Pupils from five Sid Valley schools design flower beds for Sidmouth in Bloom project

CHILDREN from five schools in the Sidmouth area have been busy planting out flower beds in Connaught Gardens.

This week and next, pupils from St John’s School, Sidmouth Infants, All Saints Infants, St Nicholas Primary, and Sidbury Primary, are transforming the gardens with their own designs, which have been approved by Mark Pollard, East Devon District Council’s parks development officer.

He then uses the designs to get the right plants for the job and has been joining the children and Joy Seward, president of Sidmouth in Bloom, who is behind the project, each day in the gardens during the planting session.

Children are told how to plant and nurture the flowers before they select their trays of plants to bring their designs to life.

South West in Bloom judges will be in Sidmouth shortly to assess the displays on offer and will visit Connaught Gardens to see the youngsters’ contributions.

Joy said: “One design is a Union Jack and another has a sea theme.”

St Nicholas pupils designed a sun and planted its rays in different colours.

“It is looking absolutely brilliant,” said Joy. “So many people have stopped and taked to the children and are thrilled to see what they are doing.

“I am so glad EDDC didn’t have to cut back on this, because it would have been a great pity.”

Sidmouth Infants plants its design next week.