Incorporation of Gardeners supports students

Glasgow Clyde College students, who are vital to ensuring Glasgow’s reputation as a ‘dear green place’, have received assistance from the city’s Incorporation of Gardeners as they sharpen their skills in gardening.

Sixteen students of the NC Introduction to Horticulture course at Glasgow Clyde College have designed and built a ‘pop up’ garden at their training site at Daldowie, near Uddingston, as part of a project towards which the Incorporation has donated around £1,300 towards the cost of materials and a commemorative plaque for display on their creation.

They hope to exhibit the portable raised beds at Gardening Scotland 2016, a prestigious annual show that takes place in Edinburgh.

“We got in touch with the college last year and decided to help with a project involving the horticulture students,” explained Bill Peebles, a Master at the Master Court of the Incorporation of Gardeners at Trades House (pictured above with our students).

“Young folk like these are our future. Glasgow is ‘the dear green place’ – let’s keep it that way. The council’s parks department is so important for the wellbeing of the city’s communities. To restore and maintain the parks, you need professional, well-trained people such as these students.”

Glasgow Clyde College first established its link with the Incorporation of Gardeners more than 20 years ago. Margaret Hamilton of Glasgow Clyde College said: “The Incorporation is very keen to encourage young people in the profession and sponsor council apprentices as well. We are most grateful for their support and look forward to continuing our fruitful partnership with them.”

Bill, a retired landscape contractor, added: “By donating towards the Glasgow Clyde College project, the Incorporation of Gardeners aims to encourage the young students into their entry into horticulture and help them to learn communication skills and about working together. The Incorporation loves working with the college, and young folk need all the support they can get.”

Meanwhile, students of Glasgow Clyde College’s Greenkeeping courses have gained work experience at Playsport Golf in East Kilbride. The students cut the grass, renovated bunkers, and maintained fairways and greens as they gained the experience of assistant greenkeepers at the course. Alan Hay, manager at Playsport, said: “We are delighted to have students from Glasgow Clyde College with us on Wednesdays and it is always a pleasure to help students at the start of their career as greenkeepers.”