Congratulations to Shamal Harave who is one of the two top prize winners for the Southport Flower Show’s ‘Schools Design-a-Garden Competition’ .

Here is the official press release from the Show organisers:

LITTLE GREEN FINGERS HELP CELEBRATE SOUTHPORT FLOWER SHOW 

Southport Flower Show’s search for garden design stars of the future yielded a bumper entry – and two very worthy winners.

Thomas Hall of Simonstone St Peters Primary School and Shamal Harave of Merchant Taylors’ Junior Boys’ School took the two top prizes despite stiff competition from school children across the region who responded to this year’s challenge of designing an eco-friendly, Mediterranean themed garden in the ’Schools Design-a-Garden Competition’, an enterprising competition for junior schools sponsored by the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity.

Janet Wood, Thomas Hall’s teacher, said “We are so proud that Thomas is one of the winners.  He was so excited when we told him the news. “The school likes all the junior children to enter.  It gives them an opportunity to use their creative skills to design a garden that could actually come to life. “Year six pupil, Thomas Hall, took on the project with great enthusiasm, and has said he would love to see the prize money spent on developing the wildlife pond area within the school grounds.”

Mrs Helen White, Head of Art at Merchant Taylors’ Junior Boys’ School said “We were delighted to hear that Shamal Harave has won.  He has also just won the school academic prize for his year; he works unbelievably hard in all areas, and is a true representative of our school with his determined and resilient attitude. He is curious and interested and truly involved in all opportunities that present themselves.

“Congratulations to Shamal for using his art and creativity to good effect. He is excited at the prospect of working alongside staff to decide how best to spend the £500 school prize.  A few years ago the Schools decided to turn a barren piece of land at the back of the Junior Boys’ into a wildlife garden.  It is now a beautiful natural garden that is looked after by the boys so the money will be used to further develop this area.  We are looking forward to welcoming the West Lancashire Freemasons’ Charity representatives to show them how their sponsorship has been put to good use.”

Shamal himself was astounded: “I am amazed that I have won, it’s a fabulous feeling that my garden is going to be built for the Show. It’s wonderful that I have won money for the school to spend on the garden, and money for me. I might get a kindle and if I have some spare money, a Lego set.”

 The show, which runs from 18th – 21st August designed the competition for children in years 3, 4, 5 and 6 and encouraged entries from all junior schools.

 Ray Roukin, General Manager at Southport Flower Show, said: “It’s always a real treat to see what the children come up with and this year was no exception.

“We give them a theme and then ask the children to let their imaginations run wild. They never disappoint.   Tom and Shamal will have their designs turned into real gardens, to be viewed by the thousands of visitors to the show.  We will also give the winning schools £500 for their own school gardens.”

 The two winning gardens will be built for the show by Myerscough College’s work-based apprentices, so the young designers can see their paper drawings come to life.

Ten runner-up designs were also selected by the judges. These were:

Alla Ali                       Holland Moor CP School

Benjamin Paul         Lordsgate Primary School

James Newsham     Rufford Church of England Primary School

Sophie Halliwell      Shoreside Primary School

Tilly Reevey              Shoreside Primary School

Charlotte Wright    Simonstone St Peters C of E Primary School

Georgina Dillon       SS Peter + Paul’s Catholic Primary School

Keira Crompton      St Edmunds RC Primary School

Emma Love              Withnell Fold Primary School

Rebecca Walker      Withnell Fold Primary School

The winners, runners-up, their families and teachers have been invited to the presentation ceremony at the Southport Flower Show. The prizes and certificates will be presented by our celebrity guest, Joe Swift and the competition sponsors at the Schools Gardens, opposite the Directors’ Marquee at 11.00am on Friday 19th August.