Now in its 24th year, the popular BBC Gardeners’ World Live teamed up with the Health for Life programme to host a schools’ display within the showground.

35 primary and secondary schools from across Birmingham contributed to an eye-catching feature at the show which ran from Thursday 16th June to Sunday 19th June. Illustrating the theme of A Meal in a Barrow, each school planted a wheelbarrow full of fresh produce to represent a healthy recipe of their choice.

Supported by programme partner, The Conservation Volunteers, who received Best Show Garden and Gold for its Health for Life in the community show garden, designed by Owen Morgan of Mosaic Landscape Design, the schools’ A Meal in a Barrow display was also a winner, receiving the Best Outdoor Feature award at the show.

The Health for Life programme funded by the Mondelēz International Foundation, and delivered by the Health Education Service, in conjunction with Life Education Centres West Midlands, and The Conservation Volunteers, works with local schools and the community across South Birmingham to create opportunities for healthier lifestyles through growing food, healthy eating and physical activity.

Three schools also received awards for their individual barrows. Chandos Primary School, with a recipe for summer margherita pizza and salad and Selly Oak Trust School, creating a ratatouille, received awards for the best primary and secondary school entries.

The judging panel, who assessed the barrows for impact, recipe and quality of planting included Darren Share, who as head of parks with Birmingham City Council, scooped a gold medal at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show. Other judges included Adrian Phillips, director of public health at BCC, and award-winning garden designer, Owen Morgan.

Broadway Academy won the people’s vote for best barrow with the overall competition attracting more than 4,400 visitors’ votes. 19 school barrows have now been selected by Birmingham City Council for inclusion in its Britain in Bloom display during the summer.

Chris Blythe, operations leader for The Conservation Volunteers, said: “It’s been really inspiring to see so many schools take part in the competition. All the displays looked amazing! Pupils have clearly used their growing skills and healthy eating knowledge from the Health for Life programme to create a range of really original ideas.

“We’re also absolutely delighted that our Health for Life garden has been awarded gold and best show garden. Our garden is a celebration of community gardening and it’s the result of hard work from an expert team with enthusiastic support from our Birmingham Health for Life volunteers. We hope that winning will help get the message out that food growing and outdoor volunteering really does create healthier and happier communities for everyone.”

Kelly Farrell, community affairs manager at Mondelēz International, added: “I’m really proud of the achievements at Gardeners’ World Live this year, from our TCV partner team to each of our Health for Life schools that took part in the competition.

“Their enthusiasm and passion has produced fantastic results and is testament to the success of the programme which inspires schools and communities in Birmingham to get involved in fun activities around healthier lifestyles.”