Young gardeners get gold for show display (From Enfield Independent)

Young gardeners from Capel Manor College get gold for show display at Ideal Home Young Gardener of the Year exhibition

4:13pm Monday 18th March 2013 in News By Bruce Thain

Transforming a patch of urban London into a green family garden has won a group of horticulture students a top prize in a national competition.

The pupils from Capel Manor College, in Bullsmoor Lane, Enfield, won a gold medal at the Ideal Home Young Gardener of the Year 2013 competition on Friday.

Their winning project, called Reclaiming London, used sustainable and recycled materials to turn a small urban area into a family garden.

Judges including television gardeners David Domoney and Alan Titchmarsh were impressed with the garden and the “care given to the smallest of details”.

Horticulture student Seth Ratcliffe said: “When I heard we had won gold I was so happy and proud that something I had worked on had won gold.

“I had never been involved with anything like this before and would have never had the opportunity if it wasn’t for Capel Manor College.

“I got to learn so much while building the garden and the team were amazing. I know I will be talking about this experience for many years to come.”

April Cameron, head of garden design at the college, said: "At every stage of the build the whole team pulled together and to get recognition for their time and effort can only build their confidence and encourage them to move forward in their careers.”

The students were up against five other colleges for the competition, which is sponsored by The Prince's Foundation for Building Community.