Men's Shed Langley

A hundred-year-old family bench, wobbly and tired, came back to life in a Langley workshop not long ago. So did a gate at Kindred Farm, and a stranger’s deck, fixed for free. That’s the Men’s Shed in a nutshell: a bunch of guys, a pile of tools, and a pot of coffee that’s always on.

The idea comes from Australia, where “sheds” started as a way for men, especially retired ones, to stay busy and stay connected. Plenty of men won’t sign up for a support group, but they’ll happily stand at a workbench next to someone and talk while they sand. The Langley group’s motto, printed right on its logo, is “Shoulder to Shoulder.”

How it got going

Men’s Shed Langley Society became a registered BC society on June 26, 2023. Early help came from a $1,000 United Way grant that spring and a $500 Seniors in Action grant that fall, and the shed itself sits on property owned by two of the group’s founding supporters. By April 2026 the club said it had more than 50 paid-up members and nine directors.

What actually happens

Two things, mostly.

Tuesday coffee. Every week at 10:30 am the group takes over the Sun Room at the Langley Senior Resources Society on 51B Avenue. It’s conversation, plans for the next project, and the odd story that gets better every time it’s told. This is where newcomers start.

The shed. Woodworking is the heart of it, with a laser cutter-engraver and 3D printers for the more technically minded. Recent work posted on the club’s site includes a yellow cedar bench built with old-school mortise and tenon joints, and a raised planter the members built and gave to the seniors’ centre in May 2025. The club is talking about adding a repair group for small appliances, bikes and tools, and maybe photography, gardening, drones and storytelling.

You may also have bumped into them out and about: they’ve had a table at Ribfest and Global Fest, and in November 2025 they hosted a “Men’s Shed Effect” showcase around International Men’s Day.

Dropping in

Send an email to say you’re coming, then turn up on a Tuesday and meet the guys. After your second visit someone will arrange a tour of the shed. No skills needed; the whole point is that someone there will show you.

Helping out

The club runs on small grants, dues and donations. Local business Country Lumber gave $500 in 2025. If you’re clearing out a garage, the club takes donated tools and wood (email first). Money can go by e-transfer to the club’s email, or by cheque to the mailing address on its website.

For more ways to fill a week in Langley, see our guide for seniors, the Rotary clubs and Langley’s lodges.

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