A bra-fitting boutique, a Catholic oratory, and a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang-inspired “inventor’s workshop” are among this year’s Shed of the Year entrants.
The “lockdown” category introduced in last year’s competition has been retained, with several DIY bars created as pubs in England remained closed until coronavirus restrictions began to ease in April.
This year, 331 entrants are vying for the title of Cuprinol Shed of the Year, more than double the number in 2020.
The Catholic priest streamed Mass from the shed every day during lockdown, attracting viewers from Essex to Australia.
My #shedoftheyear entry – Creme de menthe 70’s summer bar ?☀️? pic.twitter.com/QQKCWuSC4g
— Danielle Zarb-Cousin (@Daniellezarb) April 9, 2021
Influencer Danielle Zarb-Cousin also impressed the judges with her 1970s-inspired Creme de Menthe bar in her parents’ garden, which she created after going through a break-up.
Isle of Wight resident Nicholas Pointing built a Chitty Chitty Bang Bang-inspired shed, as he wanted a space to construct a replica of the film’s car for his wife.
The overall winner will receive £1,000, a plaque, £100 worth of Cuprinol products and “eternal shed glory”.
Andrew Wilcox, head judge and founder of the competition, said: “The past year has been an incredibly challenging time for all of us and, now more than ever, we’re aware of how important the humble shed can be.”
“The high-calibre entries this year really prove why we set up the competition in the first place – to highlight the valuable role sheds can play in our lives, in our businesses and the positive impact they have on our wellbeing.”
Last year’s winner was Daniel Holloway, who created a nature-inspired Bedouin Tree-Shed, built around two tree trunks in his back garden.
