Jill Willows thanked for scholarships

Posted 1 March 2014

Harper Adams Development Trust trustee Jill Willows has been thanked for the student scholarships she sponsors. 

Philip Lilly, 25, from Driffield is a final year Bsc Hons Food and Consumer Studies student. He said: “This is the second time I have been awarded the Jill Willows Scholarship and I cannot thank Jill Willows and the committee enough for their generosity. 

“Not only is this Scholarship a great financial help but it also gives you confidence in yourself and the subject you are passionate about. For me it has allowed me to pursue my passion for wine and wine education, especially English sparkling wine. 

“I completed my placement with Majestic wine. This was a great opportunity to expand my wine knowledge at the same time as gaining important industry knowledge. Through Majestic I gained an internationally-recognised qualification, which is often a requirement of employers within the industry. Majestic Wine is a great company to work for and their placement is the perfect opportunity to immerse yourself within the wine world.

“After university I intend to travel for six months (USA, Canada, NZ, Australia) taking in as many vineyards and wine cellars as possible. After this, I would like to work within the English Sparkling Wine industry.”

Fellow scholar Chloe Cross, 21, a third year FdSc Agriculture student, from Surrey, added: “ Being awarded the Jill Willows Scholarship gives me a confidence boost when I think about my future. 

“I have always worked hard when it comes to my studies and my practical work, but having somebody like Jill to recognise me, was a sort of motivation I couldn’t have received from anybody else. I’d like to thank both Jill and my parents, for the interest and support they have shown in my career and to help make my aspirations into reality,” added Chloe, who completed her placement year with Elveden Farms, Suffolk. 

Chloe plans to top-up to the full Bsc (Hons) Agriculture degree, before initially working in farm consultancy, with a view to moving in farm management longer term.