Gold again for Myerscough at Southport Flower Show

Once again the college was tasked with bringing to life the ideas of the two winners of the show’s ‘Design a Garden’ competition, which this year attracted more than 800 entries from primary schools across the North West. The aim of the competition was to design an attractive, eco-friendly garden, with ‘China’ as the theme.

The two winning designs came from Jessica Smith, from Holmeswood Methodist School, and Sophie Walmsley, from Westhead Lathom St James School. Both winners received £500 for their schools to improve their gardens, £50 for themselves, as well as their designs being created to be displayed at the show.

Now, after weeks of preparations and building, the finished gardens have been recognised for their quality. The hard work of the Myerscough College apprentices, lead by work-based assessors Nick Atkinson, alongside James Fare and Oliver Clarke, saw the gardens given the Gold award by the judges for Sophie’s design, that incorporated a water feature as its centrepiece, and a Silver-Gilt for Jessica’s design, that included a take on the Chinese flag and a giant replica panda.  

Nick Atkinson said: ‘’We’ve had a huge response to the competition this year and as ever the standard of entries was very high. The competition is a great way for young people interested in gardening and I’ve been realy impressed by the designs.’’

‘’It’s great to be recognised by the judges. Thanks to the tutors and all of our learners who helped create them.’’

The gardens were also been very well received by thousands of members of the public during the four day event, as well as special guest, celebrity garden designer Joe Swift, presenter of TV show, Gardeners’ World, who was on hand to present certificates to the winners and runners-up of the Schools Design a Garden competition.