06 November 2009

After a busy summer of competing in three UK Skills Landscape gardening competitions, CAFRE horticulture students were congratulated by DARD Minister, Michelle Gildernew MP MLA.  

Two teams of horticulture students from the Greenmount Campus of the College of Agriculture, Food and Rural Enterprise, were successful in prestigious UK Skills Landscape Gardening Competitions in September 2009.  

The Advanced Team, comprising Foundation Degree students Michael Clarke from Lurgan and James Cuffey from Crossgar, was joint first in the UK Skills Advanced Final at Malvern Show, Worcestershire. The Intermediate Team, comprising National Diploma students Stephen Robinson from Glarryford and Neil Bradley from Maghera, achieved second place in UK Skills Intermediate Final at Windsor.

Both teams had reached the finals via regional heats and then had to build a garden over a three day period. The project was designed to test a wide range of hard and soft landscape skills along with the ability of the teams to work together and manage their resources.

“What a fantastic achievement!” commented Minister Gildernew. “These students have demonstrated exceptional organisational and landscaping skills, and have been wonderful ambassadors for both CAFRE and Northern Ireland.” Minister Gidernew went on to thank both DEL and Lantra for their support of CAFRE and the two teams.

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 the students did so well, they have worked really hard.”

James, Stephen and Neil are now competing for places on the team which will represent the UK in the Worldskills competition in London in 2011.

The Intermediate Team who achieved silver medals at the final in England. From left to right: Neil Bradley, Draperstown, Minister Michelle Gildnernew  and Stephen Robinson from Ballymena.

The Advanced Team who achieved joint first place at the final in Windsor.  From left to right: James Cuffey, Crossgar, Minister Michele Gildernew and Michael Clarke, Lurgan