Gatehouse News NEWS, INFORMATION & WHAT’S ON IN GATEHOUSE OF FLEET
April 2019
Gatehouse of Fleet Men’s Shed
Since the first Men’s Shed was set up in 1996, the concept and interest in them has grown remarkably, particularly in the last few years. Since the opening of the initial shed in Barrhead in East Renfrewshire, there are now 78 in operation and 47 in development. Men’s Sheds are similar to garden sheds – a place to pursue practical interests at leisure, to practice skills and enjoy making and mending. Each shed will reflect the interest of those that use them. Some will have lots of equipment for woodworking and joinery, others will have workbenches where other activities or repairs are taking place. Some may have a purpose built shed and others use a local hall or vacant shop. The big things that happen in a men’s shed is that friendships form and people can chat and have fun! They are open to all ages and are very welcoming. About two years ago, following the offer of using a garden shed as a meeting place for men in Gatehouse, the basis for a Men’s Shed was laid. Shortly thereafter, the redundant information point, The Murray Centre, situated in the Cally Woods was offered by the Forestry Commission to anyone or group who could make use of it. It would however need to be moved from the wood to a suitable location. This offer was considered by those interested in developing the Men’s Shed concept. A possible site was available at the Mill on the Fleet, just adjacent to the old water wheel. After much discussion and negotiation, the cabin was dismantled and transferred to the Mill. The site was prepared, the foundations laid, and the old Murray Information Centre is now rebuilt as the Gatehouse Men’s Shed. It will be in operation very soon.
Preparing the site The Fleet Valley National Scenic Volunteers were involved in the Men’s Shed project over several months. Planning permission approval required that an Archaeological Investigation be carried out on the site before construction work started. The Volunteers were approached to carry out this investigation to which they readily agreed. The area chosen for the Men’s Shed was originally the site of the boiler house of the Upper Mill. In 1919 the Upper Mill was destroyed by fire and the remaining structure was rebuilt as a single storey building At the same time a new brick building was constructed on the site of the original boiler house. This new building was to be a bobbin drying kiln with steam boiler plant and a large metal chimney. This building was demolished after the site was abandoned in the 1930s. Over the past few months the volunteers have uncovered the remains of this building which have now been recorded and logged for permanent record. The building included a 1m wide x 750 mm deep pit running along the centre of the building. The walls and floor of this pit and walls of the building are all constructed of brickwork with the bricks coming from nine different manufacturers ranging from north of Glasgow to south of Carlisle. Above: The 1920s Drying Kiln building with its metal chimney next to the reduced Upper Mill. Right: The brick foor of the Drying Kiln building with central wheel pit.
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