Full Breakdown
Retiree Creates Supersized Models to Combat Boredom
4/9/2026, 11:36:02 PM
Unique Hobby Emerges from Retirement
Steve Wainwright, a 62-year-old retiree from Peterborough, has turned his boredom into a creative outlet by constructing oversized replicas of everyday household items. After retiring from his position at the East of England Ambulance Service in Melbourn, Cambridgeshire, in 2020, Wainwright found himself seeking a productive way to fill his time. "Once retired you can only cook and clean for so many hours," he remarked, explaining his motivation to embark on this unusual hobby.
Wainwright, who has a background in engineering and electrics, began crafting items that are ten times their normal size, inspired by a desire to create something unique. His creations include a giant pencil, a clothes peg, an audio cassette, and a 13-amp plug. Some of these oversized objects have been transformed into functional items, such as a coffee table made from a giant tape measure and a cupboard fashioned from a large plug.
Crafting Process and Community Engagement
Wainwright's workshop, built by himself, serves as the base for his crafting endeavors. He has invested approximately £2,500 into materials, with each piece taking up to two weeks to complete. While some of his creations have been sold locally through word of mouth, Wainwright primarily views this as a hobby rather than a business venture. His wife, Cat Thompson, 53, supports his passion, noting that it keeps him engaged and out of mischief. "When I saw the plug, it was just complete joy," she expressed.
Wainwright has also shared his work at charity events, where he discovered that visually impaired individuals particularly enjoy experiencing the large items alongside their standard-sized counterparts. Among his creations, the five-foot long HB 2 pencil has emerged as a public favorite.
Upcoming Exhibition
Wainwright's supersized models will be showcased at the Feel the Force Day comic book convention at Peterborough Cathedral in September. This event will provide an opportunity for the public to interact with his creations, which are designed to evoke a sense of wonder and nostalgia.
Criticism & Opposition
While Wainwright's hobby has garnered positive attention, some individuals question the practicality of such large items in everyday life. However, Wainwright remains focused on the joy and creativity his projects bring, both to himself and to those who experience them.
Verbatim Quotes
- "Once retired you can only cook and clean for so many hours." — Steve Wainwright, Retiree
- "He puts his stuff mainly on the garage wall and we have a summer room where he keeps more of his stuff – but, it's manageable." — Cat Thompson, Wife
- "The public's favourite item of the 20 or so things I have made has to be the five-foot long HB 2 pencil." — Steve Wainwright, Retiree
