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Somerset schools celebrate garden grub victory

Eight Somerset schools have shared hundreds of pounds in prizes after securing success in the county-wide gardening challenge "Dig It, Grow It, Cook It, Eat It".

The challenge was organised by the Carymoor Environmental Trust education and nature conservation charity, and supported by recycling and waste management company Viridor, which manages the county's 18 recycling sites for Somerset Waste Partnership.

Almost 40 primary and secondary schools signed up to plant, harvest and eat their food, helped by a tonne of the Revive Soil Conditioner that Viridor produces from Somerset garden waste.

Details of their progress were recorded in colourful scrapbooks, which were judged by Carymoor Environmental Trust chief executive Frances Stuart, Viridor chief executive Colin Drummond, and Somerset environmental campaigner Tracey Smith.

In an awards ceremony at Carymoor's Castle Cary HQ, the following schools shared prizes of gardening vouchers worth more than £500:

Primary
Winner: St Mary's Primary, Oakfield Road, Bridgwater TA6 7LX
Runner up: Beech Grove Primary, Courtland Road, Wellington TA21 8NE
Highly commended: St Bartholomew's First School, Kithill, Crewkerne TA18 8AS
Highly commended: Abbas and Templecombe Primary, School Lane, Templecombe BA8 0HP

Secondary
Winner: Huish Episcopi Academy, Wincanton Road, Huish Episcopi, Langport TA10 9SS
Runner-up: Preston School, Monks Dale, Yeovil BA21 3JD
Highly Commended: Bucklers Mead School, St Johns Road, Yeovil BA21 4NH
Highly Commended: Westfield Community School, Stiby Road, Yeovil BA21 3EB

In its first three years, Dig It, Grow It, Cook It, Eat It has enhanced the learning of many hundreds of pupils at almost 120 schools in many different subjects, from team work, project planning, art, writing and photography to biology, human nutrition and the environment.

Carymoor Environmental Trust chief executive Frances Stuart said: "The schools receiving awards produced fantastic scrapbooks, reflecting excellent work in their gardens."

Viridor chief executive Colin Drummond said: "All the schools deserve congratulations for their tremendous efforts, which were entertaining and educational, informative and inspiring."

Judge Tracey Smith said: "Hard graft and great enthusiasm produced brilliant entries, each making the link between children's health and that of the world they will inherit."

Somerset Waste Partnership manages waste and recycling services on behalf of Mendip, South Somerset, Sedgemoor and West Somerset District Councils, Taunton Deane Borough Council and Somerset County Council.

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