A stamp of approval by the Cromwell Community Board has meant the Cromwell Menz Shed is another step closer to finding a permanent home.

Back in 2018, a group of men in Cromwell recognised a real need for a place where men could gather for companionship and complete projects of value to the community.  

The response was overwhelming and the search for a home for a Menz Shed group began.

After an initial meeting at the Cromwell Town and Country club, they began to investigate potential sites.  

Early meetings were held at the Scout Hall, then a proposed site on Litany Street was later ascertained unavailable under the Neplusultra Street Reserve Management Plan. 

Further negotiations with the Vintage Car Club fell through, and the idea was mooted that 1000 square metres of land adjoining the Cromwell Transfer Station might be suitable.

Discussions on the allocation of that land moved slowly, and in the meantime the group had nowhere to go.

Dennis Booth in 2019 at the current racecourse site, before the group got to work clearing and tidying the area.

The Central Otago Equestrian Club came to the rescue, and offered temporary use of land at the Cromwell racecourse.

Menz Shed spokesperson Neville Hucklebridge said in 2020 that their biggest achievement for the year had been finally getting into their temporary premises at the race course, with two old containers and a Portacom providing their work area.

Neville says he is now looking forward to this year’s highlight being the move to a permanent site adjacent to the transfer station.

“The guys open up here and talk, it’s so important for good mental health,” Menz Shed organiser Dennis Booth says. 

“It’s about giving life purpose, the feeling of being back at work, being needed in the community.

“Men don’t have to have a trade to be involved, they can just be part of something good for the community.

“Personally, I’ve never been so busy, so inspired, so excited about making friends, helping people and seeing people happy.”

Cromwell Lions president and Menz Shed advocate Russell Fowler agrees.

The group has already completed many projects for the community, including some that see collaborations between the Menz Shed men and our young people.

“Menz Sheds are a concept that provides a place for men to come together in one community space to share skills, enjoy company and to work on practical tasks either for themselves or projects that benefit the local community,” Russell says. 

“And this is something that has been recognised in the report presented to the Community Board; allocating the Menz Shed a permanent site aligns with the council purpose to promote social and environmental wellbeing in our community.”

Russell says Menz Shed's use of the site would benefit Council as landowner, as well as the group; the currently unused land would be cleared and tidied, and utilised for community benefit.

The report by the Cromwell Property and Facilities Officer Debbie Shaw, tabled at the Cromwell Community Board meeting last week, confirms a site assessment has shown there is no soil contamination or buried waste, and access for the group could be via an existing dirt road.

She also noted benefits arising from the Menz Shed group occupying land adjoining the transfer station, including benefits for the community and the environment with recycling of unwanted materials brought to the transfer station.

The Cromwell Community Board voted at their meeting last week to recommend Council approves a lease for Cromwell Menz Shed on the land adjoining the Cromwell transfer station.

“Maybe we have finally found a home,” Neville says.

Images The Central App archives