Gentlemen, I am a member of the Gosport Shed in Hampshire. Watch
of how it all began for us about 2 years ago.
We have recently moved into bigger premises at the rear of the old military training establishment St Vincent Mill Lane Gosport now a 6th form collage and have a good working relationship with our landlord.
The whole Shed concept started in Australia some years ago, The movement helps keep the older retired guys out of Doctors surgeries and off the drugs for various ailments Depression, loneliness, eating disorders etc etc all of which come to some men after retirement.
Our youngest is 62 and the oldest 91 (this guy has all his faculties) from all walks of life.
A phrase runs through the movement "Women speak face to face Men talk shoulder to shoulder" (next time your in a pub/bar or restaurant have a look around you.
We are self funded, donations are also gifted from local businesses.
We carry out work on projects in the local community ie HMS Alliance the Submarine Museum, Gosport Historic Society.
The latest project is an early 1800 brick built magazine close to our workshop reportedly the last one in the country, the building is listed so we have to liaise with the Collage and the National Trust in its restoration.
We arrange day trips ( last one to see the field of poppies at the Tower of London and the Imperial War Museum with a few beers thrown in

All our tools are donated, at present we have 3 wood turning lathes 2 bowl turning lathes and all the associated wood working tools, wood carving is also has its place , plus 2 metal lathes an Adept shaper. This is my baby at present I am just beginning to set this up and will eventually have a separate work shop.
Tools come from the most unusual places.
We have 70+ members all individuals.
Being in a military town 25% are ex RN that includes me, 2 army, 1 special forces.
The remainder consist of (a rough cross section)ex Hong Kong Police officers, Vicars, University lecturers, Car and Motor Bike restorers, Builders, Printers etc etc.
We can come and go as we please, work on your own projects or help somebody else, or just come for a cuppa read the paper, a bit of good humored banter, or throw abuse and tell dirty jokes.
If you are in the area and would like to pay us a visit phone Office on 07852452664 or email gosportshed@gmail.com first also see web
www.thegosportshed.btck.co.uk we are open Mon-Fri 0900-1600
Sat 0900-1200 .
This has been a life and marriage saver for me.
Sorry for the length of this post but I am very passionate about this movement and it does work plus no women are involved

John