Chicken Run film hut up for auction

 

If Father Christmas didn't bring you the shed of your dreams this year, you could dip into your pocket and pick up this little beauty, an original screen-used prop chicken hut from the film Chicken Run (Aardman Animations 2000). It's made of wood, plastic and resin, and would have been used in some of the wider shots (on a smaller scale than the ones used for closeup work). Features include a hand painted '17' to the front, with a miniature picture of Rocky The Flying Rooster also on the front. There is some wear from production, and it is lacking one of the fascia boards to the front, but generally surviving in excellent condition. Measures 33cm x 32cm x 49cm. Estimate is £1,000 to £2,000 at Auctioneum and it's going under the hammer tomorrow, New Year's Eve.

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Monday posts are sponsored by Cosy Garden Rooms, the UK's No. 1 bespoke garden room designer and builder.

 

Merry Christmas to all our readers

“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 6.

Garden office maintenance guide

A useful guide from Warwick Buildings about how to look after your garden office is well worth a browse over the Christmas period. Here's a snippet about how often you should apply wood treatments:

For most garden pods, it’s recommended to reapply a wood treatment every 2–3 years, although this may vary depending on the pod’s exposure to sunlight and rain. If your pod has a more durable cladding, like cedar, it may require less frequent treatments since cedar has natural weather-resistant properties. However, a clear or tinted UV-resistant finish will help maintain its colour and prevent the wood from greying over time.

You can read the whole thing on their site here.

Additionally, Warwick has various special festive offers on the go with a discount for the first 30 orders over the Christmas and New Year period - simply configure your build online on their site and then click the 'New Year Discount' button, then email them with your order confirmation.

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Monday posts are sponsored by Cosy Garden Rooms, the UK's No. 1 bespoke garden room designer and builder.

 

Crown Compact garden office

The Shedworking staff have been admiring Huuden's Crown Compact model, pictured above, which comes in at 6.7m² and under 2.5m high, fitting very neatly into problematic corner spaces in your garden in a very elegant way. The whole thing comes as a flat pack kit and is based around a glue laminated timber frame, with slightly bronze tinted glass.

 

Design for modern (retirement) living

 

A stylish bespoke annexe design from Spaces Groups measuring 9m x 6m for which their Annexe Spaces brand sorted out everything for the planning applications from drawing to final building control sign-off. Features include aluminium balustrades matching the Anthracite colour of the door and window frames, future proofing for potential wheelchair access with wide 926mm doors, and a wetroom system in the bathroom, plus Thermowood cladding on the front, right and left sides and composite decking.

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Monday posts are sponsored by Cosy Garden Rooms, the UK's No. 1 bespoke garden room designer and builder.



 

Friday Finery: Dog wash hut

Dogs need sheds too. Here's the remarkable but useful Dog Wash Hut from Plankbridge which measures 2m x 2m. Features include shower area, wall-mounted drier, and exterior wriggly tin cladding, plus an option to personalise it with a laser-cut engraving of your pet’s name.

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Friday posts are sponsored by Warwick Buildings, manufacturers of outstanding quality timber buildings. Click here for more information.

 

Sarah Rickard: Shedworker

East Sussex-based ceramicist Sarah Rickard works from her studio workshop (pictured above) producing mostly white earthenware pieces, including lovely Christmas-themed items. There's an excellent interview and video with her on the Country Living website. Here's a snippete:

Sarah works around her family, fitting about six hours of making into her day. “I have the radio on – 6Music,” she says. “I zone out – I’m only half-listening. The hours go quickly.” Creating angels, she finds, is almost instinctive. “I have been making them for a long time and it’s quite meditative now. I can do it without looking, almost. My hands are a better guide.” Provided, of course, they are not freezing. “In winter, when the kiln is on, it’s okay, although my fingers do get very cold, and sometimes I can’t feel my feet as the floor is concrete in here."

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 Thursday posts are sponsored by Cabin Master: garden offices and   

 studios to fit any size garden. Top quality contemporary or traditional

 buildings.

 

Curved roof garden office

Warwick Buildings' Curved Office is a particularly attractive variation on the usual roof specifications. In addition to the pleasingly-shaped roof, features include UPVC French double doors, side screen windows and casement window, Western Red Cedar cladding, with slatted screen extension to the side of the timber-decked porch, and between glass blinds options. Warwick also have one of those clever configurator gizmos on their website so you can design exactly the kind of build you want and it will give you a full total costing including VAT and delivery/installation.

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Wednesday posts are sponsored by Booths Garden Studios, the UK's No.1 supplier of zero maintenance and portable garden studios

Escape Pod garden office

 

Podmakers make several versions of this attractive egg-ish shaped building, but the Escape Pod model is probably best suited for shedworkers. Built from birch ply and European oak with a cedar shingle cladding, it has what they describe as an "aircraft style plug door" and is half a metre off the ground on a small platform so you can rotate it (which regular readers of Shedworking will know is one of the staff's favourite garden office features). Every build can be tailored for things like where to put windows. It's delivered by forklift/crane usually but can be put together onsite too, and is in fact also available in kit form if you're quite handy at DIY.

Solar garden office pod on wheels

 

From Layzee Living comes this self-contained, off-grid, garden office pod, a hybrid which means you can use a mix of solar power and an integrated battery system as required (interestingly, it's specifically aimed at companies buying them for employees via a tax free loan system). It measues 2.1m x 2.1m and features include integrated solar panels and hybrid inverter, solar reflective glass, infra-red heating, integrated desk and storage, plus the whole thing is on wheels so you can move it.

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Monday posts are sponsored by Cosy Garden Rooms, the UK's No. 1 bespoke garden room designer and builder.

 
  

Garden office heaters

Although it's not been a terribly harsh winter so far, many shedworkers are understandably interested in ensuring they're not freezing in their garden offices. Usually, a properly insulated build should need very little help to keep it cosy and suppliers such as Smart often include a wall mounted radiator for the occasional quick blast.

If you're looking to invest in additional heating, Tech Advisor has tried out some of the leading small, portable heaters on the market, the kind that would be useful for shedworkers and provided some very useful and readable comments. It's well worth a look. Our main comments are that you don't want something noisy, you don't need anything too powerful, and small is always good.

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 Thursday posts are sponsored by Cabin Master: garden offices and   

 studios to fit any size garden. Top quality contemporary or traditional

 buildings.

Transforming sheds into functional home gyms: a step-by-step guide


This article about turning your shed or garden office into a gym by Richard McKay, Managing Director of Sprung Gym Flooring, is a sponsored post

With busy schedules and the rising popularity of home workouts, transforming an underused garden shed into a functional home gym is a creative and cost-effective solution. Not only does it provide a dedicated workout space, but it also eliminates the need for costly gym memberships or travel. However, turning a shed into a safe, high-performance gym requires careful planning, particularly when it comes to choosing the right gym flooring to ensure safety and comfort. This guide will walk you through the process, step by step.

Why turn your shed into a gym?


1. Convenience and privacy

    •    A shed gym allows you to work out anytime without commuting.
    •    Enjoy privacy and control over the environment compared to public gyms.

2. Cost-effective fitness solution


    •    Save on gym memberships by investing in a one-time shed conversion.
    •    Utilise an existing space, minimising the cost of building a new structure.

3. Tailored to your needs


    •    Design your workout space to suit your fitness goals, from weightlifting zones to yoga corners.


Preparing your shed for conversion

1. Assessing the space


    •    Ensure your shed is large enough for workout equipment and exercises.
    •    Check for structural stability and weatherproofing.


2. Clearing and cleaning


    •    Remove clutter and clean the space thoroughly to prepare for modifications.

3. Planning utilities


    •    Install proper ventilation and lighting for a comfortable workout environment.
    •    Consider adding electrical outlets if you plan to use treadmills or other powered equipment.



Essential modifications for a shed gym


1. Insulation and temperature control


    •    Insulate walls and floors to maintain a consistent temperature, especially for year-round use.
    •    Add a small heater or fan to adjust the climate as needed.


2. Flooring installation


    •    Install high-quality gym flooring for garage or sheds to protect your equipment and reduce impact on your joints.
    •    Interlocking floor mats are ideal for sheds due to their easy installation and customizability.

3. Storage and organisation


    •    Use wall hooks, shelves, or storage racks to keep equipment tidy and maximise space.
 

Equipping your shed gym


1. Choosing the right equipment


    •    Start with essentials like dumbbells, kettlebells, and resistance bands.
    •    Add larger items like treadmills or weight benches if space permits.


2. Multipurpose equipment


    •    Invest in versatile machines like a cable machine or adjustable dumbbells to save space.


3. Flooring considerations


    •    Ensure your flooring can handle heavy equipment. Durable gym flooring options like rubber tiles are perfect for this.
 

Creating a safe and inviting workout space


1. Safety measures


    •    Install mirrors to check your form and prevent injuries.
    •    Ensure adequate lighting and ventilation to maintain focus and comfort.


2. Personal touches


    •    Add motivational decor, a sound system, or a screen for virtual workouts.
    •    Use colour schemes and lighting that energise your space.


3. Maintenance


    •    Regularly clean your interlocking floor mats and equipment to keep the space hygienic.
    •    Inspect the shed for weather damage or wear and tear.


Conclusion


Transforming your shed into a personal fitness haven is a rewarding project that offers convenience, privacy, and long-term savings. By focusing on essential modifications like insulation, storage, and the right gym flooring, you can create a safe and functional workout space tailored to your needs. Whether you’re a weightlifting enthusiast or a yoga devotee, a shed gym can elevate your fitness journey right in your backyard.


Ready to start your shed-to-gym transformation? Explore high-quality flooring options like gym flooring for garage or versatile interlocking floor mats to ensure your new space is built to last.

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Wednesday posts are sponsored by Booths Garden Studios, the UK's No.1 supplier of zero maintenance and portable garden studios

Green light for Romney Marsh beach chalets

Folkestone & Hythe District Council has given the green light to a project which will see 93 new colourful beach huts/chalets along Greatstone Beach near New Romney as part of a £1.5million renovation scheme.

The Romney Marsh Coastal Destination project will include a visitor hub building, café kiosk, and car parking (including disabled bays and EV charging points) at the Coast Drive car park, Greatstone, all liked by a fully-accessible boardwalk.
 The council expects the chalets to be popular since the 115 renovated and new huts at Marine Walk, Folkestone, have 100 per cent occupancy and a waiting list of more than 800 people. Indeed, the project is forecast to make the council a profit of more than £2m over the next two decades.

The new beach huts should be ready for visitors to rent in autumn 2025 with works expected to start in February 2025.

Greenhouse trend predictions 2025 include garden office use

Hartley Botanic's annual greenhouse trend predictions make interesting reading for shedworkers and those considering joining the garden office club.

Its key take home is that the use of partitions in greenhouses is becoming increasingly popular as gardeners look to formally divide structures for additional lifestyle uses. Indeed, at the 2024 RHS Chelsea Flower Show, the company showcased its Victorian Manor Glasshouse with a partitioned-off work/ lifestyle room and says that customers are now using partitions to create separate spaces for dining, garden working or tranquil morning and evening relaxation. 

"Greenhouses, even though single-glazed, offer a sheltered environment that allow people to enjoy their gardens regardless of the weather," said a spokesperson, "and the use of partitions adds an additional element of flexibility and personalisation. Greenhouse owners are using them to add a garden "room” separate to their horticultural needs, enjoying the space in a multifaceted way while surrounded by their plants."

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Monday posts are sponsored by Cosy Garden Rooms, the UK's No. 1 bespoke garden room designer and builder.