BUDDING public speakers from local primary schools explained how they could feed themselves from an acre of ground in this year’s Trowbridge in Bloom ‘Little Bloomers’ public speaking competition.

Teams of three Year 6 pupils were drawn from Paxcroft, The Mead, Walwayne, Castle Mead and Bellefield schools, with the children giving the audience - including the Mayor of Trowbridge, judges and sponsors - plenty of food for thought.

After the competition, the children toured the Town Hall, where the event was held, courtesy of the resident volunteers and were treated to summary justice in the cells below the old court rooms.

Rick Jotcham, of Trowbridge Lions, presented the Lions Club winners’ trophy and silver salvers to the team from The Mead, while sponsors Ernie Newcombe and Sally Taylor, both from Trowbridge in Bloom, presented the second and third place trophies to Paxcroft School and Walwayne.

Paul Hamel, from Trowbridge in Bloom, said: “Trowbridge in Bloom would like to thank the judges Rick Jotcham, Wendy Sawyers, of Dorothy House, and Caroline Christopher, of Wessex Mead Rotary.

“We would also like to thank Councillor Helen Osborne, who opened the proceedings with sound advice and encouragement for the children, and the Mayor of Trowbridge Roger Andrews, who presented the certificates of participation.”

Pupils also enjoyed a display at the Town Hall from fashion students at Wiltshire College Trowbridge called Natural Species after the conclusion of the public speaking competition.