Business owner Robin Cook (Craftsman Horticulturist) qualified as Top Apprentice with Glasgow City Council in 1976 after serving a four year apprenticeship. He passed his City and Guilds Stage 1 and 2 in Horticulture Principles and Practice and Amenity and notably passed with credit in Ornamental Horticulture. Glasgows then Lord Provost Peter McCann presented him with the Diary Prize, and the Practical Aptitude Prize, for Final Year Apprentice and awarded him with his Indenture Papers confirming him as Craftsman Gardener Grade 1.
After looking after the Kibble Palace tree ferns and other houses in Glasgow Botanic Gardens, Robin moved onto Bellahouston tree and shrub nursery as Chargehand in 1977. Then at the age of 22, in late Autumn 1978, after rapid advancement, he became one of the youngest Foremen in Glasgow Parks and Recreation Department.
His responsibilities were for the Grounds Maintenance of the famous Kelvingrove Park with all its lawns, flower schemes, bowling, putting and croquet greens. George Square, the great city landmark,with its floral displays and daily event schedule was also a part of his remit.
He was also responsible for managing and overseeing the good housekeeping of the main depot with it’s offices, tool stores, machinery workshop, canteen and washroom facilities as well as various satellite depots and yards and their regular cleaning programmes. In addition to this he ensured the regular servicing, maintenance and cleanliness of machines and vehicles.
Robin was invited onto The Value for Money team set up in Glasgow around 1986/87 for the introduction of Compulsory Competitive Tendering. He then moved onto Strathkelvin District Council (now East Dunbartonshire) at the end of 1989 as Assistant Grounds Maintenance Manager.
Robin left Local Authority in 1998, and established Finishing Touch Professional Gardening, in November of that year and has not looked back.
Full list of Robin’s qualifications and credentials:
4 year apprenticeship 1972-1976 with Glasgow Parks Department successfully qualifying as Craftsman Gardener Grade 1
The Glasgow Parks Certificate
City and Guilds Certificate in Horticulture Principles and Practice Stage 1
City and Guilds Certificate in Horticulture Principles and Practice Stage 2
City and Guilds Certificate in Horticulture Machinery Stage 1
SCE “O” Grade in Horticultural Science
Full B.A.S.I.S. Certificate in Crop Protection(Amenity Horticulture)
NEBOSH Managing Safely Certificate
NEBSS Certificate in Supervisory Management
Industrial Society Certificate in Action Centred Leadership
PA1 and PA6 Pesticide Certificates
Also trained as Fully Competent in RISK and COSHH Assessments at Elmwood College, Fife.
