Public right to have a say
The Scottish Men's Sheds Association (SMSA) has announced three finalists for the Men's Shed of the Year 2024 Awards and officially opens public voting.
The three finalists – Banff, Macduff and District Men's Sheds; Breadalane Men's Shed And Maryburgh Men's Shed – were shortlisted by the SMSA Board.
Bob Copland, Chairman of Banff, Macduff & District Men's Shed, said: “Our Shed was delighted to win this award last year and as keen supporters of the SMSA, the awards program and what it can do for Sheds, we decided to submit our application again this year – not knowing that we are actually the first former winners to ever reapply.
“Having recovered from my shock and speechlessness at hearing the news that we had been shortlisted as a finalist again this year from over 200 Scottish men's sheds that were able to apply, we are immensely proud to say the least. We wish the other finalists the best of luck but the most important part of this process is not winning, it is raising awareness of the men's shed model, the impact it has on men in our local communities and reaching more men to encourage them to go to the shed and see it for themselves.”
Phil Richards, Chairman of Breadalbane Men's Shed, said: “We are delighted to have been nominated for this year's award. It really is recognition of the hard work and perseverance of our Shed committee and members since our formation in 2016, which has brought us to where we are today.”
Andy Barnett, treasurer of Maryburgh Men's Shed, said: “We are amazed to have made it into the final three. Since launching during the pandemic in 2020, our members have lobbied and campaigned tirelessly to secure and convert the much-loved former primary school building in our village, which had stood empty for nearly ten years, and bring it back into use for the community.”
SMSA CEO Jason Schroeder said: “This is the sixth year of our awards programme and it goes from strength to strength and is extremely successful in raising awareness of the huge positive impact of men’s shelters across Scotland and the volunteers who run them.
“This year the awards ceremony coincides with the SMSA charity’s tenth year and we will be showcasing the work of Sheds and our Association as part of our gathering which includes a day conference with networking, workshops, guest speakers, our Annual General Meeting and the Awards Announcement on Friday 4 October 2024, thanks to the civic hospitality extended to us by Perth & Kinross Council in allowing them to use their Council Chambers and Town Hall.
“We are now handing over the reins to allow the public to have their say on their Shed of the Year. However, there is no fierce competition as our finalists are hugely supportive of each other – that’s what the Men’s Sheds movement is all about and we look forward to celebrating all Sheds, not just our finalists, in our tenth year.
“Since our formation in 2014, there are now over 200 Men's Shed groups across all 32 local government areas of Scotland, but there is always room for more. Our vision is that every man in Scotland will know his local Shed and have the opportunity to visit if they wish, and we will strive to achieve this goal and help to sustain these Sheds for future generations.”
Sheds from across Scotland will converge on Friday 4 October 2024 at the event in Perth. The winner, announced live at the event, will receive the finish trophy to display in their shed for a year, as well as a cash prize from the SMSA (paid back from SMSA shed membership fees).
The public has until midnight on Sunday, September 15, 2024 to vote online at
