Bishop Burton College Gamekeeping student awarded inaugural Memorial trophy for UKs Best Apprentice
Ben Pocklington, a gamekeeping student at Bishop Burton College, has become the first ever winner of the Frank Jenkins Trophy for the best gamekeeping student or apprentice of the academic year.
Ben (18) hails from Authorpe near Louth in Lincolnshire and was nominated for the award by his tutor at Bishop Burton College, Norman Dalleywater, and supported by Joseph Nickerson Farms on whose Rothwell Estate he also works as an apprentice.
Both said he was an exceptional young gamekeeper and although nominations were received for students from colleges all over the country, Ben emerged as the winner after judging was carried out by NGO President, David Clark, and by Brian Hayes of the NGO Educational Trust.
Bishop Burton College principal Jeanette Dawson paid tribute to Bens fantastic achievement.
She said: Its always gratifying to see one of our students win a prestigious award such as this, but when its the first ever presentation of a trophy its very special indeed.
Its clear Ben is a very talented and determined young man and to see his efforts rewarded in this way is very pleasing.
Ben received the handsome annual trophy, an engraved glass tankard to keep and a coat, kindly presented by Frank’s family.
Frank Jenkins was a keeper for 63 years who was still gamekeeping when he died aged 83. He worked particularly in Worcestershire and Buckinghamshire and was represented at the presentation by his son Martin (also a gamekeeper) and daughter Jennifer.