PUPILS from two local schools were winners at a recent Dumfries House event.

The youngsters from Greenmill and Patna primary schools took part in Full Cycle: Two Sides To Every Story, which explored the world of nature.

Working alongside university experts in parasitology and beekeepers from the area they were encouraged to think about what happens in our gardens and the wider environment.

A series of workshops were held, during which the pupils made fire with staff from the estate’s Tamar Manoukian Outdoor Centre among other fascinating activities.

They also created candles from beeswax with the Ayrshire Beekeepers, and made — then tasted — a delicious pot of nettle soup with staff at The Pierburg Building and Kauffman Education Gardens.

Pupils were tasked with designing a garden on the theme, two sides to every story, with their work focusing on subjects such as the pros and cons of bees, humans, weeds, and food waste.

The latter topic was inspirational, with many children going on to plant bits of waste food such as carrot tops, lettuce roots, onion tops and potato peelings in their own school garden. Greenmill Primary scooped the prize for Best Research Project and Patna pupils won the Best Garden Design award.

Both schools were rewarded with a free visit to Dumfries House, a hydroponics kit, and a Waterstone’s voucher.

Karen Alexander, head of STEM education at Dumfries House, said: “It was a pleasure to host schools at the Full Cycle event. We are really encouraged by the way school staff and pupils are embracing science, technology, engineering, and maths, and we hope everyone left the event inspired to go further in these subject areas and to return to Dumfries House for similar future activities and school residential trips.

“Congratulations to pupils from all schools, including those from Greenmill and Patna for their award-winning efforts.”

E-mail EducationAdmin@dumfries-house.org.uk for more information on school visits.