SCHOOLS SPRING INTO ACTION FOR GARDEN SHOW!

PRESS RELEASE Wednesday 19th March

 SCHOOLS SPRING INTO ACTION FOR GARDEN SHOW!

Thursday 20th March represents the first official day of spring and Schools from all over Northern Ireland are Springing into action in preparation for a number of gardening challenges at this years Garden Show Ireland event which takes place in Antrim Castle Gardens from 9-11 May, 2014.

Pupils from Ballycraigy Primary School in Antrim are just some of those busy working on designs for the Schools Garden Challenge,  Scarecrow Square and the Edible Containers Competition  – all of which are sponsored by long term supporter of the Show – Allianz.

The theme of the 2014 Allianz Schools Garden Challenge is ‘An Edible Garden’ and teams are invited from schools and colleges to design and build a garden to be displayed at Garden Show Ireland in May with the winning School receiving a trip for 30 pupils to the Omniplex courtesy of The Junction. New for 2014,  Primary Schools are invited to design ‘An Edible Garden in a Container’ with the winning schools receiving a Buzzy Bees Gardening Kit and trees kindly provided by CAFRE Greenmount College.

Nicholas Crawford from sponsors Allianz commented,”We are delighted to be involved again with the schools activity at Garden Show Ireland. These initiatives provide a fun way of teaching children  about the world around them and encourages them to get active in their own school gardens.”

Coordinated by the Integrated Education Fund, Primary school children from Integrated Schools throughout Northern Ireland are also invited to create colourful scarecrows which will surround Allianz Scarecrow Square. The 2014 Allianz Scarecrow Square inhabitants will include Sporting Heroes as well as Eco-Friendly, Scary and Traditional Scarecrows!

Claire Faulkner, Director of Garden Show Ireland believes the Schools activity is a vital part of the Show. “It is important to us that young people have the opportunity to experience the benefits of gardening and especially the value of growing your own food. It is also great fun working with the next generation of gardeners!”

Taking place in a brand new venue for 2014, an expanded new look Garden Show Ireland will include appearances by Channel 4‘s River Cottage team, Alys Fowler from BBC Gardeners’ World and Ireland’s world-renowned plantswoman Helen Dillon. With thousands of specialist plants, great garden shopping, garden designers and show gardens, a craft village, a free design pavilion, artisan food stalls, live music, garden gourmet, garden challenges, a dedicated kids zone and more, the event promises to be the ultimate garden show experience for gardeners of all ages and experiences.

The 2014 Garden Show Ireland will run from 9th – 11th May at Antrim Castle Gardens and is open daily from 10am-6pm with parking adjacent. Adults are £10 (concession £8) and the event is FREE for children under 16. There is a reduced rate for online booking and for more information visit www.gardenshowireland.com