Banff, McDuff and District Men’s Shed win national trophy

A community group was officially presented with its trophy after being named Scottish Men’s Shed of the Year for the second year in a row.

Banff, McDuff and District Men’s Shed retained the award as they celebrated the charity’s 10th anniversary in Perth.

Second-placed Maryburgh and third-placed Breadalbane also reached the final.

Representatives from the Scottish Men’s Shed Association (SMSA), the national support center for more than 200 groups and Scotland’s largest men’s health and wellbeing charity, have made a major announcement at their meeting and day-long conference.

The event was a day of learning and networking for shed guests from across the country.

SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder said at the ceremony: “Banff, McDuff and District Men’s Shed won the title last year and are the first former winner to ever re-apply and we are delighted they have done so.

“When we launched these awards in 2019, it wasn’t about winning: every barn is a winner.

“The aim is to raise awareness, celebrate, recognize and reward Scottish Men’s Shed volunteers for the work they do to improve men’s health and wellbeing, and the impact they have on their local communities.

“Since then the rewards have increased tenfold. The Shedders’ tenacity to unite never ceases to impress me. This is a testament to personal and community commitment, dedicated work to improve the quality of life.”

Mr Schroeder visited the group at its barn in Fife Street, Macduff, to present members with the prestigious Targe Trophy.

It is engraved with the name of the shed and is displayed on a stand designed and built by the first winner, Aberchirder and District Men’s Shed.

Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed chairman Bob Copeland said of the win: “We received so much from the awards last year that we have reapplied to support the program and the SMSA.

“We really didn’t expect to win again, but now that we’ve gotten over the shock we’re absolutely delighted.”

Along with the title and trophy, the barn receives prizes and discounts to support its activities, including an unlimited cash prize of £500 from the SMSA (paid for through SMSA barn membership fees); £150 voucher from Axminster Tools; a £250 voucher from Scotmid Co-op allowing members to sustenance on tea and biscuits for a while; free day of machine skills and woodworking training from David Young Training worth £638; and an annual package of free accounts from Thyme Accountants worth £360 to support the group treasurer.

Visit www.scottishmsa.org.uk/find-a-shed for more information about the association.

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