North Colchester Men’s Shed builds bus shelter in Salcott

Councillors in Salcott, a small village halfway between Colchester and Maldon, enlisted the help of the North Colchester Men’s Shed after a wooden bus shelter in the village was demolished by a delivery lorry.

The shelter was regularly used by youngsters waiting to catch the bus to school, so without it they risked being exposed to the elements.

The shed members, led by former civil engineer Robert Kean, were tasked with coming up with a like-for-like replacement and designed and constructed the new bus shelter at their base near Langham.

Work in progress - members show off their handiwork (Image: North Colchester Men's Shed)

The prepared sections were then transported to Mill Lane, Salcott, and installed on the site of the original bus shelter.

A spokesman for Winstred Hundred Parish Council said the councillors are “very pleased with the bus shelter”.

The North Colchester Men’s Shed is part of the Essex Shed Network and offers a place where men, most of them retired, can meet for companionship, cups of coffee, and to make things.

It opened in 2021 with the support of the former mayor of Colchester Robert Davidson and Harwich and North Essex MP Sir Bernard Jenkin.

Support - then mayor Robert Davidson and MP Sir Bernard Jenkin at the opening of the North Colchester Men's Shed in 2021 (Image: Albert Edwards)

Over the past couple of years they have been involved in a variety of projects including supplying swift nesting boxes and a fenced enclosure to protect wading birds, both for areas of outstanding natural beauty in neighbouring Suffolk.

Shed chairman Roger Newnham said: “We’re always happy to take on projects which give our members the opportunity to work together to help the community.”

Researchers at the University of Glasgow found people who participated in weekly group activities, including getting involved with men’s sheds or taking part in dance classes, were less likely to die prematurely.

The study found people who spent time with their loved ones more regularly may also benefit from “higher quality relationships” compared to those with less frequent contacts.

For further information on North Colchester Men's Shed, get in touch with secretary Neil Thomas by calling 07745 377811 or Robert Kean on 07986 508414.