Thread: sheilas' sheds

Hi doug3030,
They seem to start young too. When I was young there were Boy Scouts and Girl Guides but now you have girls joining the Scouts but I haven't heard of a Boy Guide.
And the less said about female hooligans these days the better.
I suppose it's just progress and I am getting old.
Anyway Gay this is just an observation and is in no way aimed at you, and I hope you have success in your endevour.
Regards

Originally Posted by gayhawkes

I am keen to establish Sheilas' Sheds anywhere there is interest. My women's woodworking classes (basic furniture from re-cycled materials) are very popular in Tasmania.
I can take workshops/classes, set up facilities. Maybe use Men's sheds one day a week?
Gay Hawkes website:Gay Hawkes

I hope that you are incredibly successful with this idea. I am guessing that you are seeing this as a commercial venture - I am guessing that you get paid for your classes. I really hope that you can earn a living out of it or at least cover your costs.

Men's Sheds are a community based venture to assist in the support of older men with health issues such as depression, perhaps prostate cancer and any other condition that causes them to be cut off from the surrounding community. More importantly the Sheds provide support for older men to get health services before it is too late.

MEN TALK SHOULDER TO SHOULDER

How would your craft/ woodwork classes for women enhance the operation and needs of a Men's Shed?
Why would you want to run a commercial venture , making money for the operator on the back of a community based operation dependent on donations and good will generated by the needs of older men in the community?

I f you think that your Sheilas Shed idea is good , then get out there and promote it. If it is , as it seems, a commercial venture then get thee to a bank and find the funds, perhaps you could help to fund a Men's shed in your community

DO NOT at any stage in your promotion risk the fragile situation of Men's Sheds around the country. You have no right to use the good will that Men's Sheds have created

We are not just clubs that make things out of wood or metal, we have a dedication to looking after THE HEALTH OF OLDER MEN.

Originally Posted by Avery

DO NOT at any stage in your promotion risk the fragile situation of Men's Sheds around the country. You have no right to use the good will that Men's Sheds have created

We are not just clubs that make things out of wood or metal, we have a dedication to looking after THE HEALTH OF OLDER MEN.

Don't get your jocks in a jam. Sorry women exist in the world to destroy your fragile existence. Most men I met in the "men's shed" did not begrigde my interloping. I too was isolated in the community. Do you really think they would stop coming if more women came too? We enter that world cos we like the place. Not cos we want to put curtains and doilies everywhere.

Originally Posted by tea lady

Most men I met in the "men's shed" did not begrigde my interloping.

I wonder if you're confusing woodworking clubs, which are also mostly old men, with a real Men's shed as described by Avery.

They are two totally different kind of bodies and we may be getting confused through semantics.


Peter.

Originally Posted by Sturdee

I wonder if you're confusing woodworking clubs, which are also mostly old men, with a real Men's shed as described by Avery.

They are two totally different kind of bodies and we may be getting confused through semantics.


Peter.

The place I joined didn't call themselves a "men's shed" but I'm sure a large part of their finding came from that funding stream. And I gave and recieved lots of help and support from both men AND women.


Gay Hawks is a nationally renowned artist/artisan. A workshop by her at any "shed" would do more for the feeling of good will than this so called "defence" from unwanted invaders.

Another way to feel good abut your life is to be able to do something well, as well as help others, and feel wanted by others.

What is a shed? Being from the US I am unfamiliar with this term.

Originally Posted by handyrn

What is a shed? Being from the US I am unfamiliar with this term.

A place used as a workshop. Hopefully full of tools to play with!

You just don't get it tea lady and with your attitude I don't think you ever will.

I agree with Avery on this and I urge everyone to watch the video groggy has put up.

I have a very high regard for all women and my thoughts on the matter in no way is a mark of disrespect for women, but Avery is correct in what he says. Mens shed was founded on the strength of being for the well being and betterment and health of older men.

By all means, if the shed is not used for a couple of days a week or so then it could be used for other purposes or have ladies day etc but to use the concept of the mens shed to promote a commercial venture or a social venue for women and men, in my book, is just not on.

Men are strange creatures and don't usually discuss their inner thoughts or air their problems in public and the men's shed tears down these barriers and allow men to open up and relax and be supportive of each other.

I, for one, would not discuss some of the stuff men discuss in a mens shed, if a lady was present and I feel it would take away from the feeling of being among men in the same boat as oneself I am sure many men would feel the same way.

Most women are able to discuss their most intimate secrets with another woman with no problem but men are not of the same nature and need the friendly and supportive environment such as the mens shed to have the opportunity to let their hair down and be able to discuss these things with others when they get enough confidence to do so.

My two bobs worth.

Interesting discussion and one that could get out of hand if it were not for the mutual respect everyone has for each other here.

But let me tell you my story (deep breath)... I don't usually let everyone know that I suffer from depression, it's something that is personal to me and something I've learn't to deal with. However it was never nearly as good as what it is now. I had suicidal tendencies and actually came within seconds of doing something if were not for a very astute work colleague. This is when I discovered woodworking and mens sheds (my shrink recommended it to me). I have, over the last two years, made some very valuable friendships and have discussed some issues with other men I would never, ever discuss with a female shed member. But this doesn't mean I don't want females within this environment, I just feel that the world is closing in on us blokes and we often need that space to discuss whatever we need to discuss. And if it weren't for my local mens shed I reckon I'd be ashes.

This probably means I'm sitting on the fence so you can make up your own mind from what I've just written.

Just to add as well, my wife often wonders why I've taken up a hobby which involves very dangerous machines when I have depression

Originally Posted by Big Shed

I agree with the sentiments expressed Doug, maybe we should push for a men only Fernwood gym as well?

Men don't complain when women have a women's only gym, but try and start a men's only gym and see how many women complain they are being excluded.

Similarly, women can set up a businesswomen's support group which excludes men and thats supposed to be ok because women have different needs. But if you start up a businessmen's support group you are being sexist and discriminating against women. But if women's needs are different rom men's, then surely men's are different from women's too. There are a lot more organisations set up to support women's needs than there are men's so why cant women leave us the few we have and concentrate on their own?

Originally Posted by tea lady

...I don't think it needs to be a separate day for " ladies". It just sounds so condescending...

...Don't get your jocks in a jam. Sorry women exist in the world to destroy your fragile existence. Most men I met in the "men's shed" did not begrigde my interloping. I too was isolated in the community. Do you really think they would stop coming if more women came too? We enter that world cos we like the place. Not cos we want to put curtains and doilies everywhere.

Tea Lady, you might have liked it there and apparrently it was not even a Mens Shed that you were at, but a woodworkers club, which is probably why you were made welcome, but your posts here clearly indicate that you feel that it is your inalienable right to just force your presence on a Men's shed environment whether the intended users of the facility think you should be there or not, Your very presence at a mens shed would totally destroy the purpose for which it was established as has been testified to by a number of members in this thread.

Your Honour, the Prosecution rests.

Doug

Originally Posted by doug3030

Men don't complain when women have a women's only gym, but try and start a men's only gym and see how many women complain they are being excluded.

I think that if you start a men's only gym then your business would die because of the lack of members however add women into the mix then business will flourish.

Doug, your argument is divisive as is the theme of this thread. For once I'd like some common sense debate to enter the fray but alas...

Originally Posted by sjt

I think that if you start a men's only gym then your business would die because of the lack of members however add women into the mix then business will flourish.
With all due respect, I don't think that is a fair analogy

Doug, your argument is divisive as is the theme of this thread. For once I'd like some common sense debate to enter the fray but alas...

I dont feel it's necessary to belittle or scorn other members comments simply because we don't agree with their opinion

Originally Posted by munruben

I dont feel it's necessary to belittle or scorn other members comments simply because we don't agree with their opinion

John, I absolutely have no quarrel with Doug's opinion, it was the way it was presented as I found it a little patronising. Let's not get away from the main debate here though.

I just had a long conversation about this with my wife and she agrees that men should have their own space. We also both agreed that Gay's proposition in this environment was probably intentionally divisive and designed to stir the pot. I have my own reason to keep the men's shed environment men only (see my first comment above) therefore I'm agreeing with Doug's opinion.