As all eight Regional Finals have now occurred, the Chartered Institute of Horticulture has announced the Regional Finalists of the 2022 Young Horticulturist of the Year Competition (YHoY), who are now preparing themselves for the Grand Final on Saturday 7th May at the University of Warwick, Coventry.
One of the following eight finalists will become the 2022 Young Horticulturist of the Year:
Ireland: Sarah Simpson, Teagasc College of Amenity Horticulture
Scotland: Stuart Harding, Historic Environment Scotland
Northern: Lucy Whitehead, Northumberland College
North West & North Wales: Aidan Hopkinson, Professional Gardeners Guild
West Midlands & South Wales: Cameron Docker, University of Warwick
Eastern: Jonathan Strauss, Emmanuel College Cambridge
South East: Charles Shi, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
South West: David Pearce, Whatley Manor
The winner of the competition gains the prestige title of 'Young Horticulturist of the Year' and will receive a £2,500 travel bursary from The Percy Thrower Trust, generously provided by the Shropshire Horticultural Society. The winner can undertake a trip, anywhere in the world, to study a subject related to their chosen field of horticulture.
Kristopher Harper, Competition Vice-Chair, commented: “It was very pleasing to have so many competitors take part in the competition this year. Every Regional was a closely contested competition and I am very much looking forward to meeting the 8 Finalists at the Grand Final on the 7th May. The Competition Chair, Victoria George, and myself are extremely grateful to all the competition sponsors.”
To find out more about the competition and how to take part, visit the Young Horticulturist of the Year page by clicking here.