The Queen's Knickers inspired floral display

The theme had to be chosen from children’s books and rhymes so Trafalgar pupils decided that the story of ‘The Queen’s Knickers’ should be the focus of their garden.

The display of plants, in excellent condition, fully complemented the colourful knickers, pants and bloomers on display.

In addition, flags, a ‘throne’ of red begonias with a backing of sweet peas, a wooden chest of floral drawers (‘drawers’ gettit?) and a thoughtfully placed handbag, drew attention to the children’s resourcefulness and imaginations.

After studying Shakespeare’s a Midsummer Night’s Dream, pupils at Queen Elizabeth II school agreed this would be their choice and created a dream-like, magic garden.

Pretty mosaic tiles of blues, purples and pink covered recycled containers complimented the soft and subtle shades of the plants along with a decorated reminder that ‘true love never did run smooth’.

Interesting details such as dried lavender hearts, fairy doors, dream catchers, dragonflies and a heart of petals were also included.

The judges were sufficiently mesmerised to award second prize to the school.

Third place was taken by Littlehaven Infant school.

Their own stories of pirates provided the theme and small pirate ships doubling as plant pots also contained even smaller, appropriately costumed images of themselves, while other plants, many grown from seed, represented sand and sea.

Bottles containing messages of their future wishes written by pupils who were going on to other schools this summer were on display for all to read which the judges thought was a lovely idea, not seen before.

Other schools taking part included All Saints, Kingslea, Holbrook, Tanbridge House and Northolmes.

The competition has been running for at least ten years and the varieties of well tended plants and interesting theme interpretations at each school, made it difficult, as always, to choose the winners.

The Blue Diamond Group sponsored of the competition and prizes will be presented at their Newbridge Nurseries this month.

A statement from Horsham in Bloom said: “All Saints, Kingslea and Holbrook Schools are Highly Commended for their respective entries.

“A variety of rhymes and stories were chosen by All Saints. Stig of the Dump was the choice of Kingslea’s gardening club while The Tin Forest was the favourite of the gardeners at Holbrook.

“Our thanks go to Tanbridge House School for taking part with their garden based on The Wizard of Oz and to Northolmes School for their theme on Little Red Riding Hood. As always, the high standards overall meant difficulty on deciding the prize winners.

“Thank you very much to all who took part. Now, we are trying to decide on next year’s theme!

“We are extremely grateful to the Blue Diamond Group for providing sponsorship of the competition. The prizes will be presented at their Newbridge Nurseries in October.”

Contributed by Horsham in Bloom

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