UNIQUE OPPORTUNITY FOR TRAINEESHIP AT WORLD FAMOUS ABERGLASNEY GARDENS

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11 Jul 2012

World famous Aberglasney Gardens in Carmarthenshire is offering the opportunity to secure a ‘chance in a lifetime’ traineeship under head gardener Joseph Atkin.

The fourteen month placement arranged by the Heritage Horticulture Skills Scheme (HHSS) aims to increase the number of highly skilled gardeners available to the heritage horticultural sector in Wales (and the UK).
Mr Atkin explained: “The idea is an excellent one and is ideal for someone looking to further their horticultural studies and experiences. Long-term, the project will also help us build the skills base here in Wales and we will end up with a bigger pool of highly-skilled gardeners who can help the heritage horticultural sector in Wales. Of course it also offers a chance in a lifetime for a young gardener to live and work here in the glorious surroundings of Aberglasney”

Mr Atkin added that the trainees at Aberglasney would be provided with quality, practical, work-based training in specialised accredited modules, with an emphasis on standards of practical excellence. The successful candidate will also benefit from a £10,000 bursary.

Last year Alexander Hoyle, aged 18, who was studying at the renowned Pershore College in Warwickshire, and Rhys Griffiths, 28, from Ammanford both beat off strong competition to become the first to secure HHSS places at Aberglasney.
Alexander said: “I was delighted to learn I’d been accepted for a traineeship as Aberglasney’s reputation as a centre of excellence for gardening spreads far and wide.” He added: “I’ve enjoyed every minute I’ve spent here despite the challenging conditions presented by the weather at times!”

Rhys said: “Gardening is very much in my blood as my great- grandfather was a professional gardener and worked in some prestigious locations. I’m sure he would have thoroughly approved of this scheme and been proud of the fact I’ve spent the last year at Aberglasney learning so much.”

If you’re interested in following in Alexander and Rhys’ footsteps an application form for the scheme is available to download at www.hhss.co.uk and should be returned to: Lantra SSC, Dept HHSS, Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, Powys, LD2 3WY. While these are to be returned by July 16th late applications will still be considered. Interviews will be during the week of the 13-15th August. Successful candidates will begin their traineeship in September.