Level 3 Horticulture Student Benjamin Freeston-Silva has won the Gardens Trust Award for outstanding progress on his course!
The Leicestershire and Rutland Gardens Trust generously offer an annual award for a deserving Brooksby Campus horticulture student, comprising a certificate alongside a cheque of £100 towards furthering their studies. This year the award goes to Ben Freeston-Silva and he is going to use his cheque towards new Horticulture literature and his own personal grow house!
Ben’s lecturers have expressed how committed he is to his studies, rarely missing a lesson, completing all of his work experience and even completing additional hours. Ben has fallen in love with the glasshouses at SMB College Group’s Brooksby Campus, going there 3 times a week - his dedication shows how deserving he is of the award.
The Gardens Trust Award was presented by Sue Blaxland, Secretary at the Leicestershire and Rutland Gardens Trust and former lecturer at SMB College Group.
Sue also recently donated a generous collection of horticultural books to the Learning Resource Centre at Brooksby campus. They were great additions to the library and will help facilitate studies for both horticulture staff and apprentices.
Ben studies Level 3 Horticulture at SMB College Group’s Brooksby Campus, their specialised land-based site, spanning 850 acres in the Leicestershire countryside.
After his time at the College, Ben is going on to further his studies at Nottingham Trent University (Brackenhurst) studying Garden Design.
Ben said, “I’m genuinely really proud of how far I’ve come. When I first started I wouldn’t speak to anyone and now they can’t get me to shut up! I’m grateful for the Brooksby Campus and all of my lecturers - I really believe I was in the right time and place and I’m very thankful.”
Nathan Craddock, Grounds Manager at SMB College Group and one of Ben’s lecturers said, “Not only does Ben excel in his course work, he goes the extra mile by volunteering and coming in when he doesn’t need to. He’s come so far during his time at the college - we’re all so proud of him and we can’t wait to see how far he will go in his Horticultural career!”
There’s still time to apply for full-time programmes and apprenticeships at SMB College Group’s specialist land-based Brooksby Campus! Visit the College’s website to find out more and apply now - https://www.smbcollegegroup.ac.uk/