Cowes Men’s Shed was recently treated to a visit from Australian-British actress Miriam Margolyes OBE. Miriam took time out of her busy schedule to pop into the Shed to meet some of its members and to find out about the valuable work being done for the community across the Isle of Wight.
Cowes Men’s Shed has 163 members, a third of whom are women. Open five days a week, the Shed provides a carpentry workshop, a craft/social room, an IT area and gardens with outside seating, raised beds and green houses. Amongst other things, the Shed takes on projects for other charities and good causes and targets social isolation across the Isle of Wight.
Miriam enjoyed a chat with horticultural apprentice Jake about the gardens at the Shed and asked various questions about the plants being grown there for sale. During her visit, Miriam was presented with a wooden pot, turned on one the lathes by Geoff. Miriam was delighted and described it as ‘beautiful’.
Miriam explained that she thought the whole project, started by Storeroom2010 in 2018, was ‘brilliant’ and said that, if she lived on the Island, she would be a regular visitor. Having been so impressed with her visit, Miriam kindly made a donation to the Shed before leaving.
Cowes Men’s Shed continues to receive funding from the National Lottery Community Fund and others. The Shed can be contacted on 01983 209734 or meninshedscowes@gmail.com
Geoff presents Miriam with a pot turned on the lathe
Miriam chats with horticultural apprentice Jake
Miriam in front of the Shed’s shadow board
Miriam chats with some members
