Grassroots issue 30

THE LATEST NEWS FROM REASEHEATH | ISSUE 30

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Everyone’s a winner at Family Festival

Florists flourish at RHS Chelsea

16 Record RAG benefits local charities

Motor vehicle students rally experience GrassRoots - Summer 2018.indd 1

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Outstanding Investment

Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ for Care Standards Reaseheath continues to be rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted for the overall experiences and progress of its students.

Introducing our new Principal Our Principal Meredydd David OBE has retired after 14 years at the helm and has passed over the reins to an equally pro-active and capable leader, Marcus Clinton.

Our latest inspection found that we offer remarkable experiences and opportunities for students and that they make excellent progress while at college.

We are commended for providing the very best experiences which significantly improve the potential of our students, and for our ‘exceptional relationships and strong family values that help students thrive.’

Ofsted inspectors found that we provide first-rate services which help and protect our students and prepare them for safe and happy futures, pointing out ‘the students’ experience of moving on from college and their continuing career success is excellent’.

They also noted that our high calibre safeguarding practice encouraged students to develop personal strategies for staying safe while offering outstanding support when needed.

Find out more at: www.reaseheath.ac.uk/ofsted-care-standards-report

Marcus has been a senior manager within the education sector for many years and also has strong commercial experience. His last position was as Principal of a Further Education (FE) College with land-based provision similar to our own. He is looking forward to taking Reaseheath forwards and shaping our next chapter of excellence and development.

He says: “I am very proud and delighted to be leading the Reaseheath Group including DART Training.

“These are challenging times in the FE sector, with tight funding and the great scale of change we are going through. But never has there been a more important time for the specialist, technical education we offer and never has this been more recognised in the wider press and by Government.

“As a result, there are many opportunities as FE, HE and Apprenticeships are reformed to deliver the skills and people employers need. I am confident that, thanks to Reaseheath’s talented staff and infrastructure, we can continue to deliver first class education and training and in doing so support rural industries and communities and contribute greatly to the economy.

“I very much look forward to continue getting to know staff, students and our wider community and I am certain we will continue to achieve positive outcomes and transform lives.”

Students travel safely and in style A fleet of high quality coaches has been contracted to transport students between our campus and their homes throughout Cheshire and surrounding counties.

The network of 24 coach services provide students with FREE home to college transport from as far away as the Wirral, Macclesfield, Stockport, Telford, Uttoxeter Shrewsbury, Craven Arms and Ruthin.

Around 1,500 students used college transport daily in the last academic year to access Reaseheath’s specialist facilities and education. The students include apprentices and day release trainees from regional businesses as well as those on full-time diplomas and degrees.

The “Executive” specification coaches, provided by coach company Harry Shaw, are fitted with 3-point seat belts and vehicle tracking technology and most are equipped with toilets, air conditioning, CCTV and USB charging points.

Ensuring that our students have safe, reliable and comfortable transport between home and college rates very highly within our duty of care and is part of our ethos of making our superb campus as accessible and affordable as possible.

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Investment in world class facilities and resources continues Reaseheath has some of the best specialist facilities and resources in the country, thanks to a continuing £80 million investment across campus.

Over recent years £50 million has been spent on industry standard training facilities and student accommodation, and a further £30 million of new build will be available to students from September 2018. This investment has been support funded by the Cheshire & Warrington Local Enterprise Partnership.

These facilities are recognised as among the best in the country and their design has been influenced by industry to ensure they meet the future needs of our students and employers.

These superb new facilities include:

Advanced Engineering and Agri-Tech Centre

Advanced Engineering and Agri-Tech Centre (£8 million) This exciting project has involved an overhaul of our agricultural engineering and motor vehicle departments and will also benefit our agriculture and countryside departments. It will allow us to deliver next generation skills in precision engineering and precision farming and also provides dedicated centres for our construction plant academy and a rail services centre and transport infrastructure teaching hub.

Our students will enjoy five modern workshops with practical teaching areas, fitted with the latest technical equipment.

There is also a showroom for product launches and industry events.

New Halls of Residence

New teaching and technical classrooms, including a tractor simulator, offices and tutorial rooms, are also part of the build.

Halls of Residence (£13 million) Named after local country houses, our latest halls of residence will provide a further 200 purpose built bedrooms in modern, town house style blocks, each containing a communal ground floor with shared kitchen, lounge and dining area. Bedrooms and bathrooms are on the upper floors. This new build will bring the total accommodation on campus to over 900 and cater for increased demand.

Sports Science and Performance Academy (£6 million) For use by students and our local community outside college hours, our new sports hub has a 3G International rugby standard floodlit sports pitch and a Multi Use Games Area (MUGA) floodlit all weather sports pitch.

The sports centre has a four court sports hall with separate changing and shower rooms for pitch and hall users.

Equipped with carpet flooring and a stage, the sports hall can also be used for exams, conferences and presentations.

The building has disabled facilities.

Two connecting classrooms are dedicated to sports science and have specialised equipment including an altitude chamber, an Olympic lifting platform and sports massage equipment.

University Centre Reaseheath (£2 million with Centre Point)

This major extension, to accommodate rising numbers in undergraduates, provides two, 80 seat, interconnected lecture theatres with retractable seating and a motorised dividing wall. This can also be used as a single lecture theatre with seating for 160. The project also provides further seminar rooms and tutorial pods.

Centre Point

Focused on improving study areas for our Further Education students, we have installed a mezzanine floor in our library providing further study areas and a reading zone with computers. A new IT room with 18 fixed computers has been added under the mezzanine and the number of laptops has been increased.

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Higher Education Graduation

Reaseheath degrees lead to worldwide opportunities Successful graduates from University Centre Reaseheath had their degrees conferred at a ceremony at St Mary’s Church, Nantwich.

Sharing congratulations with a capacity audience of families and employers, Principal Meredydd David confirmed that our specialist technical qualifications gave graduates the skills and competitive edge to succeed. This was because the degrees were designed, resourced and delivered in partnership with the relevant industries and led to worldwide opportunities.

This successful partnership resulted in 91% of graduates gaining related jobs within six months of completing their degree, with the great majority feeling well prepared for employment.

The number of Reaseheath undergraduates who were happy with the quality of teaching and support was above the national average and an impressive 40% achieved a high classification degree.

Guest of honour was BBC Countryfile presenter Ellie Harrison (pictured left with Robert Yardley).

Seven graduates were singled out for the excellence of their studies:

Special Recognition Awards n Louise Swindells (Outstanding Achievement in Undergraduate Research) n Robert Yardley (Academic Excellence Award in Agricultural Science) n Alastair Bowles (National Skills Academy Award: Best Academic Student) n Mark Panczak (Society of Dairy Technology Award: Best Student Project)

The Dean’s List for Academic Excellence n Robert Yardley (Foundation Degree in Agriculture) n Alastair Bowles (Foundation Degree in Dairy Technology) n Mark Panczak (Foundation Degree in Dairy Technology) n Jamie Stevenson (Foundation Degree in Countryside Conservation and Recreational Management) n Louise Swindells (BSc (Hons) Equine Science) n Chloe Lewis (BSc (Hons) Equine Science) n Dave Cutler (Foundation Degree in Garden and Landscape Design).

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Adventure Sports Joseph Philips and Pete Harvey with Course Manager Matt Chapman and Ellie Harrison

Agriculture Successful graduates celebrate

Business Jessica Palin with Course Manager Jonathan Gateley and Ellie Harrison

Equine Science Louise Swindells, Dannii Benson, Faye McTigue

Landscape Design Graduates with Course Manager Craig Bailey

Countryside Graduates with Dr Richard Sandland and Ellie Harrison

Food Science Mark Panczak (Arla Foods) with Ellie Harrison

Equine Science Graduates celebrate

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Further Education Graduation

Cross college award winners are joined by Eileen Milner, Chief Executive of the Education and Skills Funding Agency, Chair of Governors Richard Ratcliffe and Principal Meredydd David

Celebration time for Further Education students One of the country’s most successful specialist colleges, Reaseheath continues to notch up record student enrolments and achievements.

Our annual awards ceremony celebrated the success of 1141 Further Education students who achieved specialist technical qualifications this year.

Further good news is that over 90% of students will progress into employment or onto higher level courses – proof that Reaseheath delivers the knowledge, skills and qualifications that employers and universities are actively seeking.

Students joining our hugely important land based industries are definitely making the right choice, as the sector employs four million people and will offer 500,000 new and replacement jobs by 2020. Our well trained and qualified students can look forward to fantastic career opportunities!

Here they are enjoying their long awaited awards ceremony!

Outstanding students who received cross college awards:

Best contribution to college life

n Rowan Braunton (Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture) As well as being a model student, Rowan is a talented DJ with an almost cult following among students. Always measured and professional, he used his popularity to encourage students to enjoy themselves responsibly and was respected by both staff and students.

Best all round contribution n Ellie Thomas (BSc (Hons) Wildlife, Conservation and Ecology) As Student Association Vice President (Academic and Curriculum), Ellie had represented the student body with confidence and maturity at Governors’ meetings. She had also taken the lead on 15 campaigns which had included improving Reaseheath’s approach to sustainability, broadening the careers offer college-wide and improving student awareness of alcohol and substance abuse.

Personal qualities n Megan Marriott (Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care) Despite initially being shy, Megan had developed into a mature, conscientious and responsible young person who was an exceptional role model for younger residential students. The Under 18s Rep on the Student Association and a member of the Freshers’ Crew, she was also a college ambassador and brought the Reaseheath experience to life for prospective students and parents.

Sporting activities n William Payne (Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture) An exceptional rugby player, both on and off the pitch, Will had been a key player for the college team as well as playing Colts games for Crewe and Nantwich. Following his middle year industrial placement, Will used his enhanced management skills to help lead the team through an outstanding season concluding with third place in the North West AoC Sports League and runners-up position in the Regional 7s tournament.

Excellence in Maths: n Sarah Burgess (Level 2 Extended Certificate in Horse Management) n Rico Garoui (Level 3 Diploma in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair) n Callum McHugh (Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Adventure Sport)

Excellence in English: n Matthew Marsh (Level 2 Diploma in Animal Care) n Molly Johnson (Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma in Agriculture) n Zak Finch (CSKILLS Level 1 Diploma in Plastering)

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Agriculture Alice Cork, Rowan Braunton, James Monton, Siobhan Rutter

Engineering Rory Scott

Equine Holly Ryan

Motor Vehicle Daniel Malyon

Sport Sophie Nagington

Agriculture Annie Fairclough

Floristry Caroline Boey and Chloe Morgan

Animal Management Kelly Clague

Countryside Alex Colclough

Horticulture Ashleigh Goldstraw

Business and Events Rachel Woodward

Construction Jonathan Price

Bakery and Patisserie Abigail Donaldson

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Apprenticeship Awards

Sam Potts, Assessor Liz Percival

Bombardier Transportation

Apprentices honoured in awards ceremony A head girl at a dressage yard and a dairy herd manager took the top titles at our annual Apprenticeship Awards.

Laura Gunnell, who works for Juwel Equestrian in Winsford, was crowned ‘Level 2 Apprentice of the Year’ while Sofy Ellison, who manages a dairy herd at Marton Hall Farm, Macclesfield, for Grassland Farming Ltd. was awarded ‘Advanced Apprentice of the Year’.

‘Employer of the Year’ went to Bombardier Transportation, which has 14 apprentices enrolled at Reaseheath.

The ceremony marked the achievements of 157 apprentices and trainees who completed their qualifications with us in 2017. It celebrated the benefits which apprentices bring to businesses and the national economy by increasing productivity and providing workforce succession.

n Best Construction Apprentice James Lewis (MSL Contracts, Stockport) n Best Agricultural Apprentice Sam Potts (Brookfields Farm, Siddington) n Best Food Apprentice Daniel Ryan (Hurst Village Bakery, Wirral) n Best Engineering Apprentice Mark Smith (Aimia Foods Ltd, Warrington) n Best Construction Plant Maintenance Apprentice Harry Hughes (Keltbray Aspire Ltd., Crewe) n Best Vehicle Parts Apprentice Alex Bebbington (Church Minshull Aqueduct Marina) n Motor Vehicle and Light Vehicle Maintenance Certificate of Excellence Kristian Yoxall (Astbury Garage, Congleton).

Catherine Barnett, Sophie Anderson, Andy Smith, Michaela Atterbury

Alex Bebbington

Bethany Gerrard

The Reaseheath Group, which includes DART Training in Derbyshire, is the largest provider of land-based apprenticeships in the country. We currently have 1,500 apprentices in training and record successful completion rates which are more than 8% above the national average.

Other principle winners were: n Best Animal Care Apprentice Sophie Anderson (Wuff Wash, Wallasey) n Best Level 3 Equine Apprentice Bethany Gerrard (Denstone Stud, Uttoxeter) n Best Level 2 Equine Apprentice Laura Gunnell (Juwel Equestrian, Winsford) n Best Horticulture Apprentice Peter Lewis (Royal Liverpool Golf Club, Hoylake)

Laura Gunnell and Sofy Ellison

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News from University Centre Reaseheath Undergraduates present at BIAZA Conference In an exciting first for University Centre Reaseheath, four zoo management undergraduates presented their dissertations at the annual British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) Research Conference.

Undergraduates join BBC Brexit discussion Agriculture undergraduates discussed the impact of Brexit on the food and farming industry on BBC Radio 5 Live’s flagship financial series ‘Wake up to Money’.

The programme, broadcast from our lambing sheds, featured BSc Agricultural Business Management undergraduates George Browne and Rachel Armour and Agriculture Course Managers James Bickerton and Helen Machin.

They were joined by Terry Jones, Director General of the NFU, and Sam Watson-Jones, Co-Founder of the Small Robot Company, a start up business

which is revolutionising the way that technology - particularly Artificial Intelligence - is used to create food.

All speakers were commended for their balanced and informed views. Our undergraduates in particular earned praise from business and farming experts for the effective way they represented the next generation of farmers.

Collaborative projects could lead to mutually beneficial opportunities Ways in which our undergraduates could work with businesses to the benefit of both were examined at an informative event held on campus.

The Innovation, Research and Development Showcase highlighted the advanced level and scope of academic research and trials being carried out through University Centre Reaseheath.

It was aimed at encouraging mutually beneficial collaborations which would allow undergraduates to carry out high quality research projects and problem solving for companies and, in return, gain essential industry experience.

Ofsted has commended Reaseheath for its strong links with local and national employers, so this next step adds value to those partnerships through collaborative projects.

This prestigious conference is a key event for researchers and scientists from the zoo world and enables delegates to listen to and discuss latest findings.

Our undergraduates were encouraged to put forward their projects by Dissertation Supervisor James Brereton, who also presented at the conference along with Yvette FouldsDavis, HE Programme Leader for Animal Sciences.

Since then a paper by James Shora (pictured) has been published as a piece of scientific literature. His research showed that the coati (a South American carnivore) is less likely to fight over whole food than over chopped food. This completely reverses what has been believed previously and could influence the way captive coatis are fed.

Liam Southern delivered a poster presentation on the porcupine enrichment project he ran at Reaseheath’s Zoo, Sam Shaw gave a poster presentation on enclosure use by captive sun bears, while Sam Stringwell’s presentation asked whether the plastic zoo animals offered for sale by toy manufacturers was a true representation of zoo collections.

Contact Liz Griffiths 01270 616462, liz.griffiths@reaseheath.ac.uk

The event drew representatives from small and medium businesses and has led to fruitful further discussion.

Undergraduates and staff are already carrying out scientific research within the food supply chain and for natural flood management.

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News from University Centre Reaseheath Landscape Architecture undergrad gains scholarship BSc in Landscape Architecture undergraduate Jake Jackson has been awarded a Student Scholarship by the David Colegrave Foundation.

Jake progressed onto his degree after completing his Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture with us. Alongside his studies he’s expanding his practical experience by working part-time as a technician in our industry standard glasshouses.

Jake is particularly interested in production horticulture and will use his ÂŁ1,000 bursary to buy technical equipment which will enable him to increase his knowledge by experimenting with new crops and seeds.

The David Colegrave Foundation supports the development of UK horticultural students and champions careers in commercial and production ornamental horticulture. www.davidcolegravefoundation.org.uk

Oasis plan will benefit local residents Plans to turn unloved scrubland into an oasis for local families have been drawn up by undergraduates.

The proposals are for land adjacent to the former Redsands, a disused children’s home which is being redeveloped into a specialist care home for dementia patients. The project was identified by Course Manager and Parish Councillor Craig Bailey as a green space which would benefit from improvements.

The undergraduates, who are studying for degrees in Landscape Architecture and Environmental Conservation and

Land Management, suggest turning the neglected plot, which belongs to Cheshire East Council, into a haven for residents and wildlife.

Their plans, which include a pond and bridge, boardwalks, sensory planting, play areas and a picnic area, have received the backing of Sarah Pochin, Cheshire East Ward Councillor for Willaston and Rope, and of Willaston Parish Council Chairman Maurice Jones.

Top speaker empowers florists to serve better and sell bigger Floristry undergraduates received top tips on how to make their businesses flourish from customer service and sales guru Tim Huckabee, founder and president of FloralStrategies.

Tim presented an insightful on-site training day featuring techniques to help independent florists thrive and prosper through better sales and service.

Based in New York, Tim is famed throughout the industry for his effective business education and training and works with thousands of retail florists around the world. His presentation, to a packed audience of Level 4 Higher Diploma in Floristry undergraduates and other professionals, showed how superior service and effective communication could drive up profits.

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First life lessons for puppies Nine adorable rescued puppies received the best start in life thanks to undergraduates on our Foundation Degree in Canine Behaviour and Training.

The Staffordshire bull terrier x American bulldogs had their first training lessons at our Animal Centre in preparation for finding forever homes.

Their mother was rescued by charity Animal Lifeline when heavily pregnant and she and her new litter were fostered by Canine Programme Leader Emma Caskie.

As our undergraduates learn puppy training and socialisation as part

of their degree, this was a great opportunity to educate both at the same time. The students were also able to appreciate the consequences of irresponsible dog breeding.

Our Animal Centre has a kennel block, outdoor training area and commercial dog grooming parlour, allowing our undergraduates to work with dogs from different disciplines, breeds, sizes and temperaments.

Question Time helps students to plan their future “Turn technology to your advantage, study the market and do what you do really well”.

This was the key advice given to agriculture students at a ‘question time’ on careers in farming and food production which allowed undergraduates and final year Level 3 Extended Diploma students to quiz a panel of experienced advisors from across the supply chain.

This annual event, sponsored by the Food, Drink & Agricultural Group of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), offers valuable advice on opportunities, career building and the attributes employers look for when recruiting.

Dairy technologists develop with Eden Dairy technologists nationwide are continuing to develop their careers by following our unique Eden training programme.

The technologists work for leading dairy companies and attend our Eden International Dairy Academy for block release training. This education initiative is supported by key players in the dairy industry and aims to produce world-class staff.

The technologists develop practical dairy processing skills and carry out new product development in our industry-standard dairy processing halls. They graduate after three years with a globally recognised degree in dairy technology In line for special honours on completion of their first year of study were Rita Rimke, Müller (Best Practical Student), Leigh Vinnell, Wykes Farm (Best Academic Student) and Sam Yearsley, Arla Foods (Best Student Cultural Ambassador).

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Record RAG

RAG raises record charity funds Caring students and staff raised a record breaking £24,000 for local charities this year.

An impressive £19,000, with more to come, was presented by Student Association members to Visyon, a Cheshire charity which supports the emotional health of children, young people and their families.

The charity, which last year helped 1250 young people across Cheshire East and Staffordshire Moorlands, will use the money to deliver a new programme to support young people through online issues such as bullying and the consequences of gaming. There are also plans to appoint ‘young community ambassadors’ to lead wellbeing groups using social media.

This was the biggest single communityfundraised donation that the charity had received in its 24 year history!

Our Student Association has organised over 100 fundraising events, particularly during RAG Week and at Reaseheath’s Family Festival and lambing weekends.

Activities have included a challenge to climb Snowdon, a tractor pull, a static bike ride, staff in stocks, a danceathon, car checks and riding our mechanical horse, plus numerous cake sales, sporting events and of, course, the RAG Ball.

Students and staff have also raised funds for other charities including the Royal British Legion.

Over the past 30 years, we have raised nearly £300,000 for local charities!

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Greg helps Team UK shine on a global stage Greg Houghton, Curriculum Area Manager for Adventure Sports, Sport and Public Services, used his expertise in sports performance and psychology to help steer Team UK to victory in the global WorldSkills finals in Abu Dhabi.

A member of the professional support team providing pastoral care, Greg played a key role in ensuring Team UK’s 34 competitors were fully prepared to compete at an international level.

WorldSkills is the Olympic-style final of a series of competitions to find the world’s most skilled young people in trade careers. Held every two years, the 2017 event was held at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre, the largest exhibition venue in the Middle East.

Over 1,300 apprentices and students from 59 countries competed in 51 different skills ranging from aircraft maintenance and mechanical engineering to landscape gardening and hairdressing. The intense four day finals were held in front of 100,000 spectators.

Team UK won one gold, three silver and three bronze medals plus 13 medallions of excellence and was 10th in the medals table, with Greg and colleagues earning the title of ‘Unsung Heroes’.

Outstanding success at SkillBuild Reaseheath construction students built on their skills to impress judges at a competition to find the nation’s most talented young tradespeople.

Our team of ten students won an outstanding six awards at our regional SkillBuild qualifier, delivered by CITB (the Industry Training Board for the construction industry).

Skillbuild is the largest multi-trade competition in the UK for construction trainees and apprentices and attracts contestants from all over the country.

Top regional performers are in line for selection for the national finals, held at The Skills Show in November, and

could potentially go on to compete at EuroSkills and at the global WorldSkills finals.

Competitors are tested on their technical abilities, time management, character and commitment. Our successful students were Level 1 joiners Tom Lewis and Robert Shaw, Level 2 joiners Harry Hiscoe and Callum Bratherton and Level 1 plasterers Jack Williams and Jon Galloway.

Landscapers rise to challenge at WorldSkills UK finals Two landscapers represented Reaseheath at the national finals of WorldSkills UK. Although Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture students Tom Cartledge and Kelvin White just missed out on medals, they were congratulated on their high level of technical skills and Kelvin was one of four contestants to qualify for Squad UK training. Squad members benefit from training in technical and life skills from industry experts and may get the chance to represent the UK internationally.

The competition, watched by thousands of visitors to The Skills Show in Birmingham, was run in partnership with the Association of Professional Landscapers The contestants had 16 hours to build a garden which included block paving, decking, fencing and planting. They were marked to exacting standards on the quality of their work, attention to detail, site health and safety and time management.

Reaseheath’s students were supported by Course Manager Steve Williams, himself a former WorldSkills UK national finalist.

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Focus on Further Education Students gain insight into specialised training Our equine students enjoyed a fascinating insight into the training of horses and falcons for film and television from the world’s only horseback falconer, Jonathan Marshall.

Jonathan, who has appeared in blockbusters such as Game of Thrones, Robin Hood and Ben Hur, combines ancient horsemanship skills with the medieval sport of falconry. He gave two unique demonstrations in our indoor arena and even let two of our Level 3 Extended Diploma students, Jess McMasters and Hannah Swift, ride his lovely Spanish horses! He also introduced our students to the peregrine falcons he uses in his ‘Free Spirits Show’.

As well as giving training tips Jonathan, who was one of the headline acts at our Family Festival, talked about his love for horses and his early days at Pony Club. He described how these and other experiences had shaped his life and, combined with patience and hard work, had enabled him to achieve his dream.

Exceptional Horse of the Year Show experience for students Our equine student arena party has continued to supply a stellar service to the Horse of the Year Show, the world’s most famous horse show.

Contracted to support the international showjumping course designers for the seventh consecutive year, our 37-strong team of Level 2 and Level 3 Diploma students met elite riders, trainers and performers during this outstanding five day experience.

They also received an additional two days of unique health and safety training and emergency drills alongside vets and paramedics – a superb addition to their CVs.

Described as ‘exceptional’ by lead course designer Bob Ellis, the students were thanked for their mature attitude and seamless service in front of a packed audience each night and have already been invited back for HOYS 2018.

Our equine students also provide the arena parties for other prestigious events including Bolesworth International, British Showjumping’s National Championships and the Royal Windsor Horse Show.

Equine students meet racing hero Twelve equine students had the privilege of meeting legendary jockey Bob Champion MBE during filming for BBC’s The One Show.

The students, from our Nantwich campus and from our Merseyside partner, Burrows Lane Equestrian Centre, were invited to join the audience for the ‘Life Lecture with Bob Champion’.

The programme, one of a series in which notable public figures share key lessons, aired just before the Grand National. The lecture was held at Liverpool’s famous Aintree Racecourse and our enthusiastic equestrians joined other up and coming riders to question Bob about the highs and lows of racing.

The inspiring story formed the basis for Bob’s autobiography and was made into a film.

Bob has since funded the Bob Champion Cancer Research Laboratories, part of the largest male dedicated research facility in Europe.

Bob hit the headlines when he won the 1981 Grand National with Aldaniti after recovering from testicular cancer.

Aldaniti had also been nursed back to full racing fitness after several injuries.

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RHS student takes bursary trip to California RHS student Jill Wood has furthered her studies at the historic Gardens of Alcatraz in San Francisco after winning a prestigious RHS Roper bursary.

Inspirational rally experience for motor vehicle students Motor vehicle students were privileged to meet rally driver Jade Paveley and her Mitsubishi Evo 3 during the Dayinsure Wales Rally GB. Jade’s visit to college was a ‘thank you’ for the support students and staff provided as ‘ralleymakers’ at the local stages of the rally, welcoming and informing thousands of spectators.

Our dairy technology department also provided Reaseheath cheese for the rally’s hospitality marquee.

Jade, who is Assistant Sales Manager for North Wales Honda, chatted to Level 1 Diploma students, motor vehicle apprentices and HGV parts,

sales and marketing apprentices while her father David, himself a successful rally driver and automotive businessman, discussed differences between a highly tuned rally car and a road car.

As the vehicle was on our new MOT ramp, the students were able to fully appreciate the reinforcement required to the shell and suspension, and the technology which allowed the car to perform to its optimum level.

The mother-of-four has always been interested in plant science and gained a BSc Science degree with the Open University alongside family duties.

Returning to college rekindled this passion and she has completed several RHS courses and volunteers at local National Trust properties and at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

She is also working towards her Heritage Skills Passport, a National Trust qualification.

Jill was supported in her bursary application by our RHS lecturers and

by Little Moreton Hall gardener Natalie Angus. She spent the majority of her trip working in the Gardens of Alcatraz, which were built in the mid 1800s by inmates of the notorious prison and are being renovated to preserve their history and cultural significance.

Jill also visited the San Francisco Botanical Gardens to learn more about drought tolerant plants and how they can prevent the spread of wildfire.

Agriculture students win Great Farm Challenge Our agricultural students proved they understand best environmental practice by winning ‘The Great Farm Challenge’, a competition for north west colleges run in partnership with Natural England, the Environment Agency and United Utilities.

Level 3 Extended Diploma student teams took first and second places after impressing judges with their presentations on how to manage a successful farm while protecting local water quality. A third team of Reaseheath students also did extremely well. Last year we were first and third in the same competition.

The contestants spent three months

reviewing farming practices which help to minimise water pollution. They then produced reports on the issues and changes needed to improve water management on a working farm they had visited.

Judges from the partner organisations selected the best reports and these were presented by the students at the finals, held at the NFU’s headquarters.

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Shows Special Show gardens win medals and wow visitors Reaseheath undergraduates pooled their talents to design and build a show garden for a special educational needs school which wowed visitors to the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park.

The garden, which was awarded a silver medal, will be relocated at Sandside Lodge, Ulverston, Cumbria, when the construction of a new replacement school has been completed.

The undergraduates are studying for degrees in Landscape Management or Garden and Landscape Design.

Some will go on to study landscape architecture while others will become professional landscape designers or work in plant therapy or education.

Their show garden was designed to offer a safe, usable outdoor space suitable for young people with special needs and featured raised beds, sensory planting and a shaded seating area. Colour therapy was used throughout.

RHS Chelsea medal for talented florists Our talented floristry students have continued to prove they are among the nation’s best by taking a bronze medal in the finals of the RHS Chelsea ‘Future Florists’ with a display inspired by the Royal wedding.

The students, most of whom are studying for their Level 4 Higher Diploma in Floristry, were challenged to create a floral arch for a Spring wedding just two days after the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

The competition is open to all colleges and training institutions and its final is held at the prestigious RHS Chelsea Flower Show, which is attended by HM The Queen, other members of the royal family and many celebrities.

chose traditional scented flowers favoured by the royal family in a pink, white, cream and green colour scheme.

Their arch was in the shape of the historic Gilebertus door in St George’s Chapel, Windsor Castle, where the royal wedding took place.

The flowers and other materials were sponsored by Redrow Homes, Wyevale Garden Centres and Florismart.

The competition is run by the RHS and British Florist Association and turns the spotlight onto rising talent within the industry. This is the fourth consecutive year that Reaseheath florists have qualified for the final.

Course Manager Craig Bailey, who led the student team, achieved a coveted gold medal and the title of ‘Best Blooming Border’ when he exhibited as a designer in his own right.

Reaseheath’s team of Karen Cope, Marion Downes, Sue Kinsey and Clare Brindle (pictured with BBC journalist and broadcaster Sophie Raworth),

Craig, who is a Member of the Chartered Institute of Horticulture, was praised by the RHS judges for providing a well executed theme and for the high standard of his planting scheme.

Bronze award for ‘Young Gardeners of the Year’ A student team galloped away with a bronze medal at the ‘Young Gardeners of the Year 2018’ competition at the Ascot Spring Garden Show.

Their equine inspired entry, which showcased herbal superfoods for horses and for people, was one of six showstopping, sustainable urban gardens built by students from invited land based colleges.

and sustainable principles, supported by clever planting and design techniques.

The competition, pioneered by TV gardener David Domoney in association with The Prince’s Foundation for Building Community, celebrates the best of young British talent in garden design and build.

The challenge was to create a peaceful haven for a city dweller using organic

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Nantwich Show celebration We had several reasons to celebrate at the Nantwich Show, which incorporates the Nantwich International Cheese Awards, the world’s largest cheese festival.

Our college stand was judged the best professional trade stand, thanks to our diverse ‘hands on’ activities, friendly staff and our efforts to engage with and educate the public.

Our trainee dairy technologists took three top prizes in the cheese show, proving they can hold their own against world class professionals.

The students, who are studying on our unique Eden programme, were awarded gold and bronze awards in the highly competitive Student

Cheesemaker class after impressing judges with the flavour and texture of their Cheshire and mature cheddar cheeses. A student-made vintage cheddar cheese also took bronze in the Novice Cheesemaker class.

Megan Jones, a former Bakery and Patisserie and Public Services student, was also busy in the cheese awards, both as a steward and as support to celebrity chefs James Martin, Will Holland, Sean Wilson and Jonathon Harrison.

Pupils choose prize winning pigs Local school children who are studying agriculture on our Key Stage 4 Vocational Opportunities Programme selected pigs which went on to take top prizes at a premier livestock show.

The Year 10 pupils chose six Large White x Landrace pigs from our commercial pig unit for entry into the prestigious Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society’s Winter Fair.

Using their newly learned skills in livestock handling, the pupils weighed the pigs and studied the show criteria before making their selection. The pigs were awarded one second and two third prizes against strong competition.

Stock judging teams rise to College Challenge Reaseheath’s stock judging teams have continued their run of success in the College Challenge at the East of England Winter Stock Festival, Peterborough.

Our teams were placed second and third in the prestigious competition, which attracted 22 entries from land based colleges throughout the country.

Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture (beef and sheep production) student Richard Ratcliffe also achieved the highest individual score of 98 out of 100 for judging a pen of butchers’ lambs, one of five categories in the competition.

The College Challenge tests the students’ skills in selecting livestock and carcasses which will bring the greatest commercial return. Our teams had to judge finished bulls, breeding gilts and a selection of finished fat lamb carcasses and correctly identify five cuts of beef. They then presented their placings and reasonings to a panel of prominent industry judges.

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Shows Special

Cheshire Show accolade Reaseheath celebrated its greatest victory at the Royal Cheshire Show when its action packed stand was awarded the Overall Championship in the Trade Stand section.

It was our second accolade of the day, as earlier we’d won the title of Best Speciality Trade Stand in the Cheshire East Rural Life Area.

members’ area which was built by WAP Lawton and Son, a landscape gardening company which is a supporter of the college.

Championship judge Janet Reever from Cheshire Life said that she had been extremely impressed with the range of interactive displays which showcased the best aspects of modern agriculture and rural life and were widely appealing to visitors.

Ambitious young agriculturists Lizzy Andow and Sam Walton were presented with their John Platt Travel Scholarships at the show. The scholarships are run by Reaseheath and the Cheshire Agricultural Society.

Crowd pullers included cookery demonstrations by Michelin award winning chef Jean-Christophe Novelli, who made pizzas using Reaseheath vegetables, herbs and dairy products and bases from a pizza oven built by construction students.

Lizzy, a graduate trainee with Meadow Quality Ltd, a farmer-owned national livestock marketing business, plans a study tour of the ‘beef states’ of the USA while Sam, one of the team at the Tatton Park Farm visitor attraction, is to study agri-tourism in New Zealand.

Students were also successful in the showring. Agriculture apprentice Olivia Hobson-Cole, who works for Tatton Park, won a traditional breed pig class while joinery student Tom Lewis was a multi rosette winner in the sheep classes with his pedigree Jacob sheep. Agriculture students also successfully showed cattle in the novice handler and youngstock classes.

Our horticulture department designed and sponsored a show garden for the

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Study Tours - A Snapshot... n Animal Science undergraduates were praised for their contribution to the welfare of wildlife during a study tour in South Africa. They enjoyed a placement split between two very different camps - Care for Wild, Africa’s largest rhino orphanage and rehabilitation centre, and Balule, a remote reserve within the Greater Kruger National Park.

Duties at the orphanage included hand-feeding rhino calves, behavioural observations and enclosure maintenance.

In Balule they improved their wildlife ID skills and surveying techniques, helped to control invasive plants and painted the nursery at a local crèche.

Martin Bornman from African Conservation Experience wrote: “The teams on the ground always look forward to the arrival of Reaseheath’s students. They have a reputation for being extremely polite, genuinely hard working and interested in all elements of the natural world. We hope they left South Africa with experiences that will remain with them for the rest of their lives.” n Vast arable farms, super-herds of cattle and massive machinery were just some of the sights which impressed Level 3 Extended Diploma in Agriculture students during a study tour to the beef producing state of Nebraska, USA. As well as having their eyes opened to large scale farming, our students visited research and innovation centres and a major ethanol plant. They also fully embraced the culture of mid-west America (watching a rodeo and line dancing were the big hits here). Our hosts, who were exceptionally hospitable, were impressed by the high standard of questions from our students. n A private tour of the National Stud of Ireland, a visit to Sligo races and galloping along golden beaches were three top activities enjoyed by equine students during a study tour to Ireland. This was our eighth annual trip to the Emerald Isle and was, as usual, organised through the Donegal English Language School. Our Level 3 Extended Diploma students enjoyed a bespoke, action packed programme which gave them the chance to explore different parts of the industry and to learn some alternative skills. n Level 3 Public Services students returned home with powerful images of the results of human atrocities after a visit to the Auschwitz concentration camp in Poland. Their day trip was one of four spent in Krakow and was part of their ‘Battlefields’ studies looking at the impact of conflict under terror regimes.

Apart from visiting the notorious camp,

the students furthered their historical knowledge by touring areas of Krakow previously occupied by the Jewish community. n A tour of the Palace of Westminster and a visit to international event venues in Barcelona helped our business and events students to fully appreciate the external influences that affect business activity.

Level 3 Diploma students visited the House of Commons and House of Lords to observe how laws affect taxes, budgets and other economic factors. They also took part in a workshop to help them understand the process of how laws become statute.

Our undergraduates toured Barcelona, visiting the Olympic Park, the Camp Nou Football Stadium and the Barcelona F1 circuit during a testing day. This improved their understanding of international events and tourism.

We have also developed a link with major businesses such as John Lewis and all students get hands-on experiences working for major events such as Bolesworth International and CarFest. n We may have been running them for over 20 years, but our annual agricultural engineering study tour to manufacturing centres of excellence in Europe has lost none of its sparkle.

A factory tour at CLAAS’ global headquarters and technoparc in Germany allowed our students to observe advanced engineering technology and processes and to gain a unique insight into how the machinery is assembled. They also visited the test centre of Amazone, agricultural machinery manufacturers.

Then it was off to Holland for a guided tour with Koop van der Wal, a specialist agricultural machinery importer and exporter, followed by a visit to Case New Holland’s impressive factory in Belgium, which gave our students insight into production line manufacturing and the chance to see the latest models. We have long established partnerships with these hospitable companies, allowing our students great networking opportunities. n A visit to the Cake and Bake Show in Manchester was made even sweeter for bakery and patisserie students after networking opportunities led to a day at Renshaw’s Academy in Liverpool. Our Level 2 Diploma students had a fantastic time at the academy, which is renown for its cake decorating and sugarcraft courses. They learned how to make bears from modelling chocolate, gained an overview of how the industry operates and returned to college thoroughly inspired.

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Community News Horticulturists bring joy to young patients Our horticulture students joined popular tv presenter Alan Titchmarsh in a mission to create a new garden at the Royal Manchester Children’s Hospital.

The students were among skilful volunteers to help Alan and fellow gardener David Domoney transform the hospital’s outdoor area into a haven for young patients, their families and the dedicated staff.

The resulting state-of-the-art, multi-functional garden was the subject for ITV’s Love Your Garden NHS Special, screened on the first anniversary of the bomb attack at Manchester Arena. Many of the young casualties were brought to the hospital and some are still being treated there. The programme was also part of a wider celebration of the NHS’ 70th birthday.

A range of students, from BSc Landscape Architecture undergraduates to Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture students, answered the call for help with this hugely deserving cause.

Reaseheath receives national award for supporting armed forces Reaseheath has been awarded the Armed Forces Covenant Employer Recognition Scheme Bronze Award in recognition of our commitment and support for former military personnel.

The award follows the success of a property maintenance course for military veterans, delivered by Reaseheath Construction in partnership with armed forces training charity Building Heroes.

receive a recognised qualification. We were the second college nationwide to offer this course and trained seven cohorts totalling 74 veterans in our first year.

The veterans attend a five week course in bricklaying, plastering, wall tiling, decorating, joinery and plumbing and

A pleasing 93% of students progress into employment or further education and training.

Jono joins Caribbean relief effort Arboriculture trainer and NPTC assessor Jono Finlow helped in the recovery of the Caribbean island of Dominica following its devastation by hurricanes.

Jono is a founder member of DART International UK, a volunteer team of experienced arborists which is deployed to disaster zones to improve the welfare of citizens.

He and fellow team members were sent to Dominica days after the island was ravaged by Hurricanes Irma and Maria.

The DART team was first on the scene to remove fallen trees and other obstructions from roadways, enabling other aid and rescue organisations to operate safely and effectively.

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Experts help to preserve rare apple Our horticultural experts are helping to bring a rare Cheshire apple tree back from the brink of extinction by grafting saplings for a community orchard.

Members of the Weaverham Community Memorial Orchard Group approached us for help in preserving the Wareham Russet, a heritage variety limited to just one verifiable tree.

The apple trees used to grow throughout Weaverham but the orchards were replaced by housing development after the Second World War.

RHS Master of Horticulture Harry Delaney and fellow lecturer Anne Harrison have grafted over 50 cuttings onto rootstock which are now thriving in the community orchard. Other newly grafted trees will be given to local schools.

Harry demonstrated the skillful procedure, which dates back hundreds of years, to RHS Level 3 students.

Public Services students achieve citizenship awards Forty public services students achieved National Citizen Service awards after running community projects which raised over £700.

The scheme encourages young people to take part in social action programmes while building work and life skills.

The students enjoyed four days of adventurous outdoor activities in North Yorkshire and three days of community training and upskilling.

They then ran team projects which would help organisations in their community.

Charities to benefit were St Lukes (Cheshire) Hospice, Hope House Children’s Hospices and the Shine Bright Foundation, which funds research into breast cancer.

Conservation students inspire pupils to enjoy the Great Outdoors Primary pupils are learning about the Great Outdoors, thanks to a partnership between their school and our conservation students.

Birdwatching, bush craft and campfire cooking are among fun activities at a forest school being run by Level 3 Extended Diploma in Conservation and Wildlife Management students at St John’s CE Primary School, Sandbach.

The students have already redeveloped woodland in the school grounds to make it more accessible for pupils and wildlife and built a bird screen to enable pupils to identify local species.

The screen was built with eco materials funded by Redrow Homes.

The same students have been building bat boxes with the Rainbow Pack who meet at the United Reformed Church at Over, Winsford. Pack members, who are in the youngest section of Girl Guiding and are aged between five and seven, are eagerly waiting for the bats’ arrival now the boxes are in place around the church.

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Industry News Reaseheath underlines the benefits of apprenticeships Sixty local employers learned about the benefits of our tailored apprenticeships during focused events held during National Apprenticeships Week.

Business owners and managers attended breakfast meetings to learn about our high quality, employer led, apprenticeship programmes available across a wide range of sectors and supported by staff with extensive industry experience.

Presentations covered the Apprenticeship Standards, which specify the nationally recognised standard of skills which an apprentice is expected to achieve. Bespoke employer services offered through Reaseheath Training, including business development, help with government funding, mentor support and recruitment were also discussed.

Our visitors enjoyed a tour of Reaseheath’s £80 million industry standard facilities, which include training centres for horticulture, agriculture, food processing, equine management and animal management, and heard about our new Advanced Engineering and Agri-Tech Centre and sports science academy.

See www.reaseheath.ac.uk/ apprenticeships or call Reaseheath Training on 01270 613221.

Reaseheath helps to champion agri-tech sector Reaseheath is helping to champion the rising agri-tech sector through active involvement with Agri-Tech West, an alliance of businesses, public sector and industry organisations and educational institutions.

The college is working with its partners to identify regional collaborative initiatives to support the agricultural and food manufacturing sector. The challenge is to provide a growing global population with sustainable, affordable and nutritious food through the use of new technology.

Agri-Tech West was formed by four Local Enterprise Partnerships - Cheshire

and Warrington, Stoke and Staffordshire, Worcestershire and The Marches.

Delegates from the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and other relevant government departments plus representatives from colleges, universities and businesses met at Reaseheath to discuss how best to shape the future of the consortium.

Extended work placements will enhance employment prospects Reaseheath’s students are to be offered extended work placements under a new scheme aimed at increasing their employability skills.

We strongly believe in the benefits of a relevant work placement and are very supportive of this Department of Education project, which is helping to shape the future of vocational qualifications. Currently all our students are required to complete a placement of at least 15 days in their respective industry, but from the next academic year they will be offered a minimum of 40 days.

This will allow them to gain a deeper knowledge of their industry and help in their future job search or progression onto a degree. It should also benefit employers, as our students will be better able to support businesses.

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Students make the most of Case IH Red Power Tour Engineering and agricultural students had the chance to try out some of the latest technology from Case IH when the company’s Red Power Tour came to campus.

Technicians and employers celebrate successful graduation Forty-five agricultural engineering technicians were joined by their employers at a celebration to mark the completion of their apprenticeships.

The ceremony marked the end of a three year, block release training programme for the technicians, who are employed by the UK and Ireland dealer network for leading manufacturers such as CASE, New Holland, CLAAS and JCB. There are currently 150 students on this thriving programme.

Recognised as one of the UK’s

leading colleges for land based engineering, Reaseheath is a key training provider for these companies, which have considerable input into the programme to ensure it delivers the required skills and technical knowledge.

This is a national show which travels round dealerships showcasing topof-the-range Case IH tractors and equipment. Stamford Agricultural Services Ltd, a long established partner of Reaseheath, hosted the show while we provided the venue.

As Stamford is also a dealer for the Weidermann brand, our students were able to join a steady flow of visitors from our farming community in inspecting and operating both product ranges. They were also able to watch demonstrations and listen to presentations from industry experts.

The companies also donate top-ofthe-range machinery and equipment for the students’ technical training.

Construction Plant apprenticeships continue to receive industry support The next generation of highly skilled Construction Plant Maintenance apprentice engineers have received their final awards.

Advanced apprentices from all over the country were joined by employers to celebrate a 100% success rate

on the completion of their Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship in Construction Plant Maintenance.

The apprentices work as technicians for leading companies including A-Plant, Scot JCB, Greenshields JCB, Watlings JCB, Banner Plant, The GAP

Group, Clee Hill Plant, Lloyd Ltd. and European Metal Recycling.

Many employers are long standing supporters of this training programme and some supply us with cutting edge machinery and equipment.

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Industry News

Food Centre launches new dairy course in Wales Our Food Centre is delivering a new industry led training course to help Welsh dairies upskill their staff.

The Level 2 Award in Dairy Industry Operations is an accredited award delivered on site to dairy companies belonging to the Wales Dairy Industry Skills Partnership.

The course has been developed in partnership with the National Skills Academy for Food & Drink, awarding body Agored Cymru, Welsh Government and participating dairy partners.

The course aims to provide operatives with a comprehensive level of dairy product knowledge and understanding, enabling them to make an immediate and productive contribution to their employer. Companies throughout Wales have come on board. A Level 3 qualification is also being developed.

Contact Julie Bent, Reaseheath Food Centre Training Co-Ordinator, 01270 613191 julieb@reaseheath.ac.uk

Food Centre achieves BRC Grade A Reaseheath Food Centre has proved it continues to operate at the highest industry standards by achieving a globally recognised Grade A (Issue 7) certification for food safety from the British Retail Consortium.

The college remains the first and only educational institution in Britain to achieve this benchmark for best practice in food manufacture.

The quality mark was approved after an exacting food safety audit of processes and procedures of Reaseheath’s food manufacturing systems.

A recent facility is the Derek Allen Innovation Room, dedicated in memory of a former colleague who was Reaseheath’s Commercial Senior Technologist. The technical centre provides a research and new product development facility for small and medium sized food and drink businesses.

Food Centre continues international partnership with Tetra Pak Multi-national engineers and technical operators from global processing and food packaging specialist Tetra Pak continue to receive bespoke training in our industry standard dairy processing halls.

Students from many different countries study dairy science and its practical application on a week long course. This training has been delivered exclusively

by Reaseheath for Tetra Pak for over 30 years and we run the programmes four times a year – proof that the blue chip company appreciates our expertise, industry standard facilities and reputation for effectively delivering training.

Tetra Pak itself is a main machinery supplier to our Food Centre and provides after sales service and training.

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Arboriculture students reach new heights Butchery apprentices demonstrate cutting edge skills Four of our talented butchery apprentices had their butchery skills and creative flair tested when they competed at a WorldSkills UK qualifying competition.

Simon Davis, Richard Silverman, Joe Crawford and Emily Barber are employed by high street butchers’ shops or artisan farm shops and are among apprentices studying on our new Level 2 Butchery Standard. This programme has been redeveloped to ensure it meets employers’ needs and is supported by FDQ (Food and Drink Qualifications). The apprentices spend one day a week for 15 weeks

studying in our specialised butchery department.

For the competition, the apprentices completed two tasks: producing shop window beef products and creating a visually exciting barbecue display.

Although they did not qualify for the WorldSkills UK national finals, they all gained from the experience.

Cutting edge technology for tree maintenance Cutting edge technology which detects decay in trees was demonstrated at a seminar aimed at arboriculture, forestry and countryside management students and industry delegates.

Sorbus International, who ran the seminar as part of their college outreach programme, is the exclusive distributor of the IML and PiCUS systems within the UK and visits annually to update our students and local clients on innovations and best practice within the industry

Students gained ‘hands-on’ experience using the latest IML Resi-PD microdrill and PICUS 3 sonic tomography equipment, widely used by local authorities, consultants and contractors to assess the condition of trees, particularly those which are easily accessible to the public.

Level 3 Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture students reached new heights at the 3ATC Northern College Climbing Competition.

A team made up of James Barber, Hamish Profit and Reece Pearce took second place in Group 2 (less than two years practical climbing experience) after being tested on their climbing ability and attention to safety and best practice. The students had to climb to targets on the outer limbs of 60ft trees and demonstrate branch walking and toss a log to a target area.

The Arboricultural Association runs these annual climbing competitions exclusively for students, with the aim of advancing climbing practice and safety within the industry.

The competition was held at Myerscough College’s Liverpool campus in the grounds of Croxteth Park. Reaseheath hosted the competition last year.

This is our fourth year on the competition circuit. Our team members have already found employment in their industry.

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Alumni News Steve is WorldSkills UK ‘Local Hero’ Inspirational Horticulture Course Manager Steve Williams has been honoured as a ‘Local Hero’ by WorldSkills UK for the valuable work he does to promote the benefits of the organisation’s competitions and training programmes.

Steve supports our contestants through the WorldSkills UK landscaping competitions and also helps to run them. He inspires students by developing their skills and confidence through extra training, including web based distance learning, and engages with employers including Hultons Landscapes and Marshalls UK, who help him to deliver masterclasses.

He also maintains close contact with the Association of Professional Landscapers.

Himself a WorldSkills UK silver medallist, Steve completed his BSc Landscape and Management in 2011 and worked as a landscape manager before moving into lecturing.

Travel bursary for ambitious agriculturist Ambitious agriculturist Rob Yardley researched alternative and sustainable alternatives to the weed killer glyphosate during visits to Brazil and North America, thanks to the John Platt Travel Scholarship run

by Reaseheath and the Cheshire Agricultural Society.

Rob, a Farm Manager with leading management company Velcourt Ltd, studied part-time for his Foundation Degree in Agriculture with us. While an undergraduate he seized every opportunity to learn about the global industry, becoming an Oxford Farming Conference scholar, representing young farmers at the Agritechnica conference in Germany and advising producers in the Ukraine during a fact finding visit with arable company Syngenta.

The John Platt Travel Scholarship is awarded annually and is open to young people who study or work in Cheshire’s rural industries.

www.reaseheath.ac.uk/john-platt-scholarship

Robyn takes medal at RHS Chelsea Former floristry student Robyn Longden was awarded a coveted silver medal in the national finals of this year’s ‘RHS Chelsea Young Florist of the Year’.

The competition turns the spotlight on the UK’s top florists aged between 16 and 25.

Robyn completed her Levels 1, 2 and 3 Diplomas in Floristry at Reaseheath and now works for award winning florist and judge Ian Lloyd, himself a former Reaseheath floristry student.

During her studies Robyn represented Reaseheath at the WorldSkills UK finals and, as a team member, was runnerup in the RHS Future Florists at RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2016. She has previously won a gold medal at RHS Chelsea.

Stay connected!

We love to keep in touch with former students through our growing alumni community.

Whether you’re continuing with studies, entering employment or progressing in your career, please let us know how you’re getting on.

Find out more at: www.reaseheath.ac.uk/alumni

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Reaseheath at a glance...

Charity garden raises awareness of dementia A charity show garden built by Reaseheath garden designers won a silver gilt medal at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park.

The ‘Remember Me Garden’ by Jane Bingham and Penny Hearn was part of Mid Cheshire Hospitals Charity’s ‘Everybody Knows Somebody’ Dementia Appeal, aimed at raising £1.5 million to enhance the dementia department at Leighton Hospital.

Jane, who runs ‘The Cheshire Garden’, became friends with fellow student Penny while studying garden design at Reaseheath. Since then they have returned to college to gain their well recognised RHS Level 2 and Level 3 Diplomas in Horticulture.

High performing Joe is awarded NFU bursary Agriculture graduate Joe Collins has won a post graduate bursary to fund further studies in agronomy.

Joe, who completed his Foundation Degree in Agriculture in 2015 and topped up to a BSc at Harper Adams University, was one of four highperforming postgraduates nationwide to receive a NFU Mutual Charitable Trust’s ‘Centenary Award’.

n SUBJECT AREAS • Further and Higher Education and Apprenticeships • Adventure Sports • Agriculture • Agricultural Engineering • Animal Management • Business and Events Management • Construction • Countryside and Wildlife Management, Arboriculture, Fish Management, Game Keeping • Entry and Foundation Learning • Equine • Floristry • Horticulture • Food Technology • Motor Vehicle • Public Services • Sport n STUDENTS Further Education: 2,300 Higher Education: 800 Apprenticeships and work based learning: 1,500 Residential students: 900 Students using college transport: 1,500 n STAFF Total Staff: 554 n ESTATE College grounds: 21 hectares Owned and rented farm land: 252.52 hectares Land leased to Crewe Alexandra Football Club: 6 hectares n INCOME Academic year 2016/17: £31.9 million n FACILITIES On-site accommodation for up to 1,000; five catering outlets; student lounge/ bar; learning resource centre/library; HE study area; sports hall, climbing wall, multi gym, sports pitches; equestrian centre, campus farm, campus zoo, licensed food factory.

He is using his bursary to fund an MSc in Sustainable Crop Production before pursuing a career in agronomy.

Successful applicants are excellent academic performers and passionate about making a difference within the UK agricultural industry.

Dream job for Reaseheath florist A former floristry student has taken up an exciting challenge in the Bahamas.

Dominique McManus launched an in-house floristry department for Nassau based Cacique International, a leading destination management company.

As Design Team Lead she is responsible for managing and growing the department, which provides floral designs for business conferences, weddings and major public and private events.

A former management recruitment consultant, Dominique has experience in operations and event management but decided to change careers so she could follow her lifelong passion for floristry.

She gained her Level 3 Diploma in Floristry with us, progressed onto her Level 4 Higher Diploma in Floristry and has enjoyed a successful career as a freelance designer.

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Come and see us!

The carnival atmosphere of our Family Festival, the thrill of meeting newborns at our Lambing Weekends and the chance to meet some of the friendly residents at our zoo are just some of the reasons visitors pour onto campus each year.

Our zoo is open during most school holidays and weekends and we have a zoo school for young people. We even do birthday parties and ‘Keeper for the Day’! There are competitions at our Equestrian Centre most weekends and University Centre Reaseheath holds a series of fascinating guest lectures which are free to the public.

Then there are regular open days for potential students and taster events for specific subjects like construction, bakery or floristry... or you could book in your dog for a pampering session in our grooming parlour or use our new sports facilities.

To find out what we have in store over the next few months visit www.reaseheath.ac.uk and click on the What’s On button.

www.reaseheath.ac.uk Reaseheath College, Nantwich Cheshire CW5 6DF | 01270 613242

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