Kirkdale Men’s Shed provides a meeting place and workspace to support the health and wellbeing of men in the Creetown area. Located in the old sawmill on the Kirkdale Estate, KMS has around 15 members. KMS is one of over 200 Men’s Sheds across Scotland with around 10,000 “shedders” and is open to all men aged 18 and over.
The Scottish Government has co-funded the Scottish Men’s Shed Association (SMSA) since 2016 and during Mental Health Awareness Week 2024, announced that it would provide additional funding to support the charity’s work in the months ahead. Following this, the SMSA called for the Scottish Government to fully commit to funding the charity in the longer-term and increase funding from the £75,000 previously received to reflect immense growth in the movement. On a local level, KMS has been overcoming the problems created by the site being off grid. Currently, electricity is provided by a diesel-powered generator, but after a successful grant application through Foundation Scotland, KMS has received the go-ahead to install a new single-phase electrical installation and security system. This will provide lighting and power for the new woodworking machinery being installed later this year. The weir for the water wheel was washed away in recent floods in 2019, but in cooperation with SEPA, a new project group will be formed, and a proposal submitted seeking grand funding to restore the weir and upgrade the grounds.
The Men’s Shed Movement began in Australia in 1993 to provide a healthy place for men with time on their hands to socialise and make stuff together. In 2013, the first Men’s Shed opened in Aberdeenshire and the SMSA was established the following year. Research has shown that male conversations have a better chance of starting when based around an activity, shoulder to shoulder. Similarly, KMS equips members with a space to socialise, make friends and improve their wellbeing – feeling more confident, purposeful, as well as learning new skills and becoming more involved in the community. Men’s Sheds can reduce anxiety, depression, social isolation and loneliness. It is estimated that five friends or family benefit from each man visiting their Men’s Shed. The range of activities includes repairing, repurposing and reusing items, arts and crafts, exercise, gardening, book clubs, music and learning many new skills.
One of KMS’s projects was to provide new coachwork for “Annie”, a 19th Century half-ton mussel boat working for Birrell Fisheries and racing in local regattas. After a long and varied life as a work boat, hunting boat and racing boat, “Annie” was eventually sold to SLE member John Scoular on the Isle of Whithorn. On several occasions, older fishermen who remembered her well from earlier days were able to sail her once again. In 2017 she was donated to Creetown Heritage Museum by John, and more recently KMS have started preparing tools to restore “Annie” back to her former glory. Using this equipment, KMS have sourced materials locally and will work with local craftsmen to learn to restore and maintain the water wheel at Kirkdale.