A pensioner celebrates Shed of The Year in her airy retreat complete with sunbeds, sink and fridge

A retired party planner is celebrating after her summerhouse triumphed in the Cuprinol Shed Of The Year 2020 awards.

Jane Moyle, 77, uses the bright and airy space in her back garden to entertain friends and her 11 grandchildren.

It’s a subject the pensioner from Cheltenham, Gloucestershire, knows plenty about after a successful career as an organiser of VIP corporate events.

‘In my career I used to put on events for some of the biggest companies in the world, so that came in handy when designing the summerhouse,’ she said.

‘I initially conceived it as a lovely restful place that my husband and I could relax in, and somewhere where I could display some of the photographs I love to take.

‘With the folding doors and the decking outside, it is ideal for outdoor meals, sunbathing and reading.

‘But now it gets just as much use from my grandkids who range in age from 11 to 28. They have a lot of fun in there when granny isn’t around.

‘We live in the centre of Cheltenham but when you’re in the summerhouse it feels like you’re in the country.’

There were nine categories for this years competition and Jane triumphed in the ‘Summerhouse’ category after she decided to renovate the shed.    

It was originally built as a Japanese summer house but was never finished off by the previous owners.

Determined to pick up from where they left off and complete the job, creative Jane lovingly restored it into a luxury summerhouse, complete with sunbeds, sink, fridge for garden parties. 

The grandmother originally wanted to create the space to store her treasured lifetime of photographs which she now intends on putting into order. 

Croquet sets, badminton nets, boules, are also stored in the summerhouse ready to play with as soon as the urge arises. 

The space is a haven of peace and tranquillity, which considering it is in the middle of a large town is often wondered at by Jane’s friends.

Head Judge and competition founder Andrew Wilcox said: ‘This year we’ve been blown away by the imagination and creativity on display from sheddies up and down the country, during these unprecedented times.

‘Jane’s stylish summerhouse impressed us with its sophisticated design and the fact that it brings so much joy to so many generations.’

Kirsty Woodbine, Marketing Manager for Cuprinol, said: ‘The extraordinary events of this past year have seen the nation’s sheds take on a host of new roles in our lives – from a family refuge to a sheducation hub.

‘It highlights how creative and considerate we can be even through the most difficult of times.

‘Now more than ever our gardens, patios and outside spaces provide welcome respite from the uncertainties of the world outside – allowing us time to reflect, relax and socialise.

‘At Cuprinol we’re committed to helping people make the most of the outdoors so they can enjoy all the benefits getting closer to nature brings.’

This year’s entrants competed across nine categories – with two new lockdown-specific categories introduced – Lockdown Repurpose and Lockdown New-build. 

A public vote through readerssheds.co.uk decided each winner.

Julie Twydell won the Budget Category Winner for her Budget Pallet Hobbit House which she says kept her sane during lockdown.

The Marketing Manager from Bromley, Kent said: ‘If I didn’t have it, I’m not quite sure what I would have done instead,’ she says.

Made entirely from recycled materials Julie reveals: ‘Nothing is really straight, correct or perfect and that’s what I love about it. 

I like its rustic charm. I can read there, have a glass of wine, watch TV with the cinema screen, do craft and building projects – it’s great.’