Year 6 pupils from Banstead Community Junior School Gardening Club were thrilled to be awarded 3 awards at RHS Wisley Budding Gardeners Competition 2017; - a Gold Award, as well as the Most Original Award, and the coveted People’s Choice Award which is voted for by the public.

This year, to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the publication of Enid Blyton’s Famous Five books, the theme of the RHS competition was “The Famous Five go on an Adventure”.

Each entry had a 1m x 1m plot to design and create a mini show garden which was on display throughout the May half term holidays. Banstead Community Junior School Gardening Club members Ella, Elsie, Amy and Lizzie spent time designing a spectacular series of scenes in 3 stacked suitcases they called “The Famous Five Pack their Cases”.

The suitcase scenes included a beach, a camp site and an underground cave and mine.

Janet Marder, who runs the gardening club, said: “I am so proud of the children for using their imagination and gardening skills to create such a wonderful display.” 

The suitcase garden has now been returned to the grounds of the school. To see it, members of the public can visit the school grounds on Sunday 18 th June 1.30 – 4.30 when the school is open as part of the National Garden Scheme. Admission is £3.50 for adults, children free. Home-made afternoon tea will be available.

Article supplied by Janine Harrison