The Royal Parks’ horticultural apprentices celebrated at Hyde Park awards ceremony

The event was held on Thursday, November 14, at the Hyde Park Learning Centre. Royal Parks Guild Vice Chair Ruth Lin Wong Holmes led the welcome, with an introduction to the event by Matthew Pottage, Head of Horticulture and Landscape Strategy at The Royal Parks.

The Royal Parks CEO, Andrew Scattergood, presented the awards recognising development, influence, and excellence, along with apprenticeship diplomas and certificates.

• The award for ‘Achieving excellence in academic learning, practical skills and support of colleagues’ was presented to Larissa Young, second year apprentice at The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill.
• The award for ‘Outstanding self-learning and continuous development’ was awarded to Freya Pape, third year apprentice at Greenwich Park. Angela Pugh, an apprentice at The Regent’s Park and Primrose Hill, received The Royal Parks Guild Special Award.
• The Toni Assirati Award for a ‘Positive influence on others, society and the environment’ was awarded to Jay Talbot-Cooper, second year apprentice at St. James’s Park.

The George Cook Award is open to final year apprentices and recognises outstanding commitment and achievement over the course of the apprenticeship.

The Royal Parks Guild Chair Mike Fitt introduced Cindy Peck, the Master of The Worshipful Company of Gardeners, which sponsors the award, to present the certificate to Hyde Park apprentice Rebecca Shingles.

Guest speaker Judy Ling Wong CBE, the UK Director of the Black Environment Network, inspired attendees with a talk about integrating environmental, social, and cultural issues. 

Judy’s groundbreaking work spans national bodies such as the National Trust Council for England and Wales and the IUCN Task Force for Cities and Protected Areas. Her contributions have been recognised with prestigious honours, such as an OBE, a CBE, and an Honorary Doctorate.

The Royal Parks Horticultural Apprenticeship scheme has been running since 1962. The current scheme started in 2008 and is run as a partnership between The Royal Parks, the Landscape Maintenance Contractors, the Learning Provider (now Capel Manor College) and The Royal Parks Guild who provide mentoring, awards, masterclasses and other special events.

Three apprentices from this year’s cohort have continued their careers with The Royal Parks, while others have pursued opportunities elsewhere, including one studying for the prestigious Kew Gardens Diploma.