“I then served in the Royal Air Force (RAF) for 12 years as a Corporal—protecting airfields and helicopters—and as a result had the experience of travelling all over the world. For a short time after that I became a joiner for a local firm before returning to boat building for 37 years.
“I was fortune to be part of the small team that constructed the 85ft masts for the RSS Discovery (pictured below—Alfie in the red top). I was the chargehand and we received the wood which was specially selected from ‘straight as they come’ trees back in 1988 and dried it out—ensuring the perfect air flow—before making the masts in 1991 following the original drawings. I am extremely proud to have been involved in that project.
“On top of all of that I was also part-time in the Fire Brigade for over 20 years, volunteered at the boat yard and have been known to pose as Santa Claus in my time!
“I would not say I am a workaholic, but boy did I have a great career until retiring at 65. Not many people can declare this but I am proud to say that I have lived an extremely full and fulfilling life and thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. Yes, it has had its ups and downs but I have loved it and have no plans of stopping anytime soon.
“I am starting to feel my age now, the body and mind are not quite what they used to be but I still go for a walk every single day, watch what I eat, look after my house and make sure to attend my local Men’s Shed—Banff, Macduff and District Men’s Shed—most days.
“As a retired and divorced man, I go for the company but also after working my whole life, the Men’s Shed gives me purpose and a place to go to utilise my skills as a builder and joiner and also share this with other members.
“Five years ago, I heard about Men’s Sheds and just knew there and then that it was for me. I went along and joined straight away. I have been involved from the start and one of the best memories of my time at the Shed so far was having our 99-year lease approved for the former Fife Street school by Aberdeenshire Council.
“We had totally outgrown our North Castle Street home and were in desperate need of larger premises. Now, we have so much space that we can offer this to other community groups.
“The previous owners, Banff and Buchan College, had spent thousands previously renovating the building but it had lain empty for 12 years and still needed a bit of work and a big tidy up. With the Shed only being a 10-minute walk from my house, I was there almost every day helping out.
“Nowadays, however, I am not so able to do the heavier work. I have also never been into modern technology, in fact when I got a laptop, I wanted to throw it out the window and only have a mobile phone for emergencies when I am out on my walks at the request of my family who worry about me. I am totally there for the chat now—which is exactly what Men’s Sheds are about.
“Most of our members are over 60 but we also have some in their 30s and 40s and I am also happy to supervise and mentor the others if they ask for help and require my input.
“I am struggling a bit of late with my memory but can still remember the fondest memories including being six years old when a monkey puzzle tree was planted within the grounds of Banff Castle and a plaque unveiled by the Argentine Ambassador to commemorate the 100-year memorial of a national hero of Argentina, a gentleman called Jose de San Martin, for his leading role in achieving Argentine independence. That tree is now over 7m high now and our Shed were involved in cleaning up that very same plaque recently to return it to its former glory.
“My son and daughter and four grandchildren live close by and are extremely supportive of the Men’s Shed, my son has even been to the Shed a few times and they are delighted that I have this place to go and so many friends.
“As I near my 80th birthday, my plans are to just keep going along to the Shed and keep the brain and body active. Despite slowing down a bit, and taking a bit longer to get there with my walking stick, there’s no stopping me going to the place I love.”
Shed Secretary John Bloor said: “Alfie is a true inspiration to all of us at the Shed. Throughout the pandemic and the agonising process we had to endure to get our Community Asset Transfer, Alfie turned up to every weekly socially distanced and otherwise meeting, believing that we could achieve our objective and spurred us all on.”
