North East Derbyshire Grandad wins 'Shed of the Year' prize
He was left with "shed loads" of time during the first lockdown
Last updated 13th Aug 2021
A Grandad from North East Derbyshire has won a prize in the annual Shed of the Year competition.
Mark Campbell, from Wingerworth, took the top spot in the lockdown category, for building a fairytale-inspired castle for his grand-daughter, called Winterwood.
The 60-year-old said of the two-story, 12-ft work of pine: "It's amazing what you can do with a bit of enthusiasm."
On the website for the entry, Mark said: 'A unique, fairytale, 2 story fantasy castle built during the 2020 Lockdown. As a retired chap I wore several caps, designer, builder, financier and general dogsbody, I have absolutely no experience in building especially with wood and not even when I was at school. During Lockdown back in March 2020 I was told to Shield due to increased vulnerability which left me with shed loads of time (pardon the pun).
'My son reminded me that my father always wanted to build a treehouse for me but could never find the time also I wanted to do the same for my sons but same again, never found the time because of work etc. Then I remembered my Granddaughter's love of books and in particular her favorite which had a picture of a small castle.
'So instead of building a treehouse I could build something for her and my other Grandchildren (when they arrive). I quickly started designing Winterwood from pictures in her fairytale story books, bought a saw, screws, tape measure and a pile of wood and got creative. Standing at approximately 12 feet tall Winterwood stands at the bottom of a small wood and surrounded by trees and wild flowers this surely is the perfect location to stimulate the Grandchildren's imagination.'