Schools in Somerset mark National Home Composting Week

They are getting a share of 50 tonnes of free, locally produced compost, thanks to a new competition initiated by waste and recycling management company Viridor and organised by the Somerset Waste Action Programme.

Fifty schools were first to a register for “Dig It, Grow It, Cook It, Eat It!” - a challenge to establish vegetable gardens in school grounds.

Each of the schools will receive one tonne of Revive Soil Conditioner, delivered free by Viridor, along with six packets of seasonal vegetable seeds.

The schools are being asked to keep diaries recording their progress, with further prizes for the most imaginative and exciting developments being awarded in the autumn.

Rupert Farthing, SWAP team manager, said: “This is all about young people understanding and appreciating the full food cycle – that healthy food is not just something that arrives pre packed on a supermarket shelf, and that leftovers from the garden and kitchen are not just rubbish, but could be the beginnings of good, rich compost.”

Kevin Bishop, regional recycling manager from Viridor, added: “Helping children grow their own vegetables in compost made from 100% natural organic materials, recycled straight from the homes and gardens of Somerset, North Somerset and North Dorset, is a wonderful demonstration of the perfect recycling loop.”

National Home Composting Week runs from May 3-9.

The 50 winning schools are: All Saint's Primary, Ansford School, Ashill Primary School, Brookside Primary, Burnham Infants School, Castle School, Chewton Mendip Primary, Chilton Trinity Technology College, Court Fields School, Creech St Michael Primary, Crowcombe First School, Cutcombe First School, East Brent First School, Evercreech Primary School, Grass Royal Juniors, Greenfylde Primary, Hamp Community School, Haselbury Plucknett Primary, Haygrove School, Holyrood School, Hugh Sexey Middle School, Kingsbury Episcopi Primary, Kingsdon Primary, Ladymead Community School, Lovington Primary, Mark First School, Martock Primary, Merriott First School, North Cadbury Primary, Norton Fitzwarren Primary, Norton St Philip First School, Pen Mill Infant School, Redstart Primary School, Rode First School, Selwood Middle School, Sexey's School, Shapwick School, Somerset Bridge Primary, Spaxton Primary, St Andrew's Junior School, St Augustine's School, St George's Catholic School, St Joseph's Catholic Primary, Stogumber First School, Walton Primary School, Wells Central Juniors, West Buckland Primary, West Chinnock Primary, West Somerset Community College, Westonzoyland School.