Founded in 1993, the Colegrave Seabrook Foundation aims to support and promote the development of young people in horticulture across the UK and Ireland.
Industry supported, the foundation grants scholarships to future horticulturists with the support of companies such as, Smart Garden Products, Westland Horticulture, the RHS Bursary Fund, Wyevale Nurseries, The Worshipful Company of Gardeners, Ball Horticulture, the British Ornamentals Association and the CRISPA (Richard Cahn) Charitable Trust.
Through the scholarships, students are in a position to apply for international nursery work placements, travel the country on study tours and gain access to the best production, marketing, research and sustainable techniques across the industry. Funds are provided for college tuition, accommodation, living expenses, books and equipment.
The final scholarships awards for the 2025 season, totalling almost £25,000, were made to:
- British Ornamentals Association Scholarship: Sam Evans, studying at Pershore College and working at Bransford Webbs
- John Gibson Environmental Scholarship: Jenny Campbell, studying at CAFRE and working with the Soil Nutrient Health Scheme in Northern Ireland.
- Smart Garden Products Scholarship: Tammy French, studying at SRUC & RBGE Sandy Carney, studying at CAFRE and working on producing scented roses for the cut flower trade; Emmeline Yourston, Pershore College and working at Bransford Webbs; Harley Lord, SRUC & RBGE and working in digital marketing; Nicole Harding, studying at Pershore College and working at Allensmore Nurseries; Gerard Curry, studying at CAFRE and working in his own business, Thistle Nurseries.
- Colegrave Seabrook Foundation/RHS Bursary: Joe Hudson, studying at Merrist Wood College and working with the Animal and Plant Health Agency; Kate Cobley, studying at Coleg Sir Gar and working at the National Botanic Gardens of Wales; Laura Wileman, studying with B.E.S.T. in Horticulture and working for the National Trust for Scotland; Olivia Lockyear, studying and working at the Eden Project.
- Ball Colegrave Scholarship: Rebecca Gilroy, studying at CAFRE and working in her family’s business, Drumary Nurseries.
- Wyevale Nurseries Scholarship: Daryl Young, studying at CAFRE and working in his own business, Busy Bee Garden Care.
- Trip Bursary: Beth Davidson, studying at Capel Manor and working at Kew Gardens
- Peter Seabrook Honorary Award (award to a younger student at the start of their horticulture studies): Daniel Miles-Ronson, Cirencester College
Colegrave Seabrook Foundation Chair, Jeff Colegrave, said: “The task of selecting scholarship winners seems to become harder each year and we are always sorry that we do not have the funds to support more students. This year the quality of the applicants was particularly high, so we are very grateful to all our sponsors who, between them, have made it possible for us to support 16 students. We received applications from numerous different colleges and universities and from students studying a range of different courses.
“We feel confident that all these students will go on to pursue a career in horticulture and contribute to this vibrant and important industry. We wish them well as they begin their horticultural journey.”
