The start of something big for small-scale living
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.PETER ANDREWS has just added to the long list of British eccentricities. He's formed the Secret Shed and Handmade Hideaway Society - and is hoping that it will soon become a familiar name to all but a dedicated troglodyte.
SSHHS has been launched to bring together people who believe in building small-scale structures, he explains. And Mr Andrews, who runs an ecology books business in Bath, says firmly that "the purpose of the organisation is fun".
He has been discussing building small edifices, sheds and buildings with readers through his books.
Now, after years of talking, he has got serious about it.
He thinks it is time to bring together all those who agree that, for example, a small house can be built using, say, motor tyres - but who run into problems whenever they try to put such an out-of-the-ordinary idea into practice.
Mr Andrews wonders why, if people in the United States and Australia can build such structures, it cannot be done here. Bureaucracy, he believes, is to blame.
Mr Andrews, who is running an advertising campaign for his new venture, reckons he will be signing up a good numbers of members - even though, when asked about the advent of SSHHS, an Institute of Housing official said loftily: "I have never heard this name before."
For prospective members, rules are quite simple. Anybody interested in joining has to send a photograph or a drawing of their building, describing why and out of what it was constructed.
If you have put up a structure using those motor tyres or even video tapes, you are in - and the small is beautiful outlook is good.
Mr Andrews' phone hasn't stopped buzzing since SSHHS left the drawing board.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments