A HELENSBURGH group set up to make use of the practical skills of older men living in the area hopes to have a permanent home in the town by next year.

But the Helensburgh and District Men's Shed Association has this week renewed its appeal for a temporary home its members can use until that purpose-built facility is ready.

The group has expressed an interest in leasing a patch of land in Hermitage Park, behind the Victoria Halls, from Argyll and Bute Council, where it hopes to build a permanent base.

The group had to hand back most of a 'third sector grant' from the council, awarded last year, because of what the authority described as unforeseen issues with securing premises".

But chairman Brian Mackay told the Advertiser that if a lease can be agreed and planning permission secured, the shed could be built and in use some time during 2018.

If and when it's completed, it will bring to an end a four-year wait by the association for suitable premises in the town.

Mr Mackay said: “We've been looking for premises since 2014, and we're still looking.

“There was nothing Argyll and Bute Council could provide for us, because its vacant property in Helensburgh has all been put up for sale to fund the new Helensburgh and Lomond Civic Centre.

“However, the council has been as helpful as they can be. We've applied to them to express an interest in leasing a piece of land in Hermitage Park, at the back of the Victoria Halls,

“If all goes well, we could see the lease approved by the end of this year, then we can apply for the funding we need for the shed itself.

“We have an outline design and a project cost in the region of £200,000 to build and equip a shed.”

The group gained access to the old pavilion in Hermitage Park last year to hold a series of events aimed at generating interest in a Men's Shed organisation in Helensburgh – but those who expressed an interest in becoming a member quickly said that what they really wanted was somewhere to put a lifetime's practical skills to good use.

But in spite of their future plans for the site in Hermitage Park, the Helensburgh group is still keen to hear from anyone in the area who can provide them with a short-term base in which they can set up a workshop for their members.

Mr Mackay said: “If we could find a covered area we could use, we would go for it, while at the same time working towards building our own purpose-built shed in the park.

“We're not looking for a huge complex or something that's ready-to-use - if there's a place that needs work done on it, we have the skills to do it. Our members could renovate it and when our own shed is complete, give it back in a better condition than when we took it on.”

The Men's Shed movement, now active in countries around the world, aims to give older men the chance to put hands-on skills picked up during their working lives to active use once they've retired or been made redundant.

And Mr Mackay said the need for such a group in Helensburgh was clear.

“In 2013 there were 3,400 men over 55 in Helensburgh,” he continued.

“That number is expected to grow by 20 per cent by 2020.

“Helensburgh has a lot of elderly people who will be needing the support of the elderly services the council is required to provide.

“We want to keep those people away from those services. We want them healthy in mind and body.”

Despite the name, a Men's Shed is not a male-only organisation – anyone over 18, male or female, is welcome, as long as they sign up to the key objectives of the Men's Shed movement.

“There are a lot of people whose skills were being wasted on leaving work,” Mr Mackay said.

“They lose skills, they lose contact with the people they worked with, and they become couch potatoes or end up spending all day in the pub or betting shop and not leading a meaningful life.

“A Men's Shed gives them a plcae to go and socialise with like-minded people and do or make things for themselves or things commissioned by others.

“The sooner we do it, the better it will be for everybody – our members, the council and the community.”

An Argyll and Bute Council spokesman said: “Helensburgh Men’s Shed are a member of the Hermitage Park Users Group and are committed to supporting the long term sustainability of the park.

"We are working closely with the group about the possible lease of land in the regenerated park.”