Shed on wheels - progress and nostalgia

Laura Geary from the Sockburn Hall Project has been hard at work with her shed on wheels project. Here's what she says:

"The shed on wheels is progressing! This weekend the secondhand Ifor Williams trailer headed down to Herefordshire where it'll have an sheep wool insulated shed built on top! Andrew Marsden (an experienced wagon builder) designed the structure and is building it using reclaimed materials where possible - a great hardwood stable door has just been sourced. There will also be a little stove inside meaning I can make use of the abundance of fallen wood about the site. By the end of January, Sockburn Hall Project will have a new, and hopefully pretty environmentally sound, hub for its activities!

"Here are the dimensions and a drawing of the shed as it's been envisaged. The sleeping platform is to be across one end of the shed - I'm only 5'4" so I'll be able to walk underneath ok! - with a small window at that level. I can't wait! Also, in looking through some photos we found at Sockburn Hall my mum found some pictures of her father's very own shed on wheels... a well-loved and very well-used 1930s caravan. There must be something in the genes!"

Shed on Wheels unveiled!

We've been following Laura Geary's marvellous shed on wheels build for some months now and I'm very glad to say that it's now finished and has been delivered. "I've got it and I'm delighted with it," says Laura. "Andy [Marsden, who designed and built it] came up over night Friday/Saturday morning - we met on the A1 and my Shed followed me to its home!" To see more of the whole build go to her Flickr group here. Laura continues:

"We got it into position on Saturday and three of us slept in it that evening - apparently the coldest of the year, but with the sheep's wool insulation and little woodburning stove you couldn't have guessed the frost that was outside! I can't wait to get going with the work inside to get it decorated and kitted out...it's a fantastic addition to Sockburn and was extremely popular with all the weekend's visitors and volunteers. If anyone is interested in finding out more about Sockburn Hall Project or visiting/volunteering then they are very welcome to contact me via www.sockburnhall.co.uk. Or to contact the designer and maker of the Shed on Wheels, Andy Marsden, email marzypan8@hotmail.com or on 07966163597."

There'll be more pictures of the inside - including the bed/sleeping platform which Laura says has a gorgeous oak sleigh-type front - later in the year on this site.

And the winner of Shed of the Year 2009 is...

The Kite Cabin, owned by Steven Harwood from Llandysul near Carmarthen, West Wales. "I entered Shed of the Year because I feel I have a very special shed in a very special place," said Steven. "The location is unbeatable in my opinion with amazing panoramic views. It is surrounded by nature including kites, badgers and various birds. It is such a useable space and is not pre-ordered like so many sheds these days. It is a realisation of my idea and I love it. I hope that my cabin will be an inspiration for others and what can be done in an otherwise dead space."

Steven's prizes include a year’s supply of cheese from the Cheeseshed.com, a £50 voucher from Wyevale Garden Centres, a unique shed cushion and a wind-up Trevor Bayliss radio.

Uncle Wilco, organiser of Shed of the Year said: “This is the third year we have run the competition and each time I am astounded by the quality of the sheds that our sheddies create, they put everything into it. From off-the-shelf sheds that the sheddie have decorated and turned into their own escapes, to hand-built ecosheds and workshops, the range of talents of the British public is unbelievable.”

The judges of Shed of the Year commented:

Sarah Beeny, TV property developer."The shed quality gets better and better each year - it seems more and more people are embracing the joy of sheds! Though I was tempted by Grumpy’s Palace as it looks just like my office, The Kite Cabin was perfect! Well done!!"

Chris Evans, TV personality and Radio 2 DJ: "Grumpy's shed was a great shed but nothing that nice and welcoming should be called grumpy - I'm saying next year change the name and you’re in with a shout, son. The disco shed so nearly got my vote for obvious reasons - DJ love etc - but let's face it, it's not a shed, it is in fact a vehicle born out of the most extreme capitalist culture and although, whilst spreading music, lights and fun where ere it may come to rest, pitch up and plug in, it is nevertheless, at its very core, a money-making wooden machine on wheels. In my opinion my favourite is the delightful, delectable, cool yet not pretentious - Dingly Dell. A shed indeed fit for a princess."

Alex Johnson, Editor of Shedworking.co.uk: "National Shed Week once again showcases the many ways in which the shed concept is central to the lives of millions of people, not just in the UK, but around the planet. The finalists have again shown that there is really no limit to the ways in which we can use the smallest room not in the house. Surely it's time that television property programmes stopped concentrating on 'grand designs' and started focusing on 'small wonders'?"

Rico Daniels, TV’s Salvager: "Of all the sheds featured the Kite Cabin is the one I would most like to own and spend time in. The construction is both unusual and visually appealing, making novel use of a difficult plot. It creates the sort of hideaway that would lift your spirits as you approached it and again as you enjoyed the interior and the views it offers . It is well-appointed and low-impact making good use of alternative technology and the ease with which it sits in the landscape makes it a real contender in my view."

Tim McNeil, Shed of the Year 2008 winner: "What a difficult job with so many beautiful sheds. You have to admire the eco shed for the amount of work that went into it as carefully recounted by the owner and the substantial building he created and the ecological case. However, the one that really took my breath away was Kite Cabin. I would love to have designed it and built it - and to own it must be just fantastic."

Tony Rogers, Shed of the Year 2007 winner: “The Kite Cabin -It's all his own design and build too. The view out down the garden is fantastic. With a TV, satellite, stove, carpets, video, telescope, toilet and beds. What more could you need. Maybe a phone to order the take-aways! Do they deliver take-aways to the top of the garden in West Wales?

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Sheds on wheels planning dispute: update

We reported back in June on James Kershaw's planning dispute with Pembrokeshire County Council over the effect of putting wheels on a shed in terms of planning regulations (details here). That first case went against Mr Kershaw but he appealed and as the Pembrokeshire Herald reports, he has had that decision overturned with a judge finding that the council's action were an abuse of process.

There are more details at the link above but talking exclusively to Shedworking, Mr Kershaw said: "I have learnt a lot during this legal argument and in planning terms whether a structure on wheels is a building or simply a chattel placed on the land is a matter of fact and degree. There are a number of variants. Permanence is a major factor, and if it was intended to remain in one position for a long period. My advice to people unsure on the issue is erect the shed on a fully movable, towable chassis which is able to be moved around your garden with ease either behind a vehicle or pushed around by a group of strong men or women."

Shed on wheels - update

Earlier this month Shedworking reported on Laura Geary's plans to live in a shed on wheels during her restoration project at Sockburn Hall and we invited the garden office suppliers who regularly read this site to come forward with their suggestions. And they have done so. Laura says one of the most promising, though not within her £5,000 budget, has come with full drawings and pricing for various options including a trailer. Here's what she says:

"The trailer is W 2.2m x L 3.6m, and the internal height would be 3m, lowering to 1.8m (fine for little me at 5'4"!) under the sleeping platform which will be full width (accessed by a ladder) at the back 2m of the shed. It's fully electrified (!) with sheeps wool insulation and the wood/windows are reclaimed where possible. Thedesign sounds great with cedar shingle roof and a choice of horizontal or vertical claddings. There will be two windows, and probably a half-heck door.

"It's certainly giving me lots to think about. I've had it measured out on the floor to try to visualise it and size wise I think it'll be ideal - though the bigger it is the more I'll be tempted to try to fit in it! Another company is quoting for the work in something other than their traditional oak (that might be a little pricey!) but for many people it seems that as it's such a nonstandard request it falls off the'to do' list!" Some are happier with the adventurous, bespoke requests than others!"

If you'd like to contact Laura with your thoughts, you can email her at sockburn@gmail.com

Shed on wheels - update

Those of you following Laura Geary's marvellous shed on wheels project will be pleased to see it coming along so nicely (pictured above). Laura is assiduous in posting photos of the build also on the Garden Office group on Facebook if you fancy a nip along there too.

Shed on Wheels - nearing completion

Laura Geary's shed on wheels is almost ready. Here are the latest photos with comments by Laura. "Waterproof membrane on top of the boarding - getting ready for the corrugated galvanised roof. And look at the brilliant window shields!""Sheep wool insulation complete! Cosy...""Clad all round""Roof insulation being fitted"

Shed on wheels - update

Laura Geary's shed on wheels build is continuing apace. Here are the latest photos (which you can also view at the Garden Office group on Facebook).

Shed on wheels - final update

We've been following Laura Geary's shed on wheels project from her initial thoughts through to the finished product. Here are the final pictures showing the interior of the marvellous build.
Via Garden Offices (Facebook group)

Laura Geary's Shed on Wheels - update

Laura's shed on wheels is coming along well (see here for the story so far). Here are more pictures of Andy Marsden's fine work putting it all together. More photos here

Do wheels on a shed make a different to planning regulations?

A common question about keeping your shed legal is the issue of making it moveable - to cut a long story short, if it's mobile, then there are fewer restrictions on what you can build (this is one reason why shepherds' huts have become more popular). But as with everything it's more complicated than that...

There was an excellent example of the issue this month when Pembrokeshire Council took James Kershaw to court for trying to avoid planning regs by adding wheels to a wooden shed (top) he built on his land in front of 12th centurey Pill Priory (a Grade II listed building, above) near Milford Haven - he claimed that the wheels meant it was no longer a building and thus exempt.

District Judge Chris James at Llanelli Magistrates' Court did not see it that way, that he did not believe Mr Kershaw, who runs a gardening business, intended to or indeed could move the shed around (despite the wheels) and fined him £700, plus costs of £2,244. The shed had been put up in 2015 without planning permission and was described by a planning inspector as “clumsy and monolithic” which did not fit in with the historic property.

Images courtesy Pembrokeshire Council
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Looking for a shed on wheels

Shedworking reader Laura Geary writes that she is part of a not-for-profit team working to restore historic Sockburn Hall near Darlington (for more details click here). She has some money to spend on sorting out six months worth of accommodation and writes: "Rather than spend it on rent I'm looking for a small insulated shed (2.5 x 3m perhaps), ideally on a trailer base so that it can be moved, and with a sleeping loft so that I can base myself at Sockburn Hall. I'll use the washing facilities, etc already on site." A sketch of what she's after is pictured above. Anybody who can offer help, advice, or indeed a trailer shed can contact her via the Sockburn Hall website.

Leading London digital advertising agency adopts shedworking

A great example of the creative use of shedworking has been employed by digital ad agency TGB in their refitted offices designed by Satmoko Ball. As onoffice magazine reports (or the e-mag version here), there is not only a more open-plan feel to the office including desks on wheels to make movement between teams easier, there is also a plywood shed in reception. Indeed Adrian Ball of Satmoko Ball specifically says that the concept was based on an “urban garden” with green carpet in the public areas as a kind of 'lawn'. Here's a snippet:

"The most obvious interpretation of the theme is the shed, which is situated smack in the middle of the office floor. Inside it has a writing surface, plus little windows on either side that swing open to break-out spaces with low coffee tables, stools and a couch. Although it works as an interesting focal point for the office, the shed doesn’t look particularly comfortable, which might explain its emptiness.

Ball admits that the shed doesn't yet seem to be getting a lot of use but says it is part of the overall plan to "break the space down into little pockets.”
Thanks to Emma Jones for the alert
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Shepherds' hut safety - a cautionary tale

"As a keen follower of all things shed I would like to give your readers this cautionary tale," writes Kim Burdon. "My wife, an artist, has used her shepherd's hut as a studio creating lino prints, oil paintings and watercolours. The hut also became a focus for all her influences and likes. Collections of old china, wallpaper samples, treasures from the garden and books. Emily is a professional artist and had spent the last two years building up a body of work ready to exhibit. Imagine her despair and horror when, on the morning of April 16, she turned up at our plot to find the the whole studio had gone.

"Thieves had stolen a trailer from up the road then come down and broken into our plot and hauled the whole thing away, Taking Emily's work, equipment and personal possessions with it. We called the police and they are doing due diligence, but in all honesty it could be anywhere. The hut was in the garden of our new build plot in Medstead near Alton Hampshire and although there were fears that it may possibly fall victim to petty crime or vandalism, we had not anticipated the taking of the whole hut.

"We have a second larger shepherd's hut we have been building ourselves and have taken immediate action to secure it, We have removed one of the wheels and placed a trench and fence across our drive. You can never underestimate what thieves are capable of doing.

"As a consequence of this theft we are keen for any information or sightings anywhere in Britain. Not only the shepherds hut, which has green corrugated iron walls with dove grey roof. A small window to the rear and a larger window in the right hand wall. There is a fitted bed frame across the back wall and the walls and ceiling are painted off white with a mustard coloured painted floor. It also has polystyrene insulation pushed up between the floor joists from below.

"Emily is  desperate to retrieve the contents. They may have been dumped, or burned, or there may be a chance that someone tries to sell them on. Any work will have the monogram 'EF' within it. To see the sort of work that was present you can look at Emily's web site at www.emilyfeaver.com."

We asked Richard Lee from Plankbridge for his thoughts. "I would be very interested to know if the wheels were under the sides or set outside. If the wheels are outside the body of the hut it wouldn't fit on a normal trailer - we have adapted a trailer to take the extra width, which is one of the features of a genuine shepherds hut. It would take some doing to take a hut, they are very difficult to load and move usually.

"We often suggest, when people are worried, to put some kind of ground anchor in, and chain the axles or wheels to that. Overall though they are difficult to load on a normal trailer and it would certainly need a winch and a fair amount of time, unless the thieves had experience of moving shepherds' huts... One idea we have been given by a customer is to paint the postcode on the top of roof, which may help I suppose. It's a very sad tale, and I hope Emily gets it all back." -------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Luxury bathroom shed (but not much working)

This is the inside of a shed which the owner refurbished - with the help of Jessica Hall Associates - as it was the only space on her property in which she could fit in her find of a marvellous bronze bathtub. There's a secret door from the 'shed' into a private garden which can be viewed through a whopping great window on one wall. The tables are on wheels, there's a splendid mural on the ceiling, and of course that marvellous bath.
Via Trends Ideas where there is lots more detail about the interior features.

Observatory sheds

While most people use their garden offices to work in, many also make use of them as leisure buildings. One of the most common bespoke shedlike structures is an observatory, such as the simple one from Taylors Garden Buildings above and the homemade one belonging to Starman below. As he explains:

"The plan was to have the roof slide off on runners, and after a few weeks we were there. The roof itself is tongued-and grooved timber, covered by thick gauge pond liner, a material which is impervious to more or less anything. It runs on thick plastic wheels which fit inside a shallow channel running the total length of walls-plus-runners. The weight of the roof is sufficient to keep the wheels within their channels, but light enough to be moved with one hand. The runners themselves extend out (southward) for a distance about equal to the width of the side walls, so that when the roof is fully slid away, the shed is open to the sky."

Similarly, theLinnhe Observatory below has a roof section mounted on a wooden frame with eight wheels to be rolled backwards on rails away from the shed underneath.Another good site, again with plenty of details of how the build went step by step, is David's Astronomy which also has several other links to observatory builds around the interweb. Here's his own, below.There are even companies who specialise in providing observatory sheds, such as the finely titled Alexanders Observatories who claim to be the UK's leading supplier of quality roll-off observatories. Here's their 10 by 8 in situ.Or you may prefer something which looks like the big boys' observatories: here is Charles Baetsen's lovely model (plans from his site).And here's a similar one from the excellent Gregory La Vardera.

Victorian Reading Wagon - The Private House

There are more sheds on wheels than shepherds' huts or gypsy caravans. Felicity Loudon, who runs The Private House , has this Victorian showman's caravan (pictured above) in the grounds of her farm in Oxfordshire (the desk and daybed are pictured below). This is how The Times describes it:

"The caravan is a contemporary version of a Victorian “Reading Wagon”, a traditional circus artiste’s travelling home. The compact 15ft-long and 7ft-wide cabin is raised from the ground on a double-axled steel trailer-base. The exterior of the cabin is clad in black wood panelling and topped with a corrugated tin roof."

Like a revolving shed, one of the beauties of being on wheels is that it can be moved during the year or even during the day, however the whim takes you. During the autumn it has to be near the house in order to be plugged in to the mains electrics. Loudon has used the wagon as a guest room but has now started making them to order, including as a garden office. You can read more about the wagon and its rather luxurious interior in The Times.

The fastest shed in the world

While this is arguably the world's fastest office on wheels, Kevin Nicks's motorised shed (pictured above) is certainly the fastest shed after reaching just over 100mph on Pendine Sands in Carmarthenshireat the weekend (Kevin's previous best was an official 80mph though I know unofficially he has been much higher). The shed is based around a Volkswagen Passat which now has a Audi RS4 engine installed. Below you can see it in action. More details at The Independent. -------------------------------------------------
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Posh Shed Appreciation Society: design competition

The Posh Shed Appreciation Society is a Facebook group run by carpenter Martin Cox who specialises in garden offices, sheds, outdoor structures and reclaimed materials. Today, Martin's launching a design competion aimed at non-professionals, although pros are welcome too. Here are the details:

What would your perfect small outdoor space look like and what would it be for? A posh shed on wheels for towing to festivals perhaps? A snug reading room for the end of your garden? A party hut a la 'Miniscule of Sound'? Or just a funky storage idea? However simple or wacky, send your ideas to this group by 10 December. You don't have to be a designer, a builder or a Habitat fan - you just need to have one inspired idea. Describe it in a few words or just draw a rough sketch and post it to the group page. Easy. There's no big cash prize I'm afraid, but the best one will be drawn up as a shiny new 3D sketch and offered to clients as one of my range of designs! You will be given full credit for this. Let your imagination run wild.

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Shed on Wheels - nearly there...

The roof is on, the woodburning stove, ladder and steps are in place and it's almost ready to head to Sockburn Hall. For the background to Laura Geary's marvellous project, click here. Photo by Andy Marsden who has designed and built this beauty.