After hundreds of entries from school children across the UK, a name for a new variety of apple has been chosen for the 'What's in name?' competition. The new variety of apple that will be grown at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park will be officially named Paradice Gold. The apple will grow in a new area of Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, called Mandeville Place, to celebrate the success of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.
The name, Paradice, was submitted by three separate schools showing its strength as a name that represents the legacy of the London 2012 Paralympic Games, the values of the Paralympic movement and the tranquillity of Mandeville Place. The three winning schools are:
- Heatherside Junior School from Fleet, Hampshire
- Catshill Middle School from Bromsgrove, Worchester
- Helme CE Junior and Infant School from Holmfirth, West Yorkshire
The thoughtful name Paradice combines the word Paralympic with the first letter of each of the Paralympic Values: Determination, Inspiration, Courage and Equality. The name is also designed to conjure up a feeling of relaxation which is inspired by the design of the orchard at Mandeville Place where visitors will be able to sit beneath a spectacular fruiting canopy and enjoy breath-taking views of the iconic London 2012 venues. The judging panel added Gold to reflect the success of the Paralympians at the Games.
Mandeville Place will open in spring 2015 and visitors will be encouraged to pick the apples and other fruit to enjoy whilst relaxing in the orchard. The new variety of apple is only the third to have been created for London in the past 50 years, and it will not only grow in the new area of the Park but also in the schools of the children who picked the winning name.