Come on in to
"Men Helping Men"
the Men's Shed of Langley, B.C., Canada
Bullet in Board
Send us an email if you'd like to meet the guys.
No obligation. No cost. No pressure. Just a lot of positive vibes, good conversation and great laughs, backed by purpose, commitment and understanding. We gather, teach and share skills with each other.
If membership turns out to be for you, we will arrange a visit and tour of our Shed. Talk it over a coffee with us. Find out what we are all about. We are currently using our woodworking shop, and soon our laser cutter/engraver and 3-D printer will be operating at full potential.
We have our meetings at Ricky's Restaurant at 5978 Glover Road every Monday morning at 10:30.
Hey, we could use your help.
Just recently, MP Taylor Bachrach (Skeena-Bulkley Valley) gave a short speech in the House of Commons about Men Sheds in Canada. Here it is on YouTube, if you want to watch & listen to it:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3UfQ8EkiRwU
Thank You!
Drop by for a coffee and a chat at our weekly Monday morning meetings, at 10:30 AM at Ricky's on Glover Road. We are very informal.
Our new shed hours are:
11AM - 4PM
Please memorize this.
Welcome to Men's Shed Langley
Discover a place where men can come together, share their skills, and form meaningful connections. Men's Shed Langley offers a supportive environment where you can avoid isolation and contribute to the betterment of our community. Join us in advocating respect, decency, and friendship.
Two Allouette Men's Shed members, Richard & Wayne, visiting our 'shed' location.....
and GG of Men's Shed Langley (middle).
Our SHED is on the most beautiful property, with a pond, many exotic and natural trees, ecclectic sculpture and sweeping fields of grass.
We have a fine escape from the noise and sawdust of working together with good coffee, out on the patio.
Our Men's Shed Photos
One photo may replace a thousand words but nothing can replace the fun, embarrassment and pride we experience while taking them.
Happily receiving a $500.00 cheque from 'Langley Seniors in Action' members Paul Crump (right centre) and Ron Bergen (left centre), are President Ray Girard (right side) and Vice-president Alex Paylor (left side)..... of Men's Shed Langley.
Here we see Jan from Fraser Lake Men's Shed, and Ray from Men's Shed Langley, pointing out a couple of the trouble-makers they've noticed.
Our first actual meeting. Boy, we hadn't a clue what we were getting into. So far, we've figured it out as we go, and today we are not doing too bad.
Langley...has a Men's Shed.
( I'd mention who we are...but I forgot. )
Here we have Alex, assuming the requisite Hazmat pose. He did most of the work.
Our wonderful Shed had just one little rat dropping area that needed to be disinfected, cleared and scrubbed.
Drastic measures were needed.
Fearless workers were utilized.
Pandemonium reigned. Job done!
This is Bubonic Ray, doing his "I'm A Little Teapot" routine at a most inappropriate time. He mostly pointed at what had to be done.
Picking & sifting through a trailer-load of wood that was destined for the transfer station, our Men's Shed group sorted out needed firewood and good project wood. Thanks to the property owner for putting up with a mess for a few days.
Maurice (L) and Joe, trying to get their motor started..... no, literally. And Bruce (R) offering no help at all.
Ken Karleen, driving one of his favourite memories.
A project Bruce brought in to show us. I can't see anyone not wanting this for a small plant holder or a squirrel or bird feeder. Love it!
...and here's Bruce making coffee. I've never seen this brewing method before. Coffee tasted like Cedar, with a delightful hint of metal shavings.
The pond at our Shed was still and quiet, ...except for the Canada Geese, the three huge turtles and the complaining frogs.
On May 10th., 2024, Three Men's Shed Langley members dropped by Kindred Farms to see if they could help out with various needed repairs and constructs. Here we see (L-R) Maurice, Greg, Badger, Marilyn, Alex, George. Marilyn, George & Badger are from Kindred Farms. Considering the fine job Kindred Farms do of helping out distressed farm animals and distressed humans, we will gladly try to assist in repairs.
Today, John Leigh is our 'sand-man'. Our first bench is just paint and assembly away from completion.
With no deadlines, woodworking never becomes 'work'. Here we see Don, Greg and Bill wondering how much wood a woodchuck could chuck if........
Senior's Week in Langley (2024), and Men's Shed Directors, Alex and Ray, are joined by a two-legged, Ontario visitor, Rick on the left,... and the four-legged companion of Alex's: Kai (who brought more folks to our table than our three handsome faces could manage).
'Function before Beauty'...but Bruce's work table, assembled in a few hours, is a beauty for it's function.
Bill's beloved cedar strip canoe has seen better days, but fun has it's toll. We will try to address it's ills without changing the character.
Rough sawn yellow cedar, milled down to a usable size...smells great. What will it tell us to make?
Our new presentation vehicle, for explanitory YouTube vids, photos or the occasional 'big game'....looks down over our lounge.
THIS.......is RibFest 2024. It was a spectacular festival to be involved with. Men's Shed Langley were there, solely to support Ron Cares Society. The sights, sounds and BBQ smells were like a 'circus of sensations'.
Being our First showing at any festival, we had stars in our eyes.
RibFest was a learnng experience for our Shed.
A fine day was had by all.
Jack brought his family's 100 year old bench to the shed for refurbishing. Bruce did a fine job of keeping its appearance vintage. We are so glad we could repair this memory.
Bruce, our woodworking steward, turned rough-sawn Yellow Cedar into a fine, traditional bench. Mortise & tenon with pegged shoulders. Strong & classy.
See three pics below.
I should mention that a few others helped with this project by sanding, offering another set of hands, pointing out how WE would have done it, and by making coffee.
John (R), and Bruce discuss hot glue, epoxy or a coffee break.
Joe & Maurice cut the board to size (for the third time.)
Joe (L) and Maurice work on new gates for Kindred Farms. It's like watching a comedy routine.
Bruce's Yellow Cedar bench creating a fine focus, in a simple backyard.
A revitalized classic with new paint and bolts.
More ornate, but ready to receive the derrières of those passing by.
OUR CURRENT MEMBERSHIP
(in no particular order)
Ray Girard -President
Originally from Ontario, I am retired from 25 yrs. of radio broadcasting (DJ). Interests: Sailing, graphic arts, German Shepherds, tiny houses, physics, photography, high-end audio, furniture design, astronomy, bojutsu, karate, PhotoShop, quantum mechanics, coffee, beer tasting, humour, woodworking, writing, car concepts, travel, voiceover & many more.
David Richards
"I refuse to join any club that would have me as a member."~Groucho Marx
Bruce Lee
woodworking steward
Originally from Australia,
now retired from a career as Building Contractor and Finishing Carpenter.
Interests : Cedar strip canoe and kayaks, Lotus Super 7 cars, Custom furniture, Kayaking, Adventure travels, Long distance road trips, Organic gardening, Arts & crafts.
Graham Gorling
Alex Paylor (V-Pres.)
Mike Jennings
Brad Tompkins
Ken Rafuse
David is from Earth originally, but we don't really know where he's been.
Interests: David likes changing his name, complaining about his shoulder, and making great suggestions in our Men's Shed matters.
Originally from Manchester, England, Alex spent many years in broadcasting as a 'DJ', and as a a newsman, on various stations in N.S., Ont. and N.B.
Interests: Puns, soccer (Manchester), British comedy, hot cars, Chihuahuas, writing, proper grammar, cooking and puns.....and puns.
Originally from Liverpool, he is the President of Men's Sheds for the province of B.C. Despite his vampire photo, he's a really, cool dude who hasn't bitten anyone (so far)...(that we know of).
Interests: Sailing his Nonsuch and helping any B.C. Men's Shed in any way.
Ken seems to live life on the edge. Having spent some time in a multiverse, he comes up with some unusual ideas.
Interests: swimming, podcasting, helping seniors avoid scams, humour, loves technology, and getting lost.
Originally from somewhere, Brad now works fulltime at peacekeeping. He, therefore, can't make all the meetings, but he is still one of us.
Interests: motorcycles, travel, marathons.
Jack Nazaroff
Jack is from Brilliant, in the Kootneys. He has retired from 35 years as an RN in various healthcare positions in BC and internationally.
Interests: organic gardening, making rhubard muffins for the Men's Shed.
A real Canadian, Graham has spent most of his life in the military. When our meetings get boring we just ask him to come up with a compelling story of military life.
Interests: GG is on multiple committees, organizations and boards. He likes model trains and discussing life, in all its details.
Ken Karleen
Ken is a Langleyite...a Langler, ...a Langleyee now, but has been living in various Canadian locations. Ken is our $6000 man, with bionics all over, which won't allow him to pass through metal detectors or go near MRI machines.
Interests: old sports cars (a devout '55 Chevy fan)
Rick Jones
Rick has been operating various equipment around Vancouver, including transit buses, for many a year.
Interests: Hunting, shooting, fishing, automotive.
Maurice Blouin
Interests: Woodworking, metalwork, machining, welding, small tool repair, house building, epoxy repair. He is a great addition to our collection of skills.
Joe Scelsa
Joe was born in Foggia, Italy and makes all our pizzas.
Interests: Joe tinkers with magnets, motors and electricity. We now have free power at our shed.
Maurice is a true Canadian from High Prairie, Alberta. He runs his own 'True Blue' metal wire products company...not fully retired yet.
John Leigh
John Limpo
From the Philippines, John is our youngest member, so far (or he just looks it).
Interests: Learning woodworking, and anything else.
Originating from the UK, John was into the movement of electrons through wire.
Interests: "I will help with anything!"
Greg Purgavie
Greg recently joined, and his talents are very welcomed here....but according to a Google search, he doesn't really exist. We'll have to ask more questions.
Interests: woodworking, general fix-up, supplies, learning new skills.
Bill Nenninger
Don Simpson
Don found us from our Facebook page after retiring recently.
Interests: Longshoreman Don is into steel fabrication, wood working, Hi-Fi gear, sports and smoking meats. Man, is he going to find retirement busy.
It was ....uhhh, 'suggested' by his wife to come to a Men's Shed meeting, and Bill did not want to disappoint, ...so here he is. WE....are not disappointed.
Interests: Photography, woodworking when possible.
Dana has already become a valuable member of our shed through his many interests and talents. This kind of energy ...exhausts the rest of us.
Interests: woodwork, metalwork, pottery, leatherwork, jewelery, RC planes, metal electroforming, gold panning, instrument making, armoursmith, weaponsmith, photography, medieval reenactment, archery, etc.
Dana Sodergren
Ken Creasey
More info to come in this slot.
Interests: Railroad, travel
Al Gibson
Awaiting more information.
Interests: Multiple hobbies inspried by multiple jobs, resulting in multiple skills.
Andre Pienaar
Born in South Africa, Andre handled many jobs of different types. Having found our Men's Shed ...we are enhanced by new skills and needed talents.
Interests: Marketing, administration, and a healthy desire to learn new skills.
Raymond Uttaro
More info to come.
Interests: Computers, music, video, home theatre, high end audio.
Jerry Walter
Jerry is 100% British Columbian with many years growing up in Vancouver & California. He worked with very early computer systems (punch tape on reels) and devised various systems and programs years ago.
Interests: Carpentry, intelligent conversation and politics...the last two being delicate to balance.
Arlen Anderson
Other, ...NOT Men's Shed Photos
Just interesting shots of interest, for our interest and possibly yours.
Should you believe that any of these photos violate your copyright, please contact us with evidence, and we will take action immediately.
*Report Copyright Infringement*
IF YOU WANT TO SEE WHAT WE ARE ABOUT
JOIN OUR WEEKLY MONDAY MEETINGS
We gather at Ricky's Restaurant East, at 5978 Glover Road, just off the Langley Bypass.
We hope 10:30 AM is not too early for you. Being a restaurant, coffee and/or breakfast is available.
About
Men's Shed Langley
OUR MISSION STATEMENT
"Through companionship, respect and sheer humanity, the Men's Shed Langley Society endeavours to create a welcoming space for conversation, friendship and purpose, while quietly reversing isolation, loneliness and depression, by engaging in useful projects... both for ourselves and our community."
Our email:
WHAT IS A 'MEN'S SHED?
The Simple, Simple
Explanation
-A Men's Shed is a group of men who get together, whenever they want, to do whatever they want, for the good of their wellness and/or for a purpose, ……………or just for fun.
The Simple Version
-A Men's Shed is men, first and foremost, …a shed location, some equipment, a purpose, with an underlying thread of defeating isolation and loneliness.
This is a World Wide organization of separate, but interacting Sheds, which help and learn from each other, while doing personal or community projects of all kinds.
The In-depth Version
-Men's Sheds originated from the shed in a backyard scenario, where a man would go and carry out tasks, such as restoring furniture or fixing lawn mowers.
The first men's shed (by that name) was opened in Tongala, Victoria, Australia on July 26, 1998. Currently, the number of Men's Sheds worldwide is approaching 3,000, in 12 countries.
A Men's Shed provides a safe and friendly environment where men can work on meaningful projects. Men work at their own pace, in their own time, in the company of other men. It's a place where you can learn or teach new skills and find new opportunities and interests while making new friends.
A Shed offers men an alternate way to reach out to avoid 'isolation' while giving back to society. The mental wellness aspect cannot be overrated. Men don't tend to discuss their problems or anxieties, but in the context of a project, or if they encounter another with a similar problem, it begins to come out, to an understanding group.
Many men, who don't have any real problems, just revel in the relaxed atmosphere of respect, decency and friendship. Regardless of your politics, religion or race, ...or age (as long as you are 18 or older), we will accept you in to take on a job, teach what you know, learn what you don't, ...or just drop in and hang around and gab over a coffee.
“Contrary to general belief, work comes easier for older people if they are in good health, because they have learned through years of practice how to arrive at a given place by the shortest path.” ~Nokola Tesla
S.O.S.- 'Slower, Older, Smarter' ~Unknown
"I am an old man and have known a great many troubles, but most of them never happened." ~Mark Twain
"My first thought was with the shed, because that's where my adventures really began" ~Steven King
"Hate...is for the cheap, the lazy and the weak." ~Drarig Yar
Men's Shed Facts
...some interesting,
...others not so much.
The movement originated in Australia around the 1980s as a way to improve the health and wellbeing of older men. Some say it was started by a woman who was frustrated by her retired husband just sitting around the house offering 'suggestions'.
The slogan for men's sheds is "Shoulder To Shoulder", shortened from "Men don't talk face to face, they talk shoulder to shoulder", adopted after the 2008 Australian Men's Shed Association (AMSA) conference. The users of men's sheds are known as "shedders".
In 2014, Professor Barry Golding coined the term "shedagogy" to describe "a distinctive, new way of acknowledging, describing and addressing the way some men prefer to learn informally in shed-like spaces mainly with other men."
There are over 900 located across Australia, with thousands of active members. Men's Sheds can also be found in the United Kingdom, Ireland, USA, Finland, Estonia, New Zealand and Greece. Many other countries have shown a growing interest. The province of B.C., in Canada, has almost 40.
We may seem like we cater to seniors or retirees, but we are open to anyone who identifies as a male, 18 or older.
"Men's sheds have been described as a male-friendly service providing a 'health by stealth' approach". Research acknowledges the positive role that sheds can have in "addressing the gendered health disparity that males face".
October 14th., 2023--Herman, of 'Turf Guys Landscaping' donated a fine assortment of small power tools to our Men's Shed. As we are just getting our woodworking shop section started, this is a welcomed gift and a wonderful showing of support for our 'Shed'. Thanks!
July 31st., 2023--Langley's Men's Shed has found their 'space' to work and grow. Through the kindness of Michael & Susanne Robinson, we have been allowed a huge area with all that a shed needs. Cooperation between us will give us the opportunity to utilize the potential of our space and enjoy the wonderful surroundings of this property.
September 4th., 2023--'Langley's 'Seniors In Action' granted our Langley Men's Shed $500.00. This will truly help our new society. Thanks!
June 26th., 2023--The Men's Shed Langley Society became incorporated in British Columbia.
January 23rd., 2023--The very first Men's Shed meeting in Langley.
March 14th., 2023--Men's Shed Langley received a $1,000.00 grant from the United Way.
December 28th., 2023-- Today, the Langley Senior Resources Society (LSRS) donated to the Men's Shed Langley, all the tools Ray Girard had donated to the LSRS early this year. Since we now have our Shed location, they will greatly enhance our woodworking tool collection. Sincere thanks for thinking of us!
February 3rd., 2024--Today we received a brand new drillpress from Karen Tasker, a fan of the Men's Shed Langley. It is now all assembled and ready to go. Meaningful thanks to Karen.
February 5th., 2024--In a very smart and kind move, David Richards gave our Men's Shed a new First Aid kit for our shed. We will try not to need it.
March 11th., 2024--We had an entertaining and fruitful visit from Marilyn & George Gough, from Kindred Farm. We hope we can help each other out in some future endeavour.
August 16, 17 & 18, 2024--At RibFest 2024, our Men's Shed Langley volunteered to assist and support the Ron Cares Society. It was the first Festival we attended and we learned a lot from Ron about 'shmoozing',... and free food from the volunteer tent. Thanks Ron!
August 25th., 2024--For our first appearence at a festival presenting our Men's Shed Langley Society, we set up our new tent at Global Fest - 2024. From some wonderful folks, we heard strong reassurance that what we were doing was needed and valuable. Food, music, dancing, an impromptu dog show and lots of inquiring people made for a fine day.
August 17, 2024--Rob Hollins, out of the goodness of his heart, donated some aging tools, which we refurbished for our use, and some were further donated....that was, after we researched just what the heck some of them were. 'Saw tooth set plyers' ????? Really???
November 16th., 2024--Thanks to a former woodworker's generosity, Ivo Cargnelli, the Men's Shed Langley now has an almost new General International dedicated Mortiser. It is a welcome addition to our workshop and a classy step-up for the 'Time To Think' Creations brand of our shed. Thank you!
Building Connections,
Building Community
My Personal View
~Ray Girard - President - Men's Shed Langley
Men's Sheds all seem to have a different focus. It depends, of course, on the talents, occupations and hobbies of each individual. So far our Shed seems to have a balance between the usual Woodworking and the newer interest of LASER-cutters/engravers, and 3-D printers. Luckily both can enhance each other. We would also like to create a Repair group who would tackle small appliances, bicycles, electric and non-electric tools, and similar things.
If our combined talents allow, we would attempt repairs in our community of Langley, the Township of Langley, and the surrounding area, ...improving or repairing pre-existing constructs. I could also see us venturing into hobbies like photography, construction techniques, story-telling, gardening, PhotoShop graphics, remote-control flying (drones), and many other areas. Each new person who joins has a world of talents to add to our possibilities. They also have the chance to learn something NEW, which always adds to ones Life. No matter what age we are, we should always move Forward.
I guess the bottom line is that we wish to create an atmosphere of Welcome, ...a group of friends, ...a feeling of usefulness, ...and a place to immediately feel at home in. Join us in the quest. It is truly Worthwhile, and it has the propensity to create Magic.
Contact Us for any reason
Money donations can be made by Cheque or E-Transfer
Cheques written out to:
Men's Shed Langley Society
then mailed to:
Alex Paylor, (our treasurer)
#109 - 5765 Glover Road, Langley, B.C.
CANADA
V3A 8M8
E-Transfers emailed to:
Tool or Wood donations,
use above email address.
Thank You!
We will show your donation on our website (if you want.)
Donations are critical to Men's Sheds as they help maintain spaces, provide necessary tools and resources, support programming, and ensure the sustainability of these vital community hubs for men's wellness and social connection. Any help is a Great help.
Began February, 2023
Incorporated June 26, 2023
at 5:42PM Pacific Time
© 2023 All Rights Reserved
