HBGTP Graduation 2024

29 August, 2024

We are thrilled to announce that this years’ cohort of trainees have graduated from the Historic & Botanic Garden Training Programme (HBGTP). Their success was celebrated on the 29th August at Wrest Park, Bedfordshire.

Set in the superb 18th-century mansion, with the backdrop of the Grade I listed formal gardens, the annual event sees trainees gather for a formal presentation of their certificates. The graduates, along with their family and friends, industry professionals and representatives from the trainees’ placement gardens were treated to a display of the trainees’ project work whilst enjoying tea and cakes, followed by the opportunity to explore the gardens at Wrest Park.

We also celebrated the achievements of the English Heritage Apprentices who have recently completed their apprenticeship.

This year we were delighted to welcome speakers John Watkins, Head of Gardens & Landscape from English Heritage and Richard Barley, Director of Kew Gardens and National Garden Scheme (NGS) Trustee.

Congratulations to the following HBGTP trainees and English Heritage Apprentices:

  • Aimee Copeland (Mount Stewart, National Trust)
  • Anna Bent (Wrest Park, English Heritage)
  • Elizabeth Bettney (Audley End, English Heritage)
  • Emily Hough (Dundee Botanic Garden)
  • Freddy Fuller (National Botanic Garden of Wales)
  • Hannah Lukey (Chatsworth Estate)
  • Harrison Hulatt (Marble Hill)
  • Helen Piper (Osborne, English Heritage)
  • India Harris (Fulham Palace)
  • James Hannah (Mount Grace)
  • Joshua Burge (Walmer Castle, English Heritage)
  • Kate Stannard (Wrest Park, English Heritage)
  • Katie O’Neill (Aldourie Castle)
  • Madeleine Cummings (Ness Botanic Garden)
  • Peter Buchanan (Audley End, English Heritage)
  • Radu Rusu (Osborne, English Heritage)
  • Sam Mottershead (Brodsworth Hall)
  • Sophie McAteer (Tregothnan)
  • Susannah Philpott (Winterbourne House and Garden)
  • Thomas Silverman (Hatfield House)

HBGTP Graduation Day 2024 at Wrest Park

We are extremely grateful for the support of the National Garden Scheme (NGS), whose support is enabling trainees to take part in the HBGTP.