A striking photograph of a discarded sofa that unexpectedly transformed into a community landmark has earned the prestigious Portrait of Britain award.
Captured by local photographer Alex Elton-Wall, the image features Amaya, a young girl seated on a fly-tipped two-seater sofa in Gloucestershire’s Forest of Dean. Alex stumbled upon the forlorn piece of furniture in early April last year and saw a unique opportunity.
Since then, this once-abandoned sofa—now affectionately dubbed the “Lydbrook Lounge”—has become a focal point for the local community. Over 150 residents have posed for portraits on the sofa, which has gradually become surrounded by additional living room items contributed by visitors. The Lydbrook Lounge has even gained its own TripAdvisor listing and a thriving Facebook page where visitors share photos and stories.
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Alex’s captivating photo is among the winners featured in the eighth volume of Portrait of Britain, a collection exhibited nationwide both physically and digitally, and published by Bluecoat Press. Alex says he’s “over the moon” about the recognition and describes the sofa as “the gift that keeps on giving.”
Reflecting on this unexpected journey, Alex shared: “When I started photographing people sitting on that old, stinky fly-tipped sofa, I never imagined it would evolve like this. It has brought together the community in remarkable ways.”
Beyond the award, the project inspired Alex to publish a photobook, raising funds for a local charity, and led to an exhibition at Newport’s Clwb Ffoto gallery in South Wales. For Alex, the sofa symbolizes more than just discarded furniture – it’s a vibrant gathering place where families, dogs, and even local pub landlords come to connect.
“This piece of rubbish has turned into something so much fun and meaningful,” Alex said. “As an amateur documentary photographer, it’s been an incredible chance to capture the spirit of our community.”