Gala’s Men’s Shed has appealed to the local community to help it grow.

The group’s big plans for the shed require resources, and the members are turning to fellow locals for help.

The Men’s Shed in Galashiels was one of the first sheds to be set up in the Scottish Borders five years ago and has recently been praised by MSPs in a Parliament debate.

Galashiels and District Councillor Euan Jardine visited the men’s shed to hear about how the project was going.

He said: “It was great to visit the shed and speak to the members about their exciting plans.

“There is a huge amount of really great wood work being produced, so I would really love to see it on display in a town centre venue. I am appealing for anyone that may have a property in town that the shed may be able to use for their projects.”

Local Councillors and the Men’s Shed Committee are asking for donations of spare wood, as well as offers of display space and transport.

Chairman Paul Bertram said that the shed was producing so much woodwork that they were running out of scrap wood: “Anybody with any scrap wood, which is not chipped board or MDF please get in touch. It would really help he shed for future projects. It is a charity and any donations really help sustain the shed.

“Tools are also required and if we receive duplicates, we pass them onto another shed. Hopefully we can start to twin with others sheds and start to visit them too, but we would require some transport.”

Councillor John Greenwell, Scottish Borders Councils Men’s Shed Champion added: “Men’s sheds are the fastest growing organisation in the Borders, and I am pleased to see my Council colleagues supporting them.

“Gala shed being one of the first in the Borders has always led the way, so I am particularly pleased to see they have an inclusive policy that allows women to be full members.”

The works of the local Men’s shed are set to be on display as Gala members join five other men’s sheds in a play in Musselburgh on 4th May.