Press release -

Winner of Cuprinol's 'Shed of the Year' 2019 revealed as Bux End

‘SHED-LINE NEWS’

After a record-breaking number of entries and over 16,000 votes, the winner of Cuprinol’s Shed of the Year has been revealed as Bux End.

Shed building superstar Chris Hield fought off stiff competition wowing the judges in the competition’s new Nature’s Haven category and winning the accolade of owning the nation’s favourite shed.

Chris, 49 of Buxton, said: “I’m delighted - and in shock! We are massive Lord of the Rings fans so when we decided to build our own shed we knew it had to be a hobbit hole.

“It had to fit in with the wildlife and nature that we have cultivated in the rest of our garden so the grass roof was a big feature. Whenever we got any seeds for wild flowers we have just thrown them over the top of the shed and they have thrived.

“We have seen so much wildlife since adding the shed - so much so it distracts me when I’m working in there! We have a blackbird nest in the eaves of the shed as well as robins who we have seen hatch from eggs to baby birds and there are the butterflies and bees that swarm the flowers.

“It really is a haven for nature so I am over the moon that I’ve won such a great competition.”

The much-loved national competition, sponsored by woodcare brand Cuprinol, returned for its 13th year - with over 3,000 entrants to seven categories.

After securing the most public votes in the Nature’s Haven category, Chris was selected as the overall winner of the prestigious crown after wowing judges with Bux End.

As well as the coveted title Chris has been presented with £1,000, a wooden plaque, £100 worth of Cuprinol products as well as a giant crown for the super shed.

Founder and Head Judge, Andrew Wilcox said, “Once again the Great British sheddie didn’t disappoint. It was great to see how brilliantly creative this year's entrants have been and to see Chris come out on top with his beautifully natural Bux End.

“This year, Cuprinol discovered that more than a third of Brits allow nature to take over part of their garden, so we thought it was only right to reflect that with the addition of a Nature’s Haven category and the entrants really excited us.

“It seems only fitting that Bux End championed this year’s competition celebrating the nation’s natural approach to the great outdoors.”

Marketing Manager for Cuprinol, Kirsty Woodbine, added: “For many people, the garden is an extension of their home and a place where they are increasingly spending more time.

“Using colour is a great way to bring the best out of the natural environment and Cuprinol’s Garden Shades range is a simple and effective way to inject new life into the garden - whether it’s for a shed, fence or even upcycling furniture and pots.”

The winning shed can be viewed here: http://www.readersheds.co.uk/share.cfm?SHARESHED=6722

ENDS

After vying for the public votes the winners of each category are:

UNEXPECTED

The Lorry Life- Tom Duckworth

CABIN/SUMMERHOUSE

Woody Willow- Tom Prior

WORKSHOP/STUDIO

Artistintheshed - Mary Price

PUB/ENTERTAINMENT
The reef cavern - Chris smith

BUDGET

The Vintage Tea Shed- Anne Hindle

UNIQUE

Space Shed- Jon Spooner

Photo captions:

UNEXPECTED

The Lorry Life- Tom Duckworth

Tom Duckworth impressed with his Lorry Life shed which was a stunning entry into the Unexpected category and was a worthy winner proving just how versatile a shed can be after he put his on wheels and made it a home. The shed even has its own water system with a purpose-built water tank fitted under a reclaimed red chesterfield sofa, a kitchen - and tiled shower area.

CABIN/SUMMERHOUSE

Woody Willow- Tom Prior

Encapsulating the Cabin/Summerhouse category, talented Tom Prior pipped others to the post with his expertly crafted Woody Willow - a stunning play house for his two children which was his “greatest creation yet”. The dad-of-two has held a lifelong ambition to build a playhouse for his two children - and this spectacular design grew so big it needed planning permission. Documenting the build on his instagram Tom built the shed in his spare time at evenings and weekends.

WORKSHOP/STUDIO

Artistintheshed - Mary Price

Allowing for a category in which the original shed was intended the Workshop/Studio category also broadened the scope of more modern living as people use their space for hobbies or running small businesses. Securing the most votes was Mary Price in this category showing off her shed which is used as an artist’s studio. Since entering the competition Mary has seen her work sore in popularity.

PUB/ENTERTAINMENT
The reef cavern - Chris smith

Chris Smith was clearly the envy of the nation winning the Pub/Entertainment category with his stunning design Reef Cavern - created after Chris and his wife were kept too busy to go on holiday for six years. Bringing the holiday vibe into his back garden the unique beach bar has a roped entrance with palm leaves and a bead curtain leading into the shed and once inside includes a Hawaiian-themed bar with wooden pineapples and vibrant coloured cocktails.

BUDGET

The Vintage Tea Shed- Anne Hindle

Despite being built with less than £100 this year’s budget winner was Anne Hindle who proved you don’t need to invest loads of money to build your own Vintage Tea Shed. The Blackpool based shed is full of chintzy items including cushions, tea cups, fringed lamps and inspirational signs all in soft pastel colours.

UNIQUE

Space Shed- Jon Spooner

Finally, the crowd pleasing Space Shed secured the most public votes in the Unique category which demonstrated stand-out brilliance and innovation with his Tim Peake backed educational creation. The writer and theatre maker used the bright blue shed as his place to write stories and built a fully mobile ‘replica’ of the Space Shed using hydraulics that open up to reveal a mini stage with a fully programmable LED lighting rig, big screen and sound system.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About Shed of the Year #shedoftheyear

Shed of the Year is a celebration of the great British shed in all their forms. From the miniature to the massive, the modern to the traditional, the cosy to the minimal and everything in between - you'll find sheds of every shape, size and function in the annual competition.

The man behind the competition, Andrew Wilcox, is also head judge. A passionate sheddie since his youth -his mission is to open the eyes of the world to the importance of the shed. And of course, the idea came to him in the birthplace of many other fine ideas, the pub!

This year’s categories are;

  • Nature’s Haven - A new addition to this year’s competition where entrants are invited to display their carefully placed sheds taking in the natural habitat around them.
  • Unexpected - Entries are unique and their owners have put time and effort into their creation often with limited funds or design experience. Whatever the unexpected nature of these sheds we can expect novelty, style and a real labour of love.
  • Cabin/Summerhouse - This category lends itself to entries which could be considered another room of a home. A space to escape from the humdrum of daily life, switch off from technology and be at one with nature.
  • Workshop/Studio - This category is for the sheds that are more likely to be used in a way the shed was initially intended. But the scope for this has broadened with modern living as more people take their hobbies or small businesses outside away from their home.
  • Pub & Entertainment - Entrants will be the envy of all their neighbours with their very own pub in their back garden.
  • Budget - A category for the thrifty - these sheds will have impressively been made on a budget. Whether it’s reclaimed wood, pallets, iron or scrap metal entrants will have foraged for materials in their local area and upcycled them to create their masterpiece.
  • Unique - This is the category for the utterly bizarre to stand-out brilliance. Entrants to the Unique category should own a shed which stands out - either for its use, the way it looks or even its theme.

About Cuprinol

Cuprinol – for your great outdoors.

We think nature is wonderful, from colonies of bees that pollinate our gardens to plants that actively clean our air of toxins, nature is constantly dazzling us with its beauty and function. That’s why at Cuprinol we take inspiration from our natural surroundings, developing products that work with nature to colour and protect your wood.

From our Ducksback technology that keeps wood healthy by repelling moisture - just like water off a duck’s back. Through to our Garden Shades range of colours that are inspired by the natural world and designed to let the natural grain of the wood shine through.

We’re on a mission to help you make your outside a brighter space for living, so step outside, welcome nature in and turn your garden into your great outdoors with the help of Cuprinol.

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