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Blue Peter Gardener Returns to City College

14 December 2006

Blue Peter Gardener Returns to City College

Blue Peter gardener and 'plantsman' Chris Collins recently returned to the College where he first honed his horticultural skills to give an illustrated talk about an exciting conservation project in Cameroon, West Africa.

Chris Collins with students Melissa Hopson and Chris Brown

Chris Collins with students Melissa Hopson and Chris Brown

Chris told Horticulture students at City College Brighton and Hove about his plant exploration work and described his involvement in renovating the Limbe Botanic and Zoological garden (LBZG) - the oldest garden of its kind in Africa. LBZG is internationally recognized as one of the most active gardens in tropical West and Central Africa. It serves as a natural gateway to the Mount Cameroon region, one of the world's biodiversity hotspots. LBZG has established itself as one of the most important centres for biodiversity conservation and research in sub-Saharan Africa.

Chris says:

'I feel that it's important to keep involved with my former College and give something back. The students will be creating a tropical garden at Hampton Court Flower Show next year so finding out about the amazing project I've seen in Cameroon hopefully gave them some inspiration.'

Student Melissa Hopson says:

'Chris's talk was really inspiring and informative and his slides gave us a real flavour of all his adventures in Africa. It's got me thinking about all the options and further studies that are open to me in Horticulture.'

For City College media enquiries, please call Brian Bell, Marketing Communications Officer, on 01273 667788 Ext. 488 or email bb1@ccb.ac.uk

About City College Brighton and Hove: Founded over 100 years ago, City College Brighton and Hove has become an international centre of excellence. Every year over 2,000 full-time and 13,000 part time students as well as many international and European students choose City College as their education provider. The College provides training to over 2,000 businesses and has a 'City Business Skills' department which focuses on employers' needs. Offering over 650 courses from basic level to pre-University level, City College is working with its partners to develop the workforce of the future.