PEOPLE who are interested in horticulture have a chance to apply for the Aberglasney Student Bursary.

The bursary is a 12-month funded training opportunity at Aberglasney, working within the historic and diverse gardens. The chosen students will gain hands-on experience and be trained on all common UK garden tasks for a year.

They will also be taught more specialist topics including meadow management, specialist bulb planting and a variety of propagation methods.

Jim Stribling, director of operations at Aberglasney, said: “Our training covers a wide range of subjects, focusing on core horticultural practices including pruning techniques, plany husbandry, turf care and propagation whilst also giving a comprehensive insight into kitchen garden management, woodland garden maintenance and elements of both hard and soft landscaping.

“Since our gardens are ever evolving, we are often able to provide students with unique and valuable opportunities to participate in significant landscape projects. Recent examples include our Valley Garden and Clematis Arbor where students were instrumental in their development and construction.”

During the period of study, students will work closely with the gardens team and have regular contact with Aberglasney’s head gardener, learning first hand from experienced professionals while working in a safe and supportive learning environment.

MORE NEWS:

Jacky Hall won the 2022 bursary place. She began volunteering at Ordstall Hall, a Tudor mansion in Salford for one day a week in the garden and was encouraged to apply for the Heritage Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme scheme. She was offered a year-long, full-time placement through this at Ness Botanic Gardens in Cheshire in 2021 and then gained the bursary in 2022 for Aberglasney.

She said: “Gardening has always been part of my life and as a child I had to earn my pocket money by helping my parents in their garden.

“Aberglasney really appealed to me because of the mixture of formal and informal areas, plus the walled kitchen garden means I’m in my element.

“I’m thrilled to be working with such a skilled and knowledgeable team and be given the opportunity to finesse my horticulture skills as I continue to develop my career in the industry.

“The experience I am gaining in the beautiful surroundings here at Aberglasney is outstanding. I would highly recommend the bursary to anyone who might be considering it.”

Aberglasney welcomes applicants from all walks of life, including international applicants and can provide safe on-site accommodation for students.

For more information on the bursary and how to apply, visit www.aberglasney.org/training-opportunities