When is a shed not a shed?

[Lois Prior]

I am coordinating Men in sheds on the isle of wight. I have a very limited budget to set up each shed (it takes a long time and a lot of imagination to get them set up!). The IOW is full of very talented musicians, so I have set up an Acoustic Music Shed (WI has jam, Men in Sheds has Jammin'). This group is practically free to run, and we have a dedicated group of men who come along each week who would otherwise not be part of a music group, and who find playing together helps to push their abilities and skills.
A question I was asked the other day (by a very negative person I hasten to add) is that is this a shed? Surely it's a music group? Looking at the aims of sheds (inclusiveness, learning new skills, reducing isolation) I feel that this is a shed - i did point out that there are other 'sheds' across the country which are singing and walking sheds. 'well, they are just singing and walking groups then' says he.
What are your thoughts on this?

[SMS Network Coordinator]

There are many things which men get up to in a shed (no innuendo intended).
Some of us like woodwork,  some electronics and some music (several mini recording studios have been built in a shed) so I do not think that a men's shed should be limited to any one interest.

At Portsea Men's Shed we try to encourage all sorts of activities including woodwork, IT, painting (art variety), jigsaws and of course that all time favourite, chatting and tea.

Men’s sheds should be anything that the members want it to be.
The main point of a shed is surely companionship and community.

I wish I was nearer as I am a bit of a guitar player.

So keep on jammin.

Steve.

[Lois Prior]

Thank you Steve. My thoughts exactly but i am up against someone who thinks he knows all about sheds and is causing me a lot of grief.

[Tony Smith-Crallan]

So what does this person think a shed 'should' be?

At The Silvers' Workshop all sorts of things are going on.  Mostly wood based projects but we encourage any activity that gets men together to socialise.  I believe THAT is what shed are about.

[kookie]

kookie i believe that there is a shed (in Wales i think ) which is mostly about singing and they call themselves a shed.

[woodhedf]

In my view, a shed can be set up for what ever the members want it to be, and if this person does not share the same interests as the majority, then politely refer him to another shed on the IOW. Travelling distances should not be too great, and the catchment area of our shed covers a greater distance. There is a shed in Maidenhead that covers agriculture, and meets in a polly tunnel, and while I would not be interested myself; it is what their members wanted.

With a modicum of tact and diplomacy, you can refer the gentleman, this should be sorted amicably.

The Silvers Workshop
Reading
Berkshire