Age: 74

Lives: Halesworth, Suffolk – 35 years

Occupation: Retired. Previously an art teacher in a middle school in Saxmundham.

How does he fill his time now?

Rob dedicates most of his time to making ceramics. He’s busy making all kinds of pots and other ceramic objects, which he sells through a range of shops and markets, events and shows, all over the country and sometimes abroad. For some time after retirement, he often worked in schools, as a visiting art tutor, teaching art to people from age 9 to adult.

How long has he been a Men’s Shed member?

About six years.

Why did he join the Men’s Shed?

It’s a local resource, somewhere to come and keep his hands busy. “Having all the machines is fantastic” he says. Although pottery isn’t generally something that’s done at the Shed itself (although Rob does run classes for members, from time to time - see the video), he’s used the equipment at the Shed to make pottery tools that he can then use at his own facility. “I like coming down for a few cups of tea and a joke, but also to share skills, which is fantastic. I don’t know how some of the machines work, but there is [always] somebody who does”.

Age: 72

Lives: Beccles, Suffolk 

Occupation: Retired. Previously a cabinet-maker and CDT teacher.

How long has he been a Men’s Shed member?

Eight years.

Why did he join the Men’s Shed?

Steve had his own workshop, which was costing him money to rent. He joined the Shed when it was quite new and helped build out its capabilities, acquiring new machinery which attracted people with the relevant skills. "When I joined the shed, it was just woodwork and a bit of metalwork," says Steve "we changed the layout and brought in jewellery [making], a brazing hearth, we now have a welding shop and are trying to get electronics."

Click the "Listen" button below, to hear the interview with Steve: