Writtle University College students are among a handful of budding horticulturists looking after one of the biggest exhibits at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show today!
Thomas Bach, Thomas Brindle, Michelle Fisher, Lucille Gilpin and Thais Montanari are taking part in the Young Hillier Takeover in the Grand Pavilion, run by multi-award-winning nursery Hillier.
The takeover by the young ‘Hillier Academy’ team is now in its third year and takes place on the Friday of show week. It gives a select team of young and passionate horticulturists the chance to man the exhibit, share information about the garden with visitors to the stand and, perhaps most importantly, look after the hundreds of plants that will make up the ‘Spring’ by Hillier garden.
The Hillier Academy 2017 is made up of management trainees and apprentices that work within the Hillier business, together with students from one of the largest land-based colleges in the UK, Writtle University College, with whom Hillier enjoys close links. The team of 13 members are all under the age of 27.
With over 150 years of history and experience behind the company, Hillier is a champion of new talent and ensures future generations are supported in horticulture. The family-run business is itself a testament to this, as the fifth generation of the Hillier family is actively involved in the business from the ground up.
Hillier is the most successful exhibitor in the history of the RHS Chelsea Flower Show, having been awarded 71 consecutive gold medals.
Read more at www.hillier.co.uk/garden-centres/news/young-hillier-takeover-back-for-chelsea-2017