AVA Magazine - September 22

AVA |September 2022 17
Member Spotlight|Aboyne
Men’s Shed
Aileen Longino
AVA Development Officer
specialising in Social Enterprise
The 2nd September 2022 was a very very big
day for one of our Members, Aboyne Men’s
Shed as they officially opened the Aboyne
& Mid Deeside Community Shed. In April 2016,
our Development Officer, Aileen, started at AVA
and on her first day, she attended a meeting on
a wet evening in Aboyne at the local Bowling
Club. The room was packed, as this was the very
first meeting of the Aboyne Men’s Shed. Some six
and a half years later, their dream came true.
Mike Brooks Chair of the Men’s Shed spoke of
the herculean effort by him and his team of
Trustees to make their dream a reality and the
Earl of Aboyne cut the ribbon to the premesis
surrounded by trustees, members, service users,
funders and supporters. Over £400,000 was raised
to make the Aboyne Community Shed which sits
nestled amongst the trees like it has always been
there. The attention to detail is exceptional. The
workshop is downstairs and the community space
upstairs has is light and airy feel with a fantastic
craft room used by Aboyne Artist in Residence
Deeside & Donside Communities, Steph Vandem.
This eco-friendly and highly efficient building is
very calm and collected.
AVA has been by their side through the ups
and downs of pulling a massive project like this
together. There has been much blood, sweat
and tears to get the job done, but not even covid
could stop this dedicated team of volunteers.
Aileen said today, “I was delighted to be part of
the day but I can’t express enough the effort of
Mike, Phil, Dave, Brian, John, and other trustees
over the years in persevering - when the going
got tough, the tough most definitely got going!
It has been one of the greatest privileges of
my time at AVA to work with them and use this
exceptional resource they have given to the
Aboyne and surrounding community. “
Huge congratulations and a massive pat on the
back for a job very well done from everyone at
AVA.