Our gardens are double award winners

Priory’s fantastic gardens were once again recognised as a blooming success! 

The skills of gardener Mr Farron have won Priory numerous horticultural awards over the years including Penwortham in Bloom and South Ribble in Bloom recognition. 

In 2019, the school won a coveted RHS North West in Bloom Award. Priory went one better this time when they collected a double award from the Royal Horticultural Society for 2023. 

Mr Farron and Vice Principal Mrs Cowell were presented with the RHS North West in Bloom Secondary School 2023 Award and the prestigious 2023 Seedley and Langworthy In Bloom Schools Award at a lavish ceremony at Bolton Wanderers FC – and Mr Farron enjoyed it even though he is a Blackburn Rovers fan! 

Mr Farron said: “These are recognised awards and I was shocked but proud Priory won. 

The North West in Bloom Awards are highly competitive with growers, gardeners and horticulturists from a vast area in the North-West, from Macclefield to Morecambe, from North-South and Rochdale to Blackpool and everywhere in between!

"During one of the visits earlier this year, a local dignitary came to look around the school and when Mr Eastham pulled back the blinds of his office window, she burst into tears as she didn't expect to see what was displayed.

"I have to say that human reaction was the best compliment I could have asked for and one I will never forget.

“North West in Bloom Chairman Bernard Pendleton then came to look around the school and he was extremely complimentary, praising the school for recognising the importance of the gardens. 

“They look at the design, the symmetry, the choice of plants and if we had plants for all the four seasons, which we had. 

“They also looked at all aspects of wildlife. They talked to science teacher Mrs Massey about the Eco Committee and what they are doing in school and, while they were in the Technology Department, Mrs Lawe and her Key Stage 4 classes were making bird boxes and they were impressed by the standard of work they had done. 

“We have owl boxes and swallow boxes which are currently being nested in. 

“We received an email to say we had been short-listed and then I couldn’t believe it when Priory’s name was called out not once but twice. 

"It was a truly wonderful experience to be an overall winner in a competition attended by so many famous horticulturalists in the region.

“To win two awards was totally unexpected but I am exceedingly proud of the school.” 

Mr Farron would also like to thank the Estates Team at Penwortham Priory Academy for their co-operation throughout the year with several projects and contribution to the maintenance of the school's garden areas.

Here's looking forward to the next competition which also includes judging the Penwortham and South Ribble in Bloom!