November 11th 2014
A first-time RHS Chelsea Gold medallist, next-generation community gardening team leaders and specialists in growing edible crops are among the eight students who have been honoured by the Worshipful Company of Gardeners at its Autumn Court Dinner, held at the Drapers Hall in the City of London on Tuesday, November 11th, 2014.
As part of its on-going programme of encouragement and support for education in horticulture, the Company commends those students who have shown themselves to be the best among their peers in their chosen fields of study and this evening, Master Gardener Mr Stephen Bernhard FI Hort presented cheques and certificates to this group of budding stars of the future, and congratulated them on gaining top results from four of Britain’s leading horticultural colleges.
Master Gardener Stephen Bernhard commented: “Each of the students here tonight has proven themselves to be at the top of their game in their chosen fields of study, to be active young ambassadors of horticulture, and we look forward to seeing more of them and their work in the coming years."
Also during the evening, the Company’s principal guest, TV presenter Julia Bradbury (Wainwright Walks, Countryfile), spoke about the impact of the countryside on her life and career, and about the importance of gardening on the wellbeing of life. Other guests included Master Fan Maker Mr Doug Clasby, Master Fruiterer Mr Peter Cooper, Master Carpenter Mr Mike Felton, Master Baker Mr David Bentley, Master Draper Nicholas Bence-Trower and his Clerk, Col Richard Winstanley OBE, Past Master Marketors Mrs Venetia Howes, and Superintendent, Smithfield Market, Mr Robert Wilson.