Hurry now to enter Blind Gardener of the Year, 2008

12/08/2008

 Most people consider gardens to be a visual delight, but for those who are visually impaired, they provide a heady mix of scent and sound, as well the sheer enjoyment of working hands-on with nature. 

 

For this reason, anyone who loves gardening and has a visual impairment is invited to have their gardening skills recognised by entering into the annual Blind Gardener of the Year competition by September 15th 2008.

 

Entries are welcome from individual gardeners or groups at any age and at all levels of experience, and gardening skills can range from nurturing a window box to tending a garden or allotment.

 

Now in its third year, this annual competition attracts not only a remarkable standard of entries but demonstrates a wide range of  innovative skills that are of interest to the wider gardening community.  It is organised by the National Blind Gardeners' Club - a  partnership project between Thrive, the charity which uses gardening  to change lives, and the Royal National Institute of Blind People.

 

Different categories:

1. Blind Gardener of the Year: This category recognises an all-round 
gardener who gardens throughout the year with an emphasis on the 
environment and sustainability.

 

2. Young Blind Gardeners of the Year (under 18 years): This 
celebrates the achievements of the next gardening generation and is 
intended to inspire more young people to take up gardening.  Entries 
are invited from gardening groups where the majority of members are 
blind or partially sighted.

 

3. Blind Gardening Club or Group of the Year: This could be for a 
gardening club, a sheltered home group or a community gardening group 
where the majority of people are blind or partially sighted.

 

 

Judging will be held by a prestigious panel of experts with prizes worth hundreds of pounds in each category supplied by St Dunstan's, Suttons Seeds, Wiggly Wigglers and Chic Teak.

 

The awards ceremony will be held on Thursday 6th November 2008 in 
London. Closing date Monday 15th September 2008

 

To register or obtain information in a choice of format, just email bgoty@thrive.org.uk or telephone 0118 988 5688, or write to Blind 
Gardener of the Year, Thrive, Beech Hill, Reading RG7 2AT.