In this week's reflections from the acre Ken McGowan from Men in Sheds shares his thoughts....

"It’s been over 12 months since I first encountered Men in Sheds and still would be none the wiser if my dear friend Mervyn had not called me in late August last year and suggested I come along with him to the first meet. Not sure what either of us expected but found ourselves joining up with a number of equally unsure men folk. From this first encounter a group was formed and have now become a great bunch and friendships have grown. I know the whole team would want me to make mention of the sterling work Mervyn achieved during the early days with his carpentry skills and his construction knowledge. Most of us are aware Mervyn is currently unwell and is missing his time at Men in Sheds and we all wish him a speedy recovery. For me, being part of Men in Sheds has provided me with renewed interest and allowed me to engage in some old skills long forgotten. The team are great to work with and we have a lot of manly banter and lots of laughs, sometimes at stupid things we manage to do, which we put down to 'age'! Most of us are well into retirement, not that you would know it once we are all together, it’s more like a bunch of kids. Over the past months we have achieved a lot, from our successes at the Farnham Christmas Fair last year selling bird houses and Christmas trees, building benches, gates and our big project, completing the decking around the pond. I must say, for me, I feel a real sense of achievement and I look forward to my Tuesday’s at the acre. I am sure being part of this ongoing team will aid me in my retirement years. It is great making some new friends and if our plans for the future are successful we will all be able to make even more new friends and take part in many more charity and communal projects.''