Gigha pocket garden a finalist in national competition

The imagination and creativity of Gigha Primary pupil Sydney Vipurs has seen his school named a finalist in a competition to find the nation’s favourite pocket garden.

 

Environmental charity Keep Scotland Beautiful's Pocket Garden Design Competition invited nursery, primary and secondary pupils to design a colourful and sustainable garden reflecting the interlinked themes of 'a garden of celebration', 'one planet picnic' and 'wildlife gardening'.

 

Each child at Gigha Primary School came up with their own idea and all plans were entered into the national competition.

 

Sydney's winning design involved re-purposing an old bookshelf to create growing space for salad crops and wild flowers; the former will be used to make 'a salad for the King' and the latter for a beautiful table decoration. There is also a bee hotel and a woodlouse home so these critters can be invited to join the feast too.

 

“We have been growing our own food in school, with support from our island community ranger, Casey-Jo, to supplement our school meals and Sydney wanted to grow different edible foods alongside species which encourage wildlife,” said a school spokesperson.

 

“Following a pupil-led discussion around the theme of celebration, Sydney decided he wanted to use the foods he planned to grow to make a salad for the King to eat at his Coronation meal.

 

“He is going to work with his dad to cut a crown shape out of an old piece of wood and paint it yellow to represent the crown King Charles III will wear.”

 

"attachment_892669" "aligncenter" "218"] Sydney's winning design involved re-purposing an old bookshelf to create growing space for salad crops and wild flowers.

 

Sydney's design was one of just 42 out of almost 200 entries from budding garden designers from schools across 28 local authority areas in Scotland to make it through to the finals.

 

The winners have now been invited to build and grow their garden at their schools before filming or photographing it to be displayed as part of an online interactive showcase from June 7-19, allowing people to vote for their favourite pocket garden.

 

Eve Keepax, education and learning officer at Keep Scotland Beautiful, said: “This year's new theme of 'a garden of celebration' has opened the door to an outpouring of ideas of what children want to celebrate and what they value. It is a reminder in difficult times that we still have many reasons to celebrate.

 

“It's even better when the way that the pocket gardens are created will be helpful for local wildlife and provide a bite to eat for people too!

 

“Well done to everyone that entered the competition, and we hope that all schools decide to bring their designs to life. I'm already looking forward to seeing the transformations from design to real garden.”