Sidmouth younsters transform Connought Gardens' flower beds

FROM seaside sun to sea monsters, Connaught Gardens has it all – in flowers – after children from Sidmouth s schools spent the week transforming flower beds.

FROM seaside sun to sea monsters, Connaught Gardens has it all - in flowers - after children from Sidmouth's schools spent the week transforming flower beds.

This year, for the first time, All Saints Infants became involved with the project, which Sidmouth in Bloom, with backing from East Devon District Council's gardeners, has run for the past five years.

Mark Pollard, parks development officer, chose pupils' designs and gave them tips on planting, while Darren Cross, gardener in charge at the gardens, along with Joy Seward, president of Sidmouth in Bloom, helped children from five schools - Sidmouth Infants, Sidbury Primary, St John's, St Nicholas and All Saints - with planting.

Joy said: "I am delighted All Saints has joined us for the first time. All the schools are keen because they do a lot of gardening in school."

Mark added: "The first schools that did this have now left school and hopefully they will respect the park more for having had this experience.

"All the schools have gardens, growing fresh vegetables, it is becoming much more trendy - and about time too!"

You can enjoy the five beds designed by Sidmouth's youngsters, at Connaught Gardens, throughout the summer.