Schools Garden Challenge

Saturday 23^rd & Sunday 24^th June 2018

As part of Arley Hall’s annual Garden Festival, now in its 24th year, local school’s are being invited to take part in a Schools Garden Challenge where ten local schools create a garden.

This year Gabriel Ash are sponsoring the Schools Garden Challenge and will be donating a first prize of a red cedar, upright coldframe, ideal for overwintering small delicate plants and growing plants from seed.  Gabriel Ash will be at the show this year and will organize with the winning school when is best for them to deliver and install this maintenance free cedar cold-frame.

The public will be asked for their favourite flowerbed – with a token given to them when they enter the show.  The winning school will receive a free child admission ticket to Arley for use during 2018.

Arley’s aim is to encourage children to think and learn about the natural environment in which they live. Flowerbeds can include topics such as biology, geography, art/design and conservation.  Practical working skills and working together as a team will be important elements of this project.

Timescale
Schools would need to begin thinking about their garden now, ready for planting your seeds for your garden soon after Easter and have clear ideas on its theme and the plants to be grown. Competitors are welcome to visit Arley to talk with their head Gardener, Gordon Baillie and discuss any thoughts or ideas.

Children are free to come to the Garden Festival as are the teachers involved in this project.  Adult entry is £11.50 and Concession £10.50 if booked in advance and £16.50 adult and £14.50 Concession on the day.  This includes entry to the Hall & Gardens as well as the show.

Tickets are available online at www.arleyhallandgardens.com/events/2018-06.

Each year the show attracts many nurseries and plant specialists as well as horticultural accessories with guided garden tours by Lord Ashbrook also taking place during the day.  Children’s entertainment including animals from Stockley Farm, face painting, trampolines, rides and of course ice cream will be all taking place along with live jazz music and a food fair.