Inaugural Gordon Wilson Horticultural Bursary

A presentation took place of a horticultural bursary in memory of Gordon Wilson who was committed to education and learning throughout his life, valued academic excellence and always encouraged young people in these. He loved the Conservatory and undertook the role of chairman with great enthusiasm for over 10 years.
Mrs Alison Wilson presented the award to Anna Ciborowska, a final year student at Scotland’s Rural College and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, who describes her course as life changing.  She is completing her academic studies by volunteering and conducting botanical surveys for the National Plant Monitoring Scheme and tree health monitoring for Observatree.   Her goal is to secure a job working in a botanic garden blending research with horticultural knowledge in the cultivation and propagation of rare and important species. 
Anna thanked Thea Petticrew, BCL Horticultural Advisor, who organised the award, “I wanted to also say thank you for all your work around this, for your faith in me, and for getting me to the wee gathering on Sunday. I had such a nice time, and everyone was so friendly!  It is great to see such a strong and happy community in these quite stressful times.”