HUNDREDS of students, their families and Pershore College staff packed into Pershore Abbey for the annual awards ceremony.

Julia Page, vice principal for Land Based, outlined the achievements of the college and its students over the past year.

She said the college’s work with employers was “going from strength to strength” and that the merger with Warwickshire College had been a success.

“I feel Pershore College is truly part of Warwickshire College while retaining its own identity,” she said.

Mrs Page said the college’s animal centre now had a larger number and range of animals, and the old glasshouses had been demolished and were being replaced by four separate teaching areas.

The industry group Pershore Forward that aims to take the horticulture business on was giving excellent support to the college.

The awards were presented by Geoff Caesar, managing director of Bransford Webbs Plant Company.

Award winners:

GMS Cup for the top student on the National Certificate in Floristry course: Emily Wand

College Prize for the most improved student on the Design And Craft Certificate in Floristry course: Pauline Pitchford

College Prize for the most improved student on the Design And Craft Certificate in Wedding Design Course: Elizabeth Hulse

College Prize for the most improved student on the Design And Craft Certificate in Additional Floristry course: Susan Manning

College Prize for the most improved student on the Skills For Working Life course: Melissa Hamer

Worcester NFU Award for the Horticultural Trainee Of The Year: Jessica Potter

The Joyce Beck Trophy for the top student on the full-time National Certificate in Horticulture course: Jason Beaumont

Wyevale Nurseries Shield for the top student on the part-time National Certificate in Horticulture course: Mia Laucht

College Prize for the top student on the Certificate in Gardening course: Carol Franklin

Hurrans Shield for the top student on the National Diploma in Horticulture – production option course: Elizabeth Davies

Chelsea Cup for the top student on the National Diploma in Horticulture – design and landscape option course: William Weston

College Prize for the most improved student on the National Award in Garden Design course: Alison Martin

College Prize for the top student on the RHS Certificate course: Andrea Russell

College Prize for the most improved student on the Certificate in Land-based Studies course: Martyn Hadley

College Prize for the top student on the HNC in Garden Design course: Carolyn Strudwick

Institute of Horticulture Award for the top student on the HNC in Professional Gardening course: Ernest Bratt

College Prize for the top student on the HNC in Organic Horticulture course: Alison Giles

Blakedown Cup for the top student on the HND Horticulture Crop Production – management option: Samuel Tyrrell

College Prize for the top student on the HND Amenity & Landscape Management option: Rachel Pearson

Percy Picton Memorial Fund Prize for the student producing the best dissertation: Phillip Smith

Mrs Christopher Wilson Rose Bowl for the top student on the BSc Honours Degree – amenity and landscape management option course: Phillip Smith

College Prize for the most improved student on the Foundation Degree in Food Safety and Quality Management course: Rachael Young

College Prize for the most improved student on the BSc Honours Degree Food Safety and Quality Management course: Rebecca Arnold

Brooklyn Motors Achievement Award for the best Motor Vehicle student: Samuel Davies

Pershore Book Prize for the best Practical Sports student: Luke Harrison

Pershore Book Prize for the best Academic Sports student: Luke Harrison

Pershore Book Prize for the best Nursing Assistant student: Jessica Hughes

Pershore Book Prize for the most improved Animal Care student: Tristan Palmer

Pershore Book Prize for the best Practical Animal Care student overall: Kirsty Addleton

Pershore Book Prize for the best Animal Care student overall: Jack Constable

Pershore Book Prize for the best Higher Education Animal Care student: Mollie Lloyd

Worshipful Company of Fruiterers Award for student who shows aptitude and interest in fruit production: Kate Dunn

John Walker Plantsmanship Shield for outstanding plant knowledge: Alison Howells

David Colegrove Foundation Award for the student in receipt of an award from the David Colegrave Foundation: Kathryn Acheson

The Notcutt Prize for the best student plot: David Moss

IPPS Award for the student who shows excellence in plant propagation: Robin Aschoff

Richard Martyr Memorial Award for the student who shows a high level of service to the community: Charlotte Newitt

Christopher Webb – Presidents Shield for the student other than the student union president who has contributed most to the social life of the college: Luke Patching

Worshipful Company of Gardeners Cup for the Student Union President: Jason Daff