The Alma Arms hosts festive workshop

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Some say that Santa’s Elves are busy working around the clock in Santa’s North Pole workshop but they might not be as busy as the members of the Men’s Shed at the back of the Alma Arms!

A team of 14 are busy making decorative snowmen and reindeer to meet orders that had been placed on their Facebook page.

Situated in the barn at the back of the Alma Arms at Uckfield in East Sussex, the shed opened in late November and members attend twice a week from 10am to 4pm. 

The Men’s Shed initiative is aimed at anyone who has time on their hands and would like to meet up and socialise with like-minded people and learn or practice skills in a friendly atmosphere with lots of laughter. They are non-profit organisations run at a local level by older men and can be situated anywhere in a community.

Zoe Sorrell from Wealden Community and Regeneration Officer and Anthony Miller from Pub is The Hub popped into the Uckfield Shed at the Alma to see whether pubs could provide the space for this growing organisation. They wanted to offer any support they can as well as finding out more about the members’ individual stories.

Anthony Miller said: “I’ve long been a fan of this movement. Not only does it ensure that useful skills are passed along to likeminded people but the Men’s Shed idea provides a welcoming space for older men in a community to meet. I can see many pubs being able to provide this type of space in outbuildings or disused rooms.”

If anyone would like to find out more information about the Uckfield Shed or to join in, the group would happily welcome new members. Email Chris at uckfieldmensshed@gmail.com

All images with kind permission of Ron Hill (Hill Photographic)

All images with kind permission of Ron Hill (Hill Photographic)