No girls allowed in the Shropshire Men's Shed club

Plans are afoot for a Men's Shed club, copying a trend that has taken Down Under by storm.

More than 30,000 men in Australia have joined the movement, with more than 500 thriving clubs across the country.

And now there are plans to create up to 10 groups across Shropshire, allowing men to meet up socially and learn everything they need to know about creating and perfecting their shed.

First, £15,000 is needed to get the Shropshire clubs off the ground, and 78-year-old Ian Wallace is looking to gauge interest in the county.

The pensioner has previously set up a "Shed" in Aberdeenshire and is now asking people in shropshire if they are interested.

He said: "The thing started in Australia, they realised that older ladies had lots to do but older men had nothing so just ended up in the pub.

"The idea is to share skills, learn crafts, do projects or anything that the men would like to do.

"There are at least 50 in England but it could be more like 100 and a national association is going to be set up."

Mr Wallace is hoping to set up the county's first Men's Shed group in Market Drayton, before expanded it elsewhere.

A Men's Shed is described by the orga nisation as a larger version of the typical man's shed in the garden – a place where each member feels at home and pursues practical interests.

Each group has its own base, or clubhouse, where regular meetings are held. Practical lessons in using tools and woodwork are held, but there is also an emphasis on social events and having fun.

Mr Wallace added: "In Market Drayton this is just one of about nine groups we're hoping to set up in Shropshire – I am working with people in Shrewsbury too."

He said the groups will offer tips on furniture repair, carpentry, mechanical equipment repairs, set up model railways and hear talks on various subjects, like men's' health.

The idea is to get men into their shed, but they will also have a meeting place in the town where they can all work on projects together in one place.

Mr Wallace said there is a lot of work to do before they get to the point of setting the "shed" up.

"We have got one or two possible places to use to meet, but first we have got to find out if there is a need, if it'll be supported," he added.

"Everyone I talk to thinks it is a great idea.

"We'll spend some days talking to people in the town and seeing what the support is like.

"If it's good we'll register as a charity and set about collecting funds."

Some clubs in Australia are so popular that they have waiting lists. Mr Wallace said he hopes the idea will catch the imagination of men in the Shropshire area who want to take part and that the idea will spread across the county.

The group would need to raise about £15,000 if they decide to go ahead and they would do it by putting on fundraising events or approaching local businesses. Mr Wallace said he aimed to create a "Shed" where members would have access to work benches with tools.

There would also be a special area for members to work on hobbies or special interests, together with a relaxing area with refreshments.

He said: "The aim would for it to be open most days of the week for people simply to drop in.

"It would be an informal atmosphere – a place where men can drop in for a cup of coffee and a chat.

"It would have to be reasonably central so people can walk to it and it is also important that other organisations are aware of what we are doing and are involved in some way.

"Young people would be informed and shown how to do things like woodwork and there would be storage compartments for people to keep projects in."

To find out more contact Mr Wallace on (01630) 652687 or e-mail him on iangwallace2003@yahoo.co.uk