Smallholder and Garden Festival
Contest to find top inventions
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| Your invention could be simple one of last year's winners with an improvised waterbutt |
ARE you inventive? Do you have use something on your farm or smallholding you made yourself? It can be complex or very simple but it needs to be your idea. If so you could win a prize in the Royal Welsh/ Smallholder Magazine Inventions Competition.
Following the success of the competition introduced in 2007, we are pleased to announce that the competition will again continue in 2008 on similar lines to last year. However, there will be two categories in 2008, with entries being divided into simple or complex inventions. This is because we would like to build on the sheer variety of ideas exhibited last year and encourage entries from smallholders who may previously have felt their ideas were too small, or not complex enough.
We realise that it is difficult to define whether an invention is viewed as simple or complex, but don't worry; just send your entry in and we will allocate it to the category we think is the most appropriate. As examples; the simple category might include an innovative recycling idea such as turning plastic bottles into "poultry drinkers", while a complex entry could be anything up to the mighty dual wheel carrier which won in 2007. (Do remember though, that biggest isn't always best!)
So do you have an invention which you think would be worthwhile entering in this competition? We are looking for inventions that can be devised for use indoors or outdoors, to include anything from an old item adapted for a new use, a unique labour-saving gadget, or a whole new piece of machinery for doing one of the main jobs on the holding. The main rule is that it is something which demonstrably saves time or makes life easier for a smallholder. The usefulness of the item will be taken into account, as well as the creativity of the inventor.
There will be preliminary judging of all entries received, - but who knows? - your invention could make the shortlist of finalists who will be invited to display their inventions at the 2008 Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival at Builth Wells on May 17 and 18 at a final judging session.
Judges: Brian Waller, retired Royal Welsh Estate officer; Liz Wright, "Smallholder" magazine editor and prominent smallholder; Emrys Bowen, retired RWAS senior veterinary officer
Gold, Silver and Bronze awards will be up for grabs as well as some prize money. Could this be the start of a new project? Don't miss the opportunity to make your mark!
1st place - Gold award - £150 and Gold prize card; 2nd place - Silver award - £100 and Silver prize card; 3rd place - Bronze award - £50 and Bronze prize card; Special award - £25 - Purple prize card (given at the judges' discretion, if appropriate). We look forward to receiving your invention details but please note the following rules and regulations:-
1. To enter, complete the entry form (available to download at www.smallholder.co.uk) and send photographs/video/DVD or drawings of your invention together with a comprehensive written description and brief explanation of how you use it (and what for!) to Festival Inventions Competition, RWAS Ltd, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3SY or e-mail - rhian@rwas.co.uk.
A £10 entry fee is required this year. Please enclose £10 cheque made payable to the RWAS Ltd with your completed form and relevant details. Tickets and passes will be sent to each successful competitor asked to attend the festival along with further relevant details.
2. No previously entered invention can compete in any forthcoming festival. The inventors, however, are more than welcome to enter a new or different invention, but obviously an improved or modified invention can not be re-entered.
3. All entries received will firstly go through the preliminary judging session where the judges will read, digest and examine the forwarded inventions. The judges will then draw up a list of finalists who they think are worthy of possibly winning one of the awards to be made in this competition. The judges will be looking for the best invention demonstrating the usefulness of the invention on a smallholding and creativity of the inventor. Preliminary judging will be based on the photographs/video/DVD/drawings and written descriptions submitted by entrants. The list of finalists put forward to compete at the 2008 Festival will be no more than twelve in number. The organisers reserve the right to cancel the competition at the festival in the event of insufficient entries being received.
4. Those chosen to be in the final will be informed shortly after the preliminary judging has been completed. Finalists will be asked to attend the festival on Friday 16th May 2008 to stage their display in an area allocated to each finalist. The display should include the invention item, photographs, video, DVD and any other relevant items of information. The area should be made as attractive as possible to the judge and visitors looking at each finalist. The inventor or a representative should also be present and situated in the area allocated so that the judge/visitors can ask questions and take interest in their invention throughout the weekend -17th and 18th May 2008.
5. Decisions of the judges are final, as are those of the competition organisers in all other matters affecting the competition. No correspondence will be entered into and entry implies acceptance of the rules as contractually binding.
6. The competition is open to all those who can demonstrate that they live or work on a smallholding.
7. Closing date for receipt of application forms and attached relevant information will be no later than 4th April 2008. The preliminary judging session will take place between Wednesday 9th - Monday 14th April 2008 and the final judging session will be at 11am on Saturday 17th May 2008 at the Royal Welsh Smallholder and Garden Festival. The presentation of awards will take place in the section at 2pm on the Saturday. The People's Choice competition will again be held with the support of the "Smallholder" magazine with the results being announced on Sunday afternoon of the festival. A special rosette will be presented to the winner of this competition.
To improve the competition in 2008, it is possible that each invention will be staged in a shelled area. Details of space required should therefore be indicated on the entry form.
8. Sending in details of an invention will not jeopardise your opportunities of gaining a patent on it, provided that you take the following steps:
a. If you are thinking of patenting your invention you should bear in mind that public disclosure of an invention before filing a patent application can invalidate any patent later granted.
b. Accordingly, the organisers undertake to treat all entries in complete confidence prior to the eve of the Festival, namely 16th May 2008 (announcement of competition results will be on Saturday 17th May 2008).
c. Irrespective of (b) above, any individual considering patent protection should submit his/her entry in a double envelope, the inner being securely sealed and clearly marked "Invention Competition Entry - patent application likely."
Please refer to one of the following for more information: The UK Patent Office, Concept House, Cardiff Road, Newport, South Wales, NP10 8QQ. Tel:- 08459 500 500 www.patent.gov.uk or the The Chartered Institute of Patent Attorneys, 95 Chancery Lane, London,, WC2A 1DT. Tel: - 0207405 9450 www.cipa.org.uk.
9. Please note that the "Smallholder" magazine will interview and report on the finalists in their post-festival edition, giving the top winners plenty of coverage and attention.
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