Borough-wide competition to Make Southend Sparkle

June 26, 2017 by Southend Borough Council

A community campaign to encourage residents and visitors to take pride in the town is running a competition during the first two weeks of July.

Make Southend Sparkle has seen volunteers around the borough clearing litter from parks, beaches and streets, planting shrubs and sprucing up public spaces. It is now launching a competition to give local residents, schools, groups, allotment holders and businesses the opportunity to show off their talents, whilst simultaneously making Southend sparkle.

With categories including best hanging basket, best business floral frontage, best community area, special categories for Southend’s allotment holders and many more, local residents and businesses have a chance to get their hands dirty with the possibility of walking away with a prestigious award.

Cllr Ann Holland, Executive Councillor for Culture, Tourism & The Economy, welcomed the competition. She said: “Since its official launch, Make Southend Sparkle has seen over 150 volunteers – both residents and people employed by local businesses – give up their free time to help make Southend a great place for everyone who lives in, works in or visits our beautiful Borough.

“This competition aims to widen the reach of the campaign, encouraging local people to get their hands dirty to make the most of their own forecourts and spruce up their own streets.

“Whether you rent or own your property, whether you wish to enter a simple hanging basket or the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, there is a category to match your budget and ambition.”

Local residents and businesses are also being invited to participate in a Summer Flower and Gardening Festival to celebrate 125 years of Southend-on-Sea as a Borough. This event will take place at Priory Historic House, Priory Park from Friday 25th August until Thursday 31st August. Categories include best basket of vegetables, funniest mis-shaped vegetable, best carved fruit/veg arrangement and more. Entries for this event must be at Priory Park on 28th August between 9am - 11am.

Entries for this event must be made by 3rd July, with the winners being announced at an awards ceremony on Tuesday 5th September.

For more information regarding the event, please visit http://www.southend.gov.uk/gardencompetition

Call 01702 212251

Email: makesouthendSparkle@southend.gov.uk

Or find us on Facebook: Make Southend Sparkle

Photo (front) Sue Todd, Make Southend Sparkle co-ordinator; (back left to right), Paul Jenkinson, Parks Technical Officer; Cllr Ann Holland; and Jacques Gain, Green Space Development Officer