The Gardening Olympics is an East Staffordshire Borough Council project supporting local schools that encourage children and young people to grow their own vegetables, eat a healthy diet, exercise regularly and to look after wildlife and the environment. Participating schools (listed below) are provided with free resources including vegetable plants and flowers along with supporting educational materials and any advice and training that staff may need throughout the year.
The Gardening Olympics event is held every June at Shobnall Leisure Complex and is a community celebration of all the achievements of the children and young people involved. Each school has their own display of vegetables, floral displays in reused containers, miniature gardens, artwork and poetry. These displays are judged and awarded gold, silver and bronze medals so that every entry receives an award. There are also category winners and trophies are presented as part of the event. Visitors to the free event enjoy taking part in Olympic-style events such as the cabbage shot put and the carrot relay as well as plenty of free entertainment for the whole family including bouncy castles, plant stalls and music.
In 2011 the event will be held on Saturday 18th June at Shobnall Leisure Complex from 12pm to 4pm. Everyone is welcome. Entry to the event is free and there is plenty of free entertainment to keep the whole family amused. Free parking is available on site and refreshments will be available to purchase on the day. We look forward to seeing you there!
2011 winners The overall winner was Holy Rosary Catholic Primary School, Burton upon Trent. The Best Recycled Container category was won by Holy Trinity Primary School, the Best Miniature Garden was won by Rykneld Primary School, the Best Display of Harvested Vegetables was also won by Rykneld Primary School, the Best Artwork and Poetry was won by Shobnall Primary School and the Best Display of Growing Vegetables was won by Lansdowne Infants School.
For more information please contact Paul Steed on 01283 508385 or email paul.steed@eaststaffsbc.gov.uk.
Schools taking part this year are:
Anglesey, Belvedere, Christchurch, Eton Park, Grange, Holy Rosary, Holy Trinity, John Of Rolleston, Landsdowne, Needwood, Rykneld, Riverview, Shobnall, St Modwens, Thomas Russell Infants, Tower View and Violet Lane
