Wharfedale Men's Shed is a charity based in Otley. Our aim is to combat loneliness and social isolation — particularly, but not exclusively, for men. We meet in a workshop where we get together in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere and work shoulder to shoulder on projects, mainly in wood for either personal use or for the local community.
We are raising funds for a permanent home of our own at the Masonic Lodge, Otley — which will allow us to expand and help more people.
Our fundraising to date stands at a magnificent , with donations and grants from Otley Lions, Sinclairs, Postcode Lottery, Northern Circuit Barristers, Skipton B.S., National Lottery Community Fund, Arnold Clark, the Sarah Jackson Community Wish Fund, Ilkley Round Table, Barker Sutcliffe & Associates Ltd, and donations from a number of generous individuals. We want to say a big THANK YOU to all who have donated, we are very grateful for your help.
This covers the workshop units we need. However, to make our building fully accessible we still need to install disabled facilities — access ramp, toilet and more.
Registered charity 1183609 — Wharfedale Men's Shed
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WMS volunteers Bob Miles and Bob “Jim” Johnson restored two weathered wooden benches at Bramhope St. Giles church, sanding away years of wear before applying protective oil finishes over two sunny days. The transformation revealed stunning wood grain beneath. Church Warden Gill praised the results as “a fabulous job.”
Wharfedale Men’s Shed members have been busy crafting bird nest boxes, feeders and planters for Westgate Primary School in Otley, as part of a growing partnership with local charity Wildlife Friendly Otley. The handmade boxes — designed for robins, wrens and blue tits — were presented to the school’s Eco Team during a recent visit to Grove Hill Park.
After more than seven years of running the WMS workshop, the committee — a hardworking, if perpetually grumbling, bunch — finally sat together for a group photograph. The result was less than inspiring. Whether they couldn’t muster the enthusiasm or simply refused to, another seven years may pass before we get a better one.
Members of Wharfedale Men’s Shed built specially adapted bird boxes for Leeds Libraries as part of the Leeds Storytelling Festival. Children used the boxes to create miniature worlds that inspired new stories. The collaboration brought together community groups, libraries, and young creatives in a project celebrating imagination, storytelling, and craftsmanship.