Shed of the week - tumbledown doesn't do it justice

I think this has to be my favourite shed of the week entry thus far. It comes from Guy, who tells me:

"We (my allotment partner in crime Jon and I) inheritated it this summer on our new plot at Acton Vale, as you will realise when you've looked at the picture it has definitely seen better days. Clearing it out was something of a Time Team experience, layer upon layer of old seed packets, tools, random Tupperware and the like all giving a hint at previous tenants' lives and loves. The door came apart last week, so we now have to prop up the remaining timbers in a kind of jigsaw like manner to acheive any kind of closure."

What I love about this shed is its tenuous hold on the vertical; the sense that at any moment, the entire structure could collapse and become one with the organic material around it. A metaphor for one's ability (or lack of?) to control and direct nature? Perhaps. Or a testament to the "handiness" of generations of allotmenteers in making do and mending? I salute you, shed at plot no 16, Acton Vale allotments. Long may you continue your unsteady grasp on uprightness.

If you want to submit your shed to shed of the week, drop me an email. I'll feature the best ones on the blog, and my absolute favourite for 2007, which I'll select around Christmastime, will get a copy of my book on allotments.

Comments

[Emma]

You've got to love the 'make do and mend' spirit of allotmenteers. Nowhere else would a building this decrepit still be in service!

[Molly]

I had been meaning to send a photo of my derelict garden shed, but then the competition heated up with the asbo shed and now, no, my shed is not worthy.

[Woody Wilbury]

It deserves to go out in a blaze of glory. Burn it!

[Simon Kirby]

What do you expect at sixteen - the shed has an attitude problem.