“Yo ho, my boys,” said Fezziwig. “No more work to-night. Christmas Eve, Dick. Christmas, Ebenezer. Let’s have the shutters up,” cried old Fezziwig, with a sharp clap of his hands, “before a man can say Jack Robinson.”Shutters open again on January 3.
Legal & General commissioned a poll of more than 2,000 full-time office workers in the UK to explore attitudes towards remote and hybrid working. Headline findings include:
• Manchester is the remote working capital of the UK - Mancunians work an average of 53 days remotely
• A majority (59%) of workers say that they’re more productive working in the office than at home
• 75% of UK workers work from home at least some of the time
• 2.5 is the mean numbers of days per week that people say they work remotely
• 4% of peole say they’re allowed to be fully remote every day if they wish
Breaking this down, 71% of arts and culture employees say they already enjoyed high levels of remote working pre-pandemic (a figure that has since risen to 88% today). But in industries like IT and finance/accounting, the change has been dramatic, 58% of these workers were remote before COVID, compared to 90% today.
Accounting and financial services was the sector where employees were most likely to say they preferred working from home compared to the office, 40% as against 18%.
Some other interesting findings:
• Men are slightly more likely to work remotely than women, although 34% of women prefer WFH, compared to 28% of men
• In general, older workers are less likely to work from home. The survey found that 85% of 18–24-year-olds work from home at least sometimes, compared to 62% of people aged over 55.
• Attitudes differ across the generations people under 45 are more likely to prefer home working to the office, but among 45-54-year-olds, the preference is 34% (office) versus 31% (home). For those aged over 55, this rises to 43% (office) and 28% (home).
Overall, 60% of workers say they would consider changing their role if they had to return to the office full-time. When asked why, 73 % say that it saves time on commuting, a similar number that it saves money, 71% that it's more flexible, and 50% that it offers fewer distractions.
Image courtesy Garden Affairs
-------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
An interesting survey of shedworkers and other homeworkers from Lakeland reveals that 85% of people working from home enjoy at least a 30 minute lunchtime break, just over a third taking a full hour (quite right, though that figure drops to 9% when it comes to people under 25).
A sandwich is still king, although 81% of those in the 25-34 age group cook something warm (either from scratch or leftovers). Here are the full results:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Some interesting research into Christmas parties and working from home out recently. Various reports suggest, optimistically, that bookings for office Christmas parties are on the up and indeed past 2019 levels pre-lockdowns.
Yet small business advice centre Startups reports increasing numbers of people turning down the change to attend the traditional Christmas knees-up, and recruitment experts Walters People UK have described this drop in interest as a "tide change", its figures indicating that 48% of UK employees will simply not go to one and another fifth will just go briefly then nip back home. A third said it was just too much effort.
This has all been attribued to the growth of flexible working and a growing lack of interest in in-person social work events. We'd be interested to hear from shedworkers what their arrangements are this year and if they've changed from previous years. Maybe it's time to resurrect the Shedworkers' Christmas Party we ran some years ago?
--------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Officers are urging beach hut owners to protect themselves against burglary following a reported break-in at beach huts in Greatstone, Kent.
Kent Police say they were alerted to a report that padlocks had been cut from beach huts next to the car park on Coast Drive and are appealing to anyone who may be able to offer information about the incident to contact them.
Detective Inspector James Wyles from Folkestone’s Community Safety Unit, said: "While
investigating the recent reports, we’d like to remind beach hut owners
to review their security and take simple steps to protect against
burglars and vandals now that the summer season is over."
He also offered some advice for beach hut owners:
• Do not leave anything of value in your hut at any time
• Lock doors and windows with at least one good quality closed-shackle padlock
• Consider fitting a bar lock and/or a monitored alarm
• Security-mark property left in your hut and keep a photographic record of any items
• Do not leave flammable substances or matches in your hut
• Do not leave materials around the hut which could be used to commit crime, such as tools
-------------------------------------------------------
A nice short case study on the Plankbridge site looks at the sustainable flower grower and florist Kathryn Cronin who runs her Fierce Blooms business partly from her shepherd's hut. Here's a snippet:
The Snug hut is sited in our canalside cutting garden and is a practical space where I run my flower and herb growing business fierceblooms. We’re passionate about growing the ingredients we use for our seasonal wild garden style floral decorations. Early morning, the hut is perfect for keeping the flowers cool and for brewing the very necessary cuppa. I use the hut for cosy floral classes to inspire a change to more environmentally friendly floristry. I believe we can encourage a more sustainable way of living, and being outside in the hut, with the wildlife and garden buzzing around us, the hut facilitates that inspiration.
Well worth a read, plus the lovely photos we've come to expect from Plankbridge.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Another of the perennial questions readers ask Shedworking is what to do about garden office insurance. Here's a recent view from the Guardian newspaper:
Lorna Whalley from the insurer Aviva says the structure falls within your buildings insurance, while everything inside comes under contents. However, she says insurers will typically limit the value of items they will cover.
“Contents limits for thefts from outbuildings are usually lower than the main home, so customers should be mindful if they use lots of tech items such as a laptop, tablet, phone etc to work in one,” she says.
Some policies include garden furniture as standard in contents cover, but if you have some pricey plants or equipment, you may need to add an extra element for outside.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Historic greenhouse manufacturer Hartley Botanic has released its annual New Year crystal ball predictions for the next 12 months. Of particular interest to readers of Shedworking is its suggestion that many people will continue to treat and enjoy their greenhouse as a versatile, mixed-use space.
"The majority of Hartley Botanic’s customers do still prioritise a greenhouse for traditional horticultural purposes, such as growing and overwintering tender plants," said a spokesperson. "However, many customers, who are still serious gardeners, use their greenhouses in a more multifaceted way, working ‘relaxation’, ‘dining’ and ‘lifestyle’ elements into their greenhouse use. Although single-glazed, a Greenhouse still offers some outdoor shelter from changeable weather conditions."
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Leeds-based Woodlands Home & Garden Group has acquired Smart Modular Ltd (trading as My Modular), a modular garden building business with a network of skilled installation specialists based in Otley.
Its portfolio of products will be rebranded and become part of the Tiger range over coming months, allowing the business to enter a new higher end category of the garden building market, while also benefiting from the reach of the Tiger brand which has seen a steady growth in revenue of over 70% since 2019.
The modular operation will be based at Woodlands’ state-of-the-art manufacturing facility at Thornbury, Bradford, alongside the company’s existing log cabin production.
As part of the deal, Stuart Davison, the founder of My Modular, will join the Woodlands board as Commercial Director to further develop the modular category and to support the wider growth plans of the group.
Ross Moran, Chief Executive of Woodlands Home & Garden Group said: “As part of our strategy, we are committed to helping our customers find their perfect space, by offering them an extensive selection of high-quality garden buildings that showcase the best possible range of designs, budgets and uses.
"As a result of our analysis of the market, product, and service proposition, we concluded that it would make sense to bring in specific expertise, together with the right level of experience, innovation and quality required so that we could enter the market as quickly and effectively as possible."
As reported last month on Shedworking, Woodlands recently opened a new Tiger show site in Merseyside and agreed a landmark deal with the British Garden Centres group which will bring Tiger show sites to 35 of their prestigious UK garden centres over the next three and a half years.
-------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Shedworking was sad to read reports of the death of John Byrne, artist, playwright (The Slab Boys Trilogy) and screenwriter of Tutti Frutti and Your Cheatin' Heart on television. Byrne had two studios, one inside his home and the other a converted 1935 garage which he heated with a coal fire. He worked hard in both, all day every day. Below, he talks about his working days in his shed.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Click the box above to take part.
--------------------------------------
Waltons has picked 11 examples of people doing interesting things in sheds for its latest article (including Shedworking, which is very kind of them). Other examples include various art and design studios, a wargaming space, a ceramicist, a bookbinding business, a melodeon player, a writer, and a tardis player. Well worth a look - click the link above to go there.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
The November issue of the Scottish Men's Sheds Association magazine, The Scottish Shedder, is available either as a pdf here or using the online magazine version here. Features include:
* SHED IN THE SPOTLIGHT: Dingwall Men’s Shed
* A PERSONAL STORY: Billy Christie from Barrhead Men’s Shed
* SHED LIFE: Lanark Men’s Shed’s new beginning
* SHED LIFE: Stonehaven & District Men’s Shed awarded The King’s Award for Voluntary Service
* SHED LIFE: Ben Fogle drops in on Orkney Men’s Shed
* SHED LIFE: Aberchirder lad’s 78-hours Shedding for Duke of Edinburgh Award
* SMSA NEWS: New Shed on the Block celebrates double triumph
* SMSA EVENTS: Battle of the Shed Bands
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Specialist garden building retailer Tiger, a part of Woodlands Home & Garden Group, has just agreed a landmark deal with the British Garden Centres group which will bring Tiger showsites to 35 UK garden centres over the next three-and-a-half years.
The agreement follows a successful pilot program launched in April at British Garden Centres' flagship garden centre at Brigg in Lincolnshire and prompted both parties to commit to a long-term partnership, extending their collaboration for an additional five years at the Brigg site.
The move is another significant step forward for Tiger’s offline strategy which aims to create a network of franchise-operated locations across the UK to complement their existing online success and build on its position as the UK’s market leader in garden buildings. Since opening their first site at Woodthorpe in Lincolnshire in 1987, British Garden Centres have expanded rapidly and now have over 60 sites across the UK with plans to open more over coming years as part of their growth plans.
“As part of our growth strategy, we are incredibly excited to be partnering with the prestigious British Garden Centres Group," said Ged Lees, Managing Director at Woodlands Home & Garden Group, "and the partnership reflects the shared culture, values, and growth ambitions between the two businesses. We are delighted to have signed this exclusive deal, which will allow us to showcase our Tiger garden buildings throughout the United Kingdom, as we believe they play a crucial role in every garden centre.
"We eagerly anticipate the opportunity to welcome customers and provide them with a close up opportunity to find their perfect space from our range of high quality sheds, summerhouses, garden offices and log cabins.”
Charles Stubbs, co-founder, and Director at The British Garden Centres Group added: “We strongly believe that gardens are a place to relax and enjoy the outdoors. Therefore, in our garden centres we strive to inspire visitors with the endless possibilities that await them in their own personal outdoor spaces. We are excited to collaborate with Tiger in this fantastic new venture. The Tiger brand has experienced growing popularity over the years, primarily due to its distinctive brand features, captivating TV commercials and its rich heritage. After the successful pilot scheme at Brigg, we can’t wait to get started with our longer term plans.”
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Around the time of writing Three Men in a Boat (1889), the writer Jerome K Jerome bought this rather nice place, Goulds Grove (it also goes under the name of 'Troy'), a Grade II-listed Georgian house not far from Henley-on-Thames. This is where he lived and worked from 1895 to 1908, writing in the summerhouse which you can see at the middle left of your picture. In his autobiography he calls it "an old farmhouse on the hill above Wallingford".
The circular flint-and-thatch summerhouse was also used by Jerome's literary guests, the likes of H.G. Wells and Arthur Conan Doyle nipping in during frequent visits to scribble away.
It's on with Savills and you won't get any change out of £6 million if you want to make an offer, but to be fair it's a lovely home and does have a nice swimming pool (visible close to the summerhouse) and tennis court, not to mention two theatres built by Jerome.
--------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
It's been a momentous week for mentions of working in shepherds' huts this week in Parliament. Here's what David Cameron had to say on the subject in his maiden speech to the House of Lords:
And here's what Keir Starmer added in the House of Commons by way of reply:
-------------------------------------------------------
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SMART Garden Rooms, Offices & Studios, the Suffolk-based award-winning manufacturer of quality outdoor buildings has launched a full-service upgrade of its entire range for customers looking to use their garden rooms as high-quality, innovative living spaces.
The company, which has built up a formidable reputation for market-leading innovations over the last few years, has just launched its SMART Living Space concept.
This new upgraded line now means that SMART offers rooms that can be used specifically for living in – and not just working in. Seven of the SMART ranges can be upgraded to a Living Space.
According to SMART chief executive, Matt Moss: “Customer feedback has shown us that there is a growing demand for garden rooms that can be used for a wider range of purposes and, crucially, as additional accommodation for family members.
“The construction and legal specifications for such buildings are much greater than for traditional garden rooms. With SMART Living Space we fully employ our renowned quality, attention-to-detail and expertise to deliver home-from-home living spaces, with all the comforts and top-notch design with which SMART has become synonymous.”
The SMART Living Space service offers a 20-year structural warranty, a waterproofed WC area with partition wall and sliding door, climate control heating, enhanced insulation and electrics, plus a Certificate of Lawful Development, ensuring that all regulations have been adhered to.
Paul Sheppard, SMART’s managing director, added: “SMART Living Space is a further step up of our existing garden room products: in effect a great alternative to an annex or an extension, at a fraction of the cost, and one which will retain its value.
“We believe that what we are offering here is a way to keep family members together that otherwise might otherwise have to live apart from each other, whether that be older teenage children or elderly vulnerable parents.
“For a company with a continuous track record of doing things better before our competition, SMART Living Space is more than just another innovation. We believe that it is even better than that!”
For more information about SMART Living Space, the company has set up a bespoke website: https://smb-living.com/living-spaces
------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Garden building speciaists Tiger Sheds has opened a new 12,000 sq ft indoor show site at Rimrose Road in Bootle in partnership with Bootle-based Merseyside Sheds, a family run business that has been selling timber garden buildings since 1982. It will have more than 30 different models over three floors including ones suitable for use as garden offices, and is open seven days a week.
--------------------------------------
Suffolk-based SMART Garden Rooms, Offices & Studios has launched a full-service upgrade of its entire range for customers looking to use their garden rooms as high-quality living spaces.
The new Living Space line (pictured above) now means that the company offers rooms that can be used specifically for living in and not just working in. Seven of the ranges can be upgraded to a Living Space.
“Customer feedback has shown us that there is a growing demand for garden rooms that can be used for a wider range of purposes," said SMART chief executive, Matt Moss, "and, crucially, as additional accommodation for family members. The construction and legal specifications for such buildings are much greater than for traditional garden rooms. With Living Space we fully employ our quality, attention-to-detail and expertise to deliver home-from-home living spaces with all the comforts and top-notch design with which we have become synonymous.”
The Living Space service offers a 20-year structural warranty, a waterproofed WC area with partition wall and sliding door, climate control heating, enhanced insulation and electrics, plus a Certificate of Lawful Development, ensuring that all regulations have been adhered to.
Paul Sheppard, SMART’s managing director, added: “Living Space is a further step up of our existing garden room products, in effect a great alternative to an annex or an extension, at a fraction of the cost, and one which will retain its value. We believe that what we are offering here is a way to keep family members together that otherwise might otherwise have to live apart from each other, whether that be older teenage children or elderly vulnerable parents.
For more information about SMART Living Space, the company has set up a bespoke website https://smb-living.com/living-spaces
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Half of workers now working from home at least some of the time, according to a new poll from YouGov. Its survey finds that half of workers say they are working from home - one in six workers say they do so the whole time and a third report doing so some of the time. The remaining 50% say they never do.
Compared to December 2021, 43% of workers said they worked from home. Most of the change is in the “WFH some of the time” category, up ten points from 23%.
Around 29% of workers in the new study said they would prefer work to work from home all the time, while 43% said some of the time (just over a fifth said they never want to work from home).
Among those who work from home all the time at the moment, only 15% want to switch to only working from home "some of the time", and just 1% want to revert to go back to the office full-time. The figures are similar for those working from home some of the time.
However, only 40% of those who never work from home are happy with their current arrangement - another 34% want to be able to work from home some of the time, while 14% never want to go back to the office again.
Image courtesy Arctic Cabins
-------------------------------------------------------
