2010 Weetabix Wheat Art competition

– DEADLINE FOR ENTRIES EXTENDED TO 18 OCTOBER –

The deadline for entries to the Weetabix Wheat Art competition 2010 has been extended due to the wet weather conditions throughout August and September that have hampered the construction efforts of some farmers.  Any farmers wishing to enter must now do so by midnight on 18 OCTOBER. Amongst the early entries that have impressed are a dragon and a combine harvester.

Weetabix the nations best selling breakfast cereal has joined forces with the National Farmers Union (NFU) to find the Damien Hirst of farming. Weetabix is offering farmers the opportunity to win up to 5,000 by designing and creating a sculpture using wheat bales on their farms.

All the wheat used in Weetabix is sourced in Britain, with 90% coming from farms within a fifty mile radius of the factory in Burton Latimer, Northamptonshire. Weetabix is offering farmers the chance to have some fun and use their artistic flair for the chance to win one of 10 regional 2,000 prizes in the 10 television regions of England, Scotland and Wales. The overall winner will receive an additional 3,000.

How to enter

Farmers wishing to enter the competition need to request the official Weetabix bale wrap to place on their entry from the following address; Weetabix Wheat Art Competition, 52A Cromwell Road, London, SW7 5BE or email entries@weetabixart.co.uk. There is also a downloadable entry form available on www.weetabix.co.uk/wheatart or www.nfuonline.com.

Once the masterpieces have been created they must be photographed and the photos should be sent through for judging. Final date for entries is Monday 18 October 2010, and judging will follow soon after. The judging panel will include Ken Wood, CEO of Weetabix, Peter Kendall, President of the NFU and Paul Riley, artist. Entries need to remain in place up to and through the judging process.

More details will be posted on both www.weetabix.co.uk/wheatart and www.nfuonline.com.

Safety advice

• Both Weetabix and the NFU would remind entrants to consider the safety of themselves and others when creating their sculptures. No-one should take any unnecessary risks.  Extra points will not be awarded for dangerous or more ambitious installations
• Farmers should take steps to protect themselves and their property against any potential sabotage. Entry to property should be secure and the sculpture should not be easily accessible
• In the event of any further concerns or questions farmers should check their insurance policy. Neither Weetabix or the NFU is liable for any damage to property, loss of earnings or personal injury resulting from the competition