Crime & Safety
Couple create £8k garden office using shipping container
Abbie and her husband Matthew Newton from Ipsden in South Oxfordshire, have transformed a bright blue 20ft-long shipping container into a stylish garden office and studio.
As an extension to their 70s bungalow was out of budget, so they came up with a quirky alternative that perfectly aligned with their tiny living obsession.
Mrs Newton said the couple had always had a fascination with tiny homes and had already converted a van into a camper van.
She said: “We wanted to free up an extra bedroom in the house for a working space, but the cost of an extension wasn’t something we could entertain.
“A DIY garden office seemed like the best way to capitalise on space at a more affordable cost.”
Mrs Newton, a product photographer, and Mr Newton, who works in the film industry, were fortunate to know someone who was selling a shipping container.
The ground was muddy and the winter weather was miserable when it first arrived in December2024. But now, they are completing the finishing touches to their garden building.
She said: “The container fitted in perfectly with the garden and painting it black matched the black barn of our neighbours just behind it. It feels like it’s blended in with the surrounding farm buildings and countryside so well.
“The first steps were to insulate it and board it up, which we hired someone local to do. Then it was all about getting electricity to it, which we luckily had a friend who could help.”
Natural light was “going to make or break the project”, so they replaced the heavy contained door with stylish black French doors from Leader Online.
She said: “We made sure to place the office right where the sun hits, and it’s glorious when the sunset light floods in. It’s a beautiful place to work and great for photography if I ever want to play with natural light.
“Plus, the double patio doors let us take in the countryside views that made us buy this property.”
The space is now a multi-functional dream for the creative couple, also including DJ decks, a computer set-up, and a photography studio.
She added: “The best thing about a renovation journey is being able to put your own stamp on all parts of your home and garden.
“Using a container as a starting point has allowed us to do that while being cheaper than buying a large garden office or going ahead with a loft conversion or extension.”
The TV presenter and Oxfordshire farmer, took to social media platform X to highlight the strain of the May heatwave, describing it as “another challenge for British farming”, rather than a short-term weather event.
Some of the hottest meteorological spring temperatures were recorded in the UK, including in Oxfordshire, which saw record-breaking highs of 33.6C in Benson, near Wallingford.
READ MORE: Oxford boy 11th person to die in water during heatwave
This meant farmers had to start their day as early as 3am to move livestock to the shade to protect them from rising temperatures.
He added that dairy cows in Cumbria are now drinking twice as much water as usual, while milk yields are already dropping.
Mr Clarkson also pointed to conditions across arable regions, noting that the East of England has experienced one of its driest Aprils on record, with already planted crops beginning to fail.
“That wheat becomes your bread, your pasta, your breakfast cereal,” Mr Clarkson wrote, warning that another week of extreme heat could see thousands of acres written off.
He contrasted the UK’s response with Ireland, where the Government has issued guidance to avoid transporting animals during the hottest parts of the day.
In comparison, Mr Clarkson said there had been “nothing new” from Westminster.
While stressing he was not “scaremongering”, Mr Clarkson questioned whether policymakers fully understand the impact on food production.
He added: “The weather is getting harder. The Government is getting quieter.”
Benson Parish Council said the play equipment at the village’s parks are in need of “costly” repairs as a result.
In a “polite” statement, the council asked grown-ups to not play in the children’s area near Wallingford.
A spokesman said: “We would kindly like to remind everyone that the play equipment in our village parks is designed and built for children only.
READ MORE: Volkswagen bursts into flames near M40
“Unfortunately, we have recently experienced a number of costly repairs as a result of adults using the equipment.
“We understand that it can be tempting to join in the fun, but we respectfully ask adults to help us look after these facilities, so they remain safe, enjoyable, and available for local children.
“Thank you for your support in helping us care for our community spaces.”
The boy, 14, had got into difficulty close to Donnington Bridge on Wednesday evening, May 27 when emergency services were called.
Around 20 land and air emergency vehicles, including police, ambulance and fire, responded to the report at 5.45pm.
READ MORE: Oxford teenage boy dies after River Thames incident
The incident closed the bridge and concluded the first day of Oxford University Boat Club’s Summer Eights ‘bumps’ races early at 6.52pm.
Thames Valley Police confirmed the sad death on Thursday afternoon, saying his family has been informed and are being supported.
The thoughts of all of us at the Oxford Mail are with the boy’s family and friends at this difficult time.
Tributes can be left below.
-
Crime & Safety4 weeks agoMajor UK firm collapses in administration with nearly 700 jobs at risk
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoMan arrested in connection with rape in Oxfordshire town
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoBanbury woman jailed after lying to police about kidnapped children
-
UK News4 weeks agoWoman murdered sister and took her Rolex watch
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoWaitrose supermarkets across UK shut due to ‘critical error’
-
Crime & Safety3 weeks agoHow to spend a day in Harpsden among UK’s poshest villages
-
Crime & Safety2 weeks agoStrictly Come Dancing new hosts reportedly Emma Willis
-
UK News4 weeks agoThousands taking part in Belfast City Marathon