Graduation success for Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme (HBGTP) trainees

Congratulations to this year’s English Heritage, Historic and Botanic Garden Training Programme (HBGTP) graduates, who celebrated their achievements on the 28th August at Wrest Park in Bedfordshire.

The HBGTP provides 12-month, full-time paid training placements at notable historic and botanic gardens across the UK and is part funded by the National Garden Scheme. This year’s cohort have secured exceptional next steps, such as the prestigious Longwood Fellowship in the USA, and horticulturalist roles at gardens, including Helmingham Hall and Newby Hall.

Also graduating this year was the Belsay Hall, Castle and Garden apprentice. This comes after their successful completion of the Level 2 Horticulture Operative qualification and two years of dedicated training and study.

Friends and family joined industry professionals and representatives from the trainees’ placement gardens to celebrate. This was complete with an afternoon tea within the stunning surroundings of Wrest Park, Bedfordshire. This year English Heritage was delighted to welcome special guests Debbie Thomson (Trustee, National Garden Scheme) and Kate Logan (Operations Experience and Engagement Director, English Heritage) who provided a speech and awarded certificates to the graduates on the day (pictured above).

English Heritage added a huge thank you to the National Garden Scheme for its ongoing support of the programme, and to their partners at the Royal Horticultural Society, The Barbara Whatmore Charitable Trust, and The Stanley Smith (UK) Horticultural Trust.

Find out more about the National Garden Scheme’s support here.