First graduates bloom at Lowther Castle School of Horticulture and scholarship programme grows

More than 60 students attended the school, gaining certificates in garden design and horticulture. 

NR Training – trading name Newton Ring Ltd

The courses are part of NR Training, the trading name of Newton Rigg Ltd – a local, independent organisation formed to protect the future of specialist land-based education in Cumbria for the benefit of generations to come.

Head of Horticulture and Garden Design at The school of Horticulture based at Lowther Castle and Gardens, Shelagh Todd said: “The first year has been a great success and we will be launching a new Designing with Plants course which will be taught at Holehird Gardens near Windermere in 2022/23 – as well as repeating our Certificate and Diploma in Horticulture courses in September and our Garden Design courses starting in September 2022 and January 2023 at Lowther.  

Encouraging the next generation of horticulturists

“We are very passionate about encouraging the next generation of horticulturists into our industry. We are therefore delighted to be offering two Horticultural Scholarships for anyone aged 18 – 25. 

“The scholarship will allow two young people to study on our Certificate and Diploma in Horticulture courses (one day per week for two academic years) for free.”

Chair of Cumbria in Bloom, Ronnie Auld said: “To have a new School of Horticulture in our county ensures the future of gardening and plantsmanship will continue to flourish in Cumbria.”

Details of the courses and scholarship are available from the website: www.nrtraining.co.uk