The skills of green-fingered Shepway residents will soon be put to the test as they are given the opportunity to turn their gardens into a wildlife haven as well as a treat for the eye.
 

Kent Wildlife Trust, Royal Horticultural Society, the Wildlife Trusts and Shepway District Council have pooled their expertise in a joint project, ‘Wild about Gardens'. The project aims to inspire local people to take action for wild life through gardening.

The 2009 Kent Wildlife Gardening Awards competition is open to all types and sizes of gardens - private, business, community group or school; even a whole street or village can apply. Anyone from Kent who gardens is encouraged to enter.

There are bronze, silver and gold certificates which will be awarded with gold winners receiving a plaque to display in their garden. There are also awards for ‘Best in Kent' under the categories: community garden, school garden, business garden, family garden and urban garden, each winner of these awards will receive a winners plaque as well as a unique sculpture to place in their garden.

Cllr Alan North, Cabinet Member for Environmental Services, said the council was keen to get involved in the project. "We are very proud to be sponsoring one award, which will be awarded to an outstanding community garden project within Shepway. The prize for this award, along with a special Shepway winners' plaque, will be a gardening and wildlife workshop provided by the Kent Wildlife Trust - an amazing opportunity to learn more about how to maintain a wildlife habitat."

People can enter by simply filling out an application form online by visiting www.kentwildlifetrust.org.uk or by filling out a form by hand and sending it to Maureen Rainey at Kent Wildlife Trust, Sandling, Maidstone, Kent, ME14 3BD. Application forms will be available from a number of places, including The Civic Centre, Shepway's One Stops, Hawkinge Partnership Office and a number of libraries around the district.