Renfrew men help fix broken musical instruments at high school

A high school will be able to hit the right notes again thanks to volunteers from Renfrew Men’s Shed.

Pupils at Trinity High School in the Renfrewshire town have benefitted from years of engineering experience and community spirit after a handy duo at the shed repaired musical equipment at the school.

Engineers John Carty and Ted Mullen – who have a combined 80 years of experience in the local music scene – thought they could bring their two passions together by repairing musical instruments.

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The pair contacted Graham Ness, a music teacher at the school, to see if he had anything that needed fine tuned and, after discovering a few instruments needed to be fixed, worked their magic and repaired a number of guitars which can now be used again.

John said: “Renfrew Men’s Shed has been up and running now for just over a year and we have been successful on a small scale.

“Through craft-based projects, building up the skills of participants and building up a safe place in the community, we aim to help men who may be feeling lonely or at a loose end to seek friendship and community and to achieve things in a shoulder-to-shoulder fashion.

“Some time ago I contacted Graham Ness and asked him if there was any equipment which needed to be repaired. Subsequently, we have taken in guitars which were no longer being used due to major faults and broken parts.

“Using our combined skills we have managed to repair and rebuild these guitars and are now in the position to hand them back for full time use by the music students at Trinity High School.”

Music teacher Graham said: “What the Men’s Shed has done is tremendous; these instruments were wasted as they were no longer in use. They have now turned them back into fully functioning quality instruments saving us valuable resources.

“We are extremely grateful and hope to continue our community link with Renfrew Men’s Shed and rescue some more valuable instruments for repair and reuse.”

Renfrew Men’s Shed is open three days a week – Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 11am to 2am – at the Anderson Business Centre, Anderson Drive in Renfrew.

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