A CEREMONY has taken place to mark the opening of a new 'Men's Shed' in Thurrock.

It is hosted every Thursday at the historic water pumping station at Davy Down, North Stifford, which has been made available to the Aveley branch of the Essex Shed network by Essex and Suffolk Water.  

Helen Jacobs, Conservation Team Leader for Essex & Suffolk Water, said: "We were told about the Aveley Shed and immediately wanted to know if we could help.

"The pump house is a beautiful building that isn't used, apart from the occasional educational visit. I am so pleased to see it become the home to a charity group that needs it, as much as it needs them.

Thurrock Nub News first revealed plans for the venture in January. Read more here: https://thurrock.nub.news/news/local-news/davy-down-pumping-station-gets-a-new-life-helping-mens-group-217871

The opening ceremony

The Shed was officially declared open by Aveley Men's Shed chairman Alan Marks and Dan Thompson, Project Director for Essex Men's Shed,

Dan said: ""There are many fantastic groups for women in and around Aveley, so to have a session for men is so important."

If you want to know more about the Aveley Shed you can visit their Facebook page or email [email protected]  

Inside the pump house.