Helen Cultivates a Passion for Horticulture with Part Time Study

An interest in gardening has blossomed into a passion for one Bangor woman who has just completed her fourth horticulture course at South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC’s) Holywood Campus – and who is now looking forward to enrolling on a fifth! 

Helen McAneney, from Bangor, has just attained a Level 2 Award in Botanical Art and has been taking part-time Horticulture courses at SERC since 2020.  

She says, "I initially took Garden Design as I had always enjoyed my garden and wanted to develop my knowledge. That course was about planning a garden, putting your ideas on paper and creating something from nothing.  I discovered a real passion, and I have kept coming back. I have studied gardening skills, then progressed to an RHS level 2 Certificate in Horticulture. This is the UK standard, and a recognised qualification for people to go into horticulture as a career, though it’s also great for gardeners wanting to learn the how and why of their hobby. 

“I now have the Level 2 in Botanical Art under my belt, and I’m looking forward to starting on organic fruit and vegetable growing in September!” 

Helen finds the courses fit around her family commitments and her work as an academic researcher, and she has even taken on some horticulture work as well. She says 

“I didn’t arrive at SERC with a grand plan for going into horticulture but along the way my love for the subject flourished - it doesn’t feel like studying, it doesn’t feel like work! It’s been fantastic – meeting like-minded people, learning from expert staff who are very attentive and work with whatever skills you have and to develop you in whatever ways you want. It’s a very gentle learning environment; you do get actual qualifications such as the OCN but it’s all very accessible to anyone at any level. 

“The facilities are fantastic, with the beautiful outdoor space being as much a classroom as the indoors. Everyone is made welcome, from the novice to the expert – we all get our boots muddy and our hands dirty together.” 

As a committed lifelong learner, Helen is encouraging other adults to explore part-time courses and develop skills and knowledge:   “I came here in 2020 and I’m still here and intending to stay a bit longer so that speaks for itself!  I am very much still enjoying the learning experience and want to learn more from the knowledgeable staff – also continuing to putting what I’ve learnt into practice and then passing on knowledge to my two children. Outside the course you can come and volunteer to work on this fabulous campus on Tuesdays or Friday and I’ve been involved in that for a while. It’s great to do things on a scale you probably wouldn’t have at home, and we are all continuing to learn by doing.”