The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic has made us miss a lot of things over these past 12 weeks, and for many of us, the pub is at the very top of that list.
With pubs currently shut nationwide, building back garden bars during lockdown seems to be bit of a trend at the moment. People have been creating their own drinking dens and what began as a humorous little time-killing exercise, has evolved into a competitive, professional-looking practice.
There’s been some seriously impressive attempts, hasn’t there?
Last month, we shared the story of a man who missed the pub that much, he spent days building his own ‘Furlough Arms’ in his back garden and people were quite rightly blown away.
ADVERTISEMENT
If you thought it couldn’t get much better than that, and trust us, we honestly didn’t think it could either, now there’s a couple right on our doorstep might who might very well have just called this competition off.
We have definitely found the winner here.
ADVERTISEMENT
Introducing – ‘The Drunken Crab’.
Octavia Chic
The Drunken Crab was a specially commissioned project for the Crabtree family and was built by a the husband and wife duo from an interiors/furniture painting business, Octavia Chic, based in Wigan.
Photos showcasing this absolute masterpiece of construction were shared to the Octavia Chic Facebook group yesterday evening and have since gone viral.
ADVERTISEMENT
The post reads: “My husband and I have had a very busy few week’s working on our favourite project to date.”
“The Drunken Crab – built, painted and interior designed for the Crabtree family who are loving having their own pub in the garden”.
The post has since gone on to amass well over 16K interactions, 21K shares and 42K comments from people heaping a deserved amount of praise on the company for their seriously impressive work.
We just knew we couldn’t be the only ones with our jaws on the floor here.
Octavia ChicOctavia ChicOctavia Chic
Please can we come for a pint at The Drunken Crab when all this blows over?
If you’re impressed by this, and quite frankly how could you not be, then make sure to head on over and show Octavia Chic some love on Facebook here.
Trending
Bury actress Kate O’Flynn wins big at 2026 Emmys with record-breaking comedy show
Emily Sergeant
Did you know that one of the big winners at the 2026 Emmy Awards last night was actually an actress from Bury?
In case it wasn’t on your radar, American television‘s biggest night, the Emmys, took place yesterday evening over in Los Angeles, and several records were broken in the process – including Apple TV’s comedy horror Widow’s Bay taking home the most Emmys ever for a single series of a comedy show, with 14 of them.
Widow’s Bay tells the story of mayor Tom Loftis, played by Welsh actor Matthew Rhys, who is trying to boost tourism on his rugged New England island, but must navigate several strange events that suggest it might be cursed.
Created by Katie Dippold, and executive produced and directed by Hiro Murai, Widow’s Bay was released in late April to widespread critical acclaim.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards last night, the show scooped a record 14 awards, including for Outstanding Comedy Series, several acting wins, and wins for directing and writing too.
One of those acting wins was Kate O’Flynn for Best Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series – an actress who hails from the Greater Manchester town of Bury.
Kate stars as Patricia Moyer, mayor Tom’s eccentric assistant in the show.
She grew up in Holcombe Brook near Ramsbottom, and was educated at Bury Grammar School, before she went on to train at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA) in London, graduating with a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Acting in 2006.
Taking to the stage to accept her award last night, Kate said in her speech: “I want to thank our mayor [Matthew Rhys] and all the residents of Widow’s Bay, in front and behind the camera – you’re amazing. This is the role of a lifetime, thank you Katie and Hiro for trusting a Lancashire lass to play a sassy broad like Patricia. And thank you Apple [TV] for saying yes.
“Thank you Nicky and Tony for looking after me, my family back home, my mum and dad, and the loves of my life, my husband and our darling daughter – another sassy broad in the making.
“This is for all the Patricias out there, see you at Sunset Cocktails to celebrate. Thank you.”
Featured Image – The Television Academy (via YouTube)
Trending
M&S launches new Too Good To Go partnership – with NINE Greater Manchester stores signed up
Emily Sergeant
M&S has finally decided to partner with food waste charity, Too Good To Go.
As of yesterday, a total of 350 M&S stores across the UK – including nine major sites in Greater Manchester – now offer new Too Good To Go ‘Surprise Bags’ that are made up of surplus bakery goodies, giving customers the chance to collect quality food at a reduced price at the end of the day directly from in-store bakeries.
The launch follows a trial in a select number of UK stores, and the Surprise Bags will include bakery treats such as pastries, cookies, and fresh bread.
The partnership with Too Good To Go is the latest move in M&S Food’s work to reduce surplus food and ensure good food doesn’t go to waste.
Greater Manchester stores that will be taking part in the new Too Good To Go partnership include Manchester Market Street, Trafford Centre, Stockport, Spinningfields, Prestwich, Wigan Robin, Bolton Middlebrook, Bury The Rock, and Ashton Moss.
Each of the Surprise Bags will include three to four bakery products to a minimum retail price of £10.20 for just £3.80.
Available Monday to Saturday, customers can order their Surprise Bags through the Too Good To Go app, and collect them one hour before their local store closes.
“It’s great to be involved in this new launch with Too Good To Go to help reduce food waste,” commented Chris Parker, who is the Store Manager at M&S Bolton Middlebrook.
“Our in-store bakeries are incredibly popular with customers, and at the end of the day, customers will now be able to order and collect surprise bags offering fantastic surplus bakery products at great value.
“By finding new ways to re-purpose surplus products, we’re helping ensure more food is enjoyed rather than wasted. This partnership is another positive step towards reaching our goal of halving food waste by 2030.”
Emily Sergeant -
12th June 2020 
