Horticulture lecturer gets top honour at Lantra awards

Borders College Horticulture Lecturer Nigel Gibb had a nice surprise at the recent Lantra awards, held at Dunblane Hydro, after being awarded the Jean’s Jam Award for the most inspiring mentor.

Nigel, who was attending the awards along with his former student Reece McNaughton, who won the Horticulture category and was also the overall runner-up for Land-based Learner of the Year, was then himself invited to the stage to receive the Jean’s Jam Award 2018.

After receiving the trophy and hamper of jams and chutneys Nigel commented:

“I was really honoured to receive this award and it came as a shock given I was there to support my student. After hearing about how this award was established, I now feel very humbled to receive it.”

The award, which was donated by training instructor Elspeth Watson in memory of her friend Jean Costello, recognises the most inspiring mentor for the land-based and aquaculture learner of the year finalists.

Davie Lowe, Head of Faculty, said:

“Nigel is an extremely hardworking and passionate member of the Land-based team and I am delighted that he has been recognised in this way at these national awards.”

The first ever recipient of the Jean’s Jam Award was Alison Robertson, a horse care lecturer at Borders College, who won the award in 2015.