News
Autumn update
In September we welcomed our 2023-24 cohort of trainees onto the programme. While the trainees are busy settling into their placement gardens, we have started the process of recruiting gardens for 2024-25. If you are…
Trainee Seminar 2023
This year’s HBGTP Trainee Seminar was held in West Sussex, in partnership with the Professional Gardeners Guild (PGG). Over 40 trainees and apprentices attended, enjoying 4 action packed days visiting gardens, listening to talks and…
HBGTP Graduation 2023
We are very pleased to announce that a further cohort of trainees have graduated from the Historic & Botanic Garden Training Programme (HBGTP). Their success was celebrated on the 30th of August at Wrest Park,…
The HBGTP Bursary
Being a trainee on the Historic & Botanic Garden Training Programme (HBGTP) offers a number of benefits during a 12-month placement. Trainees receive first-class training from professional teams in a variety of beautiful British gardens,…
HBGTP Supervisor and Mentor Seminar 2023
We are pleased to report the success of our annual Supervisor and Mentor seminar. Supervisors and mentors are crucial to the trainee experience, providing the skills and support to oversee the traineeship in the placement…
HBGTP Study Tour 2023
This years HBGTP Study Tour was located around the Cheshire area. Our current trainees spent the weekend visiting a number of beautiful gardens, meeting Head Gardeners and other professionals in the industry. The study tour…
Breakfast at Chelsea
Every year the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) hosts a Young Peoples’ Breakfast at the Chelsea Flower Show. This event gives young people the opportunity to network with each other and meet leading individuals in the…
The National Garden Scheme pledge to support the HBGTP
We are excited to announce that the National Garden Scheme have made a generous pledge of £125,000 to support the Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme. The National Garden Scheme has donated over £67 million to…
From HBGTP trainee to Aberglasney’s Student Bursary winner
Former HBGTP trainee, Jacky Hall, has recently won the Aberglasney’s 2022 Student Bursary. Jacky spent her 12-month HBGTP placement at Ness Botanic Gardens before graduating in August 2022. She is now working at Aberglasney Gardens…
Former HBGTP trainee becomes National Trust’s first ever scholar
One of our recent graduating HBGTP trainees, Claire Margetts, has recently become the National Trust’s first ever horticultural scholar. Claire spent her HBGTP placement at Aberglasney Gardens before graduating in August 2022. Claire has now…
Trainee Seminar 2022
This year’s Trainee Seminar was held in West Sussex where our new HBGTP trainees spent four jam packed days visiting gardens, attending seminars and taking part in group activities. The seminar was attended with fellow…
As one placement year ends, another begins
We would like to congratulate our 2021-22 trainees who have recently completed their traineeships with us. They are: Adam Reeve (Wrest Park) Bronte Allsop-Vale (Aldourie Castle) Claire Margetts (Aberglasney) Daniel Liston (Wrest Park) Ellis Gant…
South Oxfordshire Study Tour
We recently took our 14 current HBGTP trainess on a weekend tour of spectacular gardens around South Oxfordshire. The study tour was kindly funded by The Royal Horticulture Society. The gardens visited included: Le Manoir…
Harry Watkins gives talk to HBGTP trainees
One of the benefits of being an HBGTP trainee is the opportunity to hear from leading members of the Horticultural world on a regular basis. Our trainees recently enjoyed an online presentation from Harry Watkins,…
Merry Christmas from the HBG Training Programme!
Festive best wishes to all. Elinor and Anna will be on leave for Christmas from Friday 17th December until Tuesday 4th January. Here’s a snowy picture of Wrest Park in the meantime!
Joint Trainee Seminar held with PGG
Our new HBGTP trainees recently spent a weekend visiting gardens in Sussex and attending lectures and workshops with fellow trainees from the MacRobert Trust and the PGG. Activities included a public speaking masterclass, a quiz,…
Congratulations to our completing trainees!
We would like to congratulate our HBGTP trainees who have now completed their traineeships with us. They are: Stewart Turtill (Audley End) Jennifer Warner (Audley End) Lewis Belcher (Birmingham Botanics) Emily Hall (Osborne) Nadya Pearson…
Study Tour to the Midlands
We recently took our 10 current HBGTP trainees on a weekend tour of gardens in the West Midlands. Accommodation was provided by Pershore Horticultural College. Gardens visited included: Sezincote Kenilworth Castle Ryton Organic Gardens Hanbury…
Tom Wright gains Gardens Conservation qualification
Tom Wright, one of our HBGTP trainees at Osborne House and Gardens on the Isle of Wight, has recently completed a course on the Conservation of Historic Gardens taught by Dr Audrey Gerber. This was…
A Snapshot of Life at Ness Botanic Gardens
Before the COVID-19 lockdown began, our trainee Mike Roberts gave an interview to the Gentian, the magazine for members of Ness Botanic Gardens. Here is the article for you to enjoy:
My Thoughts...
Dene Wood
