Men’s charity powering through repairs thanks to National Highways donation

A men’s charity in Herefordshire has been treated to some truly cutting-edge machinery thanks to a grant from National Highways which is working on a nearby road scheme.

Ross-on-Wye Men’s Shed invites retired and semi-retired men to make an active contribution to the local community by repairing, renovating and recycling items.

To support the not-for-profit organisation, National Highways - which is carrying out repairs on the A40 at Leys Bend following a rockfall – has donated £9,000 to cover the expense of some costly new tools.

The team now have a power lathe and dust extractor to help with their valuable work as well as a costly CNC router. The Computer Numerical Control router automates cutting, carving, drilling, and engraving.

The donation also enabled the charity to put down new flooring in the refreshment area of their workshop on the Ashburton Industrial Estate in Ross-on-Wye.

National Highways Route Manager, Joseph Walmsley, said:

“We are always very grateful for people’s patience and understanding when we are working in or near their communities. Which is why it is important to us to try to give a little something back to those communities when we can.

“The Men’s Club is doing a fantastic job supporting the local community as well as offering companionship for those who attend and teaching them new skills. We were very happy to help out with a grant from our Community Legacy Fund.

“We are also grateful to our contractors Morgan Sindall for highlighting this very worthy cause and helping organise the donation.

The Ross-on-Wye Men’s Shed repair, renovate, make and recycle items in their workshop. They refurbish items and request donations to help cover their costs. The charity offers companionship and a community as well as teaching new skills.

Mark Gunn, Secretary of Ross-on-Wye Men’s Shed, said:

“We’re really grateful for the donation of additional funds by National Highways as it has allowed us to purchase resources that would otherwise be out of our financial grasp. The provision of new flooring really improves the refreshment area for members. The lathe and CNC machine really enhance the capabilities of what we are able to undertake for the local community.”

National Highways’ Community Legacy Fund aims to create positive change. By integrating community legacy work into daily operations and collaborating with its supply chain, the company ensures that every project has a positive impact.  

The four key themes of social value are economic prosperity, environmental improvement, community wellbeing and equality, diversity and inclusion.  

A contraflow is in place on the A40 at Leys Bend after a rockfall forced the partial closure of the road.

A patterning of steel bolts and steel mesh are currently being installed across the stretch of slope affected by the rockfall to improve the long-term safety of the location and help prevent further rockfalls here.