There’s still time for County Durham gardeners to win a £30 National Garden Voucher in a council photography competition.
The Garden Treasures contest has been organised by Durham County Council and encourages people to share why their beautiful outside spaces are important to them.
Residents have until Monday 17 August to submit images of their floral displays and green spaces, along with a brief explanation of how gardening has helped them through the coronavirus pandemic, to be in with a chance of winning.
Entries can be made in any of the following five categories, up to a maximum of four images per person:
• Garden, either front or back
• Yard area
• Floral containers, including baskets, tubs and troughs
• Children’s garden area
• Most improved (please send before and after photographs)
One winner from each category will receive a £30 National Garden Voucher and their photo will be included in a public vote to decide the People’s Choice award.
The competition is open to all County Durham residents over the age of 18, with parents and guardians invited to make a nomination on behalf of younger gardeners.
Cllr Brian Stephens, Durham County Council cabinet member for leighbourhoods and local partnerships, said: “We’ve received some fantastic entries already, but we know there are many more people who have been busy in their gardens and we’d love them to share their photos with us.
“Green spaces have become so important to a lot of people during the coronavirus pandemic and we’re looking to celebrate the positive effect outdoor spaces can have during these difficult times.
“Whether it has helped people to keep active, offered a peaceful area to relax or become a place to share quality time with friends and family, we want to see what people have created and hear why their garden means so much to them right now.
“We’re not necessarily looking for large, grand spaces or professional standards – the competition is open to everyone, from total beginners to experienced gardeners, whatever the size of their growing space.
“With a £30 garden centre voucher up for grabs in each category, it’s definitely worth a go.”
To enter, recent photographs, no larger than 4MB and in JPG format, should be emailed to [email protected] along with contact details and a brief description of what the garden or planted area means to entrants at this time.
Submissions should not be framed or contain watermarks and are restricted to four pictures per entry. Photographs with people in them will not be accepted.
Suitable entries will be uploaded to the Civic Pride Instagram page www.instagram.com/civicpridedurham/#GardenTreasures where they can be viewed and shared.
Entries for the individual categories close on Monday August 17. The People’s Choice award will be open to voting from Tuesday August 18, until midnight on Thursday, August 20.
Winners will be notified by telephone or email by Friday, August 28.