Winter Hanging Basket Workshops are undertaken over a 3 day period during September. The workshops are held within People's Park Community Garden and run by the park ranger service.

These workshops are attended by all primary schools, with an average of 130 made in total. The baskets are then distributed to all recipients in readiness to display over the winter season.

Areas that benefit these baskets are all participating schools, police, fire and ambulance stations, magistrates court and churches.

A great deal is learnt during these workshops on a horticultural basis. Children then continue to monitor them whilst they hang around their school and this provides a talking point during class and playtime.

Banbury are extremely proud that children of such a tender age play a vital role in these focal baskets around the town.

Space was the theme for this year’s Planting Day in People’s Park.

The annual inter-school Planting in the Park competition, organised by Banbury Town Council, saw almost 350 pupils from 14 schools transform empty flower beds into gardens that brought their designs of space to life. We were astounded by the centre pieces that appeared, from Tim Peak to planets and even aliens queuing to get into their spaceship. Creative and imaginative was the order of the day.

Pupils armed with trowels, spades and dibbers, used nearly 5000 plants as they turned the flower beds into colourful displays.
The event is part of Banbury in Bloom and encourages young people to develop an interest in nature and horticulture.

Cllr Colin Clarke, one of the two judges, said: “This is an extremely worthwhile event and the number of pupils taking part shows how well-loved it is. Everyone has had a great day and learned a little bit about nature. The theme ‘space’ has proved very popular.”

Fellow judge Cllr Nick Harrison said: “I must congratulate the schools on their imagination and their energy. Choosing a winner was very difficult. The flower beds and centre pieces are of an extremely high standard.”

Puritans Radio kept the kids entertained and dancing amongst the flowers with some appropriate music.