Wayne Wood, a 64-year-old father from Loughborough, Leicestershire, has gone from winning a cabbage in a 1977 meat draw to claiming an extraordinary prize: a £4 million Georgian villa in Bath, Somerset, along with £250,000 in cash.
Wayne and his wife Catherine, whom he has been married to for 18 years, were astonished when they discovered they had won the prestigious Omaze prize. Reflecting on his past wins, Wayne said, “A £4 million mansion is quite the upgrade from a cabbage! It’s been a running joke ever since that first win with my brass band friends on a trip in the 70s, where I entered a meat draw and came away with the cabbage.”
Despite the long gap since then, Wayne never gave up entering prize draws. “I’m a dreamer who always wanted to win a big house. That cabbage started my streak!”
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The family, which includes their two teenage children, was initially skeptical about the announcement. Wayne admitted, “I thought I was being ‘punked’ at first and didn’t tell Catherine until I was absolutely certain.”
Wayne’s enthusiasm for dreaming big has been a constant in their lives. “We have a lovely life with beautiful children, but you’ve got to keep dreaming and not just settle for less,” he said.
His wife Catherine, 53, was unaware of his four-year Omaze subscription. “Wayne would occasionally win small things, but I didn’t pay much attention. When he claimed to have won, I was doubtful,” she shared. “He’s always dreamed big, which I love. I probably should have believed in his dreams more, as they’ve all come true.”
The historic property, designed in the early 1800s by renowned Bath architect John Pinch, boasts elegant features including a wine cellar, underfloor heating, a separate Coach House for guests, and beautifully landscaped gardens.
Wayne remarked on the coincidence of owning a home in a UNESCO World Heritage site after recently visiting one in Greece. “We’d never been to Bath before and were unaware of its beauty. Now, we own one of the city’s finest houses.”
The prize includes the property mortgage-free, with all legal and stamp duty fees paid, plus £140,000 worth of furnishings.
An avid fan of the period drama Bridgerton, Catherine is excited about hosting gatherings in their new home. “Multiple fridges and a wine cellar make it a true party house! It feels like we’re on the Bridgerton set. We’re already planning a Bridgerton-themed party-it’s perfect.”
While celebrating their win, Wayne reflected on his recent personal loss. Having lost his mother last month, he expressed poignant thoughts: “I used to call her my ‘one in a million’. Owning a home worth millions now feels connected to her. I wish she were here; she would be ecstatic. Perhaps she’s looking down on us, maybe she had a hand in this.”
Should Wayne choose to keep the property, the £250,000 cash prize could cover running costs for several years. Alternatively, local estate agents estimate its rental value could range between £9,000 and £10,000 per month.
Matt Pohlson, Founder and CEO of Omaze, expressed pride in the outcome: “Everyone at Omaze is delighted that Wayne and Catherine have won this beautiful home in Bath while supporting English Heritage. Omaze provides incredible prize opportunities and simultaneously raises funds for charities, reaching audiences they might not typically engage.”
Omaze has now raised over £150 million for good causes across the UK. Beyond the prize, Omaze has contributed £4.5 million to English Heritage-£1 million through this draw and an additional multi-year grant of £3.5 million to support projects at Stonehenge.
This remarkable win is a testament to dreaming big and the unexpected journeys life can take.