Colchester Men's Shed surprises mayor with very unusual gift

The North Colchester Men’s Shed was established around five years ago and is one of 34 Men’s Sheds, in Essex, offering a place for men to meet, learn skills and, perhaps most importantly, simply enjoy some company.

Its latest creation, however, has a particularly Colchester flavour.

The city’s mayor Andrew Ellis was surprised during a visit when members presented him with an engraved wooden plaque bearing the shell of the very first oyster he sampled at September’s ceremonial opening of the Colchester Oyster Fishery.

The idea came from High Steward Sir Bob Russell, a Shed member, who retrieved the shell from the mayor at the ceremony and later crafted the plaque under the supervision of master woodturner Michael Williams.

Fellow shedder Mark Webster engraved it using a computerised machine.

Display - The plaque is now on display in one of the cabinets in the Mayoral Suite at the Town Hall (Image: Councillor Andrew Ellis)

Colchester's relationship with oysters stretches back to Roman times, when the town was Britain's first Roman capital. The historic oyster beds around Pyefleet Creek have been used ever since.

That heritage is celebrated through Colchester's historic Oyster Feast, an important part of the city's civic calendar traditionally held each October.

The preserved oyster wasn’t all. The Mayor also received a second surprise gift - a pair of spurtels, traditional Scottish sticks for stirring porridge. These were made by Robert Kean who from a conversation with the Mayor at The Five Parishes Show knew of his interest.

The North Colchester Men’s Shed was established by its Chairman, Roger Newnham, who said it is more than a workshop where men make or repair things.

Community - The Men's Sheds are spaces where men create everything from community projects to friendships, while helping tackle loneliness and isolation. (Image: Sir Bob Russell)

He said: “It has been identified that men simply are not as well served when it comes to clubs, groups or other community initiatives compared to women. Also, men are far more vulnerable to becoming socially isolated or lonely than women.

“Men’s Sheds are for the wellbeing of men, a community space for men to connect, chat and create. Sheds greatly help reduce loneliness and isolation – but, most importantly, they are fun.”

Mr Newnham added that members came from a variety of occupations, allowing for skill sharing and informal learning with supervision for those learning new craft skills.

Sir Bob said: “Joining the Shed last year, after my wife died, has helped me greatly in coming to terms with my life after 58 years of marriage.

“Many of the men are also widowers, so there is mutual support and understanding which I greatly value.”

To find a shed or learn more, visit the Essex Shed Network website.