GCA Trust award goes to Capel Manor student Sian

The Garden Centre Association (GCA) Trust has recently (July, 2015) given out its annual award for Exceptional Plant Knowledge.

This year's recipient was Capel Manor College student Sian Davis who received her award from Carol Paris, Chief Executive of the Horticultural Trades Association (HTA), on behalf of the GCA at the college's award ceremony event.

Sue Allen, Trust Chairman, said: "We were delighted to give our annual award to Sian and would also like to thank Carol for being there to present the certificate and prize of £100 on our behalf.

"This is one of several annual awards made by our Trust to students at our leading horticulture colleges. In addition the Trust also supports students of horticulture by making grants on an annual basis to help with course fees and other costs.

"To add to this, this year also sees the launch of our new initiative to encourage young or potential management team members within garden centres to visit centres in Europe for up to two weeks. Information about this scheme, which is called the Dick Allen Travel Award, and the other grants available through the GCA Trust can be found on our website www.gca.org.uk<http://www.gca.org.uk/>."

Sian has just completed her course at Capel Manor College.

She said: "I was delighted to have won this award for plant identification.

"I would like to say a huge 'thank you' to all at the GCA Trust for sponsoring this award. As an adult learner returning to studying, it was really great to receive an award in recognition of all the hard work I have put in. I am now really looking forward to starting my career in horticulture."

The GCA represents nearly 200 garden centres nationwide.

Through sharing information and its inspection programme, the GCA helps members to achieve high standards in customer service, plant quality and reliability.

For further information, please call 0118 930 8918. Alternatively, please visit www.gca.org.uk<http://www.gca.org.uk/>, log on to www.facebook.com/pages/GardenCentreAssociation<http://www.facebook.com/pages/GardenCentreAssociation> or follow the organisation on Twitter at www.twitter.com/GC_Association<http://www.twitter.com/GC_Association>.