Schoolchildren who took part in the Farnham in Bloom schools’ competition were commended on their creativity and hard work when judges recently assessed their entries.
The Mayor of Farnham, Cllr David Attfield was joined by Farnham Town Council officers to judge the hanging baskets and the flower in a boot competition.
Councillor Attfield judged the hanging baskets category, selecting Badshot Lea Infants School as the winner: “It was a tough decision but the children at Badshot Lea have managed to get excellent consistency across all five of their baskets, which were bursting with colourful blooms. The children in all the schools are clearly passionate about their gardening; it made judging a hard job as the standard across entries was so high.”
In all, 16 schools entered the hanging baskets category. Just behind Badshot Lea was the Ridgeway School which received silver and Folly Hill Infants School in bronze position. First prize in the Best Flower in a Boot category went to Potter’s Gate School.
Farnham Town Council officers judged entries to the Best Scarecrow category and Best School Garden. The best scarecrow prize was won by the Abbey School, and Badshot Lea Infants School won gold in the Best School Garden competition.
The scarecrows are now on display in Lion and Lamb Yard and hanging baskets planted by local schoolchildren in May are currently brightening up Central car park where they are on show.
The schools’ competition is a key part of Farnham in Bloom as involving and inspiring all sections of the community, including children is integral to the aims of the In Bloom campaign. Entries came from schools covering all age groups, from nurseries up to secondary school age, and schools catering for children with special needs.
As well as participation from schools, Farnham in Bloom ran free gardening workshops for children during school holidays to get as many youngsters involved in hands-on gardening as possible. Sponsorship from corporate sponsor Specsavers in Farnham as well as numerous other sponsors and sponsors-in-kind keeps many of the In Bloom events and activities free to take part.
The full results of the schools competition are:
Hanging Baskets (judged by the Mayor of Farnham)
1st – Badshot Lea Infants School
2nd – The Ridgeway Community School
3rd – Folly Hill Infants School
Very Highly commended – William Cobbett School
Very Highly commended – The Abbey School
Very Highly commended – St Mary’s
Very Highly commended – Highfield South Farnham
Highly commended – Potter’s Gate School
Highly commended – South Farnham Infants
Highly commended – All Saints Infant School
Highly commended – Rowledge Infant School
Highly commended – Westchester Nursery
Commended – Hale School
Commended – Tootsies Nursery
Commended – South Farnham Juniors
Commended – St Andrew’s Infant School
Best Flower in a Boot (Judged by Farnham Town Council officers)
1st – Potter’s Gate School
2nd – South Farnham Juniors
3rd – Badshot Lea Infant School
Very Highly commended – William Cobbett School
Very Highly commended – Curious Explorers
Very Highly commended – Folly Hill Infant School
Very Highly commended – South Farnham Infants
Highly commended – St Peter’s School
Commended – Tootsies Nursery
Best Scarecrow (Judged by Farnham Town Council officers)
Gold – The Abbey School
Silver – South Farnham Infants
Bronze – South Farnham Juniors
Very Highly commended – Curious Explorers
Highly commended – Westchester House Nursery
Highly commended – Potters Gate
Best School Garden (Judged by local gardening guru John Negus)
Gold – Badshot Lea Infant School
Silver – St Peter’s Primary School
Bronze – The Ridgeway Community School
Very Highly commended – Folly Hill Infants School
Very Highly commended – William Cobbett School
Highly commended – Hale School
Highly commended – The Abbey School
Highly commended – St Andrew’s Infant School
