School Gardens Competiton

THERE were four judges for the Schools Gardens competition – Russell Downe (Town Mayor), Coun D Lane (past Town Mayor), Coun Mrs M Lane and Mrs Heather March. The judges had discussed and agreed that they were looking for the following: design and quality of floral displays; use of shrubs and trees; cleanliness of the area; benefits offered to wildlife and biodiversity; use of sustainable practices – recycling and water use; the overall appearance. So on to the prizes: Early Learning Group – Two schools entered this competition, Llanilltud Fawr and Eagleswell. First place, Eagleswell Primary School. This garden has now been well established for five years, and it continues to combine learning equipment with plants and flowers and use of recycled objects. We loved the flower baskets from hard hats. The children we were told had played a part in growing potatoes, leeks, onions and wild strawberries. Included in all this were herbs, sensory plants, an investigation area and a water shoot. Overall a comprehensive play and learning area. Second place, Llanilltud Fawr Primary School. This garden had an exciting ‘magic path’ leading to the Nursery Garden, through the primary school garden. There was a good initiative to obtain some privacy from the busy road with use of woven materials. There was use of sand and water as well as a tyre wall, which was planted with flowers and vegetables. We also saw a small pool with logs for mini-beasts. Primary School Competition – First place, Eagleswell Primary School. The emphasis on environmental matters at this school is quite outstanding. There have been new trees planted since last year and a splendid new vegetable wheel. We heard that the children were planning to cook a stew from the vegetables the week after the judging. How did this taste? We were shown a photograph of last year’s sunflowers and the new plants for this year. The use of rainwater and homemade compost was very good. Much investigation and adventure play is encouraged. The pond is to be revamped. The children are building an exciting shelter for this area. This school is also involved in the growing and weaving of willow. Altogether an excellent garden. Second place, St Illtyd’s Primary School. This is very interesting courtyard garden, with many plants for smell and colour. Much planting was encouraging for butterflies and bees. Outside was a good vegetable patch and we were informed that a harvest of potatoes had already taken place for a campfire cook-up. Were these well received? We were taken up to see the large wildlife and woodland area, which members of staff and parents, along with the Llantwit Major Horticulutral Society, have spent many a Saturday morning reclaiming from brambles and wilderness. The Heritage Coast has also assisted, and now some hazel trees have been planted. There had also been a willow-weaving project, but were were sad to hear this had been recently vandalised. We were also shown a quiet seating courtyard. This garden has still a huge amount of work needing doing but showed great enthusiasm. Third place, Llanilltud Fawr Primary School. We saw the start of this garden last year, and this year it has made a lot of progress. Some new fruit trees have been planted in the school grounds. We were informed there is a plan for a picnic area, and the children have put up bird boxes. There is a good vegetable plot, some of which have been harvested. There is a lovely mural on a wall, and a path leading off, based on the ‘hungry caterpillar’, as well as a treasure chest and a beach area, with mobiles made from things found on the beach and homemade musical instruments. A new project for this year is a fairy garden in among the brambles. We understand that this garden very much depended upon one teacher, with help from other staff members

THERE were four judges for the Schools Gardens competition – Russell Downe (Town Mayor), Coun D Lane (past Town Mayor), Coun Mrs M Lane and Mrs Heather March. The judges had discussed and agreed that they were looking for the following: design and quality of floral displays; use of shrubs and trees; cleanliness of the area; benefits offered to wildlife and biodiversity; use of sustainable practices – recycling and water use; the overall appearance. So on to the prizes: Early Learning Group – Two schools entered this competition, Llanilltud Fawr and Eagleswell. First place, Eagleswell Primary School. This garden has now been well established for five years, and it continues to combine learning equipment with plants and flowers and use of recycled objects. We loved the flower baskets from hard hats. The children we were told had played a part in growing potatoes, leeks, onions and wild strawberries. Included in all this were herbs, sensory plants, an investigation area and a water shoot. Overall a comprehensive play and learning area. Second place, Llanilltud Fawr Primary School. This garden had an exciting ‘magic path’ leading to the Nursery Garden, through the primary school garden. There was a good initiative to obtain some privacy from the busy road with use of woven materials. There was use of sand and water as well as a tyre wall, which was planted with flowers and vegetables. We also saw a small pool with logs for mini-beasts. Primary School Competition – First place, Eagleswell Primary School. The emphasis on environmental matters at this school is quite outstanding. There have been new trees planted since last year and a splendid new vegetable wheel. We heard that the children were planning to cook a stew from the vegetables the week after the judging. How did this taste? We were shown a photograph of last year’s sunflowers and the new plants for this year. The use of rainwater and homemade compost was very good. Much investigation and adventure play is encouraged. The pond is to be revamped. The children are building an exciting shelter for this area. This school is also involved in the growing and weaving of willow. Altogether an excellent garden. Second place, St Illtyd’s Primary School. This is very interesting courtyard garden, with many plants for smell and colour. Much planting was encouraging for butterflies and bees. Outside was a good vegetable patch and we were informed that a harvest of potatoes had already taken place for a campfire cook-up. Were these well received? We were taken up to see the large wildlife and woodland area, which members of staff and parents, along with the Llantwit Major Horticulutral Society, have spent many a Saturday morning reclaiming from brambles and wilderness. The Heritage Coast has also assisted, and now some hazel trees have been planted. There had also been a willow-weaving project, but were were sad to hear this had been recently vandalised. We were also shown a quiet seating courtyard. This garden has still a huge amount of work needing doing but showed great enthusiasm. Third place, Llanilltud Fawr Primary School. We saw the start of this garden last year, and this year it has made a lot of progress. Some new fruit trees have been planted in the school grounds. We were informed there is a plan for a picnic area, and the children have put up bird boxes. There is a good vegetable plot, some of which have been harvested. There is a lovely mural on a wall, and a path leading off, based on the ‘hungry caterpillar’, as well as a treasure chest and a beach area, with mobiles made from things found on the beach and homemade musical instruments. A new project for this year is a fairy garden in among the brambles. We understand that this garden very much depended upon one teacher, with help from other staff members