Schools In Bloom winners revealed
The winners of the annual Schools in Bloom contest for St Albans District have been revealed.
St Albans City and District Council organises the competition to encourage children of primary school age to take an active interest in the great outdoors and acquire gardening skills.
Fourteen schools entered the competition this year and the winners and runners-up of the seven categories were:
Crafting Nature: creating a piece of artwork made entirely from natural materials. Winner: Bowmansgreen Primary School, London Colney; runner-up: The Lea Primary School and Nursery, Harpenden.
Plant to Plate: growing fruit or vegetables in the school garden and showing how the produce is used. Winner: Watling View School, St Albans; runner-up: St Adrian's Catholic Primary School, St Albans.
Scrapyard Scarecrow: using recycled material to make a scarecrow which highlights an environmental issue. Winner: Sauncey Wood Primary School, Harpenden; runner-up: Bowmansgreen Primary School.
Super Sunflowers: growing the tallest sunflower. Winner: Bernards Heath Infant and Nursery School, St Albans, 3m; runner-up: Wheatfields Infant and Nursery School, St Albans, 2.7m.
The Wilder Award: supporting the Wilder St Albans Project by encouraging wildlife to visit the garden. Winner: Roundwood Primary School, Harpenden; runner-up: St. Helen's CE Primary School, Wheathampstead.
Water for Wildlife: creating garden features that can provide water for wildlife and demonstrate water-saving techniques. Winner: Crabtree Junior School, Harpenden; runner-up: Wheatfields Infant and Nursery School.
Sustainability Award: demonstrating the most sustainable practices overall. Winner: The Abbey CE VA Primary School, St Albans; runner-up: High Beeches Primary School, Harpenden.
The annual awards ceremony returned after a two-year break due to COVID and was held at the Council Chamber on Friday 30 September.
Mayor of St Albans City and District, Councillor Geoff Harrison, presented certificates to the winners and runners-up.
Carpenters Nursery also provided prizes including a mini-greenhouse, seed tray, watering can and compost.
All other entrants received a goodie bag donated by Burston Garden Centre including a bird nest box and seed.
Judges made their decisions based on visits to schools as well as photographs submitted by entrants.
The judges included representatives of Herts and Middlesex Wildlife Trust, grounds maintenance contractor John O’Conner and the Council.
Councillor Helen Campbell, Chair of the Public Realm Committee, said:
I was really impressed by the enthusiasm and energy shown by all of the entrants. I’m sure it was difficult to choose the winners.
Schools in Bloom gives young children a fabulous opportunity to take part in an enjoyable activity that also teaches them about the importance of taking care of our plants and wildlife.
I hope this experience will have helped the pupils who participated to develop a passion for their natural environment.
Pictures: top, the Mayor, Councillor Geoff Harrison, presents The Wilder Award to pupils from Roundwood Primary School; bottom, Bernards Heath Infant and Nursery School’s winning Super Sunflower.
Media contact: John McJannet, Principal Communications Officer: 01727 819533,
john.mcjannet@stalbans.gov.uk.