Call for those who have gone that 'extra mile'

Once again public recognition is being afforded to people who have gone or will be going that ‘extra mile’ in improving their properties in the world’s first Garden City.

Letchworth Garden City Heritage Foundation’s ‘Garden City Heritage Awards', will celebrate best practice in improving properties in the Garden City and rewarding the best entries from owners, designers and contractors who observe the highest standards of design and workmanship when carrying out restoration, alteration or new building work.

The Foundation is now looking for entries for its 2009 Awards and there is a significant cash prize fund of £12,000 to be distributed among the winning property owners!

To qualify for the awards, works must be completed between July 1, 2007 and December 31, 2008.

You don’t have to own the property you nominate, as long as it’s in the Garden City and you consider it to have been tastefully restored externally.

Works can be nominated in one of seven categories:

• Extensions
• Frontages and greening
• Timber windows and doors
• Best improvement to a group of three or more houses
• Best New housing
• Best new or refurbished shop front
• Other works

Multi category entries are permitted.

The judging panel will be the Foundation’s Architectural Heritage Advisory Group, which includes architects, town planners and others with an interest in the built environment of Letchworth Garden City.

Stuart Kenny, the Foundation’s Director General, said: "Preserving the unique Garden City environment is very important to the Heritage Foundation, indeed we have a duty under our Act of Parliament to do so. The aim of the Garden City Heritage Awards over the years, has been to acclaim and reward owners who have hit particularly high standards when renovating their properties".

For more information or an entry form with accompanying booklet on the Awards click here, ring 01462 476017, or email home@lgchf.com