MEDIA RELEASE
From: Canterbury Horticultural Society
Date: 7 March 2017
From Emerald City to Amazon Rainforest – prepare to be enchanted this weekend at the 3rd Oderings School Gardens Show as the children explore the theme of “once upon a time….”
Presented by the Canterbury Horticultural Society (CHS), the Oderings School Gardens Show opens on Friday 10 March and runs through to Sunday 12 March.
President of the CHS, Alan Jolliffe says, “We wanted to demonstrate our commitment to horticultural innovation among the city’s younger generation on whom our future depends. To this end it was most gratifying to have Oderings continue its sponsorship of this event in the form of a $500 purchase voucher for every participating school.”
“Oderings has always had a close relationship with the CHS and when they approached us to be involved in the School Gardens Show we couldn’t think of a better fit. We are proud to be the principal sponsor of the event and very much looking forward to seeing the wonderful creations the children produce.” said Julian Odering, spokesman for Oderings Garden Centres.
There are 12 schools competing this year, from primary and intermediate schools from all over the city. And while they may be young, there are a great range of ideas on show, with no one garden similar to the next. The Wizard of Oz has inspired two schools, and Hansel & Gretel and the 3 Little Pigs also feature, but other themes are widely divergent from English Cottage gardens to Amazon Rainforest to Maui & the Sun.
Participating schools include: Ashgrove, Oaklands, Ōpāwa, Sockburn, St Albans Catholic, St Albans, Sumner, Waitakiri, West Melton, West Spreydon, Westburn and Shirley Intermediate.
Vanessa Adams from Opawa School says, “The junior children at our school have loved getting to know the characters of ‘The Wizard of Oz’ and creating our version of the story using flowers. We have practised sharing, turn taking and demonstrating responsibility for looking after our plants. We are looking forward to walking down to the Woolston Club to see all of the displays on Friday.”
The School Gardens Show originated from one of the country’s biggest garden shows, Ellerslie. After it was cancelled the CHS looked for ways to bring garden competitions back into the community, and decided engaging the city’s youngest gardeners was an excellent way to do so.
All schools are invited to vote for their favourite garden in the School’s Choice Award, won last year by Northcote School’s thoughtful garden, Mahinga Kai. There is also a People’s Choice Award open to all visitors.
The show will be held at the Woolston Club, 43 Hargood St, Friday 10 – Sunday 12 March, 10am – 5pm (Friday & Saturday) 10am-3pm (Sunday).
Entry by gold coin donation.
Ends
For further information contact:
Tony Kunowski
Tel: (03) 3584 973, Mob: 027 455 7720
Email: tony.kunowski@chsgardens.co.nz
www.chsgardens.co.nz
Images available for download from: CHS flicker albums
2015 School Gardens Show https://flic.kr/s/aHsku3j7kD
2016 School Gardens Show https://flic.kr/s/aHskvCVvCh