North East entries wanted for annual RHS competition
With a massive skills gap in horticulture, the search to find the next generation of gardeners is on as the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) launches its School Gardeners of the Year 2019 competition.
There’s no reason why a north east pupil or school can’t win – but we do have a very poor entry rate in national competitions, so this year, go the extra mile!
Now in its eighth year, the contest highlights school gardening, the youngsters and dedicated adults who teach them.
Prizes include a Hartley Botanic greenhouse worth £10,000 and Hartley Botanic patio glasshouses, National Garden Gift Vouchers and tickets to RHS Flower Shows. There are three categories: RHS Young School Gardener of the Year: For pupils aged five-16 who demonstrate a love of gardening, show gardening skills and have made an outstanding contribution to their school or community.
RHS School Gardening Team of the Year: Recognises an outstanding gardening team.
RHS School Gardening Champion of the Year: Celebrates teachers, leaders and volunteers who have inspired a passion for gardening.
Shortlisted applicants will be asked to produce a short video in support of their entry. The winners will be announced in June.
Winning schools will also receive a visit from competition judge and gardening presenter, Frances Tophill.
The competition forms part of the RHS Campaign for School Gardening which provides free resources and advice to more than 38,000 schools and groups across the UK.
Alana Cama, RHS skills development manager, said: “The competition highlights what a difference gardening can make to young people’s lives – whether it’s improving their health and mental wellbeing, enriching curriculum learning or opening their eyes to a love of gardening that will stay with them as they grow older.”
In 2018, 15-year-old Ellie Micklewright from Shropshire won the RHS Young School Gardener of the Year award after creating a school garden- ing club from scratch.
St Gregory’s Catholic Science College in London received the team award for their school garden which was once earmarked to extend the school car park.
Matthew Willer, a history teacher from Reepham High School, Norfolk was named RHS School Gardening Champion for his work to launch The Allotment Project on the edge of the school’s playing field.
Schools can enter at https:// schoolgardening.rhs.org.uk/sgoty19 with applications closing at 5pm on Wednesday, April 24.
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