The Floral Guernsey Foundation had invited all primary schools to take part in a creative garden competition, in a bid to plant horticultural passion and understanding among the island’s younger generation.
After months of nurturing individual designs, the 12 participating schools showcased their final, flourishing efforts at Le Friquet Garden Centre last weekend.
The public voted for the winner, which came from La Houguette’s Year 5 pupils.
‘We were reading the Wind in the Willows in literacy, and got inspiration to make clay characters,’ said 10-year-old Freddie Comeskey.
‘We got to choose our own one, so I chose Toad.’
The green-fingered group of about 40 children then explored their natural surroundings for further ideas.
‘We went down to Les Rouvets Lake to take photos and look at the weeping willow trees,’ said Anna Loannou, 10.
‘And then we knew what types of plants to get. We also have a weeding and plant club at school which is fun.’
Each school was provided with a wheelbarrow, compost and a voucher to buy seeds in April. Fellow winning classmate Rachel Rist said the experience had been fun – especially getting to pick the flowers.
‘It’s been quite nice just to enjoy all the nature and take it in,’ she said.
The group’s supervisor Kim Carre said it had been a fruitful project.
‘We enter all competitions that get thrown at us,’ she said.
‘We believe it’s about the taking part, and this one really sparked the Year 5s interest.
‘It’s really important for children to get involved with gardening and growing their own.
‘We can grow a range of plants and produce on the island, and the whole school learn how to look after things.
‘Everybody in the literacy class were busy making their clay characters for this project, and enjoyed picking plants.
‘I thought it was a great idea for a theme – with plenty of wildlife inspiration. It feels fabulous to have won.’
Floral Guernsey Foundation chair Sue Bacon visited the winners to present the budding gardeners with a trophy and certificate.
‘I was impressed by the level of involvement,’ she said.
‘They included photographs of their learning journey, from reading The Wind in the Willows in their literature lessons, to visiting Le Friquet garden centre to choose their plants and each pupil designed a plant pot and grew either flowers or tomatoes to take home.
‘A fantastic team effort, well done everyone.’
It was the second time that Floral Guernsey has held the competition, which was supported by Ferryspeed, B&Q and Le Friquet for their support.
‘Wheelbarrow gardening is gardening at its most accessible and creative,’ said Dr Bacon.
‘Children learn that you don’t need acres of land to grow flowers and food and create habitats for wildlife. A wheelbarrow, some compost, and the right plants can support an array of insects, while the pleasure of gardening boosts mental wellbeing.
‘That’s a fun and powerful lesson.’
Vauvert School placed second, followed by Forest Primary and St Martin’s Primary in joint third.
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