Those men in sheds in Port Erin now have an even bigger space to work in after an extension was officially opened last week.

The extension - measuring 5m by 5m - doubles the woodworking area and is in response to more men joining the community project and also to give more room, so a safer working area, for those labouring over a lathe.

Chairman of Men in Sheds Graham Hall, said donations to the shed get multiplied out in the local area as the ’men’ do a lot of community project work from making a sleigh and reindeers for Father Christmas to stage props.

Donation

A major sponsor of the project is the Manx Lottery Trust whose chairman Sarah Kelly cut the ribbon at the official opening.

Other donors are the Free masons and Gough Ritchie Trust and a lathe was donated by Ronaldsway Aircraft Company.

Shed co-ordinator Les Shires is pictured right receiving the lathe from Aaron Watson and Colin Bagshaw from Ronaldsway Aircraft Company.

There are open days on Friday, March 23 and Saturday, 24 from 10am to 4pm where members of the public can come and see what goes on at the shed.

’It’s a great place to meet friends, learn skills or share ones that you have,’ explained Les.’

He added: ’I would also like to say to the wives: get your husbands down the shed as it gives you some space and gets him out from under your feet!’

For more information about the project see the Facebook page ’Men in Sheds, Isle of Man’ and contact Les on 494885.