04 June 2009

CAFRE Landscape Students achieve first and second in Scottish heat of UK skills competition.

Horticulture students from The College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise (CAFRE) have scored high marks in the UK skills competition held at Gardening Scotland Show in Edinburgh.

CAFRE had 2 teams entered into the 6 hour landscape competition, where students had to build a garden designed by Andy Sturgeon. Both teams worked very hard and achieved excellent results.

The intermediate team comprising Stephen Robinson from Glarryford and Neil Bradley from Maghera secured second place, both students are studying the full-time National Diploma in Horticulture at Greenmount Campus

“It’s been a great competition there was plenty to be done in the 6 hours, we had to lay paving and an area of turf. The main focus was working as a team and putting into practice the skills we had learnt on the course at Greenmount.” Said Neil Bradley

The advanced team was joint winners in their competition and comprised Michael Clarke from Lurgan and James Cuffey from Crossgar, both students are studying the full-time Foundation Degree in Horticulture at Greenmount Campus.

Michael Clarke said “It’s been a great experience taking part in the competition and. There wasn’t much time, but we managed to get the design completed to a high standard. My favorite bit was laying the paving; you need to get the levels just right otherwise it needs to be re-laid.”

Team instructor Alan McIlveen said “This is a great opportunity for our students to demonstrate their skills, which they have learnt since starting the courses; I am delighted that both teams did so well, they have worked really hard.”

The advanced team hope to go through to the UK final held in Windsor, England in September and will know if they have secured enough points to go through to the final when the last of the regional heats have taken place.

Andy Murdock, Team Manager said “Greenmount landscape teams have been excellent ambassadors for Northern Ireland, demonstrating the accuracy and ability of landscaping that is required in the industry”.

For further details of full and part-time Horticulture courses, browse the website or contact the College on 0800 028 4291

Advanced Team, Michael Clarke and James Cuffey after 6 hours of building the competition garden in Edinburgh

Intermediate team Neil Bradley and Stephen Robinson with team instructor Alan McIlveen (middle)