On Track For A Win - Eastbourne Man Wins Shed Of The Year

A nationwide shed-building award has been scooped by an Eastbourne resident - who managed to engineer a shed that runs on rails.

A retired railway worker has scooped glory in the Cuprinol Shed Of The Year 2020 contest - with a shed that runs on rails.

Adrian Backhall won the Cuprinol Shed Of The Year 2020 Contest with his creation 'Old Bill', in tribute to a toolmaker friend of his who lived to the ripe old age of 101.

The shed, which triumphed in the 'Unique' category, is winch-operated and travels along 30ft-long rails in his back garden.

Inside it features seating, a wood burner, and a 12-Volt power supply.

Adrian, who worked on the railway for 40 years before recently retiring, said:

"I accumulated so much old railway stuff over the years that I thought I should put some of it to good use.

"When I retired I already had the trolley base, so it was just a case of adding to it.

"I named it in tribute to Bill who I used to live over the road from. He was a toolmaker by profession and I used a lot of his tools in making the shed. 

"He was a really great guy. I'd take him out on weekends and we'd go for a drive and get some cake."

Adrian can often be found enjoying a night under the stars in his shed. He added:

"It's a great place to sleep in summer. You wake up to the sun streaming in from the east - fire up the stove and have a cup of tea. There's not much better than that."   

Head Judge and competition founder Andrew Wilcox said:

"This year we've been blown away by the imagination and creativity on display from sheddies up and down the country, during these unprecedented times.

"Adrian has created a truly unique space inspired by his lifelong love of railways. Naming it after his old chum Bill is a great tribute."

Kirsty Woodbine, Marketing Manager for Cuprinol, said:

"The extraordinary events of this past year have seen the nation's sheds take on a host of new roles in our lives - from a family refuge to a sheducation hub. It highlights how creative and considerate we can be even through the most difficult of times.

"Now more than ever our gardens, patios and outside spaces provide welcome respite from the uncertainties of the world outside - allowing us time to reflect, relax and socialise.

"At Cuprinol we're committed to helping people make the most of the outdoors so they can enjoy all the benefits getting closer to nature brings."

This year's entrants competed across nine categories - with two new lockdown-specific categories introduced - Lockdown Repurpose and Lockdown New-build. A public vote through readerssheds.co.uk decided each winner.