“The pandemic has certainly got in the way of us getting together in person as much as we’d like to over the last 18 months,” East Hills Men’s Shed Co-ordinator Brian Barrett said.
“We’ve been keeping in touch and supporting our members over the phone and via email and that’s what we’re celebrating this year.
“The fact that we can’t see each other really goes against our grain but you’ve got to do it; I’m sure there are many wives who can’t wait for their husbands to get back to the shed.
“But seriously we are just toughing it out and making sure our members are okay.”
Keen to get back to developing a garden for East Hills Primary School, the group has recently built wheelchair ramps for a young sufferer and made toys for charity.
“I want to encourage everyone to get the jab,” Brian said.
“We’ve had jabs for polio, smallpox and many others so what is one more.”
Canterbury District Men’s Shed President Esther Roberts who joined a few years ago to support late husband Dennis, says she stayed on because she loves it.
“We have three other women members now and do crafts plus everything the men do even woodworking though not as good as them,” she said.
“We really miss being able to come together and our annual toy and craft sale, our biggest income earner, has been cancelled for the second year in a row.
“We can’t wait for lockdown to end.”
