THE ABOYNE AND MID-DEESIDE COMMUNITY SHED BUILDING IS OWNED, OPERATED, AND INSURED BY THE ABOYNE AND DISTRICT MEN’S SHED (AMS), A REGISTERED CHARITY WHOSE TRUSTEES ALL LIVE LOCALLY. AMS RAISED THE MONEY AND MANAGED THE BUILD PROJECT.

THIS IS THE FIRST PUBLIC BUILDING BUILT IN ABOYNE SINCE THE 1970s.  THE LAND ON WHICH IT STANDS IS OWNED BY THE ABOYNE CASTLE ESTATE. THE BUILDING WAS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO BLEND WELL WITH ITS NATURAL SURROUNDINGS, AND ALSO, THROUGH THE USE OF GREEN TECHNOLOGY, TO BE SUSTAINABLE. IT HAS BEEN AWARDED A COVETED EPC(A) RATING.

THE MAIN BUILDING CONTRACTOR WAS AJC CONSTRUCTION. IT TOOK FIVE HARD YEARS OF FUND-RAISING TO RAISE THE MONEY FOR ITS COMPLETION. EQUALLY IMPORTANT FOR ITS SUCCESS WAS THE REMARKABLE CONTRIBUTION IN KIND FROM LOCAL BUSINESSES, NOTABLY GERRY ROBB ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN SERVICES, AND FROM A NUMBER OF LOCAL INDIVIDUALS WHO GAVE UNSPARINGLY OF THEIR TIME, SKILLS AND EQUIPMENT. THEY ARE ALL LISTED ON THIS WEBSITE.  LOCAL DONORS ALSO WERE VERY GENEROUS. WITHOUT ALL THIS HELP, THIS BEAUTIFUL BULDING, BUILT FOR YOUR USE, LEISURE AND PLEASURE, WOULD NOT BE HERE TODAY.

UPSTAIRS IS THE SOCIAL AREA WHICH IS AVAILABLE FOR USE BY MEN’S SHED MEMBERS DURING MEN’S SHED SESSIONS, AND IS MUCH IN DEMAND AT OTHER TIMES BY LOCAL COMMUNITY GROUPS. ALSO UPSTAIRS IS AN ACTIVITY ROOM, USED BY VARIOUS GROUPS FOR ARTS, CRAFTS AND EXERCISE, AND A KITCHEN, DESIGNED FOR COOKERY TRAINING, DEMONSTRATIONS AND CATERING FOR UP TO 40 PEOPLE. . DOWNSTAIRS IS A WELL-KITTED OUT WORKSHOP.

THE AIMS OF THE BUILDING ARE CLEAR:

• HELP COMBAT RURAL ISOLATION
• PROVIDE A CREATIVE SPACE FOR MAKING AND REPAIRING THINGS
• ENABLE TEACHING AND ACQUIRING OF PRACTICAL SKILLS
• SOMEWHERE TO RELAX AND MEET PEOPLE IN A TRULY COMMUNITY SPACE

ENJOY THIS BUILDING AND ALL IT HAS TO OFFER OUR GENERATION AND THOSE TO COME. PLEASE KEEP SAFE IN IT, AND LOOK AFTER IT AS IF IT WERE YOUR OWN.