Gardening pupils gain gold for flowers

The young gardeners of South Bersted C of E Primary School, in Church Lane, and Rose Green Junior School, in Raleigh Lane, were among just ten across the county to gain gold status in this year’s Blooming School contest run by South and South East in Bloom.

The award is given only to those entries judged to be outstanding.

But both missed out on the overall winner’s title to a school in Crawley. The competition is in its eighth year.

Andy Shaddick, the public affairs manager at its sponsor Southern Water, said: “More schools are using the outdoors as and excellent classroom to learn about things such as their local environment and water conservation.”

Keen gardeners at the school took the judges around their gardens to show off their flowers, fruit, vegetables and wildlife areas.

Rose Green Infant School, in Hawkins Close, was awarded silver gilt status in the competition. Climping’s St Mary’s was judged to be a silver entry.