Appeal to help save Ross-on-Wye Men’s Shed
The Ross-on-Wye Men’s Shed, situated at Great Western Court on the Ashburton Industrial Estate, opened it’s doors in March 2018. It’s primary objection is to alleviate the loneliness and isolation among elderly and retired men over 55 years in the local community and surrounding area.
Since its inception it has become a valuable and much-loved asset to the community of Ross-on-Wye. They work on various projects including many community ones like repairing signs, refurbishing benches and making Santa’s sleigh.
Recently Ross-on-Wye Men’s Shed have been asked by Herefordshire Council to pay £12,000 per annum for their council owned premises.
As they are a charity with no regular income, this is an amount they cannot afford. The Men have made a counter-offer based on what they can afford, however if they do not succeed, they will need to vacate the premises by 29th April, 2022, and may have to close completely.
In a petition that has been created online to help save Ross-on-Wye Men’s Shed it said: “The local community have helped enormously with their encouragement and donations and the men have thoroughly enjoyed interacting and working with local people, groups and the whole community as a whole.
“The Shed encourages many men to pop along – regardless of their ability. Some men pop down for a cup of tea, a biscuit and a chat. They like that too.
“Some of the men have had very successful careers and want to give something back.”
You can sign the petition to help save Ross-on-Wye Men’s Shed here: https://www.change.org/p/save-ross-on-wye-men-s-shed?fbclid=IwAR3tFg_sGzETeoZwrnfKyRUdvXRMKPYKkNxSBcv7qkMvXtCFqUmVk19tzyw
The group are also urging residents to email local councillors and MP Jesse Norman to help change the minds of Herefordshire Council and to keep the Shed’s current home and to save it from closure.