Earlier this month Cambian Pengwern College’s Young Enterprise Team ‘Pengwern Planters’ received the fantastic news that they had won ‘Team of the Year 2017’ at the All Wales Finals in Cardiff and then found out they had won the UK Team Presentation Award, which was going to be presented to them at the British Film Institute in London.
Before going to London the Pengwern Planters still had several engagements left to attend, including the Wales in Bloom judging days in Rhuddlan and Prestatyn. Here the team went to display the work they had done and explained to the judges their involvement supplying college grown hanging baskets and plants for their towns.
Unbeknownst to the college, ITV Wales News and BBC Radio Wales had picked up their story and joined the team and staff at the Rhuddlan event, interviewing the young people. The students were fantastic and answered the journalists’ questions independently. The story went out on the 6pm ITV Wales national news on the eve of their visit to London and was broadcast the following morning on BBC Radio Wales! You can see the full video including the news coverage and awards ceremony by clicking here.
Two days later, the team and staff travelled to London for the awards ceremony and stayed at the County Hall Hotel next to the London Eye. It was a perfect summer evening on the Southbank and the Pengwern Planters glammed up and looked very smart dressed in their suits and ties ready for the big event. At the BFI, the atmosphere was one of excitement and anticipation as students from colleges and schools across the UK prepared to go on stage.
Steph McGovern, a BBC Breakfast presenter was hosting the awards ceremony and the Cambian Group Directors joined the team in the packed audience to celebrate. One member of the team, Corey, who had won the Sir John Moores' Award for Wales, was nominated as one of three UK finalists for the UK Sir John Moores' Award and went up on stage to collect his amazing prize.
As the evening progressed, the UK Team awards were announced and Pengwern Planters came fourth in the Best UK Team Trade Stand category. Jordan, David and Corey representing the team went on stage to collect the 'Best UK Team Presentation Award' and Jordan lifted the award above his head several times as footballers do when they win the FA Cup, much to the delight of the audience who whooped and cheered with approval! After the awards ceremony the team and staff socialised with the Young Enterprise managers from North Wales and celebrated their achievements.
As a parting treat, the Cambian Directors had booked the team a flight on the London Eye. The young people enjoyed the 4D cinema experience which explained the story of the London Eye, before embarking on to their private gondola! It was David's birthday so as the gondola reached the highest point on the Eye everybody burst into singing "Happy Birthday" to him - what an amazing birthday treat!
Well done to Cambian Pengwern College 'Pengwern Planters' on all your success and to the staff for their phenomenal support!