A SHAKESPEARE-themed garden was the result when 345 children from Sidemoor First School took part in a competition at the Royal Horticultural Society’s annual spring festival last week.
The event welcomed 11 schools from across the Midlands to take part in the competition which was first devised ten years ago by Phil Eves from Birmingham contractor BAM Construction.
Following scoring by judges, Sidemoor First School were awarded a merit for the project.
Year one teacher Sian Farrell said: “The pupils chose A Midsummer Night’s Dream because it is split into two worlds – Athens and the fairy world, which we divided with a stream.
“We’ve grown all the plants named in the play like cowslips, oxlips, and violets and even catnip to represent the magic.
“We’ve also got tulips which were introduced to England around the time of Shakespeare’s death 400 years ago.”
Phil added: “Pupils get to learn about construction, older ones learn carpentry and bricklaying skills and the younger ones do painting and decorating.
“The schools and my company get involved too by volunteering and making it a great community exercise.”
“The garden by Sidemoor was a unique one because it was the only one with a running water feature which brought the backdrop to life.”
He said it would not have been possible without donations from BAM Plants or the hard work of volunteers.
“I have to say it was the best show ever in the ten years we’ve been doing this and hope to look forward to another ten.”
The school was awarded an RHS certificate and £250 from BAM fior recycling the garden.
