Local primary schools were invited to take part in Discover Farming’s very first writing competition. There were four categories; Upper Key Stage 2, Lower Key Stage 2, Key Stage 1 and Reception. Pupils were asked to produce an original piece of non-fiction writing that was connected to Food and Farming and focused on one of following topics:
- Why does farming matter and what does it mean to you?
- Why is it important to eat healthily and to eat seasonal foods?
- Why is farming the biggest job on earth?
- My favourite farming season and why?
The competition was kindly sponsored by Chesters Harcourt, a company of Chartered Surveyors and Valuers based in Yeovil & Taunton, Somerset.
Entries were received from June to November 2023 from seven schools:
Broadwindsor C of E Primary
Greenford C of E Primary, Maiden Newton
Powerstock C of E Primary
Salway Ash C of E Primary
St Mary’s C of E Primary, Bridport
St Mary’s C of E Primary, Thorncombe
Symondsbury C of E Primary
The judges for the competition were the Melplash Agricultural Society President, Michael Fooks and his wife Pam, and Gemma Harvey from the National Farmers Union (NFU).
Results
Year 5 category
Winner – Franklin Laszlo-Bushrod, Symondsbury School
Runner-up – Edward Keen, Salway Ash School
Year 3 & 4 category
Winner – Joe Cox, St Mary’s School, Bridport
Runner-up – Harry Rhodes, St Mary’s School, Bridport
Year 1 & 2 category
Winner – Theo Cox, St Mary’s School, Bridport
Runner-up – Max Benyon, Greenford School, Maiden Newton
Reception category
Winner – Joseph Dare, Symondsbury School
The winners of each category were awarded with a certificate and book voucher from Bridport Book Shop for £30 and the runners-up a certificate and a book voucher for £20.
In addition, schools with the best entries were also awarded
Winner – St Mary’s C of E Primary School, Bridport presented with a cheque for £500.
Runner-up – Symondsbury C of E Primary School presented with a cheque for £250
Discover Farming’s Education Co-ordinator, Katie Vining commented, “We congratulate all of the schools and pupils that entered. The aim of the competition was to produce a piece of non-fiction writing that would get children thinking about the importance of food and farming, it has certainly succeeded in doing that. We had some excellent entries and the judges were very impressed with the standard and the thought and effort that went into all the work. We thank the judges for their support and generous time given, and Chesters Harcourt for kindly sponsoring the competition. We look forward to running the competition again in 2024.”
The prizes for St Mary’s Bridport, Symondsbury Schools and their pupils were presented at the School’s assemblies in January 2024.
Discover Farming is the education programme set up and operated by the Melplash Agricultural Society to help educate and inform children about food, farming and the environment.
Local Primary and Secondary Schools are invited to visit the Discover Farming Classroom to learn and experience what is involved in bringing the food they eat to the table as well as gain an understanding of why farming and agriculture is so important to the local economy and environment. The Discover Farming classroom is located at Washingpool Farm situated just outside of Bridport. Katie Vining is the Education Co-ordinator and is responsible for running the classroom and delivering the activities.
