FILM ACTOR Mark Williams – Ron Weasley’s dad in the Harry Potter films and the star of TV’s Father Brown – popped in on Redditch and the Bromsgrove’s Age UK ‘Men in Sheds’ project.
He groans at the suggestion that he just came to ‘Potter’ around in a shed, though.
‘Men in Sheds’ originated in Australia in the 1990s as a way of tackling social isolation in older men where retirement can mean loss of status and contact.
The idea of the project is to have a place where men (or women) can get together to work on DIY projects or furniture reclamation, get some community spirit going and have a good time.
Mark, who is from Bromsgrove, came on board to promote the group when his parents, who still live in the area, used the charity’s Home Maintenance Service and he quickly saw the benefits of the project.
“The great thing about ‘Men in Sheds’ is that men need something to do while they are socialising. We can’t just sit and have a cup of tea and a cake. It’s just not us.
“It’s sad to think that when someone retires that experience is lost. In a way, it’s like losing a library.”
After a generous start up donation from a charitable trust, it is hoped the group will become self-financing by refurbishing donated furniture which can then be sold in one of the four Age UK charity shops in the area.
They are currently located at the Canalside Craft Centre, 138 Hanbury Road, Stoke Prior, Bromsgrove. B60 4JZ and if you are interested in joining the group, have furniture or funding to donate, contact Age UK Redditch on 01527 584653
