Earlier this year, a group of students studying at Cannington Campus, Taunton and Bridgwater College, visited The Netherlands to expand their horticultural knowledge. The trip was organised by their Course Leader, Nigel Cox, from Taunton and Bridgwater College and supported by a Trip Bursary from The Colegrave Seabrook Foundation.

Nigel said of the trip,

“It has been a few years since the horticulture section of the College has undertaken a study tour but there was great enthusiasm amongst our adult RHS students to go on a tour during this academic year.

Holland has been a country we have visited in the past and the choice of venues to visit was designed to provide as wide a range of experiences as possible.

Travelling from Bristol to Schiphol in the early morning meant that no time was wasted during the first day and our first stop was Hortus Botanicus in Leiden, one of the oldest and most historic and important botanic gardens in Europe. Here students had an opportunity to view an extensive range of plants including tropical plants and a wide range of rare orchids as well as the famous Victoria lily with huge leaves that can support a small child! The grounds also afforded the opportunity to see a range of garden styles and plantings. One of the other fascination features of the garden is a series of raised beds explaining how plants are classified. This gave students a first-hand insight into the complexities and importance of taxonomy and botanical nomenclature. RHS students spend a great deal of their course focussing on plant names and to see so many wonderful plants in such a stunning location was a real aid to understanding the importance of correct of plants.

Staying in the picturesque town of Zeist, students were able to share their experiences over a meal and a drink that night.

Rain was a big threat to day two which started with a morning visit to Appeltern. Here over 200 demonstration gardens showed the huge range of approaches to design and of the materials that can be used in a garden space. Several of the students are studying design and the variety of gardens to be viewed provided them with an excellent insight into a wide range of design possibilities. Fortunately, the rain held off!

In the afternoon a highlight of the trip was a tour of Van den Berk Tree nursery where students learnt about the techniques and systems for growing large trees for the commercial market. Yet another skill set to add to their set of learning outcomes. Even the pouring rain did not dampen spirits!

After another entertaining evening, students and staff slept well in readiness for a busy day three.

On the morning of the third day the group visited Vanda Orchid Nursery where the senior director demonstrated the growing of these rare and beautiful orchids in their large glasshouses. Again, students were able to learn about commercial growing methods including biological control methods and specific lighting using LED illumination.

The final flourish was an entertaining afternoon in the bulb field and then to Keukenhof the enjoy the fantastic display of tulips, hyacinths, and narcissi. Students were astonished at the range of cultivars on show in the grounds of this huge park.

Our brief tour ended with a flight back to Bristol with a group of very happy and better informed students.

The tour was facilitated by a generous bursary provided by the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation and was also subsidised with grants from the College’s own bursary fund. This made it affordable for the students who may not otherwise have been able to come along.

From the academic point of view, this tour was important in broadening the students view of horticulture and focussing on specific areas of commercial production as well as understanding a little more about the science of plants. It will support them not only in their studies and exams but also in their future careers in horticulture.

The choice to travel abroad for this tour was made to give students an opportunity to have an experience that was for some a novel one. It will hopefully provide a launch pad for future tours and plans are already being considered for further tours next academic year looking nearer to home within the UK to understand the wide range of horticultural expertise in this country and the opportunities of employment and engagement in specialist horticulture areas.”

Students who took part in the trip were full of enthusiasm and told us how it had really helped them to better understand the opportunities offered by horticulture.  They told us, 

“I feel that the trip was so inspiring, and I have gained a number of ideas and thoughts which I can take forward into my work and personal gardening. I was able to take time to appreciate the plants, wildlife and highlight all the areas that I love about working in horticulture.”

“The opportunity to go on a study tour with students from the college was one I could not miss, although, as I have been doing an online course, I was not sure I would know any of the other students on the tour. However, from the moment I met a couple of the group at the airport I felt that this was a good place to be – we were all talking about our specific courses and the wonderful world of horticulture within moments!”

“I have gained a new perspective on the horticulture industry, whist also brought back many images from the Netherlands, both physically and metaphorically, that will stay in my mind for some time. To meet other students from the college across the range of RHS horticulture courses, combined with the experiences I had, has helped me to see a bigger picture and understand where I see myself next, along my horticulture journey.”

“The tour was inspiring, fascinating, and a wonderful experience. The contribution of the bursary from CSF was really appreciated. As a young horticulture student I was pleased to learn of the foundation and its important work in supporting students into UK horticulture. I feel that this opportunity has been a valuable part of my learning and I am sure I will carry forward the experience with me into my future learning.”

“This really was a trip of a lifetime.  New friends made, so many new experiences and knowledge gained. I can’t thank Nigel, the team at BTC and of course the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation for making this possible.”

“I’m in my second year studying horticulture at Cannington and this opportunity to travel to the Netherlands with my tutor has provided me with a new perspective and tools I can make use of in my career going forward. It’s been a pleasure getting to spend time with my tutors as well as spend time getting to know people with like interests and differing experiences working in horticulture. The trip has been a very positive experience for me, getting to see a great variety of beautiful gardens and making friends.”

The Colegrave Seabrook Trip Bursary is to support educational group trips that promote the learning of commercial horticulture production. A group of students or a college tutor may apply to be considered for a group trip either in the UK or abroad. Apply on line using the designated form Trip Bursary – Colegrave Seabrook Foundation. You may do this at any point in the year, but it is advisable to get your request in as early as possible.