New bloom contest: Harrogate resident launches Anywhere in Bloom competition

Harrogate business woman Alison Lyon is launching her own "Anywhere in Bloom" competition free to anyone to enter - and is even offering her own prizes.

The Kingsley Road resident said: "I was disappointed to find that I wasn't able to enter the Starbeck in Bloom planter competition because, apparently, I live on the "wrong side of the tracks."

"I thought it was quite funny that after 26 years of living in Starbeck, it turns out that I don't in fact live in Starbeck after all!

"Of course, there was no general Harrogate in Bloom to take part in this year, either.

"I'm sure that others have been similarly disappointed, so I have decided to hold my own "Best Original Planter " competition for anyone with an HG post code to enter.

"The criterion for success is that your entry should be original, for example, an amusing or witty arrangement of plants, or a repurposed, home-made or upcycled container - and the more eco-friendly the better.

"Any plants will qualify for entry - they don't have to be flowering plants "in bloom."

As befits the competition, entries will be judged by Alison, who runs her own company Touchstone to produce handmade artisan planters for the house and garden.

First prize will be an eco-stone planter trough with a coral-like "Under The Sea" theme.

There will also be a runner-up prize of a further "Under The Sea" planter.

The deadline for entries is Friday, October 9, and judging will take place on Sunday, October 11.

To enter, competitors are asked to email Alison at [email protected] for an on-line entry form.

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