GREEN-FINGERED children from Winsford had an interesting time visiting the Over Allotments this week.

Year 2 pupils from Oak View Academy visited the community gardens to drop off their entry for the annual scarecrow competition and took the opportunity to learn about growing different crops and different aspects of nature.

Kerry Coe, class teacher, said: “We were shown around by wonderful volunteers from the allotments, who really captured the children’s imaginations. It has all helped to enrich the children’s learning as not many of them will have an allotment or even a vegetable box at home.

“They were keen to find out more about plant lifecycles, harvesting honey from the beehives and how different materials are recycled – particularly the composting toilet. We even found time to help harvest a crop of onions.”

Oak View is one of eight Winsford schools that have entered the Over Allotments competition to design and build a ‘suffragette scarecrow’.

John Malam, the event organiser said: “This year’s theme for the competition was the suffragettes, and we can honestly say the scarecrows are probably the best we have ever seen. You could tell the children and their teachers had really enjoyed researching the topic and making their scarecrows.”

Town Mayor, Cllr Gina Lewis, judged the competition and her decision will be revealed at the next open day on Saturday, July 14.

Winsford Town Council will contact the three winning schools shortly and representatives will be invited to attend the next open day and collect their prizes.