12.10.2009 Board game designed by school children to be sold nationwide
A board game designed by school children for a Norfolk challenge, and endorsed by a Michelin starred chef, is to be sold in shops nationwide in time for Christmas.
Pupils from the Aquila before-school club, at Kinsale Junior School, Norwich, are thrilled at the news that their game, Norfolk’s Fine Food, is to be produced by Orchard Toys and will be on sale at the beginning of November.
In October 2007 the youngsters came up with the idea of creating a healthy eating board game, as their entry for the Food and Farming Challenge*.
From that original idea, two years on the Aquila Club has won: the 2009 Food and Farming Challenge and, as announced last Friday (9th October), the category Best Industry/Education Link Award, together with their business partner Orchard Toys, in the 2009 EDP (Eastern Daily Press) Business Awards.
Says Simon Newbery, Managing Director at Orchard Toys, “I cannot praise the children highly enough. They have doggedly pursued their goal despite many setbacks along the way.
“Not only have they won these two prestigious awards, seen their product distributed to over 300 Norfolk primary schools (to be played by potentially over 48,000 children), but because we have had such an overwhelming number of requests for the game, we will be marketing Norfolk’s Fine Food nationwide. These requests have come from outlets as diverse as toy shops, restaurateurs and tourist attractions.
“As this has come about purely through the tenacity of the Aquila Club members, we feel that we would like to put something back to help young children, so we will be making a donation to East Anglian Children’s Hospices (EACH) for every game sold.”
Carolyn Baxter, Headteacher at Kinsale Junior School comments, "I believe that this is the first time in its 37 year history that Orchard Toys has put into production a game that wasn't conceived in house. What a fantastic endorsement of the children's hard work. Then, to have received the Award last Friday, well, that was just the icing cake !"
Says Michelin star chef, Galton Blackiston, of Morston Hall, "I am delighted to be associated with this fun, educational game".
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* A competition organised by the educational charity Norfolk Education Industry and Commerce Group (NEICG).
Background: During the children’s research for their project one of them suggested that they contact Orchard Toys, who they knew designed and manufactured children’s board games in Norfolk.
In January 2008 the Aquila Club first visited Orchard Toys.
11th March 2008 they gave their presentation at the finals of Food & Farming Challenge at Easton College, Norfolk. They came second.
10th April 2008 the school returned to see the design team at Orchard Toys, with their three design suggestions, ultimately choosing one to go with.
Autumn 2008 They returned to Orchard Toys with their finished game and asked for help to produce the game. Orchard Toys offered to produce 500 copies, boxed, free of charge.
As there was now no longer a need for the sponsorship money, already donated to produce the game (by Caleys, and Kettle Chips), with the sponsors’ permission, the children chose to donate it to the School’s charity of the year, Norfolk Young Carers.
Galton Blackiston, Norfolk’s Michelin starred chef, agreed to write an endorsement for the game.
10th March 2009, the school won the Food and Farming Challenge with their finished Norfolk’s Fine Foods.
9th October 2009, the school and Orchard Toys were announced the winners of their category at the Gala Dinner to celebrate the 20th year of the EDP Business Awards.
