Students interested in horticulture can meet experts in the field and learn about educational opportunities for Bermudians in Britain.

The Garden Club of Bermuda and the Department of Parks are supporting a visit from the Reverend Christopher Colledge, chairman of Bournemouth in Bloom, on the South Coast of England, along with two other visiting delegates until March 1.

Mr Colledge will visit schools and community organisations including the Hamilton Rotary Club and will speak about educational programmes, apprenticeship schemes and enrolment in courses at Bournemouth College.

A spokeswoman for the Garden Club of Bermuda, which provides scholarships for local students interested in horticulture, said: “It goes without saying that The Garden Club of Bermuda has a fundamental interest in horticulture.

“We are a local charity, almost 100 years old, and we have a longstanding commitment to provide annual scholarships to eligible students, wanting to further their education in horticulture and its related subjects.”

Nicholas Colledge, an arborist, will also visit to conduct a tree audit in Bermuda’s local parks, including the Arboretum and Botanical Gardens.

Christopher Evans, a master horticulturalist, will lead workshops with the students and with Garden Club members.

Mr Evans will visit government departments and various properties; where students who enrolled on the Department of Parks’ Skills Development Programme, have now found full-time employment.

The Garden Club of Bermuda will be hosting a public presentation on the Skills Development Programme at the Cathedral Hall on Church Street on Monday at 6pm.

There will be several presentations by Mr Parris and the visitors from Bournemouth, with the programme supported by numerous government departments, the Bermuda Industrial Union, the Department of Court Services and various community agencies.

It provides a hands-on training curriculum, including CPR and health and safety skills to encourage the students to make positive contributions in their community.

The spokeswoman for the Garden Club added: “For the past four years since its inception, the Skills Development Programme, under the very able leadership of Roger Parris and Sam Santucci of the Department of Parks, has partnered with the garden club.

“Through the Garden Club’s fundraising efforts and its scholarship award programme, along with generous donations from local businesses and private individuals, we are able to provide a lunch programme for the students, along with stipends to the trainees at key intervals in their course, as well as purchase tools and equipment for their use.”

All are welcome and light refreshments will be served.