Teams of students from Manor Green College, Ifield and Woodlands Meed College, Burgess Hill took part in the Jim Green Challenge at the South of England Showground on 13th March 2024.
Each September schools decide which elements of the competition to take part in, and start to plan their work.
This 26th year of the Challenge was very special as the Guest of Honour was the newly appointed President of the South of England Agricultural Society, Sophie, HRH Duchess of Edinburgh.
On arrival the Duchess of Edinburgh was introduced to members of the Society, as well as supporters of the event.
Lynda Guy was fortunate to be presented to the Duchess, who asked about the Golden Lion Children’s Trust support for the Challenge (particularly the gardening elements) as well as other events at the Showground, and the GLCT work in general.
The Duchess spent time meeting each group of students and admiring all the competition sections.
She was genuinely interested in the students’ work, and chatted to many of them about their designs, plans of work etc.
Admiring the cakes …
Joining in with the students …
She presented prizes and spoke about how much she had enjoyed meeting everyone and seeing their work.
The Jim Green Challenge is a quite unique opportunity for Special Needs young people, particularly for those living in urban areas, &/or those who may choose to go to agricultural college, etc with a view to possibly working in horticulture, caring for animals, etc.
A special day for some very special young people.