Council Launches Schools’ Best Kept Garden Competition!

The competition aims to celebrate the efforts of schools in maintaining beautiful grounds, as well as promoting biodiversity on their school premises.

Open to all primary and secondary schools within the Borough, the competition invites schools to showcase their design, innovation and gardening skills in creating and maintaining their best gardens.

If your school has an Eco Committee or a dedicated team of students and staff who grow herbs, fruit, vegetables, or plant flowers and trees, now is the time to let your school garden shine in this year's competition.

Mayor of Antrim and Newtownabbey, Councillor Mark Cooper, said,

"This year, we would like to see more schools enter our Best Kept Competition to promote horticulture, art and science learning opportunities in a practical way.

From visiting schools across the Borough this year, I know many of them are fortunate to have garden areas, and I would encourage all of our schools to use this opportunity to further highlight the positive impact gardening has on pupils and the environment."

Entries will be judged on a variety of criteria including design, the impact on the environment, the variety of plants and overall impact on the school community.

The finalists of the competition will be invited to the Best Kept Garden Awards Ceremony and will receive a garden voucher to further support their gardening efforts.

Schools interested in participating in the competition can submit their entries by Monday 3 June 2024. The Best Kept Garden Competition for residents, businesses and community groups is now open and entries close on Monday 22 July 2024.

For more information on how to enter, visit antrimandnewtownabbey.gov.uk/best-kept-garden