School wins farming challenge for chutneys and marmalade

A farming challenge has been won by an Old Windsor school which produced its own range of chutneys and marmalade.

St Peter's CE Middle School, in Crimp Hill, took first prize at the Farming, Environment and Sustainability Challenge, run by the Newbury and District Agricultural Society (NDAS).

The event was held at the Arlington Arts Centre on Tuesday.

The school has been running its St Peter's Pickle Company project for five years after setting up an allotment and polytunnel with funding from the National Lottery.

Members of the school's Grow It, Cook It Club plant, nurture and harvest a variety of food crops then cook and sell their produce.

Teaching assistant and school governor Emma Wood said: "It is an honour to have won first prize. The children spoke so well about the project and the fact we have been going for five years shows we have sustainability.

"Tasty treats such as marmalade, jams and pickles are produced and sold to the Coworth Park Hotel in Blacknest Road, Ascot, in a regular monthly purchase, as well as at the school's summer barbecue and Christmas fair.

The school will receive £200 and a trophy at the Royal County of Berkshire Show on September 21.

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