Cambridge gardener handed prestigious award

Cambridge gardener handed prestigious award

» 17th June 2010 «

A Cambridge University gardener has finally won a coveted award after two previous appearances in the final.

The Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) recognised Faye Steer in its Young Horticulturalist of the Year competition.

The 28-year-old had to beat seven other competitors in the final of the contest, which had almost 2,000 applicants in total.

After reaching the finals, she scored highest in three rounds of plant identification and a quick-fire quiz session.

"I honestly didn't think I stood a chance of winning. The other competitors were so strong. It became really exciting towards the end, with all of us determined to win," she told the RHS.

Now deputy head gardener at the university's Madingley Hall, which houses Cambridge's Institute of Continuing Education, Ms Steer trained at Pershore College and the university's Botanic Garden.

Meanwhile, the RHS recently reported that the British Beekeepers' Association has published positive figures concerning honeybee populations.

Posted by Martin Corby