Frome Sheds pay tribute on chairman’s retirement

Representatives of all three Frome Shed groups (the Men’s Shed, the Women’s Shed and now the Young People’s Shed) gathered together to thank Patrick Abrahams, who, with three other Men Shedders, started the whole project.  The Shedders wanted to thank Patrick for all that he has done.

They also had other reasons to celebrate; the Men and Women Shedders had just moved into their new premises at Welshmill Hub; it was the Women’s Shed’s first anniversary; and the Young Shedders are just starting their Shed in the Remakery with the support of Edventure.

The group reports, “At the gathering, Phil Courtney, chair of the Frome Shed trustees, led the tributes. Patrick was presented with an engraved glass tankard (and various bottles of beer to enable him to fill it) and a personalised card designed especially for him. Phil gave a moving and eloquent account of the origins of the Shed, and the part Patrick played.

“Phil was followed by Ros Whitehouse, the founder of the Women’s Shed, who explained how much support the Women’s Shed received from Patrick in their first year. And finally, Lisa and Lauren from the Young Shedders told the group how excited they were about starting their new Shed, and how much Patrick has helped them.

“Patrick gave a typically restrained and generous reply to the speeches, mainly praising everyone else. Having worked tirelessly for the Shed, he has now decided to withdraw from several of his many roles. That leaves a rather large gap for various Shedders to fill. But at least Patrick remains a Shedder. And hopefully, he’ll be able to see the Shed he set up prosper and grow in its new space. And he’ll continue to be a mentor to the Young Shedders.”