make our Shed such a huge success.”
The SMSA’s targe trophy was collectively created in 2019 by several Men’s Sheds and designed by former SMSA Chairman, Derek Keiller of Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed for the first year of the Awards.
Derek designed and woodturned the targe from mahogany supplied by the Carse of Gowrie Men’s Shed from a 100-year-old billiards table followed by French polishing by Hamish Shepherd of Strathmore Men’s Shed in Coupar Angus. The trophy will now be displayed for a year at Westhill & District Men’s Shed on a unique stand designed by inaugural winner, Aberchirder & District Men’s Shed.
The winner and runners-up also receive a range of prizes from the SMSA and their partners and sponsors. The winner, WDMS, receives over £2,000 of prizes to support their Shed including a £500 cash prize from the SMSA (paid for through SMSA Shed Membership fees); a £125 voucher from Scotmid Co-operative; a £200 voucher for tools from Balfour Beatty; a £50 voucher from Axminster Tools; a free Machine Competency and Woodwork training day from David Young Training worth over £630; a year’s free Shed accounts package from Thyme Accountants worth £360 to support the Shed Treasurer; and goodies and hampers from their local Asda, Co-op and Tesco stores.
