The winner of Shed of the year 2013 is the Boat Roofed Shed

Fighting fierce competition from over 1,900 creative garden dens, the Boat Roofed shed, owned by Sheddie Alex Holland from Machynlleth in mid Wales, has today been crowned the winner of the 2013 Shed of the Year competition sponsored by Cuprinol.

The unique and beautifully crafted shed is no ordinary design. It has a recycled upturned boat for a roof and a 20w solar panel to power LED lights. Located at an altitude of 750ft above sea level in the Cambrian Mountain range, mid Wales, the rustically charming shack is made entirely from recycled materials and contains a wood burner, 12v sound system and gas cooker – as well as a refrigerator to store chilled drinks.

Alex Holland comments: “I am absolutely delighted to have won the 2013 Shed of the Year competition sponsored by Cuprinol. The standard and creativity shown by the other entrants has been incredible so I am genuinely surprised to have reached the top spot! With the £1,000 prize from the sponsors Cuprinol I intend to buy a second hand 400w 12v wind turbine to augment the solar panel to give me enough electricity to make ice in the fridge for gin and tonics, and to ensure the cider and beers are always chilled. I’ll then be able to have a proper party to celebrate with those who have supported me in getting so far.”

This year’s winner was selected by a high profile judging panel including Channel 4 property presenter Sarah Beeny, British designer, writer and television presenter Kevin McCloud, Shed of the Year founder Uncle Wilco and 2012 winner John Plumridge.

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Kathryn Ledson, Cuprinol Senior Marketing Manager, comments: “It has been a tough decision for the judges, but the Boat Roof Shed is certainly worthy of the prestigious title! At Cuprinol we love the idea of upcycling sheds and garden furniture to give them a new lease of life and Alex’s shed is the perfect example of just how creative you can be. We’re delighted to sponsor the annual Shed of the Year competition which celebrates the very best of British sheds.”

Alex’s Boat Roofed Shed which won the Unique Shed category during the finalist leg of the competition, went on to beat stiff competition from the winners of the seven other competition categories including Eco, Garden Office, Cabin/Summerhouse, Workshop/Studio, Pub, Tardis and Normal.

Shed Judge Sarah Beeny commented “Out and out winner it has everything, utterly brilliant, I wish it was mine.”

Shedworking’s Alex adds “This is obviously the year of the ‘green shed’ – so many of the finalists have not only lavished time and love on their shedbuilding, but they’ve done so with upcycling, recycling and general eco-friendly thoughts at the front of their mind.”

Kevin Mccloud comments on the needs for sheds – “Our consumption of stuff happens on a scale; from the fantastically wasteful at one end to the fantastically crafted and cherished at the other.

We all of us ‘get’ the value of the cherished object and perhaps in that experience lies the path to inner-shedness”

I would personally like to thank all the sheddies for taking part – it has been one of the hardest years for yes judges.

And a big thank you to Cuprinol for all their hard work promoting the competition and of course providing the prize to the winning sheddie.

I can’t wait for 2014 already!