The gloves are off (gardening gloves that is!)
Mansfield's Executive Mayor, Tony Egginton, has officially launched this year's Best Kept Garden competition.
Local residents, schools, community groups and businesses are all invited to enter and make sure Mansfield looks blooming lovely this summer!
Whether it's an acre of green garden or a well-kept shrub in a tub – all entries are welcome.
Cash prizes are available for the following categories:
- Best Front Garden
- Best Back Garden
- Best Container/hanging basket
First prize: £80, second prize: £50, third prize: £30.
- Best Wildlife/Conservation Area
First prize: £100, second prize: £50.
First and second place certificates are awarded in these categories:
- Best Allotment Plot
- Best Commercial Premises/Pub
- Best Kept Street in the District of Mansfield.
In addition the first and second place winners in the categories of Best Front and Back Gardens in last year's competition will be automatically entered into the Outstanding Garden category, for this the winner will receive £200, second and third prize winners receive £100.
Last year the prize for Best Overall garden was won by Paula Barrett of Sheepbridge Lane. Paula suffers from MS and uses a wheelchair. The judges were impressed by her garden, which was specially adapted for wheelchair access with using raised beds and sinks.
Councillor Eddie Smith, Portfolio Holder for the environment urges all Mansfield residents to get involved: "This is a great opportunity for Mansfield District Council to recognise all the work put in by residents, allotment holders and businesses on their land and contributing to the beauty of the District."
"I would urge all keen gardeners to pick up an entry form as soon as possible."
All terms and conditions of the competition can be found on the entry forms, which are available at www.mansfield.gov.uk, or by telephoning 01623 463118.
Forms may also be used by friends, neighbours and relatives to nominate someone else's plot of land they think worthy of winning the title.
All entries must be received by Friday 27 June 2008 for judging to take place at the end of July/beginning of August.