THE design technology team at Tavistock College were proud to host the first 'Product of the Year' competition this month, where many of the successes of the past year were celebrated.

Around 300 parents and members of the community attended the event and 70 students exhibited a wide range of their work.

Products ranged from contemporary furniture through to spectacular fashion pieces, delicious food products and graphic design.

After a welcome and introduction by head of design and technology Pete Keegan, the voting opened.

Within the exhibition were nine separate categories and all who attended were encouraged to vote for their favourite within each category.

More than two hundred voting cards were cast over the hour while students stood with their work and demonstrated it eagerly to the public. 

Six of the College's Year seven able, gifted and talented students were on hand to demonstrate some fantastic new technologies and our visitors were able to have a go at computer aided design and augmented reality.

This was extremely popular and enhanced the enjoyment during the event.

Molly Bolding, one of the Year seven AG and T helpers said: 'I thought it was a great insight into the sorts of things that can be done here at the college and is something I am inspired by.

'I look forward to exhibiting my work here when I am older.'

The evening concluded with an award ceremony, with students winning trophies as well as prizes which were generously donated by local businesses.

Presenting the awards were college principal Helen Salmon and chair of governors Alison Malcolm. 

The winners on the evening were: Best key stage 5 product design, James Eggins with his bass guitar; Best ks5 food product, Abbie Ball, chocolate and orange fondant with raspberry coulis; Best ks4 food product, Kieran Alder, mango and white chocolate fairtrade cheesecake; Best ks5 textiles and fashion product, Zoe Spry, intricate dress enhanced by a laser cutter; Best ks4 textiles and fashion product, Hazel Bishop, asymmetric sleeved dress; Best yr10 resistant materials, Guy Williams, a beautifully crafted wooden box; Best yr11 resistant materials, Luke Samson-Hill, Lovegrove-influenced contemporary cabinet; Best ks4 graphic product, Lloyd Salisbury, a Jujitsu themed charity money collection box; Best ks3 product, Millie Kelly, road safety illuminating bag adornment.

Voters were also asked to vote for their favourite in the whole exhibition and Lloyd Salisbury was delighted and shocked to hear his name called out.

The introduction this year of a BTEC in fashion will bring new vocational opportunities to a large cohort of fashion lovers.

The college hopes this will follow the success of the now established BTEC in Construction which is providing students with a vocational route towards a trade which suits them. 

The college expressed thanks to the businesses who kindly and generously donated the prizes — Towls of Tavistock, The Technology Company, chef Peter Gorton, Brigid Foley, Encore, Todds, WH Smith, Dartmoor Cycles and Hazard.