50 South West schools ready for Dig Down

Fifty schools across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset will each be given their own vegetable garden to grow as a direct result of the hugely successful Dig Down South West campaign, it has been announced today.

The initiative (digdownsouthwest.co.uk) is aimed at encouraging children to grow their own produce. Schools across the region (full list in notes to editors) successfully registered on-line and were drawn from dozens of entries. Each primary school will receive a large selection of baby vegetable plants, courtesy of rural insurance firm Cornish Mutual.

Last month the Dig Down South West campaign was launched by well-known TV personality and expert gardener Charlie Dimmock (pictured). It followed a survey, commissioned by Cornish Mutual that showed almost two thirds of school children across the region struggle to identify the origins of everyday food products they consume.

Over 1,100 youngsters from Cornwall, Devon, Dorset and Somerset, between the ages of six and eight, were questioned for the research to determine their level of awareness and knowledge of vegetables, dairy products and meat produce. Less than one in four knew that beef burgers are sourced from cows, with 29 per cent saying beef burgers came from pigs.

Dig Down South West, supported by Cornish Mutual, is aimed at all primary schools across the region with an interest in growing their own vegetable garden. It will help to create 50 new vegetable gardens in schools to encourage children, between the ages of five and eight, to take an active interest in growing their own produce. The aim of the campaign is to promote the value and benefits of children understanding the source of their food, nurturing their own produce and learning how to live a more sustainable life for the future.

Alan Goddard, Managing Director of Cornish Mutual, commented: So far the Dig Down South West campaign has been a tremendous success and we were inundated with entries from schools across the region interested in growing their own produce. Were delighted to be able to announce the successful schools and will work with them to follow their progress from delivery, right through to harvesting their vegetables. Its so important for our children to understand where their food comes from and this is a fantastic way of supporting their learning.

TV personality and gardening expert, Charlie Dimmock, said: Many children have parents who arent gardeners themselves and were hoping to fill that knowledge gap. I believe that gardening is a life skill; and if every child knows how to grow plants and look after them, that would make a fabulous difference. A school garden enables children to learn in different ways and gives a practical element to learning and its fun.

For more information about Dig Down South West, advice on growing produce and interactive puzzles and games for children, visit www.digdownsouthwest.co.uk

1,115 primary school children, years 1, 2 and 3, were surveyed across Cornwall, Devon, Somerset and Dorset. Independent market research company PFA Research Ltd conducted the study A Survey of Food Awareness in South West Primary Schools.

Cornish Mutual is the only general insurer based in the South West and provides a broad range of insurance cover for the rural community. For more information visit www.cornishmutual.co.uk

Cornwall

• Chacewater CP School, Chacewater
• Shortlanesend County Primary School, Truro
• Biscovey Junior School, Par
• St Stephens CP School, Saltash
• Landulph Primary School, Saltash
• Summercourt CP School, Newquay
• Pelynt Primary School, Looe
• Pondhu School, St Austell
• Wendron C of E Primary School, Helston
• St Neot Primary School, Liskeard
• Mylor Bridge Community Primary School, Falmouth
• Frogpool Childminders Together, Truro
• Pennoweth Primary School, Redruth
• Lanlivery Primary School, Bodmin
• St Meriadoc Junior School, Camborne
• Perranporth Community Primary, Perranporth
• Devoran School, Truro
• Biscovey Infants School, Par

Devon

• White Rock Primary School, Paignton
• Ellen Tinkham School, Exeter
• Wynstream Primary School, Exeter
• The Topsham School, Exeter
• Exminster Community Primary School, Exminster
• Horrabridge Community Primary School, Yelverton
• Chudleigh CE Primary School, Chudleigh
• Berry Pomeroy Parochial CE Primary School, Pomeroy
• Upottery Primary School, Honiton
• Parkham Primary School, Bideford
• Willowbank Primary School, Cullompton
• Glen Park Primary School, Plymouth
• St Peters CE Primary School, Plymouth
• Kingsbridge Community Primary School, Kingsbridge
• St Andrews Primary School, Cullompton
• Ashburton Primary School, Newton Abbot
• Horwood and Newton Tracey Community Primary School, Barnstaple
• St Margarets Primary School & Nursery, Torquay

Dorset

• Longspee Special School, Poole
• St Marys CEVC First School, Dorchester
• Westfield Arts College, Weymouth
• Haveswood First School, Wimborne
• St Johns CE Primary School, Weymouth
• Kinson Primary, Bournemouth
• St Walburgas Catholic Primary School, Bournemouth

Somerset

• Wrington C of E Primary School, North Somerset
• Wookey Primary School, Wells
• Our Lady of Mount Carmel RC Primary School, Wincanton
• Countess Gytha Primary School, Yeovil
• Stoberry Park School, Wells
• Wedmore First School, Wedmore
• Hindhayes Infant School, Street