Avon Valley Men's Shed in Fordingbridge

For five years Avon Valley Men’s Shed had no building of its own. Meetings moved between borrowed rooms. On 16 September 2026 the group opened a purpose-built green shed behind Fordingbridge Sports Club, on the recreation ground. Members did most of the construction themselves. Trustee Mike Hooper put the average age of that crew at around 75.

The group’s own site is clear about what the shed is for. It is not about bird boxes, fundraising or even men working side by side. It is about sitting together over tea, coffee and a bacon roll, and talking through the good weeks and the harder ones. Woodwork, electronics, music and cameras happen, but they are the excuse as much as the point. Chairman Gary Knight, speaking at the opening, named the cooker as the best bit.

The building has a ventilated power-tools zone, a small food area and a larger room with benches, tables and chairs. New Forest District Council put Community Infrastructure Levy money into the project.

Fordingbridge Town Council leased the ground and added support. The Mayor, Cllr Peter White, cut the ribbon.

Wednesday is the regular morning. Doors are aimed at 9.30am, though most people arrive earlier to claim a seat and put the kettle on. Sessions run until about 11.30am. The shed sits behind the sports club; the working door is the side one by the large roller shutter, not the town-end entrance, and the ground around it is still uneven. Free parking is at the southern end of the recreation ground.

Anyone interested can turn up on a Wednesday or write to enquiries@avonvalleyshed.org.uk. Details sit on avonvalleyshed.org.uk.