THE creation of a space where members of the community can meet has had a life-changing effect upon the people of Llanegryn.
A shed built by locals for locals brought fun, friendship and new skills to the lives of those who took part in its creation.
Now it has been officially opened, it is hoped its usage will continue to engender the same response.
The idea for the shed came about a year ago, from Llanegryn resident Robin White.
Robin had been talking to someone about Men’s Sheds, which have been popping up all over the world for men to pursue practical interests, practice skills and enjoy making and mending.
Garden sheds are often solitary in nature while Men’s Sheds are the opposite.
They’re about social connections friendship, sharing skills and knowledge, and of course a lot of laughter.
“I didn’t really want to go down the men-only route but I thought it would be nice to have somewhere in Llanegryn where we could do things, meet people and make things,” Robin explained.
“We have a fantastic hall but so many things go on there that you have to pack projects up at the end of the session.
"The idea of the shed is that on-going projects can stay out whilst they’re being worked on and people don’t have to clean up after themselves all the time.”
The Shed movement has become especially helpful for older, retired men and women and those who live alone, by giving them opportunities to meet other people and focus their attention on something productive whilst chatting about issues in their lives.
The aim of the Llanegryn Community Shed is to bring older and younger members of the community together to help build understanding and respect as they work together and develop skills.
But Robin realised that a suitable building for such an initiative was hard to find in Llanegryn so he suggested that the community design and build a shed of their own on a piece of land behind the existing village hall, Neuadd Egryn.
Funding was sought and received from Gwynedd County Council, The Farthing Trust, Grwp Cynefin, the Llanegryn Community Council, Brighter Foods, Snowdonia National Park and many local people, with additional support from local businesses Huws Gray, Middleton Glass, GR Electrical, Barry-John Owen Builders and Alan Sew.
During the following months, more than 40 different people contributed to the shed’s construction under the watchful eye of project manager Robin.
People of all ages worked alongside each other, often with people they had never met before. Everyone enjoyed the company, shared expertise and learned new skills.
The whole construction process was photographed by local residents and Liz Hutchinson of Hutchfolk Media produced a video which can be viewed on YouTube by searching for ‘Shed Egryn 2’.
Look out for information in local media and on the Neuadd Egryn Facebook page at facebook.com/neuaddegryn or the Shed Egryn webpage at shedegryn.co.uk
Read the full story in the current Meirionnydd edition of the Cambrian News