Shed of the year 2024, Sponsored by 
The Monty is a triple-function double-decked structure that serves as a summerhouse, a viewing platform, and a shed. A decking platform raised some 2 metres above the ground also carries a comfortable summerhouse. The legs of this platform have been shiplap clad to form an undershed which we use to store our gardening equipment. Access to the decking is by a staircase from a garden path allowing us and our visitors to enjoy amazing views of the Marshwood Vale. Then we can sit back in the summerhouse for refreshments or protection from the weather. It is hard against a neighbour's hedge, which is high enough to hide it from their garden; it is also integrated into the fence between the bottom of the garden and a field occasionaly used for cattle. Wind and weatherproof, the summerhouse has windows and a double door, and the undershed is glazed with translucent polycarbonate panels. Facing a field and high above the ground, animals and birds seem to ignore us as they too enjoy the field and hedgerows before us. Arent we lucky!.
The decking is carried on some twenty posts set in concrete that also forms the shed floor. For planning reasons this is set back into the sloping ground at the bottom of our garden, but as we are on a ridge the extra height provides magnificent rural views. Electrical power has been run from the house and the roof is fully guttered to drain rainwater to raised waterbutt that in turn feeds our garden pond or a hose. I designed the structure on the computer in spite of having no experience, but I was guided and aided in the heavy construction by two good and skilled friends. Actually they mixed and poured the concrete and I barrowed it down the garden I know my place. The Monty was a replacement for a standard garden shed whose roof had failed. Even so some 12 requests were received from local Freecyclers and, now repaired, it has started its second life on the next village.
