Topic outline
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Staff
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Chris Bird: Chris has had a long career in horticulture both on a practical basis, in well-established and respected nurseries and in a teaching environment, delivering training in Horticulture for students at all levels of the spectrum.
Chris began his career with an apprenticeship at St Bridget Nurseries in Exeter, whilst also attending Bicton College on day release. From 1979 he attended Cannington College for the NCH Commercial course; which led to a move to Hampshire to become a Junior Foreman with Hillier Nurseries in July 1980. Chris moved from commercial nursery stock production into education in 1982 when he joined Sparsholt College in Hampshire as a horticultural technician and part-time lecturer, becoming a full-time lecturer at Sparsholt in July 1996. Chris gained his M Hort (RHS) in 1998.
His teaching experience has ranged from Special Needs to BSc/ M Hort (RHS) level and he has also been the Co-ordinator for Sparsholt College’s Learning Display at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show since May 1998. In addition, Chris works with the RHS as a Professional Associate and EV for the Dublin School of Horticulture. He has co-ordinated the Sparsholt College participation in the Chartered Institute of Horticulture Young Horticulturist of the Year competition since 2000. Also from 2000 Chris has been a private Garden Consultant and he has recently edited a new textbook for the RHS: The Fundamentals of Horticulture, which was published by Cambridge University Press in April 2014.
Chris was a founder member of the Institute of Horticulture. He re-joined the Institute in 2007, and has become a very active member of the South West Branch, who have been very grateful for his involvement and enthusiasm in organising the Young Horticulturist of the Year competition for the branch, a task he took on in 2009. This involves a considerable amount of work and dedication and continues to have an impact in promoting professional Horticulture and engaging younger members. Created a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture in 2014.
In addition, Chris is a long term member of Plant Heritage (NCCPG) and Committee Member for Education for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Group Chris was also Curator of the National Collection of Helianthemum Cultivars until 2013, and is currently working on an application for a National Collection of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Apples for Sparsholt College.
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Ray Broughton: Ray joined Sparsholt College as a lecturer in 1981, during this time he has been a Senior Horticultural lecturer and Head of the Horticulture Department.His Horticultural Qualifications:Master of Horticulture, RHS (stage 1).
National Diploma in Horticulture with Honours.
Certificate in Education.
L.C.G.I of the City and Guilds of London Institute.
In September 2000 the Institute of Horticulture awarded Ray a Fellowship of the Institute in recognition of his services to Horticultural education.
The Methods Ray Uses to Teach:I fully appreciate that you are adults and have considerable life experience and in many cases a good knowledge of horticulture. I will provide handouts, which will cover the main topic area for each lecture. In addition on Ledge there will be additional information which can be downloaded to support the learning process. I enjoy interaction in teaching and therefore I use the whiteboard to support the learning process. In order to assist students, each week I provide regular tests, which are designed to be informative and fun. -
Kelvin Mason: I have worked at Sparsholt College for nearly 14 years now and prior to that I was Parks Manager for Test Valley Borough Council. I teach the RHS practical courses and also work in the work based learning section visiting and guiding apprentices in the horticultural industry. I am an RHS affiliate and mark some of the Level 2 exam papers in unit 2104.
My main interest is vegetable growing and I am the editor of the NVS Simple Vegetables magazine. Also contributing two chapters and the Glossary to the recent RHS book The Fundamentals of Horticulture published by Cambridge University Press in 2014.
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