Residents in an East Hull community could win £50 this August just by brightening up their front or back gardens.

Environmental & Management Solutions (EMS) Ltd is a regional charity who offer’s a range of environmental/green space services in the Hull area is running the competition for the third year to urge residents to bring some colour and interest to their doorsteps. EMS Ltd also oversees the hugely successful Park Area in Bloom but decided to run the Doorstep Challenge to encourage people working within a budget to improve their outdoor space.

The Challenge, which is supported by the local ward Councillors, is open to residents living in the Southcoates East area and runs throughout August. Organiser Andy Rees says: “A number of our past entrants have moved onto Park Area in Bloom so they have taken the challenge to new levels which is fantastic news. This competition enables residents to make even the smallest changes to their gardens as we take photographs at the beginning and end of August and judge on the differences. It is a really easy and free competition to enter.”

All entrants will be invited to attend the Park Area Summer Celebration Event to be held at the Freedom Centre, Preston Road Village Centre, Hull, on October 10th.

Application forms are available from Andy Rees by calling 01482 709810, via Preston Road Customer Service Centre or the Freedom Centre, both located within the Preston Road Village Centre.

The competition comes as EMS Ltd has been given the go-ahead to start work on the Bricknell Ward Community Allotment in partnership with residents and Hull City Council. The charity is also developing a Community Garden across the road from its offices on Ryehill Grove which is being part-funded by Hull City Council’s Park Area Team.

For further details, contact Andy Rees, Neighbourhood Manager, on 01482 709810, email info@emsyorkshire.co.uk, or visit www.emsyorkshire.co.uk.

The East Hull based charity EMS Yorkshire is putting out a call to residents to start planting up for Park Area in Bloom 2012. EMS is running the competition conjunction with Hull City Council’s Park Area Team. Park Area in Bloom is open to residents, businesses, community groups and schools and is part of the overall citywide environmental challenge, Hull in Bloom.

Retired Dennis Appleby, 66, of Uxbridge Grove can boast probably one of the biggest hanging baskets anywhere. His one-metre diameter construction in the front garden was specially made by a welder friend, but only one of a multiple hanging baskets to adorn his property last summer. Denis hopes to continue to carry on the tradition of giving his spare plants, to Oldfleet Primary School, and making additional hanging baskets to give away to neighbours.

He says: “I love gardening and have around a dozen water features, as well as bizarre artefacts such as sewing machines and old fire surrounds to put containers on. I missed the judges last year as I had popped out when they turned up. So I plan to stay in all day this year so I don’t miss them. I want to show them all the different characteristics of my garden and switch on all the water features and lights even though they judge during the day!”

The categories are:

Best Displays by a public house, commercial organisation, community group, or school;

Best Front, Back or Full Garden; and Allotment Garden;

Best Planted Container or Hanging Basket;

Best Contribution to Wildlife;

Best Allotment.

The closing date is Friday 6 July and judging will take place the following week, with an awards ceremony at the Freedom Centre, Preston Road Village Centre, on 10 October. Park Area winners will also go forward to the citywide Hull in Bloom competition and the winners of this are announced during September in a ceremony at the Guildhall.

EMS Chief Executive Jan Boyd says: “I was overwhelmed with the variety of entries received in 2011 and I am really looking forward to judging this year. It is very clear to me that the residents who enter are extremely dedicated and love their gardens. I find they are their own hardest critics despite what we say to the contrary and I admire their enthusiasm greatly.”

“The Park Area did really well in the Citywide Hull in Bloom Awards with five overall winners covering, hanging baskets, back garden, front garden, OAP garden and school. Since we started running the competition in 2004 we have had over 100 gardens entered and with record 34 entries in 2011 I hope we get even more this year.”

Entry forms are available from EMS on 01482 709810, email info@emsyorkshire.co.uk.

DATE: WEDNESDAY 18 APRIL 2012

DROP IN ANY TIME BETWEEN 10AM – 12PM

So come along join in the fun and share your views and ideas about communities living sustainably, covering:

Energy efficiency advice and other measures such as solar panels and equipment designed to reduce your carbon footprint and put money back into your pocket;

Grow your own produce (community allotments);

Garden share schemes, pairs together eager gardeners with eager gardens. When neighbours come together and co-operatively grow food, dirt flies and good things can happen;

Information on reducing, re-using and recycling your waste.

**Enter our free draw, prizes include a wind-up radio and a solar powered water feature.**