All local primary schools were invited to take part in Discover Farming’s 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. The competition was kindly sponsored by Chesters Harcourt.
Entries were received from seven schools, and over seventy children entered.
The judges for the competition were the Melplash Agricultural Society Discover Farming Chairman, Will Bowditch, and Gemma Harvey from the National Farmers Union (NFU).
2025 Results
- Year 5 & 6
Winner: Edward Keen, Salway Ash
Runner-up: Diggory Brock, Salway Ash - Year 3 & 4
Winner: Joe Cox, St Mary’s School, Bridport - Year 1 & 2
Winner: Theo Cox, St Mary’s School, Bridport
Runner-up: Joseph Dare, Symondsbury - Schools judged to have the best entries:
Winner: Salway Ash C of E Primary School
Runner-up: Beaminster St Mary’s C of E Primary 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.
The overall winning school received a certificate and cheque for £500 and the runner-up a cheque for £250.
Discover Farming Education Co-ordinator, Katie Vining said, ‘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. We had some excellent entries and were very impressed with the work undertaken by individual schools to support the activity, in particular the maths project undertaken by Salway Ash. The judges enjoyed having the opportunity to read the entries and appreciated the effort that went into all the work, we thank them for their support and generous time given. We also give very special thanks to Chester Harcourt for kindly sponsoring the competition and we look forward to running the competition again in 2026.’
The prizes for Salway Ash C of E Primary School and their pupils were presented at their School assembly in March 2025.
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 at Washingpool Farm (DT6 5HP) situated just outside of Bridport. Katie Vining is the Education Co-ordinator and is responsible for running the classroom and delivering the activities.
