SMB College Group Student Wins Annual Award from Leicestershire and Rutland Gardens Trust!
SMB College Group student, Fred Mobey, has officially been named as this year’s recipient of the Brooksby Horticulture Award.
Fred, who studies Level 3 Horticulture, was delighted to receive his award and £100 prize, with which he plans to purchase a pair of high-quality Japanese secateurs.
This award, which is allocated annually to an outstanding Brooksby Horticulture student, has been a fantastic way to top off Fred’s four years of land-based study at the college, where he has progressed from Level 1 through to Level 3.
Better yet, Fred has now secured a full-time job in the Grounds Team at Loughborough University, which he’ll commence upon completion of his college studies.
Sue Blaxland from the Leicestershire and Rutland Gardens Trust visited the college’s state-of-the-art glasshouse facilities in order to present Fred with his award in person. The award is an annual prize presented to a deserving land-based industries student by the Leicestershire and Rutland Gardens Trust, recognising students who display an outstanding commitment to their land-based education.
When speaking about his award and his time studying at the Brooksby Campus, Fred said ‘I had a great time studying at Brooksby because the campus is so nice and the gardens are very well maintained. I also really appreciated how great the tutors, Lil and Tony, have been throughout my time at the college. They are both so passionate about Horticulture and made it a really unique experience.’
SMB College Group Horticulture Lecturer, Elizabeth Hammond (left), added ‘During his time studying at the Brooksby Campus, Fred has developed his practical skills, designed gardens, been a part of growing plants for various projects, and raised significant funds for charity through an enterprise project making Christmas Wreaths… And he even had the opportunity to help Alan Titchmarsh out on a job when the Horticulture students took part in an episode of Love Your Garden on ITV! Fred intends to spend his money on new tools, in preparation for entering the industry.’
Recognised as a specialist LANDEX college, SMB College Group is home to the 850-acre Brooksby estate, giving land-based students the opportunity to gain a wide variety of experience and skills. Students learn in state-of-the-art facilities such as glasshouses with automatic vent and temperature controls, which ensure the perfect conditions for growing plants. In addition, the Brooksby Campus features over twelve acres of gardens, which house a wide range of plant species for students to learn from.
Check out our Horticulture courses here.
The Leicestershire and Rutland Gardens Trust are a voluntary organisation and registered charity. Their aim is to bring together people from all walks of life who are devoted to protecting the country’s landscape, parks and gardens. Find out more at http://www.lrgt.org/.