York Gate takes on first garden and greenhouse trainee

Garden and greenhouse fans who like to keep up to date with Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) matters may be interested to hear that the first trainee gardener has begun work at the organisations Recommended Garden at York Gate.

The one-acre site is part of a new initiative that sees charity Perennial fund on-the-job training for horticultural enthusiasts at historic gardens.

So far, 11 trainees have begun work across the UK, with Jack Ogg becoming the first to take up tools at the attraction, which is located near Leeds.

York Gate has developed a reputation for creativity and innovation, thanks to features such as its Canal Garden and White Garden.

Mr Ogg has experience of working at the site as a volunteer, as well as in local garden centres and landscaping firms.

As well as working at York Gate, the trainee will spend half of his year helping out at Harewood House, which is located close by.

In other news, the RHS recently revealed that the Forestry Commission is worried that climate change could be having a detrimental effect on Scotlands forests.