Princess Anne met volunteers at a Shrewsbury charity that has turned a former stable block into workshops, a shared kitchen and a place for men to find company.
The Princess Royal toured Shrewsbury Men’s Shed at the West Midlands Showground on September 17. Details were published on September 23 by The Shrewsbury and Telford Hospital NHS Trust, in a statement issued on the charity’s behalf.
She visited its metalworking and woodworking areas, kitchen and restored greenhouse, meeting members known as “Shedders”.
The cancer support work behind the visit
Anne heard about Men Like Us, a monthly group developed by the trust’s Personalised Care Team for men living with or affected by cancer.
Hosted at the Shed, it gives participants a place to meet and share experiences. She also learned about gardening sessions funded by Lingen Davies Cancer Support.
The charity was named Men’s Shed of the Year in 2024 and has more than 130 members. Its work with the hospital trust and Lingen Davies has also received national recognition.
Built by the people who use it
On its own website, the charity describes how members converted a dilapidated building that lacked essentials including water, power and floors.
It says volunteers devoted more than 17,000 hours to the project. The result includes space for making and repairing things, growing plants and sharing meals, with much of the workshop activity supporting other community groups and charities.
People interested in attending can find contact and joining information through the charity’s website.
The visit offers another view of the community projects supported by royal engagements. Our report on Bute’s Anchor Tavern explains how residents brought a local meeting place into community ownership.