Anagh Coar Primary School has become holder of the Scottish Widows’ shield awarded for Overall Best School Daffodil, after six-year-old pupil Layla Blayden impressed the judges in Douglas Borough Council’s primary schools’ daffodil-growing competition with her green-fingered skills.

In addition to the shield Layla won ?100 of book vouchers, also sponsored by Scottish Widows, for her school and for herself, a trophy, gardening set and certificate.

1680 entries were received for the competition from 12 schools , for which the Council’s parks section provided the bulbs and around five tonnes of compost.
 
At the prize presentation in Douglas town hall hosted by the Mayor of Douglas, Councillor Carol Malarkey, chairman of the regeneration and community advisory committee Councillor Stephen Pitts said: 'Competition was really fierce this year. 12 schools took part and with the standard of entries so high it made judging very difficult.'
 
Presenting the shield Scottish Widow's managing director Juan Clarke thanked the Council, especially those behind the scenes, for organising the competition. He said the response to the competition was 'absolutely fantastic' and recalled his own, not entirely successful, attempts at growing a daffodil as a child. 'In a world of rapid change - for businesses and for schools - it's good this competition has remained the same. There's something magical about planting a bulb or seeds, then caring for and nurturing a plant to full growth. It's a process that helps ground us and reminds us that sometimes it's important to do simple things and take enjoyment from that.'

The Overall Best School Decorated Pot prize went to Sophia Reid from Fairfield Primary School, winning for her school a silver cup and, from sponsors Zenith Industrial Products, ?100 of book vouchers.

Photo - Layla Blayden, six, from Anagh Coar Primary School wins for her school the Scottish Widows Overall Best School Daffodil shield, held by headteacher Rob Coole. She is pictured with the Mayor of Douglas, Councillor Carol Malarkey, and Scottish Widows’ Juan Clarke and Andrew England. Picture Andrew Barton.