Each year, Aylesbury Town Council organises the Aylesbury in Bloom Garden Competition which is designed for residents, schools, organisations and businesses of all gardening abilities to enter.

The seven local schools which entered were given their awards at an award evening in the gardens of Lindengate in Wendover on Thursday 7 July.

Our judges, Jackie Bennett, Tina Hill and Sue Wright, visited the schools to see the work students had put into their entries for the Best Garden in a Pot, Best Edible Garden, Best Learning/Recreational Garden and Best Wildlife Garden.

Points were given for various criteria and the overall number of points determined if the school would get a Bronze, Silver, Silver Gilt or Gold award.

The judges were looking for the use of colour, texture and scent, horticultural maintenance, the choice of plants and overall design and decoration.

Aylesbury High School – Wildlife/Nature Garden (Silver)

The judges were impressed with the range of plants and habitats within the school’s garden. The homemade birds table and calming atmosphere were both noted by judges.

Haydon Abbey School and Pre School
Best Edible Garden (Gold), Best Wildlife/Nature Garden (Gold) and Best Overall Garden

The enthusiasm from the students couldn’t go unnoticed. They each had good knowledge of their garden plus used organic ways of pest control. The school scored highly for their nature garden and judges were impressed with the range of wildlife in their garden which included slow worms.

Haydon Abbey School - Gold Award Wildlife Garden
Haydon Abbey - Gold Award Edible Garden
Haydon Abbey - Best Overall Garden Winner

Turnfurlong Junior School
Best Edible Garden (Silver Gilt), Best Wildlife/Nature Garden (Gold), Best Recreational/Learning Garden (Gold)

The children were enthusiastic and proud of their gardening achievements. Judges were impressed with their wormery, bug hotel crushed eggshells to deter slugs from their garden.

Turnfurlong Junior School - Recreational and Learning Garden - Gold
Turnfurlong School - Edible Garden - Silver Gilt
Turnfurlong Junior School - Wildlife Garden - Gold Award

Thomas Hickman School
Best Wildlife/Nature Garden (Silver Gilt), Best Recreational/Learning Garden (Silver Gilt)
Judges Commendation – Most Improved

Judges were interested in the school’s gardening club and how the garden had different areas and uses. A special commendation was given for the Most Improved Garden.

Thomas Hickman School - Judges Commendation - Most Improved Garden-
Thomas Hickman School - Recreational and Learning Garden Silver Gilt
Thomas Hickman School - Wildlife Garden Silver Gilt

Pebble Brook School
Best Edible Garden (Bronze), Best Recreational/Learning Garden (Bronze)

The school was commended on their runner beans and that gardening is incorporated to the student’s day-to-day curriculum.

Aylesbury in Bloom St Joseph's 2021
Pebble Brook School - recreational and Learning Garden - Bronze Award
Pebble Brook Sixth Form - Edible Garden - Bronze Award

Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School
Best Wildlife/Nature Garden (Silver Gilt)

Students demonstrated great knowledge and enthusiasm which impressed the judges. The area was very attractive with a lot of diversity included in a small area including recycled material.

Sir Henry Floyd Grammar School - Wildlife Garden - Silver Gilt Award

Stocklake Park School
Best Garden in a Pot – Silver Gilt
Judges Commendation – Most Creative

Judges were impressed by how well weeded the garden was. The school used tyres to feature plants and the students were enthusiastic about their work.

Stocklake Park - Pot/Container Garden - Silver Gilt
Stocklake Park - Certificate of Achievement - Most Creative

The judging for the residents and organisation and businesses categories will take place in July and August with the winners being announced in September. Thank you to Michael Anthony Estate Agents for supporting the competition.