Suffolk Show puts Olympics at the heart of floral displays

Primary schools across the county had been offered pallet containers and compost to encourage them to create a small display on the subject of the games.

A total of 22 accepted the offer and their efforts were on display outside the main flower show tent.

Morland School's winning garden. (Image: Paul Geater)

Top marks - and a gold medal - were awarded to the efforts by Morland Primary in Ipswich and Bedfield Primary, near Framlingham.

The project was aimed at attracting schools from all parts of the county to feel a greater connection with the Suffolk Show - and it succeeded in attracting pupils and families to come to see the results of their work.

Inside the tent flower arranging clubs had produced arrangements that reflected the Olympics which start in Paris in August.

Jessie Grinham with her award. (Image: John Nice/Suffolk Rural)

Meanwhile, a green fingered student from Suffolk Rural College struck gold for her garden.

The winning design called ‘Suffolk Farmers Garden’ was created by Jessie Grinham, 31, from Stoke-by-Nayland.

Jessie switched careers last year and went from catering to carnations when she started a level two Royal Horticultural Society course.

In terms of her career change, Jessie said: “I had my own catering business and wanted to do something for myself - and this led me to sign up to the course.

“You don’t get many opportunities to build a show garden so the whole experience has been amazing.”

Horticulture lecturer at Suffolk Rural College, David Smith, said: “We won gold and it was really good news and great to see the students and Jessie achieve. Winning this is a great start and she is now going on to do a garden design course.”

This is the third year in a row that Suffolk Rural has won gold for a garden design.