Personal Stories
If you or one of your fellow Shed members wish to be interviewed to share their personal story, please contact Michelle Wibrew, SMSA Communications & PR Officer.
A Personal Story:
George Smith
The SMSA interviews 49-year-old George Smith from the Black Isle Men’s Shed who, following a major accident at work, had to give up work in 2005. At a loose end, George started delivering green woodworking tutorials to members in Feddanhill Wood behind Fortrose.
A Personal Story:
Alex Hunter
Kirkmuirhill and Blackwood Men’s Shed (KBMS) member Alex Hunter—a Ministry of Defence veteran in his mid-70s with a newfound passion for bodging garden planters—reflects on the impact that the Shed has had on him.
A Personal Story: John McFall
Retired chef and Kirkmuirhill and Blackwood Men’s Shed (KBMS) Member John McFall (75) shares his story of feeling ‘forgotten’ following his daughter’s death and subsequent marriage breakdown, turning to alcohol and being on the verge of taking his own life before joining, and feeling saved by, his local Men’s Shed.
A Personal Story:
Henry Johnson
The SMSA chats to Henry Johnson, founding member of Garnock Valley Men’s Shed (GVMS) and Chairman since its inception in 2018. At 77 years young, Henry announced that—after four years at the helm—he plans to step down as Chair at the next AGM.
A Personal Story:
Tom Hollins
Father-of-five, armed forces veteran and Comrie Shedder Tom Hollins (53) following medical discharge from the army found his local Men’s Shed and is now embarking on a new venture—to set up a veterans’ hub a stone’s throw away from the Shed base at Cultybraggan Camp.
A Personal Story: Duncan Seymour
The SMSA connects with Dalkeith Men’s Shed Vice-Chairman Duncan Seymour (56), a working Shedder who recently embarked on an eye-opening trip to Japan’s first pilot Men’s Shed —Pokke Kotan in Sapporo.
A Personal Story:
Rod Ainsworth
Rod Ainsworth (80) from Lossiemouth Men’s Shed expresses how much he enjoys being part of the SMSA and the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement following his retirement from the fire service and moving to Scotland.
A Personal Story:
John McGhie
Veteran, toolmaker and golf club manufacturer John McGhie (97) is the oldest active member of Stonehouse Men’s Shed and the most mature Shedder within the South Lanarkshire Shed network. Here, John shares his life story and how he connected with his local Men’s Shed which he now ‘could not live without’.
A Personal Story:
David Jarvis
British Army Royal Signals veteran and Aberchirder Shedder David Jarvis (41) shares why he chose to join his local Men’s Shed following medical discharge and how his resilience led to him representing the UK in the Invictus Games.
A Personal Story:
Billy Christie
Over a decade ago, William (Billy) Christie – Chairperson of Barrhead Men’s Shed – was diagnosed with testicular and prostate cancer and health complications that forced him to give up a much-loved career. Feeling lost, Billy reveals why connecting with his local Men’s Shed and peers in his community was a godsend for him.
A Personal Story:
Krzysztof Malkowski
The SMSA interviews Krzysztof Malkowski (33) from Lanark Men’s Shed (LMS) who is mentoring his fellow members on the creative world of 3D printing.
A Personal Story:
Andy Lorimer
The SMSA interviews Andy Lorimer, Vice-Chairman of Stonehaven & District Men’s Shed, who won the title of ‘Shedder of the Year’ 2021 in recognition of the work he carried out during the course of the pandemic to keep the Shed operating in a safe and secure manner.
A Personal Story:
Rod Ainsworth
Rod Ainsworth (80) from Lossiemouth Men’s Shed expresses how much he enjoys being part of the SMSA and the Scottish Men’s Sheds Movement following his retirement from the fire service and moving to Scotland.
A Personal Story:
John McGhie
Veteran, toolmaker and golf club manufacturer John McGhie (97) is the oldest active member of Stonehouse Men’s Shed and the most mature Shedder within the South Lanarkshire Shed network. Here, John shares his life story and how he connected with his local Men’s Shed which he now ‘could not live without’.
A Personal Story:
David Jarvis
British Army Royal Signals veteran and Aberchirder Shedder David Jarvis (41) shares why he chose to join his local Men’s Shed following medical discharge and how his resilience led to him representing the UK in the Invictus Games.
A Personal Story:
Euan Martin
Euan Martin (61) chats about how his experience with Scottish Men’s Sheds and the SMSA inspired him to co-write the play ‘Man Shed’.
A Personal Story:
Stuart McKenzie
The SMSA interviews 42-year-old Stuart Mackenzie (42) offered his mates a lift to a meeting of their local Men’s Shed ten years ago but had no urge to go himself and thought that DIY meant ‘Don’t Involve Yourself’. Fast forward to present day, and he has a mad passion for woodwork and is the Chairman of Macmerry Men’s Shed.
A Personal Story:
Mike Rowlinson
Former Secretary of Dunfermline Men's Shed, Mike Rowlinson (70), shares how focusing on getting the Shed up and running and making new friends got him through the darkest of times following the death of his beloved wife, Helen.
A Personal Story:
Alfie Wood
The SMSA chats to RAF veteran and retired boat builder Alfie Wood (79) from Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed on what he gets out of his local Men’s Shed.
New animation promotes that ‘men do talk’ in Men’s Sheds
The SMSA quashes the perception that 'men don't talk by through its animation promoting that Shedders do open up and talk... in Scottish Men’s Sheds.
A Personal Story:
Ray Elliott
72-years-young veteran Ray Elliott shares his journey from Royal Engineer Commando with mountain and artic warfare training to Shotts Shedder and mentor and everything in between.