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Yahoo
4 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Man's tropical steampunk shed up for national award
A man who built his own "steampunk shed" is hoping his labour of love will win him a national award. Ash Robertson from Ipswich was in need of somewhere to work from home when he and his wife welcomed their second child. He decided to build his own shed, made of almost entirely of second hand items from Facebook Marketplace. His cabin meets tiki beach bar with steampunk vibe, blending Victorian and modern elments - has been nominated as a finalist in the Shed of the Year awards. Inspiration for the shed's exterior came when Mr Robertson found a wooden window for sale on social media. This dictated the rest of the build and Mr Robertson made use of cheap cuts of logs from a sawmill. The shed's wooden door originally had a square top, but when Mr Robertson opened the door it would hit the ceiling because he had not accounted for the thickness of the plasterboard. He explained: "I thought what am I going to do? "I went inside... [and thought] let's have a beer and watch some tele and The Hobbit was on. "I thought that's it, I'll cut the top into a curved shape like a hobbit house, so that just happened as a result of watching the film." Inside Mr Robertson has tiki elements including multi-coloured lamps, fish nets across the roof and more, mixed with Victorian styles of furniture and items. He said he was most proud of the immersive interior which he described as "tropical steampunk". "People can walk through the threshold and I say, first of all do you still feel like you're in Ipswich? "Do you feel like it's 2025? No I feel like it's 1880, something like that. Where in the world do you think you are? What's happening? Who are you? "It triggers this creative part of the mind that we all have... that perhaps some of us, certainly adults, as we get older you don't write stories like you do when you were a kid. It's such a shame." The shed has been named Redondo Trading, inspired by Redondo Beach in California in the United States where Mr Robertson and his wife went on their honeymoon and where the tiki style bar originated from. The shed is a finalist in the cabin/summerhouse category of the Shed of the Year awards and people can vote online for their favourite. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X. Junk addict wins Shed of the Year with scrap design South East sheds vie to become UK Shed of the Year Shed of the Year was 'brought back from the dead' Redondo Trading Shed of the Year
BBC News
5 hours ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Ipswich man's tropical steampunk cabin up for Shed of the Year
A man who built his own "steampunk shed" is hoping his labour of love will win him a national Robertson from Ipswich was in need of somewhere to work from home when he and his wife welcomed their second decided to build his own shed, made of almost entirely of second hand items from Facebook Marketplace. His cabin meets tiki beach bar with steampunk vibe, blending Victorian and modern elments - has been nominated as a finalist in the Shed of the Year awards. Inspiration for the shed's exterior came when Mr Robertson found a wooden window for sale on social dictated the rest of the build and Mr Robertson made use of cheap cuts of logs from a shed's wooden door originally had a square top, but when Mr Robertson opened the door it would hit the ceiling because he had not accounted for the thickness of the plasterboard. He explained: "I thought what am I going to do?"I went inside... [and thought] let's have a beer and watch some tele and The Hobbit was on."I thought that's it, I'll cut the top into a curved shape like a hobbit house, so that just happened as a result of watching the film." 'Who are you?' Inside Mr Robertson has tiki elements including multi-coloured lamps, fish nets across the roof and more, mixed with Victorian styles of furniture and items. He said he was most proud of the immersive interior which he described as "tropical steampunk"."People can walk through the threshold and I say, first of all do you still feel like you're in Ipswich?"Do you feel like it's 2025? No I feel like it's 1880, something like that. Where in the world do you think you are? What's happening? Who are you?"It triggers this creative part of the mind that we all have... that perhaps some of us, certainly adults, as we get older you don't write stories like you do when you were a kid. It's such a shame." The shed has been named Redondo Trading, inspired by Redondo Beach in California in the United States where Mr Robertson and his wife went on their honeymoon and where the tiki style bar originated shed is a finalist in the cabin/summerhouse category of the Shed of the Year awards and people can vote online for their favourite. Follow Suffolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
Irish Independent
6 hours ago
- Business
- Irish Independent
Cork mother is selling clothes online to to raise funds for daughter's vital surgery
Antoinette Burke, based in Cobh, must raise €300,000 to cover the cost of the surgery needed by her 18-year-old daughter Katie. Katie has cerebral palsy, a dysplastic hip, twisted femur and retroverted pelvis, and these disabilities have made her life very difficult since she was just four-years-old. Ms Burke said her daughter is going to the gym four days a week, despite the physical difficulties she faces, to prepare for the procedure she hopes to undergo. 'She goes on her own because she is stubborn and independent and wants to keep the strength up in her legs because the stronger she is, the better she will recover when she eventually has surgery,' Ms Burke said. 'Katie was given a training programme and all. It's great for her.' Over €30,000 has been raised for Katie to get surgery to date through a fundraiser titled 'Katie's Fight to Keep Walking'. It has been underway for over two years and the money raised will fund the surgery, flights, and physiotherapy before and after the procedure. Ms Burke used to sell donated clothes and appliances on Facebook Marketplace to raise money, but that resource has 'dried up' in recent months. Determined to succeed, she decided to give popular second-hand marketplace Vinted a chance. 'With Vinted, I put up whatever I have for sale and whatever is bought, I just package up and drop them off at the post office, and the package goes directly to their door,' Ms Burke explained. ADVERTISEMENT 'The buyer also pays for the postage, which makes things so much easier,' she said. Through the 'Katie's Fight' Vinted account, she sells a range of donated clothes and shoes, as well as unsold school uniforms donated by Tesco in Douglas Shopping Centre. Ms Burke started to sell the stock on Vinted about a month ago, and made more than €1,000 so far. 'There does be days where I could sell 20 items, and then not sell a thing the following day,' she explained. 'It all depends on who is online,' she added. Ms Burke posts her Vinted account on various notice boards on Facebook to attract visitors to her account. 'It's not just uniforms either, people have donated women's clothes, men's clothes, books and shoes,' Ms Burke said. Find Katie's GoFundMe here: Find Katie's Vinted store here:
West Australian
11 hours ago
- West Australian
Police crack down on illegal e-bike mods in Sydney's Northern Beaches
Police have wrapped up a month-long crackdown on illegal e-bike usage in Sydney's Northern Beaches, where modified e-bikes speed between vehicles and pedestrians regularly. NSW Police conducted Operation Kilowatt from June 17 to July 15, conducting hundreds of compliance checks on e-bikes which were spotted by officers patrolling in Avalon, Manly and Dee Why. Traffic and Highway Patrol Commander, Assistant Commissioner David Driver said the focus of Police was not just on enforcement, but education as well. 'Legal e-bikes are powered with rechargeable batteries, and the electric motor assists while pedalling up hills. To be compliant, the rider must primarily propel the bike with pedals,' Assistant Commissioner Driver said. 'Parents need to understand e-bike riders are subject to the same rules as bicycle riders. They need to make sure the e-bike is not unlawfully modified and complies with the law,' he said. 'Police commonly see illegal and modified e-bikes where the motor becomes the primary source of propelling the bike – essentially making it a motorbike. The use of unlawfully modified e-bikes create a significant risk when used in pedestrian or heavy traffic areas.' 'Young people and adults need to understand these risks when riding an e-bike, so they do not become a danger to themselves and others.' In NSW, there have been two fatalities involving e-bikes in the past two years, and in April an e-bike accident resulted in a boy sustaining a compound fracture to his leg. E-bikes are considered illegal when they have been retrofitted or modified to operate outside of their legislated power output and speed limit. An e-bike is considered to be illegally modified if the power output and speed capabilities exceed those regulated by the NSW government. Under NSW law, an e-bike motor must cut off when the bicycle reaches speeds exceeding 25km/hr. E-bikes are usually built with speed capabilities that greatly exceed NSW regulations, but companies retrofit them with throttle locks so the bikes are complicit and able to legally be sold. Some companies offer users the ability to remove their throttle lock upon request, a process referred to as 'jailbreaking,' and jailbroken e-bikes are often sold and advertised on less-regulated online marketplaces like Facebook Marketplace. Overall, 32 penalty notices were issued, 28 illegal e-bikes were identified and 29 warnings were handed out during the operation. Earlier this year, a parliamentary inquiry into the use of e-scooters, e-bikes and related mobility options released its findings. Chairperson Cate Faehrmann said NSW laws were struggling to keep up with the development of e-bikes. 'Without a shift to forward-thinking, comprehensive strategy, the opportunities promised by e-mobility could be overshadowed by safety risks, public frustration and preventable incidents,' she said. 'The issues we are seeing with e-mobility devices are not so much about the devices themselves - they are signs that the rules and the way we enforce them are outdated or ineffective. Action is needed now.' Responding to the inquiry in May, Minister for Transport John Graham said he recognised the concerns of the community. 'They're known as 'micro' devices, but e-bikes and e-scooters represent a major shift for our road and transport networks,' he said. 'We believe a sensible set of rules will promote the health and lifestyle benefits of e-bikes and e-scooters while protecting the safety of riders and everyone else sharing the paths and roads with them.' The NSW government is placing a major focus on 'boosting rider and road user education' through 'voluntary tests, campaigns and updates to in-school road safety education programs'. It also aims to increase e-bike data collection to better understand the needs of the community.
Scottish Sun
a day ago
- Automotive
- Scottish Sun
I bought a mouldy caravan for £500 & gave it a budget makeover – now we holiday for just the price of petrol
Read on to see how much it really costs to live in a caravan WHEEL GOOD I bought a mouldy caravan for £500 & gave it a budget makeover – now we holiday for just the price of petrol WHEN Hayley Rubery stumbled upon a £500 mouldy caravan on sale she decided to snap it up. While most people would be put off by its condition, Hayley, 34, decided that with a little TLC it would make the perfect holiday home. Advertisement 7 Hayley Rubery bought a mouldy caravan for just £500 Credit: Hayley Rubery 7 Hayley shared how this wasn't the first caravan renovation she has completed Credit: Hayley Rubery 7 The caravan was outdated and hadn't been touched in years Credit: Hayley Rubery 7 She was able to transform it on a budget using TikTok shop and Amazon buys Credit: Hayley Rubery The 1989 Royce van was riddled with mould and was put on sale on Facebook Marketplace for just £500. Hayley decided the renovation would be easy as she had previously renovated another caravan she called Joyce. Now, Hayley spoke to Fabulous about the renovation and how she was able to do it on a tight budget. 'We actually bought our first caravan, which we named Joyce, last year,' Hayley explains. 'It was just a little two-berth, and we picked it up for £500. Advertisement "After renovating it, we realised it was a bit too small for our needs, so we passed it on and decided to do it all again—but bigger this time.' Hayley has transformed the home on wheels with her partner Ben, 41, a recruitment consultant. Now, Hayley has a new four-berth caravan she has lovingly named Elddis Presley. And to keep costs down, she gave herself a budget of just £500 to transform her new caravan into something special. Advertisement "I was sticking to the same budget structure of spending £500 on the renovation, as the new caravan "Elddis Presley" was a four berth it meant the money had to stretch further as the caravan is bigger," she explains. Once they picked up the caravan it took about an hour to go home. I bought a dated caravan & turned it into my family's very own second home for £4.5k - now we holiday for just £10 a day 'We towed it from Norwich—it took about an hour,' Hayley says. Once it was safely parked on their drive, the real fun started. The caravan was a sight for sore eyes when she got it into her driveway, the outside was covered in mould and green algae that Hayley had to scrub off. Advertisement Inside was no better either, some of the white finishings had been stained yellow and mould was seeping into the wood. 7 The dated kitchen was in need of a lick of paint Credit: Hayley Rubery 7 She was able to paint the whole thing for less than £5 Credit: Hayley Rubery But with a little motivation and some money-saving hacks, Hayley gave it a homely and modern update. Advertisement One of the biggest money-saving wins came from a £6.99 pack of green gingham tea towels she picked up from TK Maxx. Hayley was looking for some small curtains for the bathroom's tiny window and transformed the tea towels into curtains. "Sometimes I think a little imagination goes a long way, you don't have to buy everything new or the 'best' to make something look nice," she says. Another great find was a small tub of kitchen paint from Poundstretcher for £3.50. Advertisement The small tub may not be enough for a kitchen in a home, but it was just the right amount for the small kitchen in the caravan. When asked about the DIY process, Hayley says painting was hands-down the easiest and most satisfying part. 'I love a job where you can instantly see the before and after,' she says. But it wasn't all smooth sailing. She says the flooring was definitely the trickiest part. Advertisement "I used individual stick-on planks, and cutting around the furniture was so fiddly. Not hard—just time-consuming," she explains. How much does it cost to live in a caravan? LIVING in a caravan can be an economical and flexible lifestyle choice in the UK. Here's a breakdown of potential costs: Initial Costs Caravan Purchase: £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition) £8,000 - £40,000 (depending on size, age, and condition) Caravan Insurance: £200 - £800 per year Ongoing Monthly Costs Pitch Fees: £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) £150 - £600 (varies by location and facilities) Utilities (Electricity, Gas, Water): £40 - £120 £40 - £120 Maintenance and Repairs: £20 - £80 £20 - £80 Internet and TV: £20 - £50 £20 - £50 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £15 - £40 Other Potential Costs Waste Disposal Fees: £8 - £25 £8 - £25 Transport Costs (if moving locations): Variable, depending on distance Variable, depending on distance Optional Add-ons (Awning, Solar Panels, etc.): £400 - £1,600 (one-time) Sample Monthly Budget Pitch Fees: £400 £400 Utilities: £80 £80 Maintenance and Repairs: £40 £40 Internet and TV: £40 £40 Gas for Heating/Cooking: £25 £25 Total: £585 Annual Estimated Cost Total Monthly Costs: £585 x 12 = £7,020 £585 x 12 = £7,020 Insurance: £500 £500 Maintenance and Repairs: £480 £480 Total Annual Cost: £8,000 Tips to Save Off-Peak Pitch Fees: Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. Look for lower rates during off-peak seasons. DIY Maintenance: Handle minor repairs yourself. Handle minor repairs yourself. Energy Efficiency: Invest in solar panels to reduce utility costs. While initial setup costs can be significant, ongoing expenses for living in a caravan can be relatively low, making it a viable option for those seeking an affordable and mobile lifestyle in the UK. Still, it was worth it. 'I genuinely love every part of the caravan,' Hayley says. 'It's so cosy and homely. It's amazing what a bit of creativity and elbow grease can do.' Hayley also bought plenty of home items on TikTok shop, including some of the stick-on vinyl flooring for the caravan which cost her just £60 in total. Advertisement She removed the old cushion covers in the living room and switched them with a white fabric for a more modern feel. Hayley also bought cheap floral stick-on wallpaper from Amazon for just £8.99 to finish off the room. Now, all that is left for Hayley is to paint the outside of the caravan. And she is thrilled to say that she managed to change the caravan while staying below her £500 budget. Advertisement 'I haven't added up the exact total yet,' she admits. 'Last time I checked, I'd only spent around £350. "We still need to paint the outside, but I reckon the whole thing will come in at around £450—still under budget!' Hayley and Ben have already taken their new holiday home on three trips within the UK. 7 Even the bathroom curtains were made from tea towels Credit: Hayley Rubery Advertisement She reveals that 'Elddis Presley' has taken them to two local Norfolk getaways and one to the Peak District. 'We still need to paint the outside, but once that's done, we'll be off exploring more. I'd love to do a European trip in it next year," Hayley says. While the caravan is perfect for the couple now, Hayley says she is eager to do the renovation process all over again. Hayley adds: "This is the second caravan I've renovated and I've loved every second. Advertisement "A third project is definitely on the cards—maybe even a campervan next time.'
