Largs: North Coast and Cumbrae Men's Shed to re-open

Repairs have been taking place at its home the Brisbane Centre - which is over 200 years old - because of dampness.

Ian Murdoch, secretary of the the Clyde Coast and Cumbraes Men's Shed, said: "There is a damp course currently being put in - basically it is a treatment for dampness; we have had some issues on the west facing wall and works are currently being carried out just now. I have received confirmation that we will have the keys handed back to us on July 20 - it will take us a few days to get everything re-arranged, so we won't be fully open until Saturday, July 22.

"We have just treated it as a summer break - we had anticipated that the building was going to be closed for the whole of July so this is good news."

Brisbane Centre (Image: Newsquest)

Membership continues to be healthy, with around 80 having joined the new facility in Bath Street.

Ian said: "We are always on the look out for new members and if anyone wants to find out more about what they do I would urge them to pop in and find out on Saturday.

"We will be delighted to show peope the shed and give them a tour of the facility."

During June, the volunteers have been restoring 16 old public benches were originally set to go to the skip - and are now in the process of being restored.

The works on the benches had to stall due to the closure but the works will continue from where they left off this weekend.

Men's Shed official opening in March (Image: Newsquest)

The Men's Shed also hopes to have a public display at the Viking Festival over both weekends of the big Largs showcase on September 2 and 9.

Ian added: "Once complete, we will sell the benches to the public - we are effectively recycling them by restoring them and then selling them to get funds which will help us pay the bills for the running of the Men's Shed and keep the facility going.

"We need to pay electricity bills and various overheads and other costs such as the general running of the buidling."

The shed opened on March 4 to provide a hub where men can relax with a cuppa, enjoy conversation and spend some time together making or repairing things.

The group told the News that they have received a shed-load of support from local businesses, with donations of tools and materials to ensure a flying start, while membership numbers have also been steadily growing.

More than £16,000 in grant funding was secured to kickstart the project, which is open two days a week in the Brisbane Centre in Largs, on Tuesdays and Saturdays, as work continues for the asset transfer of the building.

Membership - which is free - is open to people from West Kilbride, Fairlie, Skelmorlie, Cumbrae and Largs.

Pop in on Saturday to ask for more details.