July 24th 2024.
Dennis, a proud grandfather of five, has recently made headlines for his unique hobby and impressive DIY skills. At the age of 94, he has built himself a shed to house his extensive collection of 1,000 stuffed toys, ornaments, and plushies. It may seem like a surprising endeavor for someone of his age, but Dennis has always been a fan of collecting die-cast collectible toy cars and planes since he was young. Over the years, he has also developed a love for teddy bears, which has resulted in his impressive collection.
One may think that at the age of 94, Dennis would have trouble building a shed on his own. However, he surprises everyone by revealing that he has built 99% of the shed by himself, with only a little help from his daughter in installing a window. He used old conservatory roofing from his daughter, Gill, for the roof and built the shelves and fencing for the structure. To add a personal touch, he adorned the outside with artificial flowers, giving it a charming and unique look.
When asked about his inspiration for building the shed, Dennis explains that he simply wanted a space to display his beloved collection. He says, "It's entirely different - no one has one of these. I just like it, I sit in there and have my dinner in there and sometimes fall asleep. I've been working flat out on it alongside my garden and I'm chuffed with it." He also mentions that he followed his father's advice to never start a job if he couldn't do it properly, and it seems to have paid off.
Inside the shed, one can find rows and rows of shelves filled with various teddy bears, including fluffy bears, pottery bears, door stops, and pictures. Dennis estimates his collection to be worth around £3,000, and he even entered his shed into the "unexpected/unique" category for Shed of the Year 2024. Unfortunately, his shed didn't make the final shortlist, but Dennis remains proud of his creation.
Aside from collecting teddy bears, Dennis also has a passion for collecting die-cast items. He says, "I estimate there must be at least 1,000 teddy bears in there by now. I'm a collector of die-cast, so I'm always looking for more space to put things." In addition to his impressive collection, he has also added a piano in his shed to keep him busy. He even wrote a book about the teddies coming to life at night, complete with a song for children.
When asked about his favorite part of collecting teddy bears, Dennis explains that it's not about the cost, but the hobby itself. He says, "It's not about what they cost for me, I see it as a hobby and I love the engineering side that someone somewhere thought of each one and made them. It's the detail and the skill and other people's imagination to make each one. I study them all when I buy them and I'm fascinated with the engineering."
Dennis' shed is not just a display for his collection, but it also serves as a cozy retreat for him. He has a TV unit, lighting, a heater, and a brand-new blue carpet inside. He even went the extra mile and decorated the outside with artificial flowers, saying, "I went to B&M and bought some flowery arrangements to go on the outside too - It's a lovely garden, if I say so myself."
Aside from his impressive DIY skills and unique hobby, Dennis has also made headlines for his participation in the annual Run for the 97 Hillsborough Victims in Liverpool. At the age of 93, he took part in the 5k race, finishing it off by drinking tea from his own bone China tea cup, which he takes everywhere with him. He says, "In the light of what happened in the past and all the people who lost their lives, it's very important to take part. I only found out about it last year, so I'm going to try and do it every year from now if I can. It's just a privilege to be here."
Dennis may be 94 years old, but he continues to surprise and inspire others with his passion and determination. His shed may have not won Shed of the Year, but it has certainly won the hearts of many.
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