As part of the restoration work, the team overseeing the project have launched an exciting new competition, The Bute Park 'People’s Door' competition. The competition is open to anyone who has wood carving skills, whether amateur or professional and will give people the opportunity to immortise their work in Bute Park.

The restoration team want designs for the entrance of the brand new Education & Training Centre. The entrance to the centre will feature a large oak square panelled door with huge iron strap hinges, designed by Cardiff-born architect Michael Davies

All design entries should be inspired by the park’s history and natural environment, and winning designs will be inset as panels in the door.

The new education and training centre will be situated in the centre of the park and become the hub for educational activities to help teach people about the park’s rich history and environment. Positioned discretely behind a new garden wall along the southern boundary of the horticultural nursery complex, the new building will play on the concept of a secret garden. 

The aim of the restoration project is to protect and enhance one of Cardiff’s most cherished and popular attractions, which receives around 1 million visits per year.

Those interested in taking part in the competition, should contact the Bute Park restoration team on 02920 788401 or at ButePark@cardiff.gov.uk stating 'People’s Door Competition' to receive full details and your application form. To meet the stage I closing date, application forms must be submitted by Friday 12th Nov 2010.

Cllr Nigel Howells, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Sport, said: "This is a fantastic opportunity for professional and skilled amateurs alike to contribute to an exciting new piece of public art in Wales and leave a legacy for generations to come in this popular and prestigious park."

Jennifer Stewart, Head of HLF in Wales, said: “A key objective of the restoration project is to help tell the Bute Park’s story and this competition gives people the chance to not only highlight the aspects that are most inspirational to them but actually become part of the park’s history themselves.”

To find out more visit the Bute Park website.

The competitions will run in three rounds. Round 1, application form and outline sketch designs submitted. Round 2, selected entries invited to progress to next stage and wood allocated. Round 3, a public competition to decide the name for the door. An exhibition displaying the best entries is planned in spring 2011 and from these the winners will be chosen.