Gardener's design lands school £1,000 (From The Oxford Times)

Gardener's design lands school £1,000

1:40pm Saturday 19th May 2012 in Banbury

A GARDENER’S ability to recreate a Cezanne painting with plants has netted a primary school £1,000.

Samantha Willis scooped one of three top prizes in a competition at the Malvern Spring Gardening Show last weekend.

The money will go towards raising funds for plants and a greenhouse for Year Five and Year Six pupils at Dr Radcliffe’s Primary School in Steeple Aston.

Mrs Willis’ temporary creation was inspired by one of Cezanne’s woodland scenes and was voted for by visitors to the popular show.

She said: “My garden was replicating a Cezanne woodland scene so with acers, betulas and a multitude of small herbaceous plants I set up the scene.

“I enjoy the tranquillity of the picture and the way the impressionists hint at colour. The painting appeals to me as it conjures up memories of cool woods on summer days with the hint of sunshine peeping through the leaves.”

She added: “On the day we were digging the garden I was interviewed by Gardener’s Question Time and met the lovely Pippa Greenwood.

“It was a fantastic four days.

“The perfect end was that my garden was voted one of the top three people’s choices and we won £1,000 for Steeple Aston School.”