Stamford inventor Colin Furze's workshop is a finalist in Cuprinol Shed of the Year competition
The workshop where Stamford's Colin Furze creates his inventions is through to the finals of the 2020 Cuprinol Shed Of The Year competition.
Colin uses the workshop to create inventions for his YouTube channel, which boasts an online audience of over 10 million subscribers and over 1 Billion views, is one of three on the shortlist in the ‘workshop’ category.
His most recent invention is a social distancing bike and a coronavirus isolation box.
Colin, 40, built the workshop because he was never allowed in his dad’s growing up. He said: “My dad never let me in his shed. So once I moved into my own house the shed was the first thing I did. Despite the house needing a lot of work, without the work space to use tools I wouldn't have been able to make the alterations the house needed.
“The shed is not just a workspace or place of work, it is now an inspiration for the many people that watch my videos to see what can be made in a garden workshop. I get a lot of messages from people and parents of children who've been inspired to get making their own creations and even make their own sheds based on mine.
“The shed for many is an escape and a very personal space, and mine is no different, but with its second life on the internet mine is nearly a public space too. My YouTube videos and projects (no matter how large) all come from that little shed and I've resisted making a bigger one or moving into a unit because I know the success of those videos is because it shows everyone can do what I do at the side of their houses in a fairly small space.”
The competition sees 27 competitors battling for the crown across nine categories. A winner from each will be decided by public vote, then an overall winner will be crowned by a panel of shed experts with a giant golden crown for the winning shed.
Alongside eternal shed glory, the overall winner will also receive £1,000, a plaque and £100 of Cuprinol products.
Head judge and founder of the competition Andrew Wilcox said: “More than ever, the events of recent months have shown us what a valuable role sheds can play in our lives.
“They are spaces where we can help our NHS heroes, educate our children and care for our family.
"They highlight all that is great about Britain - our ingenuity, our eccentricity and our determination to help others.”
Kirsty Woodbine, marketing manager for Cuprinol said: ”We’ve been astonished by the quality of entries to this year’s competition.
"All our entrants have responded with real creativity and imagination, but more than that the introduction of this year’s new lockdown categories has shown a real outpouring of kindness and community spirit.
“This year more than ever Cuprinol Shed of the Year has served as a platform for those going above and beyond for each other”
Last year’s Cuprinol Shed Of The Year was won by Chris Shield of Buxton, Derbyshire, whose Hobbit-inspired hideaway was described by Andrew Wilcox as “brilliantly creative”.
Public voting is now underway for the 14th annual competition and will close on Sunday, August 9. Cast your vote at: www.readersheds.co.uk
