Wayne Wood, 64, from Loughborough, Leicestershire, has gone from winning a cabbage in a meat draw nearly 40 years ago to now owning a £4 million Georgian villa in Bath, Somerset. Along with the stunning early 1800s home, Wayne and his wife Catherine also received £250,000 in cash thanks to charity competition organiser Omaze.
Reflecting on his previous luck, Wayne recalled: “The last thing I won was a cabbage back in 1977 during a band trip up north. We all entered a meat draw buying tickets for two pence each, and I ended up with the cabbage. It’s been a running joke ever since.” Despite this modest win, Wayne has persistently entered prize draws over the years, driven by dreams of a big win. “That cabbage started my winning streak!” he added.
Wayne admitted he initially thought the news of his latest victory was a prank. “I was sure it was a joke, so I didn’t tell Catherine until I was 100 per cent certain. I’ve always dreamed of winning a house with a great view, and now it’s actually happened; it’s hard to comprehend.”
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He and Catherine, who have been married for 18 years and have two teenagers, live a lovely family life but feel energized by continuing to dream big. “You’ve got to keep dreaming and not settle for less.”
Unbeknownst to Catherine, Wayne has held an Omaze subscription for four years, entering regularly. Catherine admitted she didn’t take his entries seriously at first. “When Wayne messaged saying he might have won, I ignored it. He’s always dreamed big, which I love, but I’m more practical. Now I’m grateful he kept his dreams – they’ve truly come true with this win.”
The historic Bath property was built by renowned architect John Pinch and features a wine cellar, underfloor heating, a separate Coach House for guests, and landscaped gardens. “We were recently on holiday at a UNESCO World Heritage site in Greece, and now we own a home in a UNESCO World Heritage city,” Wayne remarked. “We hadn’t visited Bath before but now realise what a beautiful place it is.”
The prize includes the property mortgage-free, with stamp duty and legal fees covered, plus £140,000 worth of furnishings. Catherine, a keen Bridgerton fan, is excited to host gatherings in their elegant new home. “With multiple fridges and a wine cellar, this will be a real party house! It feels like the Bridgerton set. We’re already planning a Bridgerton-themed party – how perfect would that be?”
Wayne also reflected on his late mother, who passed away recently. “I used to call her my ‘one in a million,’ and now I’ve won a home that’s worth millions. She would have loved it. I wish she was here to see it, but maybe she’s looking down on us.”
Should Wayne decide to keep the property, the £250,000 in cash could cover running costs for several years. Alternatively, local estate agents estimate the home could command a rental income between £9,000 and £10,000 per month.
Matt Pohlson, Founder and CEO of Omaze, commented: “Everyone at Omaze is delighted that Wayne and Catherine have won this beautiful home in Bath while supporting English Heritage. Omaze gives people the chance to win incredible prizes while introducing charities to new audiences; it’s a win-win. Our community has now raised over £150 million for causes across the UK.”
In addition to the £1 million raised through this prize draw, Omaze has committed a further £3.5 million through a separate multiyear grant to support future projects at Stonehenge, bringing their total contribution to English Heritage to £4.5 million.