Walkerburn pupils are green fingered finalists

The school is one of just four finalists from 58 applicants in the UK and have impressed judges with the way in which their garden has made a difference to their school environment.

Rosie Callaghan, P6, said: “We were all so upset after the floods last winter when so much water from the river ruined our garden after all our hard work in the summer. I think we were chosen because we worked really hard to make it look beautiful again. When we heard we were in the final it felt great because it was a reason to keep the garden going and it was something we feel very proud of.”

The pupils were congratulated by Scottish Borders Council’s Executive Member for Education, Councillor Sandy Aitchison.

He said: “Many congratulations to the green fingered pupils at Walkerburn Primary and their head teacher Miss Bean on this wonderful achievement.

“I understand that the ultimate winners will be the team that the judges feel demonstrates a real passion for gardening as well as excellent teamwork. It is clear to me that Walkerburn has these abilities in spades and I wish them every success in the next round and will look forward to hearing how they get on with great interest,”

Once making the final the pupils were then asked to make a short film describing their garden and the journey they have taken as a school to get it to the stage where it has been judged worthy of national recognition.

The film had to be submitted by Friday, June 3 with the final results due to be published Friday,June 17.