THORNBURY in Bloom has described its ‘exceptional year’ working with local schools.


The group, which is run by a team of volunteers, has reflected on its involvement with teachers and pupils over the last year, following the success of its annual 'School Painting Competition.'


The competition saw over 100 pupils from all of Thornbury's schools take part with this year’s theme: ‘A day in the park'.


Chairman of Thornbury in Bloom and town mayor, Guy Rawlinson, said: “All the schools are invited to take part and this year we were inundated with entries from all the primary schools and special schools, so it was a hard choice to choose the winners.


“This year has been far more than just the normal painting competition. It has been an exceptional year for Thornbury in Blooms activities with the schools.


“Crossways Infants danced round the maypole at the Ring of Thorns when the new feature was officially opened on May 2 and then again for the judges on Thursday and then the same children then sang for us at the Chantry.


“We had a wonderful reception at St Mary's where they performed a 'garden of honour" as the judges walked into the school grounds.


“New Siblands Special Schools place gardening very high on their curriculum and entered a huge number of paintings in the School Painting Competition.


“Vicki Williams, one of the Thornbury in Bloom supporters, has been inspiring schools to plant seeds, this having contacted all the major seed companies and been supplied with an overwhelming number of packets.

"She has worked with Crossways Infants to establish their own after school gardening club.


“It is clear that the primary schools in Thornbury have supported the whole In Bloom and gardening theme this year.”


For more information about the group visit www.thornburyinbloom.co.uk.