Top gardener visits Bury St Edmunds for Young Green Fingers awards event
RHS Chelsea Gold medal winning gardener Adam Frost visited St Edmund’s Catholic School on Tuesday to see their spectacular new garden.
In the evening he presented awards to schools at an event at the Apex in Bury as part of Bury in Bloom’s Young Green Fingers initiative – including a special Outstanding Achievement prize for St Edmund’s.
Adam, the Royal Horticultural Society’s Ambassador for Schools, said learning about horticulture was of huge benefit to children.
“The garden is absolutely fantastic considering there was next to nothing here in April,” he said.
“It is great to see the children’s enthusiasm and listen to them talk about the garden.
“I think this part of the education process is so important.
“It teaches them things like where their food comes from and the relationship between plants and wildlife.
“For me, this should be compulsory, it should be part of everyday school life.”
Jean Hardy, Young Green Fingers co-ordinator, said: “This is an outdoor classroom really. It is about learning about gardening but also learning from gardening.”
This year, 12 schools in the Bury area took part in the scheme.
Jean said: “With so much going on in our schools this year especially with the disruption to school grounds, we expected that gardening would be adversely affected. “For the majority of our schools this was definitely not the case and gardening has been largely maintained. “Young people are showing an increased knowledge of gardening and the importance of encouraging wildlife to their school grounds.
“As these students move through the school system we hope our upper schools will continue to encourage and support young horticulturists.”
Melanie Lesser, Bury in Bloom co-ordinator said: “Bury in Bloom were delighted to have Adam Frost RHS Ambassador got Schools visit the town and present the awards at our fabulous ceremony at the Apex on Tuesday.
“The children loved coming onto stage to receive their prizes to music and with the spotlights flashing.”
For a list of Bury in Bloom winners please Click here.
