Someone who has a truly unique angle on Plankbridge is our brilliant Head of Creative Hannah – her parents Richard and Jane started Plankbridge when she was just one year old, in the workshop below her childhood bedroom…
What is your role at Plankbridge?
As Head of Creative, my job involves everything from running our social media accounts and creating fresh new photo and video content to coordinating and designing our newsletters and blogs. I’m also the daughter of co-founders Richard and Jane, so I do a lot of behind-the-scenes work and senior team meetings to ensure that Plankbridge runs smoothly.
Do you have a favourite shepherd’s hut model?
The moment I stepped into the RHS Bothy I was taken aback by its beauty and real sense of space – I’d love one as my own work-from-home office/spare bedroom in the garden.
I equally love our fully fitted Guest House models; they are very special and the perfect place to relax and unwind.
What is the best thing about working at Plankbridge?
The sense of community that we have built over the years and the creativity that flows through everything we do. I lead our Creative Meeting every Tuesday and it’s always great to bounce ideas around with our team and work on exciting partnerships and projects. My parents started building shepherd’s huts when I was just one year old, in the workshop underneath my childhood bedroom! It really is all I’ve ever known, and I basically live and breathe shepherd’s huts.
I have fond memories of our early team members having their lunch around our kitchen table, chatting to me as I drew pictures (usually of shepherd’s huts, little families and of course dogs). I used to hold ‘sunflower competitions’ – getting the team to see whose sunflower would grow the tallest and making fairy cakes for their tea breaks. I remember the old days very fondly and am always looking forward to new projects and opportunities.
What are your favourite colours from the Plankbridge colour chart?
Since staying in Spindleberry hut at Tokenhill Dorset, I love our colour Spindleberry for the interior furniture. It looks especially stunning in the sunshine and is a lovely warm accent of colour. For the exterior, I would probably go for something dark like Plankbridge Green or Ivy Berry. I always love how the darker colours fit into the landscape and remind me of an old timber-clad barn in the countryside.
How do you like to spend your time off and weekends?
Four years ago, I moved to Bath where I now work from home most days. I am very fortunate to have met some lovely friends in the area and now feel like a real part of the community. At weekends I enjoy going on dog walks on the Bath Skyline and along the Kennet and Avon canal with my partner Cam and our friendly cockapoo, Bramble. We love finding new brunch spots, so a Saturday morning usually involves pancakes, and nice big mugs of coffee. We have recently taken on an allotment which has enabled me to rekindle my love for gardening. When I lived down in Dorset, I did the RHS Level 2 course in Practical Horticulture at Kingston Maurward College. I find so much joy in gardening and I’m excited to transform our allotment!
Favourite place to eat locally?
A trip back down to Dorset usually involves a meal at The Thimble in Piddlehinton. The owners are so friendly and the menu is top-notch. I usually go for a vegetarian pie or classic fish and chips.
A firm favourite in Bath is The Oak, which serves seasonal, sustainably sourced vegetarian small plates. The best spot is in the far corner on a private table with a view of Bath Abbey. Can’t beat it.
- To meet more of our team, head over to our dedicated Blog page here
- To visit our Instagram page, run by Hannah, follow this link
