Children dig in for bid to win way to top agricultural show

Pupils at primary schools across the region are honing their gardening talents to try to win a trip to the Great Yorkshire Show in July.

The Yorkshire Agricultural Society, which organises the show, is running the Children’s Vegetable Garden Competition for the second year running.

The contest is aimed at encouraging youngsters to grow their own produce and become more aware of how their food is produced. In 2010, 30 schools from across Yorkshire applied, and the numbers have doubled with 60 primary schools competing this year.

Among the entrants is Richard Taylor Primary School in Harrogate, and headteacher Andrew Symonds said: “This brings children closer to real food and growing their own vegetables so that’s fantastic.

“Every day the plants in the box are changing and every day the children are asking questions about what is happening. For some it will be the first time they have seen where some of the food they eat comes from.”

Children responsible for the top 10 entries will be asked to attend the 153rd Great Yorkshire Show, which will be held from July 12 to July 14.