Double win for college at prestigious gardening event

Derby College Group is celebrating after scooping a brace of awards at the prestigious Gardeners’ World Live event.

Its garden design team won the Platinum Garden Award for their creation beautifully capturing the rich history of Derbyshire.

The college’s award-winning garden was designed by student Faye Geeson.

Faye project managed and worked collaboratively with the other students and the Bonsall Field Barn Restoration Project on the garden concept.

And lecturer Mike Baldwin was awarded the esteemed Lifetime Achievement Award for his exceptional contributions to horticulture, landscaping and education.

Mike Baldwin said: “I am incredibly proud of the team and to win the highest category at the show is a bonus.

“We set out to recreate a part of Derbyshire’s rural history, and the team have excelled at this and have made a beautiful garden that has really captured the essence of the Derbyshire Countryside.”

The students, who are all studying Level 3 Horticulture at the college’s Broomfield Hall site, created their show garden working closely with the Derbyshire Historic Building Trust and drawing on their extensive knowledge and experience.

The garden, entitled ‘The Bonsall Field Barn’, showcased elements of Derbyshire’s heritage, featuring traditional flora, a recreated barn, and stone walls.

The design impressed judges with its intricate blend of historical storytelling and horticultural excellence.

Aimee Tulley, one of the team of student garden creators, said: “We are incredibly proud to receive this recognition.

“Our goal was to honour Derbyshire’s history through our garden, and this award is a testament to the hard work and creativity of our entire team.

“We are grateful for the support and mentorship we have received from Mike and the college community.

“Creating the garden really stretched us, as we had to learn many diverse skills including building, landscaping, stone walling and turfing – but everyone in the team threw themselves into it and worked relentlessly.”

Speaking about receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award, Mike, whose career in horticulture spans 36 years, said: “I am deeply honoured to receive this award.

“It has been a joy to be part of Derby College Group and to contribute to the growth and success of our students.

“This recognition is a reflection of the collaborative spirit and commitment to excellence that defines our institution and all the hard work that the students over the years have put in.”