A NEW community space for men to get together and learn practical activities has been set up at Cressing Temple Barns.

Essex Shed Network held an inauguration meeting and presentation at Cressing Temple last Tuesday to officially open Witham and District Shed.

Open to all men aged 18 and over, the group will initially meet once a week to pass on new skills in things like woodwork, plumbing, gardening and restoration skills.

Steve Wager, was a member of the Maldon Shed before getting involved in starting the new venue in Cressing.

He said: "I am not married and I'm unable to work which can make me quite depressed but going out for a few hours makes a lot of difference.

"You meet a lot of new people and I have made a lot of friends out of going.

"I think men are sometimes better at talking about things like health problems when they are around other men."

Witham Town Councillor Angela Kilmartin (Conservative, Witham Central) attended the opening and is hoping to provide some funding from her Braintree District Community Grant to boost the venture.

Greenfields Community Housing and Tiptree Jams were involved in the celebrations and the historic venue has offered the use of a storage shed to the group.

Steve said: "We are hoping it can grow and eventually we will be able to bring in more things to learn.

"Many of our members are very interesting in sharing their skills. It is the kind of stuff that everybody needs to know.

"It is early stages but if the demand is there we will try and expand."

If you are interested in joining Witham and District Shed or would like more information, contact Steve on 07847075111.

The group are also looking for donations of old tools or items like electrical wire.

Visit www.essexshednetwork.wordpress.com.