Early Christmas gift for Men’s Shed

The Virginia Men’s Shed awoke last Tuesday morning to find that not Santa, but Cavan County Council had gifted them the lease of 0.48 hectares of land at Crannadillon for a period of five years for an annual licence fee of just €10.

Approval was granted at the November monthly meeting of Cavan County Council, proposed by Fine Gael’s Trevor Smith, and seconded by Winston Bennett.

The lease was granted to Barney O’Reilly, Tom Gray and John Donnellan, Virginia Men’s Shed c/o Virginia Show Centre, pursuant to legislation.

Ned Duffy said it was a “massive boost” for the local Men’s Shed.

The group is now 10 years up and running, one of the first in the county, and they have around 40 members, well over half of which are active.

They meet Wednesday evenings and Friday mornings, in the summertime at the polytunnel located in one corner of the show centre site.

The newly leased site on the outskirts of town near Dunancory Bridge will allow the shed to expand activities for its members.

It’s hoped to redevelop the site for members as a community garden. “It will take a bit of work, but that’s what we have our members for. We’re very grateful to Cavan County Council and to the show committee and the centre as well for accommodating us as they have over the year.”

The Virginia Men’s Shed host a cookery class supported by the HSE, and next month will host their annual Christmas dinner for members.