CREATIVE CABBIES SHREWSBURY DRIVER’S PUB WINS SHEDLOAD OF GLORY!!


A man who con- verted his garden shed into a work- ing pub has won the 2012 Shed of the Year competi- tion. John Plumridge spent four years of week- ends creating his Woodhenge pub, fit- ting the work around his job as a taxi driver - and being a husband and father. Mr Plumridge’s den, which beat some 2,000 entries, saw him convert parts of his Shrewsbury garden into a public inn, com- plete with wooden interior and a collec- tion of 550 real ales and 110 ciders. Mr Plumridge joked that he “shed” a tear when told he had won the accolade – but earnestly added that winning meant much more than the £1,000 prize money.


John Plumridge outside his converted shed and the pub inside open for business


“I’ve been working on it for years and it was a hobby that just grew,” he told the Independ- ent. “I spent so many hours on it and just built it up over the years... Now it is price- less.” Mr Plumridge admit- ted he had a “patient” wife, but added: “What’s outside is my business and what’s inside is her business.


I have been married 34 years. She doesn’t ask me what I spent on it and I don’t ask her what she spends on shoes and handbags.” He said his Wood- henge Pub Shed was ‘a great venue for fam- ily and friends to party in – and we haven’t got too far to get home’. In preparation for the accolade,


shed


obsessed Brits up and down the country have spent the last year restoring, renovating and patiently pottering in preparation for the annual celebration of their garden getaways. The Shed of the Year judges included ‘Head Sheddie’ and creator of


the competition


Uncle Wilco, property guru and shed fan Sarah Beeny, author


SOME OF THE OTHER CATEGORY WINNERS


Neil Gaiman, self-pro- claimed sheddie and author of Shedworking Alex Johnson, and 2011 winner Jon Earl. Sarah Beeny said: 'Shed of the Year is a great inspiration and clearly encourages people to get creative with their sheds. “I am really happy that a pub shed has won after I created my own Kings Head pub shed


Judge Sarah Beeny


for Cuprinol, which is currently on display in Rufford Park in Not- tingham. “Hopefully others will be inspired to create their own sheddy haven too.” John’s pub shed which won the pub shed category went on to beat off stiff compe- tition from the winners of the seven other competition gories


cate- including Cabin/Summerhouse - Post Office Unique - floating shed Garden Office - Bostin Betty Shed


Normal, Eco, Garden Office, Cabin/Sum- m e r h o u s e , Workshop/Studio, Unique and Pub.


PAGE 48


PHTM AUGUST 2012


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