PEMBRIDGE A Herefordshire pensioner is using his empty wine bottles to striking effect with the creation of a domed folly in his back garden, modelled on the Pantheon in Rome.
Richard Pim has already used 3,000 empties, bedding them bottoms-up in the concrete structure, which stands 3½ metres (11ft) high with a diameter of almost 6 metres. He estimates that he will need another 2,000 bottles to complete his “Blotto Grotto”. Mr Pim, 66, said: “One day I was in the garden drinking a glass of wine and as I held the bottle up to the sun, it made an amazing sparkly effect. Most of Herefordshire learnt what I was doing, so I have had lots of bottles donated. I have also drunk a good few myself.” The 2½acre (1ha) garden is open to the public. Mr Pim plans to add a seating area for visitors.