Pupils and staff from the Rutherford School in South Croydon met gardening royalty when they collected the Merial Gollin Challenge Cup for the “Garden Achieved Under Most Difficult Conditions”.
Prized moment: Alan Titchmarsh with Rutherford School teacher Jess Rose at the Guildhall awards event
The award was presented by TV personality and gardening expert Alan Titchmarsh on behalf of the London Children’s Flower Society in the spectacular setting of the Guildhall in London.
At the presentation Titchmarsh reminded everyone that learning to grow plants and vegetables may well be part of sustaining the future of our planet.
“What you have done as teachers and students is more important than you know,” Titchmarsh said.
“Learning how to grow things does so many things for us and our futures. It makes us feel better, it feeds us when it fruits or produces vegetables, it feeds our soul and spirits when flowers blossom, and it makes the world a better place for us to live in.”
The Rutherford School, which is part of Croydon charity the Garwood Foundation, has 28 students up to the age of 25 who have profound and multiple learning difficulties.
Students from across the school took part in a summer gardening competition, growing sunflowers, luffas, herbs and plants – all from seed. Judges from the society visited the school during the summer and awarded each student with a gold certificate.
Class teacher Jess Rose, who attended the awards ceremony along with three students, said “It was great to see the journey from planting the very first seeds through to beautiful plants or flowers in full bloom.
“To be awarded this trophy was the icing on the cake. Our students are looking forward to planting bulbs for the spring.”
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