Barrhead Men's Shed welcomed East Renfrewshire's provost for a visit recently to view some of their current projects including a model railway layout and the restoration of a large model of Lord Nelson's Flagship HMS Victory.

Provost Mary Montague said: “It’s always a pleasure to see the Men’s Shed camaraderie and the range of products made by the men and women members. I had an enjoyable and informative visit and even attempted a game of chess in the tearoom.”

As this year is the 200th anniversary of the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI), the shed was able to show the provost a model lifeboat made by members in tribute to the service.

Sandra and David Cowie built the model as RNLI volunteers and fundraisers that specialise in the making of model lifeboats.

At the end of her day, the provost got to take away her own souvenir from the visit as the shed gifted her a pen to be engraved with her name.

The provost added: “I was very kindly asked to choose one of the Men’s Shed well-crafted pens which will be engraved with my name. I will take great pride in using it for provost’s duties.”

Contact barrheadmensshed@gmail.com for more information.

Ross McKemmie, Men’s Shed member, said: “Many men find it hard to adjust to family or working life changes which can affect the companionship and activities that once dominated their lives.

“The shed attempts to fill that gap. Not all men are interested in woodworking or the model railway however we would like to hear from those who might like to come for a visit, just have a coffee, a blether or play dominoes or other board games.

“We have several sewing machines and on Monday afternoons some of our members come and make various textile items.

“Some of the items that our members make are commissioned or offered for sale and we have attended the Neilston cattle show for a few years with a variety of our products.

“Our premises are available for other groups to use too and currently there is a Ukulele group on a Thursday afternoon.”