Awarded annually since 1999 under the patronage of HRH The Prince of Wales, Liveryman, The Prince of Wales Perpetual Challenge Trophy is given to the horticultural student who, in the eyes of the judges, demonstrates a valid commitment to sustainable (which could include organic) horticultural practices.

WHO CAN ENTER? Students undertaking undergraduate/post-graduate programmes or level 3 courses in horticulture; the student’s college/organisation will be asked to confirm his or her application.

Applicants should be able to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable horticulture. Shortlisting will take account of each applicant’s knowledge and experience in this area.

THE PRIZE In addition to the Trophy, the winner will receive a cheque for £500 and a certificate, signed by HRH The Prince of Wales. You will also be invited to dine as a guest of the Worshipful Company of Gardeners in the City of London, when you will be presented with the Trophy, your certificate and cheque, and where you will have the opportunity to meet leading members of the horticultural industry.

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The Worshipful Company of Gardeners25 Luke Street, London, EC2A 4AR

020 7149 6696clerk@gardenerscompany.com

www.gardenerscompany.org.uk

“In view of my practising interest in sustainable gardening and farming I am delighted to have given the trophy to the student who shows the greatest understanding of the theory and techniques of sustainable cultivation. I only hope that many will enter this competition and I wish each and every one of them the best of luck and all possible good fortune for their future career in sustainable horticulture.”

HRH The Prince of Wales

The Worshipful Company of Gardeners believes that the future leaders of the horticultural world should not only understand the principles of sustainable development, but should be able to apply them in practice. The creation of the Olympic Park in the east end of London showed just what could be done in terms of parkland and construction as well as food production and biodiversity. If you aspire to be at the top of your profession, then this competition is one you should enter and enjoy.

Application forms must be completed and returned to The Administrator, HRH The Prince of Wales Trophy, by email heather-b-m@waitrose.com by 21st April 2017.

Shortlisted candidates will be notified by 5th May 2017 and will be invited to attend interviews on 22nd May 2017. Advance booking for travel to London is advised once you are notified that you have been shortlisted. (Travel grants available on request.)

The winning student and his or her tutor (or other guest) will be advised by 26th May 2017 and invited to dine as a guest of the Company on the occasion of the Installation of the Master for the forthcoming year. This will take place on 4th July 2017 in Draper's Hall in the City of London. (A travel grant will be available on request.)

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The Prince of Wales Trophy Application FormPlease read the questions carefully, and type your answers within the text boxes provided – they will expand to allow you to write a maximum of 300 words for each. By all means include your CV with the form, but information it contains should be additional to your answers to the questions and not instead of them.

PERSONAL DETAILS

Full name: ________________________________________________________________

Address (incl. postcode): _____________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________________

Tel nos: Home: __________________________ Mobile: ___________________________

Email address: _____________________________________________________________

Education: School/College Dates: Qualifications:

Declaration, to be completed by the staff member of the college or training organisation supporting your application:

I declare that ______________________________________________________________

has been nominated by ___________________________ (name of college or organisation)

for entry into the competition for HRH The Prince of Wales Trophy for the year 2017.

Signed: ___________________________________________________________________

Name (block capitals): _______________________________________________________

Capacity in which this nomination is made: _______________________________ (Job title)

Date: _____________

Please complete and return the completed application form by email to heather-b-m@waitrose.com, with ‘HRH The Prince of Wales

Trophy 2017 Application’ in the subject line

Please answer the following questions (using no more than 300 words for each answer)

1 What do you consider to be the key aspects of sustainable horticulture?

2 How did your interest in sustainable horticulture first develop?

3 In what ways can you achieve increasing fertility using sustainable principles?

4 What sustainable horticultural experience have you gained to date?

5 Why do you think you should win this award?

6 Please provide a description of a piece of work that you have undertaken that meets the criteria for this award (To illustrate your description, you may attach one photograph).

The Worshipful Company of Gardeners

The Worshipful Company of Gardeners, first mentioned in City Corporation records in 1345, is a survivor from the mediaeval craft guilds, which exercised control over the practice of their particular crafts and ensured that proper training occurred through the system of apprenticeship.

Today, the Company is 66th in the order of precedence of Livery Companies in the City of London and its modern aims are:

To promote the art and practice of good gardening and support educational establishments, which are centres of horticultural excellence.

To support charitable activities connected with horticulture or with the City of London, either financially or by means of practical advice and support.

To promote fellowship amongst gardeners by introducing new members to the Company and to help to beautify the City of London by encouraging the display of flowers and foliage wherever and whenever possible.

The Company is a “living” guild and numbers amongst its members both professionals and amateurs who are actively involved in the craft.

There are several ways in which membership of the Company can be achieved. The number of Liverymen is limited to 300 but the initial category of membership, (Freeman), is unlimited. All categories of membership are open to women and men.

ENDS