In the midst of difficult times for Britain, one website is doing its best to cheer up the nation – by launching a competition to find the country’s best garden fencing.
But though you might not expect this contest to get a warm reception, the public seems to have taken to the task enthusiastically.People do love their garden fencing.
LocalTraders.com, the company organising the competition, says that garden fences are ‘undervalued’, and ‘it’s time that they got their moment in the spotlight.’
However, the firm acknowledges that not all of us are fence fans – so they’re also asking for readers to send in their most hated examples, to ‘name and shame the worst offenders’.
‘It may not be the glitziest competition in the world. But without fences, who knows where we would be?’
Members of the public seem to agree with this assessment, as several have already sent in snaps of their pride and joy, in the belief that their fence has the ‘star quality’ required by the competition.
Ken Edwards boasts of the ‘functional and decorative’ fence at his Staffordshire home, while privacy-loving Charlotte Samuel from Leeds says, ‘The fence blocks my garden off from my neighbours, which I love, and means I can enjoy a glass of wine in the evening with my boyfriend in private.’
Meanwhile, James from Exeter is clearly proud of his rot-proof tanalised fence, saying: ‘Tanalised fencing is always the best in my eyes.’
Multi-purpose: Ken Edwards from Meir Heath, Staffordshire, thinks his fence is ‘both functional and decorative’
Not all entrants are so enthusiastic about their fences, however. Emma Dorsey, from Stoke, says: ‘I hate my fence and can’t wait to replace it’.
Householders who think they can beat the examples pictured here have until September 30 to enter the contest by emailing getoffthefence@localtraders.com.
Although there is no prize for the winner, the joy of having Britain’s best fence will presumably be satisfaction enough for the lucky champion.