A school which won a gold medal for gardening last Wednesday, June 30th, received a visit from the new patron of the charity which made the award - Her Royal Highness, the Countess of Wessex.

The Countess, who was accompanied by her husband the Earl of Wessex, has become patron of the London Children's Flower Society, a position previously held by the Queen Mother.

She visited Old Oak Primary School, in East Acton, W12, on her first official engagement with the charity to see the school's prize-winning plants and flowers and meet children and staff.

Old Oak Primary School won a gold medal for gardening from the London Children's Flower Society last year.

Headteacher, Madeleine Parker, said: "We have worked hard to make the playgrounds an attractive environment for the children. In the key stage two playground there are beds of flowers, plants and trees including an oak tree with a time capsule underneath it, and the Wormwood shrub (Artemisia) because we are next to Wormwood Scrubs. We also have a wild flower area and children have helped to reseed the grass as well as looking after the flowers and shrubs. We were thrilled that the Countess and Earl were able to visit the school and make this a special day for everyone at Old Oak."

The Earl and Countess of Wessex were greeted by the borough's mayor, Cllr Charlie Treloggan, and the mayoress, Ms Eleanor Carlson, before meeting staff, pupils, governors and other guests, who included the director of the London Children's Flower Society, Tim Goddard; and education director, Sandy Adamson.

Cllr Treloggan said: "Many of the borough's pupils live in flats and houses without gardens so the experience of nurturing plants and flowers at school is hugely valuable. We are grateful for the encouragement and support that the London Children's Flower Society gives our schools each year by rewarding the efforts of the children with a variety of awards. We are working with schools, charities and environmental organisations to make the borough a smarter, greener place."

Tim Goddard, director of the London Children's Flower Society, said: "We are delighted that Her Royal Highness, the Countess of Wessex, has agreed to be our patron and continue the good work of the Queen Mother in supporting our programme of competitions and educational visits.
Hammersmith & Fulham schools have always enjoyed entering and winning our competitions - last year 12 schools in the borough received awards in various categories."