On the 15th March, the South of England Showground hosted the 25th Jim Green Challenge, which brought together students from Kent, Sussex and Surrey.
Over 70 students and adults with additional educational needs participated in practical competitions and evidence-based project work involving various skills such as practical crafts, verbal identification, pre-planning, and display of evidence.
The event is held annually in honour of the Society’s founder of educational outreach programmes, Jim Green, who passed away in 1998. A team of regional experts judged the Challenge, and participating teams included Woodlands Meed, Brinsbury College, Chichester College, Aldingbourne Country Centre, Princess Christian’s Farm, Plumpton College, Young Epilepsy (St Piers College) and Manor Green College who were unable to attend and submitted their entries in advance.
Participants on the day worked in teams and demonstrated remarkable teamwork. During breaks, they enjoyed fun football activities with Albion in the Community, tried their hand at milking with the Society’s model cow, met obedient gun dogs and their trainers, and explored the Society’s tractors.
The event concluded with a busy awards ceremony, with certificates of participation presented by the Society’s 2023 deputy presidents, Jenny and Colin Craven, and representatives from Sussex Masonic Charities, the main sponsor of the event. In addition, individuals received medals for outstanding achievements, and team shields were awarded to category winners.
The overall winner of the Jim Green Challenge was the team from Brinsbury College, who received the most points for both the practical and product evidence elements of the competition. The team was presented with the prestigious Jim Green Challenge rose bowl by Michael Harris from Sussex Masonic Charities. On their win, Bryony Paine, spokesperson for Brinsbury College, said:
“Brinsbury has participated in at least the last 15 years of Jim Green competitions and has enjoyed each year and many successes for our students. The competition allows the students to learn new skills, test their creative talents and encourages teamwork and communication skills. We are so proud of the students this year and are looking forward to next year already.”
Sarah Peay, daughter of the late Jim Green and chair of the South of England Agricultural Society’s Education Committee, concluded the event by expressing her gratitude to all the students and staff from the participating colleges for their innovation and hard work and to the event’s sponsors, Sussex Masonic Charities, the Golden Lion Children’s Trust, the Camelia Botnar Foundation, Carole Hayward and Kevin Booth without whom such events would not be possible. She also highlighted that the Society is a charity, and all public events, such as Spring Live! and the South of England Show, help to support the Society’s vital educational work in the land-based industry sector.
The Jim Green Challenge celebrates all that is great about agriculture, horticulture, and the countryside and reinforces that everyone can cherish the great outdoors regardless of their age, background, level of education, or physical capabilities. Click here to learn more about how to enter 2024‘s event.
