Community groups to take on former Stromness factory

Final works are well underway to allow three community groups to take up residence in the former Herring Factory in Stromness.

The Men’s Shed, Stromness Drama Club and the Orkney Historic Boat Society had all been on the hunt for premises.

With the Council assisting all three, an ideal solution presented itself for all three to move into the factory at Garson – at less than market rate.

The Council will also pay for alterations to the building to make it more suitable for all three groups to use.

All three organisations have charitable status and provide a wide range of benefits to a range of members of the community.

Orkney Men’s Shed is part of an international network of so-called ‘Shedders’ providing a “meeting and doing places” for men who want to meet new folk, make new friends, learn new skills, and generally have a blether and an improved life. The movement is nationally recognised for all the good work that they do in helping to improve quality of life, both physically and mentally, for the men in their community.

Due to several factors, Orkney Men’s Shed had to vacate their previous premises. The group is currently renting a meeting space in a community hall, which, although better than nothing, is not providing the best opportunities for its members in supporting some of the inclusion and mental wellbeing issues experienced.

The local group has provided valuable services to the community with projects that have included the new shed at The Blue Door, outdoor musical equipment for Glaitness School, developing outdoor space at Firth School, livestock signs for the County Show park, bicycle sheds for schools, bus stops — amongst many others.

But more importantly, delivery of these projects has provided invaluable support to the individual members in being part of these practical projects and this element of the group’s activities is not possible without suitable premises.

The award-winning Stromness Drama Club will use their space within the building for storage of scenery, props and costumes., but also a rehearsal area.

Having a fixed base having a fixed base would also make it feasible for them to start up a regular youth drama group in co-operation with local schools.

Orkney Historic Boat Society will also primarily use the space for storage, whilst they progress plans to establish a boat museum. They’ll also carry out some boat restoration and maintenance on site.

Council Leader, James Stockan, said: “Creating a tenancy agreement that caters for three different groups provides an ideal solution here – and I’m pleased that officers at the Council have been able to facilitate this.

“On the face of it, they may seem like three very different groups, but as you dig a little deeper you find that there are many cross connections and that their individual activities will be highly complementary to each other’s work. The groups have already said that they will be very happy to work closely together – who knows, we might even see a group of ‘Orkney Shedders’ appearing in the next Stromness Drama Club production!”