Chance to win a garden makeover

Breakout 2007 is an initiative started by Newhaven Churches Together and features a week packed with a range of activities.

Between now and Breakout 2007, which starts on Saturday, May 19, the Sussex Express will be highlighting some of the events.

They kick off with the garden competition when there will be two prizes to be won. The proud owner of the Best Wildlife Garden '07 will be presented with a trophy and a selection of garden goodies. The judges will be looking for a rich mix of wildlife-friendly flowers, plants and habitats, such as a pond, bird feeders and nest boxes.

But if your garden is more of a barren wasteland than a wildlife garden, all is not lost because there will also be a Worst Wildlife '07! The winner will benefit from a complete garden makeover during Breakout 2007 week. All the plants will be donated by Paradise Park.

'We are especially looking forward to the garden makeover', said the Rev Dai Davies, of Newhaven Baptist Church and one of the organisers of Breakout 2007. 'It will be a great opportunity for all the churches in Newhaven to bring a bit of life and colour into our town '“ it'll also be great fun.'

But there is also a more serious side to the competition, as the Rev Martin Miller from St Michael's explained: 'The Bible is clear that God reveals himself through the amazing variety and beauty of His creation.

By encouraging wildlife gardening, we are helping people to take time out of the modern hustle of life to think about what really matters.'

The organisers have assembled a panel of experts to judge the competition and design the garden makeover. They include Michael Martin, a former head gardener at the National Trust, Susan Hartley, a professor of ecology at Sussex University and Matthew Thomas, who is a professional ecologist as well as the pastor of Newhaven Christian outreach centre.

To enter the competition, just send your name, address and phone number to Crossover, 35 High Street, Newhaven, BN9 9PA stating whether you are entering the 'best' or 'worst' wildlife garden competition.

Entries must be received by Tuesday, May 8.

The competition is open to residents of Newhaven, Denton and South Heighton only.