Mini pub with replica Blackpool Tower names as best shed winner

Doug Smiths Hambleton home, complete with Blackpool Tower replica and pub

O’Smither’s, in the back garden of Doug Smith’s home in Carr Lane, Hambleton, won the ‘Pub/Entertainment’ category of the 2018 Shed of the Year competition.

He said: “I’m absolutely delighted.

“It was never done for [awards] but to be recognised is fantastic.

“I’m chuffed.”

Two years ago, Mr Smith’s creation, which contains a fully-stocked bar, rugby theme, tables and chairs, Irish signs and flags and even a fruit machine, also won the Pub Shed UK competition.

“I’ve the two biggest pub shed accolades available, which is nice really,” he said.

He now plans to hold a celebratory party – as well as a host of charity events in the mini hostelry.

The pub is hard to miss when driving through the Over Wyre village, because the replica Tower – built by Vickers Armstrong apprentices during the

Second World War– sits atop it.

The bar has three metal shuttered sides which can be opened during nice weather, and replicated the bricks of the historic Tower building at the back.

The overall winner of this year’s competition was Sheffield-based George Smallwood’s Bee Eco Shed – a self-watering and self-sufficient space where vegetables, herbs, bugs, and bees can thrive.

George said: “When we started the project we never could have dreamed we’d be here now.

“We hope our shed will inspire others around the UK to create spaces for wildlife in their gardens.”