Marvellous Maryburgh makes final of men’s shed competition
A ROSS-SHIRE community group which breathed fresh life into a former primary school that had lain empty for almost a decade is in the running for a prestigious accolade.
The Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year 2024 Awards recognises and rewards the life-changing impact being made by invaluable volunteers.
The Scottish Men’s Sheds Association (SMSA), the national support hub for Scottish Men’s Sheds, and largest men’s health and wellbeing charity in Scotland, has announced its three finalists for the awards - which are now officially open to a public vote.
Maryburgh Men’s Shed - started in 2020 during the pandemic - and centred around the transformation of the much-loved former primary school building - is in the running.
SEE ALSO
Former Maryburgh Primary School building set for new life
Maryburgh Men’s Shed secures grant to help refurbish old school
Our Ross-shire news digest twice a week free to your inbox
It is vying against former winner Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed and Breadalane Men’s Shed.
The three finalists were shortlisted by the SMSA’s board of trustees following review of the applications, for an award recognising the life-changing impact of ‘Shedders’across Scotland.
Andy Barnett, shed treasurer of Maryburgh Men's Shed, said: “We are astounded to make it through to the final three.
“Since starting out during the pandemic in 2020, our members have lobbied and campaigned tirelessly to secure and transform the much-loved former primary school building in our village, which had lain empty for almost ten years, and bring it back to community benefit.”
SMSA chief executive officer Jason Schroeder said: “This year, the awards coincide with the tenth year of the SMSA charity and we will showcase the work of sheds and our association through our gathering which includes a day conference with networking, workshops, guest speakers, our AGM business and the awards announcement on Friday, October 4.
“We now hand over the reins to give the public a chance to have their say. There is no fierce competition however as our finalists all support each other immensely – which is what the Men’s Sheds Movement is all about and we look forward to celebrating all of the sheds, not just our finalists, to mark our tenth year.”
There are now over 200 Men’s Sheds groups in all 32 local authority regions across Scotland. The vision is that every man in Scotland will be aware of and have the opportunity to attend his local shed if he wishes to do so.
The winner will receive the esteemed targe trophy to display at their shed for a year on top of a cash prize from the SMSA (paid back from SMSA shed membership fees) and goodies from sponsors and partner organisations.
The public has until midnight on Sunday, September 15 to vote online at https://scottishmsa.org.uk/smsotyawards
