Perth Voice Interactive

THE Joy of Wood isn’t a viagra promotion for seniors, but a woodwork educator that has taken over the Stirling Women’s Shed in Scarborough.

Since teaming up with Stirling Council, Joy of Wood has hosted workshops for women of all ages and abilities, including classes on how to make trinket boxes, bespoke wooden Xmas decorations and carving wooden spoons.

If you fancy dipping your toe in the shavings, then attend the Seniors Open Day at Stirling Women’s Shed on Tuesday (November 14). It’s hand-on with the option to make some small pre-organised items.

Seniors can pop in anytime on the day from 9am-3pm and there will be “delicious refreshments”. 

Unlike many Men’s Sheds, it’s not in a light industrial zone and is part of the leisure centre on Gildercliffe Street, which has a lovely courtyard where members can enjoy the cool sea breeze in the evening.

While there is some small machinery and power tools, the Women’s Shed focuses on using traditional woodworking hand skills and techniques, empowering women to use their hands to create beautiful objects, woodcraft and furniture. 

“Women’s Sheds are few and far between, and often struggle to get support and recognition,” states the Joy of Wood website. “We hope this unique partnership between The City of Stirling and The Joy of Wood, will shine a light of hope for groups of women everywhere, as to what might be possible in their communities.

“Women can participate at the Stirling Women’s Shed either as members or as visitors.”

The Stirling’s Women’s Shed was championed by Elizabeth Re, a long-serving and passionate Stirling councillor who had been pushing for a women’s shed ever since the city’s men’s shed opened in 2011, saying they needed a space for women to learn more about tools and maintain their hands-on skills.

The council of the day was reluctant but in 2019 her colleagues endorsed a one-year pilot, running sessions on topics like tool skills, painting, household maintenance, car maintenance and plumbing.

There was huge demand – the sessions booked out fast and 220 women asked to be put on the waiting list. 

Register for the Stirling Women’s Shed open day at events.humanitix.com.