What a close run competition!! Today, Tammy Falloon (St Bridget Nurseries) and I visited seven schools in Exeter to judge the salvage garden competition for 2012. We knew that the teachers and students had been working hard but could not believe the quality of the gardens that they produced. It came down to two gardens in the end and Stoke Hill Infants and Nursery just beat the others by their excellent knowledge of the plants they had chosen and the fantastic ideas they had to support birds – including the cast iron frying pan that is now a bird bath!! Clyst Heath Nursery and Community Primary school had also put in huge amounts of effort to create a garden that was based on a journey to school. Their garden was so close to winning that Tammy suggested a second place prize of some plants from her nursery so well done!
Praise must also go to St Michael’s Primary School and Countess Wear who were both highly commended for their gardens alongside Pinhoe, Topsham and Whipton Barton Infants who had all used their imagination and creativity to take junk and make it beautiful. We had a great time visting you all and your enthusiasm made it so difficult to choose!
Thanks to all the staff and students involved – I will be sending certificates and some picture with feedback to each of you soon. Keep up the excellent work.
Paul
Well done to everyone involved. I was blown away by the creativity and enthusiasm of the children – all winners.
Stoke Hill though really had the mix of attracting wildlife big and small plus recycling and having fun. The children had clearly learnt a lot and this is a great initistive (well done Paul for getting this together).
Keep up the good work and remember wildlife next year when you all start new classes or schools.
If anyone wants a list of wildlife friendly plants then the Devon Wildlife Trust have a super webpage http://www.devonwildlifetrust.org/wildlife-gardening/ or we have a leaflet available in our garden centres please just ask when you pop in.