A photograph of a discarded sofa has captured hearts and imaginations, winning a prestigious Portrait of Britain award. Taken by local photographer Alex Elton-Wall, the image features Amaya, a young girl seated on a fly-tipped sofa found in the Forest of Dean.
Alex stumbled upon the abandoned two-seater in Gloucestershire in early April last year and saw potential where others saw trash. Over time, local residents began surrounding the sofa with other living room items, transforming it into a communal installation affectionately known as ‘The Lydbrook Lounge’.
This quirky landmark has even earned its own TripAdvisor listing and maintains an active Facebook page—Lydbrook Lounge—where visitors share photos and stories from their visits.
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Alex’s award-winning portrait is among the winners featured in Volume Eight of Portrait of Britain, forthcoming from Bluecoat Press and showcased on digital platforms nationwide.
Expressing his joy, Alex said, “I’m over the moon that my portrait of Amaya has won this award. It’s incredible that people all over the country will now see our little village’s story displayed on screens and billboards. Amaya is a superstar!”
What began as a simple photo project evolved into a heartfelt celebration of community spirit. Alex created a photobook to raise funds for a local charity, held an exhibition at Cardiff’s Clwb Ffoto gallery, and now enjoys national recognition through this prestigious award.
He reflected, “A piece of rubbish has turned into something fun and meaningful. As an amateur documentary photographer, this project gave me a unique chance to capture the spirit of my community. Families, pets, even local pub landlords made the space their own.”
The Lydbrook Lounge stands as an inspiring example of how creativity and community can breathe new life into the unexpected.