The Best Dressed Gates in Town!

Following a flurry of activity, where local residents and businesses in Southwell decorated their gates and gateways in the most colourful and imaginative way, the winners of the gate to Southwell Festival’s ‘Best Dressed Gates’ competition have been announced.

There were over 30 fantastic entries, whose creators were all hoping to win tickets to the eagerly anticipated Festival (8th to 11th June). This made the judges final decision a difficult one.

However, joint First Prize was presented to two very worthy winners: 10 year old Tilly Wight who produced a fabulous bee inspired gate on Kirklington Road helped by her family members and friend Ava; and also Alastair and Helen Murray of Church Street who put together a living decoration of Festival inspired flowers.

Joint runners up were: Ann Bristow and granddaughter Jess Swetman with their Summer of Love inspired gate on Nottingham Road; and Kitty and Elliot Howarth’s spectacular decoration on Private Road.

Leading the way was the decoration of the Minster’s West Gate undertaken by Flower Pod – part of the local charity Reach Learning Disability and sponsored by Gusto Homes.

Festival Director Mike Kirrage said: “We’ve been delighted with the number of entries to the competition. This year’s theme for the Festival is the fiftieth anniversary of the Summer of Love and it’s wonderful to see the local community embrace the ‘Flower Power’ era!”

The two winners have received a full weekend family ticket to the Festival and all other entries received two free day teaser tickets.

For more photographs of entries see below and go to: www.facebook.com/gatetosouthwellfestival/photos/pcb.1266032013494884/1266029276828491/?type=3&theater

 and for more information about the festival go to: www.southwellfolkfestival.org.uk