The success and the achievements of this year’s cohort of students at Duchy College Rosewarne has been celebrated at the college’s annual Prize Day Ceremony, watched by an audience of friends, family and lecturers.

Certificates were given to all students completing their courses this summer with special awards going to those who have shown an outstanding dedication to their studies and the college.

Guest of honour was Michael Perry, new product development manager at Thompson & Morgan, who presented the certificates, prizes and special awards. He talked about the sorts of jobs you can have in the horticulture industry and gave some insight into how exciting it can be travelling the world looking for new plants.

He said: “It was a really good day. It was quite frantic as there were so many students winning awards for things they’ve achieved in the last year. It’s been especially important to me because I was at college probably 20 years ago and now two generations on, this is the first time I’ve been in front of students in that way.

"Hopefully I’ve inspired them and given them some ideas as to the sorts of jobs you can do, which in my role is a very different type of horticulture, not just digging the garden that everybody tends to think horticulture is; horticulture can be really cool. I’ve just flown back from Japan where I’ve been giving lectures and demonstrations and I literally get to travel the world looking for new plants.”

Carol Harvey from Cubert, won Overall Top Student, the Paradise Park Barnaby Owl Award for Outstanding Contributions to Native Species Conservation in Cornwall and Top Student for Countryside and Wildlife Management Extended Diploma Level three.

The Steve Parson’s Award for greatest personal achievement went to Zach Taylor from Wadebridge. Awards were also presented to students aged under-16 from schools around the region, who spend one day a week on a vocational course at the college.

A number of business owners were also in attendance and celebrated the success of the hundreds of apprentices who have taken part in a work-based learning programme with Duchy College over the last 12 months.

Following the presentations, students and guests were treated to strawberries and cream teas as they said goodbye to their peers and looked to the future.

Andrew Counsell, principal of Duchy College, said: “We take great pride in celebrating all of our students’ achievements. It’s been a wonderful afternoon and I’d like to wish all those who have finished their studies with Duchy College good luck for the future.”