This year there were over 50 applications from Primary, Junior, Infant and Nursery schools. We were able to award £4,500 thanks to another generous donation. Grants were awarded to 19 schools and ranged in value from £400 to £150. Originally, we intended to award six grants of £500 plus smaller amounts but due to the unprecedented number of applications we decided to split the money between more schools. Squires Garden Centres kindly donated £200 in garden vouchers which we sent to ten schools. The committee could not meet again to judge the entries but managed the process online. Normally the schools would be visited to see the projects and photographs taken.
Gardens and productive outside spaces are so important in schools particularly in the light of the problems they have faced this last year. Many applications mentioned how necessary they were for the mental health of the children and indeed the staff.
For a complete list of the awards granted for 2021 please click here.