Plymouth Chief Royal Navy Engineer’s Hidden Garden Tavern Makes Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2021 Shortlist

A Chief Engineer in The Royal Navy who built a hidden pub in his garden has been shortlisted for the Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2021 competition.

Plymouth-based John ‘Bungy’ Williams, who’s also a foster carer, is one of three sheddies to be shortlisted in the ‘Unexpected/Unique’ category, with his shed Bungy's Backyard Bar. 

Having already built a bar when living in Cyprus a few years ago, keen DIY-er John set about building Bungy's Backyard Bar when the next DIY project focused on the decking in the garden.

“I already had the concept in my head of how I was going to build the bar and where it was going,” he says. “I wanted it to be completely unassuming and then open like a pop-up book.” 

While building the decking, John slowly began acquiring things he needed from Facebook and Gumtree, before a perfectly-sized dismantled shed appeared online for free - helping it all come together. 

John says: “The shed means a lot to me, I love nothing more than propping up the bar enjoying a beer or two with friends. 

“When I show it off to people for the first time and seeing their eyes light up when I open the garage door to reveal the bar is a buzz, their usual reaction is ‘I want one!’”

The Bar was primarily built by John alongside some appreciated help from his son Kane, 23, also an Engineer in the Royal Navy and daughter Gabby, 19, who is on her gap year and working part time at Wetherspoons - where she sources all the bottle caps for the bar top.

The competition will now see the 22 finalists go shed-to-shed across the nine categories. A winner from each will be decided by public vote, before a panel of shed experts decide which overall winner will be awarded the giant golden crown.

Alongside eternal shed glory, the overall winner will also receive £1,000, a plaque and £100 of Cuprinol products.

Head judge and founder of the competition Andrew Wilcox said: “The past year has been an incredibly challenging time for all of us and, now more than ever, we’re aware of how important the humble shed can be. 

“Sheds are not just unloved, brown structures at the bottom of the garden that house tools and household junk, they are vital spaces where you can go to relax, work on a project or burn off some steam. 

“The high-calibre entries this year really prove why we set up the competition in the first place - to highlight the valuable role sheds can play in our lives, in our businesses and the positive impact they have on our wellbeing.”

Kirsty Woodbine, Marketing Manager for Cuprinol, added: “We are overwhelmed by the amount and quality of entries we’ve received this year. 

“The sheds were of such a high standard that narrowing them down to just 22 was an incredibly difficult task. 

“The level of innovation, imagination and creativity we’ve seen has been incredible, as has the number of people using their sheds as dedicated spaces to help others in their community. This year’s contest has been truly life affirming.” 

Last year’s shed-building superstar Daniel Holloway walked away with the coveted title of Cuprinol Shed of the Year 2020 after wowing judges with his nature-inspired refuge Bedouin Tree-Shed, built around two tree trunks in his back garden.

Ashley Bates took home the competition’s first ever Special Commendation in 2020, after setting up The Shed School to help educate children while lockdown closed classrooms.

Public voting for the 15th annual competition opens on Wednesday, June 2 and will close on Monday, July 12. 

Check out all of the 22 finalists and cast your vote here.