12 August 2010

Congratulations to Jamie Mathews (employed by Belfast City Council in the Parks Department), who has succcessfully completed his first year of the work-based Level 2 Diploma in Parks, Gardens and Green spaces at the CAFRE Greenmount campus.

Jamie said, “In 2007 I travelled to south east  Asia, Australia and New Zealand working on organic farms which inspired me to seek outdoor work. Working in a shop or office had no appeal for me.  My first instinct after returning from abroad was to get a secure job and a job in a cemetery is one with a difference - some days you are cutting grass the next you are laying turf, as well as working with others in the sensitive handling of  burying or cremating. I also deal with monument safety.”

“I attend Greenmount one day per week. It is really great with plenty of hands on practical. There is a useful theoretical aspect to the course but thepracticalsare what I really enjoy.  The teaching staff make it very easy to learn at a speed that is totallymanageable for me.”

After Jamie has achieved the Diploma he would like to move into a team leader position and continue with further horticultural studies.

For further information on horticulture courses at Level 2, 3 and 4 please contact Greenmount Campus email: enquiries@cafre.ac.uk;  Telephone: 028 94426666; Textphone: 028 9052 4420; Freephone: 0800 0284291

Jamie Mathews (left) developing a new planting scheme in the Belfast city cemetery with his supervisor Gerard Hamill (right), who is also a Greenmount student, on the HNC in Horticulture