A LOCAL charity has celebrated five years at its current location.

Tidworth and Ludgershall Men’s Shed celebrated the fifth anniversary of moving into their current location at Ludgershall Community Youth Centre.

The celebratory get together took place on Saturday, April 23, and featured a buffet attended by the members of the Men’s Shed, as well as several guests.

Tidworth and Ludgershall Men’s Shed was founded in 2016 and moved into its current location in 2017.

Secretary Simon Dix said: “The celebration we had last weekend was absolutely superb”.

“It was a great opportunity to get together and have a good old chit-chat, reminisce and eat well!”

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Alongside members of the Men’s Shed, several guests attended the celebration, including local councillors Tony Pickernell and Chris Williams, and Castledown FM presenter John Sparrow.

The Men’s Shed was established with the intention of providing a place for members of the local community who are lonely to meet people and receive support.

Chairman Mike Giles said: “We work on a principle of, if anybody needs any help in anyway, if we’re able to give it, then we will.”

The Shed also provides a place for members to pursue hobbies with other like-minded individuals; members of the Tidworth and Ludgershall Men’s Shed have access to a workshop with woodworking tools, as well as some metal working equipment.

Training on how to use the tools in the workshop is provided by the charity, and the group has often taken on small woodworking jobs for members of the local community.

The concept of Men’s Sheds originated in Australia, before expanding worldwide; while originally conceived as a way of improving the health and wellbeing of older men, the majority of Men’s Sheds will admit new members regardless of gender or age.

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The Tidworth and Ludgershall Men’s Shed is one of the almost 600 Men’s Shed’s in the UK.

The Tidworth and Ludgershall Men’s Shed meets on Monday, Wednesday, and Friday mornings between 9.30am-12.30pm.

Membership of the Men’s Shed costs £12 a year and is open to anyone over the age of 18, regardless of age or gender.

If you wish to know more about the group, or become a member, email Simon Dix at SecretaryTandLMensShed@outlook.com.

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