TWO former students will take a trip down memory lane when they visit their old college in York this month.

Leigh Morris, who is chief executive of the National Land Based College, (NLBC) and RHS ambassador Jamie Butterworth are the keynote speakers at a horticultural careers conference at Askham Bryan College on Saturday, November 12.

The conference, which is particularly aimed at secondary school students and careers advisers, will showcase the scope of opportunities across the industry. It has been organised in conjunction with the Chartered Institute of Horticulture and the Grow Careers initiative.

Leigh will give valuable pointers and advice to the horticulturists of tomorrow, highlight some young horticulturalists, who are making their mark, and share memories of his student days, which launched his 30 year- plus year career in the industry before heading up the NLBC.

Leigh said: “My time at Askham Bryan College was transformational. I want to share that enthusiasm at this event, particularly as the aim of the NLBC is to involve the land-based industries and employers far more in education, training, skills development and careers promotion.”

Joining him on the platform will be Jamie Butterworth, an ambassador for the Royal Horticultural Society, who since leaving Askham Bryan three years ago with a level three extended diploma, has gone on to work at RHS Wisley and is now at the plant nursery Hortus Loci, in Hampshire.

Graham Porter, of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, said: “We want to inspire people to think about horticulture as an exciting and rewarding career. There are so many opportunities out there, from turf management with a Premier League football club, to managing the grounds of a stately home to working in plant science or becoming a horticultural writer or TV gardener.”

The institute is offering £50 book token as a raffle prize, as well as giving advice and information from their stand at the event. Doors open at 1pm, and the event is will be held in the college’s conference hall.