The £1,000 Peter Seabrook Bursary for 2019 awarded by the British Protected Ornamentals Association has gone to James Pike, a grower at the Hortico Plant Centre at Pinkney, near Sherston in Wiltshire.

Part of the David Colegrave Foundation (DCF) Scholarship Season, this award supports commercial horticulture through the recognition and encouragement of talent that works in or will go on to work in the sector.

James returned to college to complete an RHS Level 3 course in Horticulture at Wiltshire College & University Centre in Lackham. He is keen to learn more about biologicals within crop management, especially pest control.

James said winning was “a very nice surprise” and would enable him to progress his horticultural education further.

Supporting James’ application, Simon Davenport, executive officer of BPOA, said: “BPOA is pleased, once more, to foster the continuing effort of Peter Seabrook and DCF in encouraging young horticulturists into careers in growing. As Peter has said so often, it is good to be involved in a job that offers so much to the aspiring trainee. We would encourage James to widen his knowledge of and contact with the commercial plant production trade. It is by increasing direct involvement with the trade that a young entrant such as James can enhance his employability and improve his career prospects. We wish him every success with his studies and training.”

Peter Seabrook said: “I wish James every success in his studies and just hope he gets as much pleasure and satisfaction growing plants as I have done. It is our good fortune to do a job which brings colour into peoples’ lives and puts smiles on their faces.”

DCF scholarships worth £13,000 have been awarded to 10 students with interests that include research, sustainability, crop management, breeding, horticultural therapy and commercial wholesale.

The foundation received a record number of applications from horticultural students studying at 22 colleges across the UK this year. “We believe we have selected some excellent candidates who are very worthy recipients of the David Colegrave Foundation Scholarships,” said Jeff Colegrave.

The next DCF Scholarship season opens in September.