ENTRIES are now open for Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s virtual Glorious Gardens competition, organised to find some hidden treasures across Dorset.

With the backing of the Bournemouth Echo the hospice charity wants participants to submit photos of their gardens, no matter how big or small, to be in with a chance of them being crowned among the county's most glorious.

The contest will be judged by a panel including Jay Blades from BBC One’s The Repair Shop; internationally renowned garden designer and multiple award winner at the Chelsea Flower Show, Andy Sturgeon; TV presenter and gardener Christine Walkden and gardening journalist and horticultural consultant David Hurrion.

It is open to everyone, from Bournemouth to Bloxworth, Southbourne to Swanage.

Andy Sturgeon said: “Dorset is the most beautiful county in England and our family goes camping there every year. We also have several interesting garden projects overlooking Poole Harbour and we use Purbeck stone in many of our gardens.

"I have used it in two of my Best in Show gardens at Chelsea Flower Show and have it in my own garden.

"I am delighted to be judging this competition as gardens are so important to health and well-being at all stages in life. And there are bound to be a few surprises in the entries.”

Meanwhile, Jay Blades said: “I think the work that Lewis-Manning do is incredible and I do feel very strongly about supporting hospices, especially with the Covid-19 crisis. I am really looking forward to seeing all the brilliant works of art.”

Entries are open until June 30, with the following categories:

  • best allotment or vegetable patch
  • best general garden
  • best small creative space
  • best children’s garden picture or artwork (drawing, painting, collage etc)

David Hurrion said: “As a proud Dorset gardener myself I am delighted to take part in Lewis-Manning Hospice Care’s virtual glorious gardens competition.

"If you’re proud of your patch or bonkers about your balcony, I can think of no better way to raise funds to support Lewis-Manning’s work than through gardening, one of the nation’s favourite hobbies.”

From its new base in Poole, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care will be able to help even more people in Poole, Purbeck and east Dorset with life limiting illnesses, as well as developing new services which includes education, and support groups for families and carers.

Its aim is to increase people’s physical and social well-being, reduce isolation and loneliness, support people to stay in their homes longer, and alleviate the huge pressures on family and carers.

Christine Walkden said: “I am delighted to join the judging panel as it will give me the opportunity of viewing some great images of subjects that reflect the passion of the gardeners involved.

"It will be rewarding to see what the gardeners of Dorset are growing.”

How to enter

ENTRY, at £5 per category for adults or £2.50 for a child under 12, can be made online via the campaign page justgiving.com/campaign/virtual-glorious-gardens-2020

Then you email fundraisingteam@lewis-manning.co.uk with your garden photo or picture and what category you would like your photo to be entered into.

Entrants may submit up to two photos per category, in colour or black and white, and can enter all four categories.

They need to include their name, location, for example ‘Wimborne’, email address, plus a daytime contact number.

Image file names must be saved with your full name and location.

A competition spokesman said: "The charity’s green-fingered supporters will be featured in the Bournemouth Echo throughout the month of July and a guest judging panel will make the final decisions on who they think are the worthy winners.

"If you are lucky enough to win the top spot and be crowned one of Dorset's most glorious gardens you will be featured on the winners page in the Echo and receive a prize.

Visit lewis-manning.co.uk/virtual-glorious-gardens-2020 for further information.