Over 60 entries received from schools across Scotland

A primary three pupil from Stirling scooped first prize in an NFU Scotland-run competition to design the front cover of its membership magazine.

The runners-up came from Sanday in Orkney and Slamannan near Falkirk

In early September, a competition was launched for primary 1 to 3 pupils to design a front cover for the December edition of the Scottish Farming Leader, which goes to 9,500 Union members and industry stakeholders.

The competition was opened up to pupils from those primary schools that had received money from the Union’s Centenary Trust.  The Trust was established in 2013 and one of its objectives was engaging children in food and farming.

The topic was set as ‘Farming in Winter’ to encourage the children to think about their surroundings and what they would normally see happening in the countryside at this time of year. The entries were judged by NFUS President Nigel Miller, Trust Treasurer George Lawrie and Scottish Farming Leader Editor Ruth McClean with the top three entries chosen.

All the entries into the competition will be displayed in the Union’s Headquarters at Ingliston through December and into January.

The winner was Gavin Dick from Borestone Primary School in Stirling with his wintery scene published on the front page of the December magazine. It has also been made into Christmas cards to be issued by the Union this year. Second place went to Milly Bruce of Sanday Community School on Orkney, and third to Rose Tyrrell of Slamannan Primary near Falkirk. All three winners received vouchers with Gavin also being presented with a framed copy of his design by NFU Scotland President, Nigel Miller and Centenary Trust Treasurer George Lawrie

A further 18 entries were awarded ‘highly commended’.

George Lawrie, Centenary Trust Treasurer commented:
“We received a fantastic number of entries from different schools and it was great to see how the children interpreted the theme of Farming in Winter. They really put a great deal of thought into their designs.

“The entries were of a high quality, with a range of different ideas put across from fantastic drawings of tractors and trailers in a field to livestock with Santa hats.

“Gavin’s design was well thought out, with farmyard animals in festive Santa hats and the snow-topped Campsie hills in the background.

“We would like to thank all the pupils who submitted entries and the teachers for co-ordinating this – the pictures and drawings definitely raised a few smiles at NFU Scotland head office.

“On the back of this successful competition, we will be running a front cover competition for older pupils.  We hope to get the children’s artistic juices flowing once again ahead of the Royal Highland Show preview edition of the magazine, due out in June.”  

Notes to Editors

• A photograph of competition winner Gavin Dick receiving his framed front cover artwork from NFU Scotland officeholders is available on request by emailing media@nfus.org.uk or calling 0131 472 4108.
• Photographs of Milly Bruce from Sanday and Rose Tyrrell from Slamannan are also available on request from: media@nfus.org.uk or calling 0131 472 4108.

Ends

Contact Ruth McClean on 0131 472 4108