The coronavirus pandemic has affected all people in every aspect of their lives.
Apart from the devastating nature of the illness to those who are particularly vulnerable, even healthy and non-infected people are also suffering because of the lockdown.
This means that there is a massive disruption in daily life as activities that one used to take for granted are now impossible or inaccessible. One example is going down to the pub to celebrate one’s birthday.
But one daughter still found a way to cheer up her dad by building a pop-up pub in her backyard so that her dad could celebrate his birthday even with the lockdown in effect. If he can’t go to the pub, at least she can bring the pub to him.
Lottie Hiscox, 29, and her brother Jamie got creative with some old boxes and paint to create the impromptu pub they christened The Lord Ravensbourne.
Lottie, from London, said: “Listening to the very sound advice of the Government to stay home, we were a little sad we couldn’t celebrate my Dad’s birthday at our local pub.
“So, I decided to take some IKEA [boxes] and wine boxes out of the recycling and set to work the night before, making a pop-up pub in his much-loved garden shed.”
Lottie had to dig through her childhood bedroom to scavenge some crayons and paints to give color to her creation.
She then got an old carrier bag that she cut up to create some bunting as well as some old beer bottle stickers to create some design flavor on the pub’s “taps.” They move like real beer pumps but are really just for show.
She added: “The traditional pub sign is inspired by my brother’s face and we named it The Lord Ravensbourne as the river Ravensbourne runs through our garden.
“I’ve hung up a dartboard which was gathering dust in the shed because every pub needs a dartboard, and the paintings were actually painted by myself whilst in isolation too.”
With that much effort put in, it’s no surprise Lottie’s dad “bloody loved it.”
“He was genuinely chuffed, and we had a fabulous day in the pub for him,” Lottie said. He’s now even thinking of live-streaming karaoke night and hosting a pub quiz from his new digs.
Taking a page from her idea, Lottie’s friends are now busy setting up their own garden pubs though they said they can’t wait to hop on over to The Lord Ravensbourne once the lockdown has been lifted.
And for those who want to get creative while in isolation, Lottie had this to say: “Use your imagination, however silly; raid your childhood art supplies, but most importantly stay at home!”
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