Royston children ditch the ready meals to grow their own veg

For the past few months, children from schools across Royston have been growing their own food to learn how to be self-sufficient and make things from scratch.

After months of digging, watering and tending to the valuable crops, the winners of the esteemed Grow a Menu competition have been announced.

In first place came Icknield Walk First School, with judges Lindsay Davidson from Royston Town Council and Royston in Bloom working party member Ian Hirst saying they were ‘highly impressed’ by the school’s enthusiasm and determination to continue vegetable gardening in the future.

The pupils plans to use produce grown in the gardens in school meals and projects.

In second place came Tannery Drift First School, which cooked meals from similar vegetables planted in the garden to prepare for when the crops harvest during the school holidays.

In third place came Greneway Middle School, with judges noting how the project had encouraged children to work with teachers on a one-to-one basis outside the classroom.

A spokeswoman for the Royston in Bloom committee said: “The judges were very impressed with the efforts that all the schools that entered had put in and the children all seemed to have thoroughly enjoyed working on their plots.

“The standard was very high, which made judging each entry very hard.

“We would like to thank all those who entered the competition, and hope that all schools who entered will continue to grow produce in the future.”

The children all kept a log of the growing process with a photo and scrapbook.

The awards will be presented on the evening of Thursday, September 17, at 7pm in Royston Town Hall.