Two students from Writhlington, Tom Forsyth and Jacob Coles have become the people ever to earn a place on the British Orchid Council judge training scheme.

Tom explained “We just started a process that will take about three years. During this time we will have to pass judging tests all around the UK and get involved in as much judging as possible.”

Once qualified the pair will be accredited to judge at orchid shows across the world but so far they have just been as far as Exmouth where they helped judge the plants at the Devon Orchid Society show. Jacob described the day as “A brilliant experience and really interesting. To judge well you have to be really observant and also have a good knowledge of what each plant is capable of.”

Tom and Jacob also helped to put on the display for the Somerset, Wiltshire and Dorset Orchid Society and were rewarded with a number of rosettes and cups for plants grown at Writhlington?