National estate agents Savills in Bishop’s Stortford were swamped with over 360 entrants for their ‘Dream Garden’ competition, launched in February earlier this year to help lend support to local schools in the East Herts area. Eleven year old Alex Spall from the College beat off stiff competition to claim first prize of a garden hammock plus £250 worth of books for the school. Philippa Otter, Max Lanham and Edward Rowley were each awarded second prize of creative goodies worth £25.

Alex’s dream garden took the form of a dream countryside garden with dragons and leprechauns, toadstools, a fairytale castle and a tree house. He demonstrated excellent colouring skills and his work succeeds in being simple yet effective. John Wootton, Head of Savills Bishop’s Stortford commented, “All the ‘Dream Garden’ drawings have been to an incredibly high standard and we are delighted so many children have entered. We felt that Alex’s garden was very inspirational and particularly enjoyed his attention to detail. Drawing your dream garden is a great way of getting youngsters involved with gardening and encouraging outdoor activity can only lead to healthy, happier children!” 

“I am looking forward to reading all the books that the prize will bring to the College library – particularly if the weather is sunny and I can read them in my new hammock!,” said winner Alex. The College will also receive £250 to be donated to their chosen charity – Essex Air Ambulance.

The winner and all runners up were selected by local children’s author Sally Gardner, who said “this was far harder than I thought it was going to be and in the end I went for the one that showed the most imagination and had to it a dream like quality all of its own”.