Thenew bursary is beingawarded in recognition of Peter Seabrook'swork, as a British gardening writer and television broadcaster,in promoting horticulture to young people.
Through thenew bursary, the BPOAwill be making £2,500 available to assist students of horticulturewith their studies. The bursary will be administered by the David Colegrave Foundation.
Ian Riggs, chairman of BPOA, in presenting the bursary at the association’s annual dinner,said that the association wantedto mark its appreciation of Peter Seabrook’s work in promoting the industry to young people, byfunding a bursary for educational activities across5 years. The association thanked Peter for his long standing contribution to and support of the ornamentals plants industry.
Peter Seabrook said: “There will always be job opportunities in gardening and horticulture generally for people of all abilities. Commercial food and ornamental plant production is now hi-tech and needs people with good scientific and foreign language skills as the business is very much international. They also need IT, engineering, man management and business expertise. Gardening similarly needs people with a very wide range of skills and abilities. If you like growing plants, as I do, and being out in the fresh air, this is an absorbing job, a pleasure to go to work and lovely lifestyle. After all, literally millions of people garden as a hobby, while those of us in the profession get paid to do it.”
For more details, go to http://www.davidcolegravefoundation.org.uk/ and click on scholarships.