Grassroots issue 29

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The latest news from Reaseheath College

Issue 29

In this issue

Exciting new build progresses See page 2

Apprentice stars shine See page 8

Sports pitch opens to community See page 14

Graduates look forward to great future See page 4

www.reaseheath.ac.uk

Specialist build progresses Reaseheath already has some of the best specialist facilities and resources in the country thanks to a £50 million investment across campus.

Many of our training facilities have been built with input from industry, ensuring that we provide the educational opportunities and experience to give our students the competitive edge in the jobs market.

In the past two years our £9 million National Centre for Horticulture, the Environment and Sustainable Technology has opened, along with a new laboratory learning hub and a dedicated Tech Bacc zone.

Reaseheath’s Zoo, which is part of our animal science centre, has expanded to accommodate a greater range of animals and our commercial farm has benefitted from a £1 million investment in cutting edge technology including automated and satellite controlled equipment.

Our Sport and Performance Academy has had a £1 million investment into a 3G rugby pitch and a Multi Use Games Area

Outstanding technical facilities in our Centre for Horticulture, the Environment and Sustainable Technology

(MUGA) sports pitch with synthetic surface, allowing all year, all weather use for sports like 5-a-side football, basketball, netball and running. Both pitches are for use by our local community as well as our own students. (See page 14) These facilities are in addition to our food technology and science centre and equestrian centre, both of which are equipped to the highest industry standards.

Our planned Advanced Agricultural Technology and Engineering Centre

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We are now launching a further £31 million spend on projects including an Advanced Agricultural Technology and Engineering (Agri-tech) Centre, a £7 million scheme in advanced agricultural technology and engineering in partnership with major agricultural companies such as Case IH, New Holland, CLAAS, JCB and A-Plant.

Other new facilities will include a sports science centre and

sports hall, an extension to our Higher Education Centre and additional halls of residence for a further 300 students to meet increasing demand for on-site accommodation. We are also starting work on our new Employers Hub. Construction work will start this summer and these excellent new facilities will come on line for staff and students during 2018.

Top class student accommodation at our John Platt Halls of Residence

Reaseheath becomes new University Centre Reaseheath and the University of Chester share a long history of delivering quality education and it is felt that combining resources, expertise and reputation will bring significant benefits to students, staff, employers and local communities. Both institutions will work together as part of the same group while retaining their own identity and independence in everyday operations.

Reaseheath has become a University Centre of the University of Chester under a strategic alliance which will enable both institutions to work together more closely and effectively.

The new partnership cements an already close relationship which has been established for more than 20 years. Reaseheath became an Associate College of the University seven years ago and has been successfully delivering University of Chester degree programmes since then.

The alliance is supported by the Area Review of Post 16 Education in Cheshire and Warrington.

Benefits to both institutions include: • Joint investment in specialist facilities and resources • Development of degree routes • Greater collaboration on curriculum design and delivery, including new curriculum areas • The ability to collectively address higher level skills gaps • Greater development opportunities for staff • Increased opportunities for joint research and commercial projects • The ability to combine bidding expertise, improving funding routes and collaboration on international recruitment Welcoming the alliance, Reaseheath Principal Meredydd David said: “This fantastic opportunity will allow both Reaseheath and the University of Chester to respond rapidly and collectively to the challenges and opportunities facing the Further and Higher Education sectors.

“There are great benefits to two very strong institutions with similar values, ambitious vision and national reputation for quality working together. This can only benefit stakeholders, staff and students and offers an extremely exciting prospect for the region.

“We have a more important role than ever in supporting young people, local businesses and those seeking employment. Our courses will be designed jointly to support student progression through Further Education into Higher Education and will equip them with the knowledge and skills appropriate for the jobs market.”

Federation with North Shropshire College benefits region Reaseheath and North Shropshire College have formed a federation to the benefit of students, local communities and businesses.

Both colleges are specialist land-based institutions, are in a strong phase of continuous growth and share a long history of delivering quality education. It is felt that, by working together to combine

resources, expertise and reputation, the colleges will build on their strengths and will offer an even wider and better educational experience to further and higher education students and to apprentices. It is also envisaged that the closer collaboration will have a positive impact on local economies by providing enhanced links with industry partners and local communities.

The governing bodies of both colleges carried out extensive research before deciding that a federation would best secure the future of quality, land based education and training in Cheshire, Shropshire and the wider region, and would also ensure a continuing high standard of

vocational education for Oswestry and rural North Shropshire.

Although both colleges are committed to working together, they remain independent and retain their own names and campuses.

Their governing bodies are exploring the possibility of a merger and, provided this is considered to be in the best interests of students and customers, a decision may be made later.

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Reaseheath degrees open doors to careers

Eden dairy technologists graduate

Reaseheath degrees are proving to be a phenomenal investment in later life, our new graduates heard.

Speaking at our Faculty of Higher Education graduation ceremony, Principal Meredydd David said that an independent analysis had shown that spending £40,000 on course fees and living expenses would bring in nearly a third of a million pounds during a career.

He pointed out that our graduates could look forward to fantastic opportunities which were available for ambitious and well trained young people within the land based sector. An impressive 94% of last year’s graduates were in related employment at a starting salary of £21000 within six months, thanks to the specialist, technical training, industry skills and experience they acquired at college.

The graduation ceremony, held in St Mary’s Church, Nantwich, celebrated the success of over 100 graduates. These included 21 trainee dairy technologists from our

BSc Equine Science graduates celebrate with Sally Gunnell

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unique Eden training programme, which is supported by leading companies such as Mueller, Arla, Dairy Crest and Rodda’s Dairy.

Guest of honour was former international elite athlete Sally Gunnell OBE.

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Balazs Szalisznyo (Foundation Degree in

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Mark Forrester (Foundation Degree in

Dairy Technology)

Countryside Conservation and Recreational Management)

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Fourteen graduates were singled out for special recognition for the excellence of their studies:

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Michelle Hand (Outstanding Achievement in Undergraduate Research in Equine Science)

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Rosemarie Lee (Academic Excellence Award

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Molly McSheehy (Foundation Degree in Equine Science and Management) Gemma Cameron (BSc (Hons) Equine Science)

Zoe Greenwood (BSc (Hons) Equine Science)

Thomas Lewis (BSc (Hons) Landscape Design and Management)

in Agricultural Science)

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Jake Baker (National Skills Academy Award: Best Academic Student)

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Laura Cartmell (Foundation Degree in Garden and Landscape Design)

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Peter Clark (Society of Dairy Technology

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William Parkes (Foundation Degree in Garden and Landscape Design)

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Anna Tyler (Foundation Degree in Garden and

Award: Best Student Project)

The Dean’s List for academic excellence •

Landscape Design)

Katie Gibson (Foundation Degree in Rural Events Management)

Adventure Sports Management graduate Matthew Brown is joined by Sally Gunnell

Successful BSc Agriculture graduates

Rural Events Management graduates Kate Sherwin, Lucy Moore, Katie Gibson and Fiona Crawford with course manager Jonathan Gateley

Countryside Conservation and Recreation Management graduates Glyn Jones, Mark Forrester and Iain Latham with Dr Richard Sandland and Sally Gunnell

Ist Class Hons graduates Rebecca Molena, Zoe Greenwood, Michelle Hand and Gemma Cameron

Equine Science and Complementary Therapy graduates Natalie Gillison, Sarah Parkes, Rebecca Brakewell, Kathryn Mclellan, Molly Bostock, Kirsty Lowndes, Aimee Thomas and Ashley Reynolds

Successful Food Industry with Management Aleksandra Derkacz, Jiri Marek and Victoria Alers

Reaseheath Experience rated high Undergraduates highly rate their Reaseheath Experience, according to the latest Student Experience Survey.

Figures show that 83% of students are happy with the quality of their degree course, and that 89% felt that our staff are good at explaining things. 87% of students said that our staff is enthusiastic and 86% felt that they had received sufficient advice and support with their studies.

Visit www.reaseheath.ac.uk/graduation to view gallery BSc Horticulture graduates are joined by lecturer Craig Bailey and Sally Gunnell

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Celebration time for Four outstanding Further Education students receive college It was celebrations all round when 1235 Further Education students (an impressive 97%) achieved their industry recognised qualifications.

Further good news is that 96% 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 landbased industries are definitely making the right choice, as the sector employs four million people and will require 600,000 new and replacement jobs by 2020.

Our well trained and qualified students can look forward to fantastic career opportunities!

Here are our students enjoying their long awaited awards ceremony!

awards

COLLEGE AWARDS winners Tom Allen, Kaitlinn Schaap, Katie Gibson and Emmalise Mills

Best contribution to college life Kaitlinn Schaap (Level 3 Diploma in Horse Management)

Motor Vehicle: Chloe Roberts, Beth Roberts, Jamie Bratt, Connor Fearon, Jamie Hart, Kane Smith, Wayne Dyson, Gareth Baister; front Joe Baker, Steven Radcliffe, Matt Rowlinson and Joe Kelsall

An active member of the Student Association, Kaitlinn encouraged fellow students to refurbish the Under 18s Common Room. Her efforts, supported by staff and our student services team, has resulted in the Common Room becoming a highly popular meeting point for younger residential students.

Best all round contribution

Welfare and Curriculum teams and gained so much confidence that she joined our Freshers’ Crew to welcome the next intake of students.

Beacon Trophy celebrating excellence Katie Gibson (Foundation Degree in Rural Events Management).

The Student Association Vice President, Katie was recognised for her commitment to organising student social activities. She was also heavily involved in the SA’s efforts to raise funds for charity.

Tom Allen (BSc Wildlife, Conservation and Ecology)

Foundation: Adam Foulkes, Jacob Foy, Samuel Ryan, Lee Huxford, Jordan Spencer, Chloe Stockton, Marcus Jones, Alex Williams, Sarah Lewendon and Jess Parker

Chair of our Raising and Giving (RAG) committee, Tom led Reaseheath’s fund raising activities to record breaking heights – raising over £32,000 for The British Heart Foundation and other charities.

Personal qualities Emmalise Mills (Level 2 Diploma in Agriculture) Initially finding it difficult to live away from home, Emmalise sought support from Reaseheath’s Safeguarding, Animal Management Award winners: Eleanor Dawson, Louise Rushton, Jamie Tyghe, Daisy Barnwell, Matt Cornes, Elliot Wilson and Nicolas Jones

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Floristry: Most Improved Level 3 Diploma student Neve Mather

Adventure Sport: Level 3 Extended Diploma Student of the Year Callum Berry

Equine: Best Overall Level 3 Horse Management students Shannon Birt and Frances Lewis

Agriculture: Best Students Level 3 Extended Diploma Lewis Eden, Libby Turner, Ian Wells and James Hodgkinson

Animal Care: Level 2 Diploma Best Student and Excellent Effort in Functional Skills, Khloe Cotton

Business: Kate Davies Best Student Level 3 Extended Diploma

Countryside: Forestry and Arboriculture Best Student Benjamin Lacey and Most Improved Student George Crosby

Agricultural Engineering: Level 3 Diploma top students, Dan Woollacott, Jack Hibbert, Edward Hibbert and James Copley

Food: Level 3 Diploma Professional Bakery top student Katie Brittleton with Paul Baxendale CP Kelco Sales Manger

Foundation: Best Student Level 1 Sarah Lewendon

Countryside Management: Best Student Level 3 Extended Diploma Natalie Stewart

Horticulture: Level 3 Extended Diploma top students Finin Talbot and Yvette Burrell

Stay connected!

Public Services: Award winners Eleanor Walker, Thomas Reynolds, Maciej Gluchowski and Rebecca Jones

Sport: Level 2 top student George Sumner and Level 3 Extended Student of the Year Cobi Bateman

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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Apprentice stars recognised A dog trainer and the manager of an animal feeds shop took the top titles at a Reaseheath awards ceremony which turned the spotlight on apprenticeships and traineeships.

Sian Howells, who works for WKD Trained Dogs in Staffordshire, was crowned ‘Intermediate Apprentice of the Year’ while Katie Stanley, who runs Prince Farm Feeds in Rugeley was awarded ‘Advanced Apprentice of the Year’.

Sian, a Level 2 Animal Care apprentice, and Katie, a Level 3 Agriculture Apprentice, were among 156 Apprentices and Trainees who have completed their qualifications with us in the past year.

We marked the occasion during National Apprenticeships Week, a celebration of the benefits which apprentices bring to businesses and to the national economy by increasing productivity and providing workforce succession.

Best Food Apprentice Stuart Palin (Stuart Palin Butchers, Crewe) Best Construction Apprentice (Brickwork) Connor Whitney (NTC Building Ltd, Congleton) Best Construction Apprentice (Joinery) Adam Cooper (MAC Joinery and Building Services, Nantwich) Construction Apprentice of the Year James Lewis (MSL Contracts, Stockport)

Apprentices of the Year Katie Stanley and Sian Howell

Best Horticulture Apprentice James Alley (Delamere Forest Golf Club) Traineeship Achievement Latisha Woolley (Malkins Bank Golf Club, Sandbach) Employer of the Year Craig Hallworth (Hallworth Construction Cheshire Ltd, Northwich).

Bombardier Transportation apprentices with training and competency assessors Jason Cheetham and Russell Clarke

Other principle winners were: Engineering Apprentice of the Year Liam Abbotts (Bombardier Transportation, Crewe)

Best Engineering apprentice Liam Abbotts

Best Vehicle (Parts, Sales and Marketing) Apprentice Antony Hempstead (Chandlers Farm Equipment, Grantham) Best Agriculture Apprentice Sam Jones

Best Agriculture Apprentice Sam Jones (G J Willis, Cholmondeley) Best Equine Apprentice Dominic Eccleston (Bazaars Stud, Stafford)

Best Horticulture Apprentice James Alley

Reaseheath is a leading apprenticeship provider in land based and allied industries, supports over 1,500 apprentices, and has a success rate which is 13% above the national average. We currently offer apprenticeships at Levels 2, 3 and 4 and are working with the University of Chester to offer new apprenticeships at Levels 6 and 7 – the equivalent of a degree.

We also offer a valuable recruitment service for employers.

Another member of the Reaseheath group, DART Training, is delivering a similar service across the East Midlands with exceptional results.

For further details visit www.reaseheath. ac.uk/apprenticeships or call Reaseheath Training on 01270 613221 Traineeship Achievement Latisha Woolley and Adam Kingston

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Carving careers for butchery apprentices Reaseheath has become the first training provider in the north west to offer redesigned qualifications for butchery apprentices.

The apprenticeships, at Levels 2 and 3, have been redeveloped to new standards by employers supported

by Food and Drink Qualifications (FDQ), the specialist awarding organisation for the food and drink industry.

As well as completing a portfolio of work, the apprentices have to show practical knife skills and their ability to advise customers.

On completion they will receive a recognised qualification plus membership of the Institute of Meat.

FDQ Chief Executive Terry Fennell said: “Reaseheath College should

be congratulated for the way it has embraced and is pioneering these new programmes.

“This has been a huge step towards providing recognised, credible qualifications which answer the requirements of employers. These new apprenticeships have restored many of the traditional ‘craft and mastery’ skills that have been long associated with butchery.

“The apprentices and their employers benefit from the excellent facilities and the on and off- the-job training services which Reaseheath offers. We are delighted that employers from throughout the region have taken up this exciting opportunity to train the next generation of butchers.”

Horse Care Apprentices enjoy demo day Horse care apprentices gained valuable experience thanks to a special event which celebrated National Apprenticeships Week.

The event featured Fiona Hulme, a Reaseheath industry mentor and apprentice employer, and her dressage horse Harry, who showed how a balanced rider position and the correct application of aids achieved the best results.

A quadrille team from the Friesian Horse Association Great Britain and Ireland also performed in our indoor arena. The riders and horses, instructed by Pam Rigby MBE, demonstrated how to encourage horses to work safely in close proximity.

This was followed by a hands-on session of natural horsemanship in our purpose built round pen. Under the guidance of Work Based Assessor Michaela Atterbury, the apprentices learned to use body language alone to influence their horse’s behaviour and also became more aware of their horses’ signals.

The apprentices, who work for equine businesses throughout Cheshire and surrounding counties, study with us weekly and continue learning practical skills in their workplace.

Watch the demo at http://bit.ly/RHCdemoday

Horticulture apprentices make a difference at Leighton Hospital Our horticulture apprentices have renovated a garden for patients at Leighton Hospital in Crewe.

The apprentices decided to make a difference for cardiology and acute coronary care patients in Ward 1 by tidying an internal garden which is popular with patients and relatives.

As well as clearing and weeding flower beds, the apprentices pruned shrubs and introduced colourful new plants which were donated by Reaseheath.

Said Bernadette Parry, Ward 1 Manager: “We were delighted when the apprentices offered to help.

Their work is hugely appreciate as it has opened up much more space and has made it more accessible for wheelchair users. Many patients and their relatives enjoy sitting in the garden for a change of scene and I have no doubt that it will be well used.”

Said Rhys Walker of Tatterton Landscape Services: “It’s been really satisfying looking at the finished job and knowing that we’ve helped the patients.”

Also involved in the project were: Jack Appleton (Congleton Town Council); Chris Bedson (Countrywide Grounds Maintenance); Sam Page (Cholmondeley Castle Gardens); Chris Marriott (Stocks Lane Nurseries, Over Peover); Jacob Wilkes (S J Fisheries, Betley, Crewe).

This is not the first time that Reaseheath apprentices have been part of a community project at Leighton Hospital. Previously the trainees renovated Ward 1’s garden and this inspired hospital volunteers to do a similar project in Ward 4’s sensory dementia garden.

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Record RAG raises funds for British Heart Foundation Their mascot, Daisy the cow, also met the public at the region’s agricultural shows RAG (Raising and Giving) week activities included a themed RAG ball, a tractor pull, a cake sale, sponsored walks and a 24 hour static cycle ride. Individual staff completed fund raising challenges and construction staff and students tackled a Snowdon climb, with Head of Construction Andy Gould carrying a 19 kilo hod of bricks!

Our big hearted students and staff raised a record breaking £33,000 for local charities last year.

Representatives from the British Heart Foundation, the Student Association’s chosen charity of the year, received a cheque for £26,361 at our student summer ball and we raised an additional

£7,000 for other charities including the Poppy Appeal, the Epilepsy Society, World Aids and Sport Relief.

SA members organised over 100 fund raising events including a fashion show, foam party and activities at Reaseheath’s Family Festival and lambing weekends.

New knees for Tilly Animal management students joined forces to help a young abandoned dog in desperate need of veterinary care.

Tilly the terrier was being cared for by lecturer Emma Caskie, who fosters dogs for animal rescue ‘Friends of the Animals Wales’, while she waited for life changing operations to ease her painful knee joints. The students

quickly began fundraising to help pay for the operations by selling cakes and dog toys.

Tilly’s operations have now been carried out successfully and she has a forever home.

She’s also become a celebrity at our Animal Centre, where she is used to teach students about breed development and welfare, and responsible pet ownership.

Fundraiser for Children in Need Students and staff rallied together to raise funds for BBC Children in Need by holding a four hour badminton marathon.

Over thirty students took part in the popular event, with help from Student Association mascots Pride the lion and Daisy the cow.

Other fundraising activities organised by our Student Association included a cake

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sale, a giant card game, a hula hoop challenge, a pool tournament and face painting.

Student Association President Dan Lee said: “The badminton rally was loads of fun. It was great to see students and staff supporting a good cause and enjoying themselves at the same time.”

As a result of their fundraising, 350 students were trained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) with kits donated by the BHF as part of its ‘Nation of Lifesavers’ campaign.

Michelle Bailey, Area Fundraising Manager for the North West said: “The British Heart Foundation is hugely grateful to the students and staff for raising such a phenomenal amount of money. I have never met a more inspirational group of young people. They have put so

much focus and passion into their fundraising. This will make a huge difference to people across the north west who are supported by our charity.”

This year’s chosen charity is North West Cancer Research and fundraising events are well underway. Our students will also join the charity’s #suncreamselfie campaign, which highlights sun safety and skin cancer symptoms.

Over the past 28 years, Reaseheath students and staff have raised over £248,000 for local charities including Macmillan Cancer Support, St. Lukes Hospice and Broughton House Military Charity.

Cheshire Show success Our agriculture students enjoyed success at the Royal Cheshire County Show, competing in cattle and pig showing classes and helping organisers to ensure that the schedule ran smoothly.

Our students received a number of awards in the cattle breed and young handler classes after showing heifers from the Reaseheath Holstein dairy herd and beef shorthorn cattle from the Bridge House, Sandbach, herd for farmers farmers George and Brenda Sutton, two of many local supporters who offer our students industry experience.

The final accolade came with awards in the dairy and beef ‘tidy lines’ competitions – both awarded for high standards of animal care.

Other agriculture students took on key roles in the pig section, which included helping with bio-security measures, while others were busy demonstrating sheep shearing and stewarding.

• We also continued to support our agricultural community at the Royal Welsh Show, repeating our sponsorship of the Wales Young Farmers Clubs competitions and the All Wales YFC shearing final.

Record at Nantwich Show We also enjoyed record success in the cattle section at the Nantwich Show, winning a total of nine rosettes in youngstock showing and young handler classes.

Again, our students prepared and showed heifers from the Reaseheath Holstein dairy herd and young beef shorthorn cattle, including bull Redhill Jethro, from the Bridge House pedigree herd. This was the first time our students have had the opportunity to handle a bull in the showring.

Top honours at Nantwich International Cheese Show Trainee dairy technologists on our unique Eden programme proved they can hold their own against world class professionals by taking five top awards at the Nantwich International Cheese Show.

Cheeses made by the students in our industry standard food halls were awarded gold in the Specialist Cheesemakers class and in the highly competitive Student Cheesemaker class after impressing judges with their flavour, texture and creamy after-taste. Student-made cheeses also took two silver awards and a bronze award in other classes.

A total of ten cheeses made by Eden students were entered into the show, which claimed a new world record by attracting over 4,600 entries from 31 countries.

Apart from competing, Eden students demonstrated the process of cheesemaking at the show while Bakery and Patisserie students supported celebrity chefs as they demonstrated tasty dishes in the international cheese marquee.

For more about our Eden programme see www.reaseheath.ac.uk/eden

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Student success at RHS Tatton Talented horticulture undergraduates designed and built our silver medal winning garden at the prestigious RHS Flower Show Tatton Park.

Foundation Degree in Garden and Landscape Design students Will Parks, Anna Tyler and Laura Cartmell were supported in the build by Dave Cutler and other students.

The garden, ‘Heaven and Earth’, paid homage to influential landscape architect Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe and was in minimalistic 1950s style, inspired by the start of the space race. Features included a pool with stepping stones representing planets and an abstract backdrop of the ‘Plough’ constellation.

Claire House Children’s Hospice, Wirral. He was supported by Reaseheath trained apprentices from Hultons Landscapes, sponsors of the garden • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture student Aaron Byrne successfully contested the WorldSkillsUK semi finals (see page 13) • BSc Hons Horticultural Sciences and Production Technology undergraduate Hannah Morrow presented her scientific poster comparing the carbon footprint of Kenya’s rose growing industry to UK production

SILVER GILT for Floristry

Our garden was part of the ‘Cheshire Gardens of Distinction’ exhibit, winner of the ‘Best Feature’, which celebrated the top horticultural venues and training providers in the county.

Other Reaseheath successes at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park included: • GOLD for former Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture student Matthew Beesley in the RHS Young Landscape Contractor category.

Matthew was part of the GB squad to contest the Worldskills finals in Sao Paulo in 2015, winning a silver medal

BRONZE for Nathan Webster

• SILVER GILT for floristry students in the RHS Future Florists competition with their costume suitable for the Rio Carnival • SILVER for two former students, horticulturist Matt Wood and designer Sally Parkinson, for their ‘Blooming Borders’ display

by The Tiny Plant Company • BRONZE for first time designer Nathan Webster, who at 17 was one of the youngest designers at the show. Nathan, a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture student, designed ‘Sitting Under the Mulberry Tree’ for

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SILVER for 'Heaven and Earth'

Hannah Morrow and her scientific poster

Lifetime experience for florists at RHS Chelsea Floristry students and staff enjoyed a lifetime experience when they helped to install a floral arch for The Queen at RHS Chelsea Flower Show. The arch, a 90th birthday gift, welcomed Her Majesty as she arrived to tour the world-leading show.

The project was led by royal floral designer Shane Connolly, who invited our students to join him. Level 3 Diploma in

Floristry students Clare Street, Lee Law, Sophie Garratt and Abi Rowley, accompanied by Course Managers Fiona Davies and Helen Cooke, spent a day preparing and conditioning the floral materials in New Covent Garden. Fiona and Helen then joined Shane’s team of volunteers who worked through the night constructing the arch from British blooms.

Commented Helen: “We jumped at this opportunity to give our students this amazing experience.

It was a great honour and fantastic that Shane genuinely appreciated our contribution.”

Our floristry students continued to prove they are among the nation’s best by taking two top awards at RHS Chelsea. We were runner-up for the second consecutive year in the RHS Chelsea Floristry College of the Year and were also awarded a silver-gilt medal for our stand, with the judges praising the exhibit’s excellent colouring, individual elements and beautiful workmanship.

Said student Carol Edginton: “This was the experience of a lifetime. The atmosphere was unbelievable and we were all so proud to be taking part at Chelsea.”

Landscaper rewarded for WorldSkills success Aaron and other finalists had to demonstrate exacting technical skills in block paving, decking construction and plant placement. To mark his success, he received a trophy from Marshalls, the market leader in hard landscaping products.

Landscaper Aaron Byrne has received an industry award for his success in a national competition.

Aaron, a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture student, won bronze in the WorldSkills UK landscaping finals at The Skills Show, Birmingham. He qualified at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park.

The demanding three day competition, run by the Association of Professional Landscapers, aims to identify potential team members for WorldSkills, an Olympic-style global competition showcasing the world’s top young talent in vocational industries.

A strong supporter of young talent and of WorldSkills, Marshalls works with Reaseheath through its Educational Partnership, an initiative offering skills workshops and workplace opportunities with elite Marshalls Register members.

Hopefully Aaron will emulate former student Matt Beesley, who was a member of the Team UK WorldSkills squad in Sao Paulo, Brazil, in 2015 and won a silver medal.

Another ex-horticulture student, Richard Carden, has become a WorldSkills UK Champion after successfully competing in the national finals in 2014. He joins a growing network of inspiring young professionals who are working in the industry.

Horticulturists prove they are top of their tree Our students proved their growing skills by taking awards in the prestigious Chartered Institute of Horticulture’s ‘Young Horticulturalist of the Year’ competition.

RHS student Nathan Foulds won the North West and North Wales regional final, while former Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture student Yvette Burrell, who works for Cholmondeley Castle Gardens, was third and Ben Roberts, also an RHS student, was fourth.

The demanding competition tested the breadth of the contestants’ knowledge over ten hard fought rounds.

Nathan, who won £150 and a spade and fork from Bulldog Tools, has qualified for the national final and a chance of winning a £2,500 travel bursary which is sponsored by the Shropshire Horticulture Society through The Percy Thrower Trust.

The 28 year-old father of four has launched a garden landscaping and maintenance business, ‘Franklee Gardens’, in Macclesfield. He gained his RHS Level 2 Certificate (theory) with us last year and is now studying for his Level 2 Certificate (practical).

Sports students try out new skills at Manchester Velodrome

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Sports facilities open for community use See our latest sports facilities at http://bit.ly/3Gopen

Our Sports department marked the opening of our new, professional level, sports facilities with a rugby tournament for local secondary schools.

Pupils from Sandbach High School, Ruskin Community High School and Malbank School took on the touch rugby challenge, which was judged by former English international rugby union player Mark Cueto MBE and supported by sports students.

The event marked the official opening of our all weather 3G pitch and outdoor multi-use games area for community use. The floodlit sports facility is already used regularly by Crewe and Nantwich Rugby Club, Crewe Alexandra Ladies FC and Crewe

Pupils get top tips from Crewe Alex future stars

The tournament was part of an assessment for Crewe Alex apprentices, who are studying for a BTEC sporting qualification with us alongside their training programme with the club. As part of their education programme the apprentices had to run an introductory skills session for the pupils and organise and officiate at the tournament.

Pupils from years 5 and 6 took part and top players Imran Rahman and Esme Brayford were presented with signed balls.

School head Phil Whelan said:

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“This was a great experience for the children. They all had a fantastic time, playing football and generally enjoying themselves, and were well looked after by the apprentices. We’d love to be invited again.”

We also have a strength and conditioning gym with sports science laboratory which can be hired out. The construction of a sports centre for college and community use will begin in 2017 (see page 2).

These top class facilities are used regularly by our sport and public services students and for activities for residential students.

Students make a wheely good impression for Tour of Britain Sports performance, adventure sports and public services students made a special effort to mark British Cycling’s Tour of Britain by getting involved in a giant piece of aerial artwork alongside the competitors’ route.

Sporty pupils from Millfields Primary School in Nantwich gained top tips from the future stars of Crewe Alexandra FC at a football tournament on campus.

Arrows FC. The GB amputee football squad has also trained on the pitch, which has a synthetic surface installed to professional specification, electronic timing gates and a fitness testing unit.

Other local football clubs are considering using the facility and there are plans to hold a sports festival in 2017.

About 80 students formed the moving wheels of a 100 foot long ‘bicycle’ as the elite athletes, including Sir Bradley Wiggins, passed our college entrance during Stage Three of the prestigious road cycling event.

Liam Salt, a Sports Performance course manager and keen

cyclist himself, organised the aerial artwork after seeing similar artwork at premier international competitions abroad.

He said: “This was a great opportunity for our students to take part in a team building activity with a difference.

Awareness of all types of sport is growing thanks to the Rio Olympics and it was a great way for the students to be part of a premier event. The aerial artwork looked amazing and was an exciting activity to mark the race as it passed through Cheshire.”

Promising apprentice Owen Dale, who trains with Crewe Alex First Team said: “I enjoyed coaching and officiating in the tournament.

It was nice to pass on some of the skills I’ve learned and is good preparation if I decide to go into football coaching later in my career.”

Reaseheath has been working in partnership with Crewe Alex for some years to provide an all-round education for the club’s apprentices, who gain the best grades in the country.

See our aerial artwork http://bit.ly/rh_tob

Agriculture students take top prizes in Great Farm Challenge Our agricultural students came top of the class in a regional challenge which proved they understand best environmental practice.

Three Level 3 Extended Diploma teams qualified for the north west finals of The Great Farm Challenge, a competition run by Natural England, the Environment Agency and United Utilities. The students’ presentations on how to improve on-farm water quality so impressed the judges that a Reaseheath team won the competition while another came third.

Competing against students from Myerscough and Newton Rigg

colleges, our next generation farmers looked at environmental farming practices and attended interactive learning sessions.

They then visited a farm and produced reports on issues and changes needed.

Reaseheath’s Bethany Osborne and Rachael Millward took first prize for their recommendations on water management while Oliver Haines and Harry Fletcher were third for their presentation on pesticide and herbicide use.

Our third team of Jason Casey, Henry Bryan and Harry Cowell just missed out on a place after a worthy presentation on soil management.

Students take Next Generation shepherding awards Our agriculture students took the top awards at the Next Generation Shepherds competition, run by the Central Region of the National Sheep Association (NSA).

Will Leese won the highly competitive event while Harley Turner was runner-up. Fellow students Jacob Underhill, Oliver Haines, George Moss and Dan Miller were also placed.

As well as taking top honours, Will, 17, was awarded the prize for the highest placed competitor under 21, and took home a trophy and generous prize money. He also qualified for the 2018 NSA Next Generation Shepherd national finals Competitors had to prove they had the knowledge and practical skills

to make successful commercial shepherds by completing tests such as sheep handling, routine veterinary procedures, selecting butcher’s lambs, choosing rams for breeding and handling all terrain vehicles. They also completed a written paper on flock management.

Reaseheath agriculture staff helped to run the competition, held at Bakewell Agricultural Centre, alongside members of the British Wool Marketing Board and the Agriculture and Horticulture Development Board.

A multi-task competition for schoolaged shepherds was run at the same event by our sister company, DART Training, and attracted entries from across the region.

Natural England’s Andy Wagstaff explained: “The competition aim is to improve the students’ understanding of the impact of agriculture on water sources.

This includes minimising run off from pesticides, nutrients and suspended solids and looking

at ways of using water wisely on the farm.

“Crucially it allows us to talk to the farmers of the future and get them thinking about how farming practices impact on the environment.”

Students star in new BBC series Our agriculture students played a starring role in The Farmers’ Country Showdown, a new TV series celebrating inspirational farming families and the rural events where they showcase their hard work.

The series, which aired in March, covered the range and brilliance of British farms and visited farming shows, food festivals and award ceremonies.

Each episode featured families as they prepared for a special event and we were asked to take part in the ‘next generation’ episode following the success of our stockjudging team in the 2016 College Challenge at the East of England Smithfield Festival.

The film crew followed team member Iwan Parry on his family’s sheep farm in North Wales and then at Reaseheath with fellow students as they prepared to take on the 2017 challenge. The story then moved to the hard fought competition, where Reaseheath’s team battled it out against landbased colleges from all over the country.

Agriculture lecturer James Bickerton, who specialises in beef and sheep and coaches our stockjudging teams, said: “Family farms are the backbone of agriculture. This was a great series showing what a good job we do bringing quality food to the table.”

NSA Chief Executive Phil Stocker said: “We believe that the sheep industry offers a wide range of inspirational careers in addition to those of commercial shepherd, such as research scientists, animal health advisors and environmental grazing consultants.

“We hope to encourage the next generation to appreciate the many opportunities available and inspire them to get involved.”

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Three continents in one month for animal undergraduates Animal science undergraduates had some fantastic adventures during a month of international study tours around the globe.

Teams visited South Africa, Peru and The Netherlands, enjoying close up encounters with animals and building up their knowledge of their management in the wild and in captivity.

The undergraduates, who are studying animal behaviour and welfare, wildlife conservation and ecology or zoo management, were also able to support some of the good work undertaken by professionals during practical sessions.

Team Africa visited South Africa for an education visit to Balule Game Reserve, where they enjoyed game drives and walks,

numerous wildlife sightings and assignments from rangers. They spent a further week at Moholoholo Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre working closely with native species.

Team Peru packed their marmalade sandwiches for a journey to the jungle to learn about ecology and conservation in the Amazon.

They also enjoyed the sights and sounds of Cusco, the Inca capital.

Team Zoo visited three zoos in Holland, with each venue offering new insights into animal husbandry, enclosure design, zoo education and the conservation role of modern zoos. Highlights included a tour of the endangered reptile

breeding facility at Rotterdam Zoo, seeing manatees at Royal Burgers Zoo and a talk at the European Zoo Association HQ at Artis Zoo.

See more about their fantastic adventures at http://bit.ly/FCF16

Zoo rewarded for giving rare spiders a helping hand Reaseheath’s Zoo has been awarded a prestigious gold award by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) for helping to conserve the endangered fen raft spider, one of the UK’s most spectacular spiders.

Six hundred tiny spiderlings were hand reared by our keepers and students during a project aimed at conserving British native species. The spiderlings were kept in individual test tubes and fed with tiny invertebrates until reaching a suitable release size.

Reaseheath collaborated with nine other BIAZA members,

including Chester Zoo and ZSL London Zoo, throughout the project. A total of 6,000 spiderlings were released over four years and have established new populations in restored wetland habitat.

Deputy Zoo Manager Lauren Lane led on the project, helped by colleagues and by student members of our Herpetological Society.

Lauren said: “I am extremely proud that our contribution to this important project has been recognised. It was a rare privilege to be actively involved in conservation work, although it was very time consuming

and really tested our skills as zoo keepers!

It was also a great opportunity for staff and students to work alongside major conservation bodies.”

Reaseheath Zoo has over 150 different species including a substantial collection of invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians. Check www.reaseheath.ac.uk/ zoo for when we’re open to the public.

Lecturer speaks at World Congress in China Animal Management lecturer Simon Maddock was among international experts to speak at the World

Congress of Herpetology, held in China.

A former Reaseheath student, Simon is recognised globally for his research on Seychelles caecillians (legless amphibians), a subject he studied for his PhD. He was an invited speaker at the Caecilian Symposium, where he presented his findings to an audience of 850 fellow scientists from around the world.

Simon, who manages our Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management, also spent time

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networking with fellow scientists, discussing potential global collaborations and learning about state-of-the-art research. He is using the experience to enhance his lectures and to run research projects for undergraduates and Further Education students.

He explained: “Taking part in these conferences gives me the chance to interact with world renown biologists. I received a lot of approaches from delegates keen to exchange ideas and form research partnerships, and these could

greatly benefit our students as well as the species we are studying.”

Simon has previously given a talk about the evolution of Seychelles amphibians and snakes at a similarly prestigious conference in North Carolina. Recently he helped to identify a new species of leaf litter lizard from Ecuador after studying the country’s reptiles and amphibians.

For published articles see https:// www.researchgate.net/profile/ Simon_Maddock/contributions

Equine students enjoy exceptional experience at HOYS Reaseheath equine students enjoyed an exceptional experience at the Horse of the Year Show (HOYS) by providing the arena party for the sixth consecutive year.

Working alongside elite riders, trainers and performers, our team of 37 students met Olympians Nick Skelton, Michael Whittaker, John Whittaker, Carl Hester and Charlotte Dujardin among many superstars.

The students, led by Curriculum Area Manager Kerry Owen and Equine Lecturer Jennifer Nash,

supported international course designers Bob Ellis and Kelvin Bywater and their team as they built courses to test the world’s leading showjumpers. They also prepared the international arena for highlights such as the showing, working hunter and dressage championships, the Pony Club mounted games, the harness scurry and the display team The Level 2 and Level 3 Extended Diploma students received two days of unique training before going on duty – a great addition to their CV.

Our arena parties were thanked for their professional service in front of thousands of spectators and are already rebooked for HOYS 2017.

Our equine students also provided the arena parties for other prestigious events

including Bolesworth International, British Showjumping’s National Championships and the Royal Windsor Horse Show. We also took up the once-in-alifetime opportunity to support The Queen’s 90th birthday celebrations at Windsor Castle.

Reaseheath Equine supports #NotOnMyYard campaign

Equine undergraduate wins fourth USA internship BSc Equine Science undergraduate Rhiannon Elsmore has become the fourth Reaseheath student to have been awarded a prestigious BEF MAREC Internship.

The annual award is made jointly by the BEF (British Equestrian Federation) and the Virginia Tech Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension Center (MAREC).

The winner, selected from throughout the UK, has a fantastic opportunity to spend a three month summer internship in the USA at MAREC, the world’s leading equine breeding and research centre.

Rhiannon won the internship jointly with Connie Dale, a Harper Adams undergraduate.

Another Reaseheath student, Faye McTigue, was runner-up.

Rhiannon and Connie will follow in the footsteps of last year’s winners Michelle Hand and Zoe Greenwood, who both graduated with BSc First Class Honours in Equine Science from Reaseheath. Michelle and Zoe benefitted greatly from gaining an insight into a worldclass programme for the breeding and management of young stock.

Another Reaseheath graduate, Charlotte Woolley, won the internship in 2014 and has gone on to study for a PhD in neuro biology at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies.

James Rayner, a Course Manager at our Equestrian Centre, is also a former recipient. James was awarded the internship in 2012 and returned to the Virginia Tech MAREC for a further year on a British Equestrian Federation placement.

For more information on the BEF MAREC Internship see: http://www.befred.org/ Internship.aspx.

Reaseheath's equine department played a key role in the #NotOnMyYard campaign – an equine-specific anti-bullying initiative.

International event rider Michael Owen, British Dressage judge and trainer Val Smyth and Olympic show jumper Geoff Billington were among leading equestrians to make free appearances at a public event we organised to raise awareness of the campaign.

The riders gave ‘grass roots’ demonstrations in their disciplines to spectators who also had the chance to try out 'Flicka', our mechanical horse.

We also held a fund raising raffle with prizes donated by local businesses.

The event, held during National Anti-Bullying Week, was co-ordinated by Level 1 Equine Course Manager Sam

Brentnall. Representatives from the British Horse Society and Greater Manchester Police Tactical Mounted Unit attended, along with Reaseheath's Senior Wellbeing Co-ordinator Nicola McCleave.

Said Nicola: “We take a holistic approach to student well-being and cover a wide range of issues. The #NotOnMyYard message is one very close to our hearts as Reaseheath has a zero-tolerance policy to bullying.”

Samantha Thurlow from Tudor Rose Equines, the riding group who launched the campaign, confirmed that the next phase will be to work in partnership with agencies such as the British Equestrian Federation, the BHS and participating colleges to draw up a Code of Conduct for yards, schools and centres.

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Military veterans gain building blocks for new careers Military veterans have graduated from a groundbreaking property maintenance course which gives them the skills to launch a new career.

The veterans have learned bricklaying, plastering, wall tiling, decorating, joinery and plumbing during training delivered by our construction department.

The course is run in partnership with armed forces training charity Building Heroes and start up national handyman service, Heroes 4 Hire-Handymen, and aims to provide a training pathway for some of the 120,000 unemployed veterans in Britain today. The new graduates are already employed by Heroes 4 Hire-Handymen, which runs a national property maintenance service and could provide 420 jobs for ex-servicemen and women over the next two years.

Reaseheath is the second training centre to be appointed and there are plans to open more training centres nationwide.

Said Building Heroes Chief Executive Brendan Williams: “This is a fantastic

Antoinette Sandbach MP joins Head of Construction Andy Gould and successful veterans

opportunity for service leavers to prepare for a worthwhile career in the building trades. The construction industry is facing a huge skills shortage and there is growing demand for well trained men and women. This is a win - win situation for all concerned.”

Confirmed Nigel Blanchard, Chief Executive of Heroes 4 Hire-Handymen: “These jobs are available and we need well trained,

willing and capable employees to fill them.

These are the attributes many former Armed Forces personnel already have and we hope that, through our partnership with Reaseheath and Building Heroes, we will be laying down a foundation for these excellent recruits which will enable them to pick up a new and rewarding career.”

PiCUS masterclass focuses on tree safety technology Cutting edge technology which detects decay in trees has been demonstrated on campus to countryside students and to professional arborists.

The PiCUS masterclass, hosted

by Sorbus International , was aimed at current and future

users of the PiCUS 2 and PiCUS 3 sonic tomography systems and attracted professionals from across the country. The non-invasive systems measure the speed of sound waves as they pass through tree trunks and produce 2D or 3D images of

Arbor student is TV star

decay and defects which often cannot be seen externally.

The systems are widely used by local authorities, consultants and contractors to assess the condition of trees, particularly those which are easily accessible to the public. Consultant John Harraway showed how to best use the technology, both practically in our grounds and in classroom sessions looking at interpretation of data and tree care.

Sorbus International is the UK’s exclusive distributer of PiCUS systems and the company is a

Level 3 Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture student Tom Dufton featured in a BBC2 series about people who are making a success of their lives despite suffering from neurological conditions.

on a typical day at college identifying trees, looking at plant cells in our lab and having a chainsaw lesson. The crew also followed him during work experience with a local company.

Tom, who has Tourette’s Syndrome, hopes to become a tree surgeon and was filmed

The prime time series, Employable Me, proved very popular with viewers.

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big supporter of Reaseheath.

Representatives visit annually to demonstrate the system to our arboriculture, forestry and countryside management students and also to update them on industry innovations.

Director Phil Wade said: “Sophisticated technology such as that found in the PiCUS systems can play a big part in extending the life of trees. It can also help to avoid injuries from falling timber by alerting tree professionals to potential problems before they become serious.”

New awards in MOT Testing Qualified motor vehicle technicians who want to progress to MOT testers can now prepare for and take their online exam at Reaseheath.

Our new Institute of the Motor Industry (IMI) approved Level 2 Award in MOT Testing is proving very popular, as it gives technicians the chance to fast track their careers into an indemand part of the industry.

The four day intensive course, which is followed by a final DVSA assessment in the workplace, is divided between practical sessions in our industry standard workshops and theory study. To be eligible, candidates must have a Level 3 motor vehicle qualification, four years of experience in the automotive industry and a full

UK driver’s licence for vehicle classes 4 and 7.

Successful MOT student Mike Murphy of R&J Motors, Wrexham, said: “This has been a very good course.

Every session has been really informative and relevant. Now I have the qualification we can open an MOT Centre. It’ll make a big difference to our business income - and we’ll be offering a better service for our clients.”

We also offer a short Continuing Professional Development course for those already qualified as MOT testers, and two day courses in mobile air conditioning and hybrid car technology.

Our motor vehicle department is looking

for businesses to join its Industry partner scheme.

Membership is free, but members must agree to be course mentors, employ an apprentice, offer work experience or sponsor the department. In return they receive a considerable reduction in training fees.

For more information contact simon.bishop@ reaseheath.ac.uk

Take a look round our workshops with our mannequin challenge at http://bit.ly/RHC_ mannequin

Charity champions equality of opportunity Motor vehicle students have an exciting chance to maintain off road buggies for disabled drivers, thanks to our partnership with ‘Speed of Sight’.

The charity, which was founded

by Mike Newman, the fastest blind man on the planet, gives those who are blind, partially sighted or have other disabilities the chance to experience the thrill of driving at speed.

‘Speed Of Sight’ is renown for its popular track days using specially adapted race cars

and is now offering off-road experiences using dual control buggies. One of their venues is Reaseheath’s off-road track and we have hosted several very successful events.

www.speedofsight.org

Explained Mike Newman: “Our aim is to allow people of all ages with disabilities to enjoy the excitement and thrill of motorsports. We are committed to the promotion of opportunity for all and like to focus on what people CAN do, rather than what they can’t do.’’

Halfords gives technicians a head start Our motor vehicle technologists and agricultural engineers received a kick start for their future careers when they were presented with Halfords trade discount cards.

Our students can now take advantage of major savings on Halfords Autocentre products, which include parts, oil and tools. Paul Hewitson, Trade Manager for Halfords, handed over the discount cards during a presentation to students on the latest tools and equipment in our vehicle technology workshops.

• We also work closely with the Institute of Motor Industry (IMI), the industry’s professional body and leading provider of work related qualifications for the automotive trade. As well as approving our courses, the IMI regularly holds its member meetings at Reaseheath, which include talks and presentations on the latest industry innovations.

• As well as industry visits, our motor vehicle students get the chance to attend track days and rallies and visit major shows like Autosport International.

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Launch of new HGV apprenticeships Reaseheath has secured 25 new apprenticeship positions thanks to a collaboration with heavy goods vehicle (HGV) commercial parts suppliers.

The HGV parts, sales and marketing apprenticeships will run in partnership with Independent Motor Trade Factors Associated Ltd (IFA), a major UK motor factor buying and distribution group.

The IFA approached Reaseheath for a training solution which would offer a clear career path for young people within the HGV parts sector. After discussions with our apprenticeship team, fifteen IFA employers chose us as their preferred training provider.

The IFA will work in partnership with Reaseheath Training to develop the new programmes.

Training will be on a block release basis and will give the apprentices practical experience in our modern workshops and a good grounding in the selection, order and issue of HGV parts.

The young people will also learn customer service skills and gain greater understanding of how their role impacts on the wider industry. The programme launches in September 2017.

Reaseheath’s engineering department has an international reputation for training excellence and is the training provider for leading manufacturers such as CLAAS, New Holland, JCB

and Case IH. The college already successfully delivers an Agricultural Engineering Apprenticeship in Parts, Sales and Marketing.

Simon Smedley, Director of HGV Direct, said: "This programme of study, delivered by Reaseheath in its excellent training facilities, is just what the industry needs to enhance our reputation as an attractive career option.”

Advanced parlour technicians graduate clear career development path for young engineers.

The first specialist technicians to achieve a new Parlour Safe Category 3 Accreditation for the milking equipment industry have graduated.

Professionals from five of the UK’s leading manufacturers, DeLaval, Fullwood, GEA UK, Lely and BouMatic, have completed the bespoke course, delivered solely

by Reaseheath. The companies are key members of the Milking Equipment Association (MEA), which has worked with Reaseheath to ensure that the training meets the needs of its industry. As well as giving nationally recognised status to its engineers, the accreditations set a benchmark for installation and servicing standards and provide a

Accredited by the Landbased Technician Accreditation, the scheme is overseen and awarded by the Institution of Agricultural Engineers and offers best practice in the supply, installation, maintenance and use of milking equipment and in dairy cow health and welfare. Although currently voluntary, it is likely to become regulatory in the future.

Reaseheath College offers the block release training at Categories 2 (Basic) and 3 (Advanced) and plans to offer Category 4 (Master Technician) by September 2018.

The scheme is proving extremely popular and has 533 delegates registered.

Construction Plant Maintenance Apprentices celebrate success Thirty-seven advanced Construction Plant Maintenance apprentices were joined by their employers to celebrate the completion of their qualification.

The apprentices work for leading companies including A-Plant,

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Scot JCB, Greenshields JCB, Watlings JCB, Banner Plant, The GAP Group and Clee Hill Plant, which support the programme by supplying cutting edge machinery and equipment.

Apprentice of the Year was Jean-Paul Alcayde (Clee Hill Plant) while Ryan Shipley (A-Plant) and Adam Burman (JCB) were runners-up.

MEA Chief Executive Ruth Bailey said: “As the structure of dairy farming changes and demands from the milk purchaser become more stringent, it is critical that we validate our professionals and offer the assurances that the sector is looking for. Parlour Safe offers a recognised standard of technical excellence. Farmers can immediately identify that their parlours are serviced and maintained by accredited and competent technicians, while the technicians are validated with a professional accreditation to the highest standards.”

For more details contact michaelc@reaseheath.ac.uk View more pics at http://bit.ly/parloursafe_grad

Poppy cakes cause a stir Two stunning cakes designed and decorated by Level 2 Bakery and Patisserie students wowed hundreds of visitors to our stand at the Cake and Bake Show in Manchester.

Both commemorating the victims of war, one cake showcased the purple poppy which represents fallen animals while the other featured a cascade of red poppies and intricate models of servicemen.

just begun their course before creating their idea on a mood board and replicating it in icing.

After the show the purple poppy cake was donated to animal charity ‘Murphys Army’ and was enjoyed by retired servicemen.

For more about our industry leading Food Centre and courses see www.reaseheath.ac.uk/food

They were just two of a number of exciting student-made creations which received positive comments at the show.

The students who came up with the clever design had only

Business and events students visit Berlin Our business and events management students enjoyed a study tour to Berlin, the latest in a series of visits to European centres of excellence.

Level 3 Diploma students investigated how the city uses its resources including a visit to a printing press and a trip to a silicon alley style enterprise unit funded by entrepreneurs to support business startups. They also visited the historic Brandenburg gates, the Berlin wall and the Reichstag building. Last year

their European trip was to Disneyland for the ‘Business Live’ conference.

Apart from enjoying their trip to Germany, our students have also visited the Houses of Parliament in London to see how business law is made.

Trips to leading businesses such as Cadburys World and JCB at Rochester are also in the pipeline and our students have also helped to organise a number of successful campus events.

Artisan bread baking gives food for thought Bakery and Patisserie undergraduates made an impressive range of hand made breads during an intensive course at the School of Artisan Foods in Nottinghamshire.

The students spent three days of hands-on bread making which included understanding the flours used to produce different types of bread, how to make flour dough and the different processes required to produce the finished loaf. The course also gave our students greater understanding

of artisan bakery practice and how this could be replicated into smallscale bakeries.

The course included lots of practical demonstrations and our students were soon busy shaping, turning and scoring their loaves. This was a new experience for all and proved so popular that at least one student is planning to rebook!

Our undergraduates also enjoyed watching a flour production demonstration at our local Bunbury Mill.

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Industry partnership runs companion cropping trials Groundbreaking companion cropping trials aimed at conserving the environment while improving land productivity have been held on campus.

another use or ploughed back as ‘green manure’. Importantly, particularly in low lying areas, the vegetation retains nutrients rather than allowing them to pollute water courses.

The trials, a first for the UK, were the result of a partnership with machine manufacturer Pottinger, agronomy company Agrovista and seed companies DLF, Germinal and Pioneer.

Their aim was to find the most viable companion crop, suitable for UK growing conditions, which would establish and maintain quality maize forage.

Environmental benefits of an undersown crop includes improved soil structure, reduced compaction and better conditions for harvesting machinery. Main crop yield is maintained while the undersown crop can be put to

Plots of maize were undersown with grass, clover, vetch, peas and other legumes. The crops were planted simultaneously using precision technology from Pottinger. Results are being analysed and the trials are being repeated this year.

Project leader was Robert Yardley, a Reaseheath

undergraduate and Oxford Farming Conference scholar.

Agrovista Agronomist John Ball said: “This was a great opportunity to demonstrate cutting-edge companion planting which will have a positive impact on both environmental and farming profitability.”

Watch the crop trials at http//bit.ly/croptrials16

British Grassland Society moves onto campus The country’s leading forum in the science and practice of grass and forage production, The British Grassland Society (BGS), has relocated to Reaseheath.

BGS is a long established and respected membership organisation and its move from Warwickshire to Cheshire brings it to the heart of a major

grassland region and closer to some of the young people who will form the future of the farming industry.

The society has many active members abroad and is a member of the European Grassland Federation The move is great news for Reaseheath, as the BGS

brings together those who have an active interest in the profitable and sustainable use of grass and forage. These include researchers, farmers, advisers, teachers, students and technical members of the agricultural industry, all of whom aim to advance education and research.

Companies benefit from on-farm training Our agriculture department has worked with Chartered Surveyors Dalcour Maclaren to deliver tailor-made training to a key client.

Ten land officers from National Grid’s North West Land and Business Services Team joined representatives from Dalcour Maclaren to spend a day on the college farm focusing on modern agriculture, reinstatement and compensation. The group studied animal and crop production systems and the impact that utility projects could have on turnover and

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scheduling. They also visited Reaseheath’s high yielding, dairy operation, commercial pig unit and anaerobic digester.

National Grid delegate James Dean said: “Dalcour Maclaren and Reaseheath College delivered an excellent learning opportunity which enabled National Grid’s land officers to fully understand the challenges currently facing the agricultural industry. Hopefully this greater understanding will help the teams when they talk to landowners and managers about projects which directly affect them.”

Dalcour Maclaren acts exclusively for the utility and infrastructure sector. Chartered surveyor Andrew Barker said: “We go to great lengths to support the training of our graduates and qualified surveyors. By working with Reaseheath, we hope to arrange further training days which suit the needs of both our own company and those of our clients.”

For more about client CPD with Dalcour Maclaren email training@dalcourmaclaren.com

Fellowship honour for Principal Principal Meredydd David MBE has been made a Fellow of the Royal Agricultural Society (RAgS) for Reaseheath’s outstanding contribution to agricultural progress within the UK.

Meredydd said: “This honour is very much Reaseheath’s achievement and is entirely due to the fantastic work the college does for the agricultural industry nationwide.”

The honour, bestowed at the House of Lords by Miss Rosie Carne, current chairman of the RAgS Council, is in recognition of the services Reaseheath provides for its farming community and its leading role in the development of agricultural education.

Reaseheath has been a leader in the field of agriculture since the 1920s and is recognised for its expertise in dairy production.

We currently have 370 students studying degrees and diplomas in agriculture and our college farm has had significant investment, ensuring that our students receive a cutting edge experience using the latest technology.

Reaseheath at a glance - Dairy Champion National Skills Academy for Food and Drink

SUBJECT AREAS Further and Higher Education and Apprenticeships - Adventure Sports - Agriculture - Agricultural Engineering - Animal Management - Business and Events Management

RAgS promotes the scientific development of agriculture and the transfer of scientific knowledge to agricultural practitioners.

- Construction - Countryside and Conservation - Entry and Foundation Learning

Reaseheath’s Agricultural Development Academy offers an information hub for farmers and growers and aims to improve the profitability and efficiency of farming and food production businesses by delivering high quality knowledge transfer.

The Reaseheath STAR Award to the most outstanding staff member went to former Chair of Governors Emily Thrane, who was also Chair of our Quality and Standards Committee and of DART Training and played a significant role in negotiating our successful partnership with the University of Chester.

Other stars were:

Individuals Head of Construction Andy Gould (PRIDE award) for encouraging innovation and growth in his department and leading by example to ensure students and staff achieve their highest potential.

Payroll Manager Sam Straker (Customer Service Award) for the approachable, knowledgeable and helpful service she and colleagues provide.

- Floristry - Horticulture - Food Technology - Motor Vehicle - Public Services - Sport

TOTAL STUDENTS

Staff with ‘Star’ appeal Outstanding stars among our dedicated staff have been honoured for ‘going the extra mile’ to contribute towards the success of the Reaseheath group.

- Equine

Sports and Public Services lecturer Liam Salt (Community Award) for his charity work with students, his support for staff wellbeing and for training our Football Academies to a high level.

Learning Skills Centre (Support Team of Year) for ensuring that every learner has the best possible chance of progressing and overcoming significant challenges with a very positive attitude.

IT Technician Aidan Sheriff (Innovation Award) for his technological knowledge and creativity and particularly for the development of a project which will support every member of staff.

We welcome applications from anyone interested in becoming a governor, particularly those with experience in land-based industries or education.

Gardens and Estates technician Gar Badjie (Student Experience) for providing an excellent student work experience in our campus gardens and grounds, and his positive approach to his duties.

Contact Jackie Schillinger, Clerk to the Governors jackies@reaseheath.ac.uk

Further Education (full-time/part-time): 3507 Higher Education (degrees): 730 Apprenticeships and work based learning: 1,500 (Including DART Training)

ESTATE College grounds: 21 hectares Owned and rented farm land: 330 hectares Land leased to Crewe Alexandra Football Club: 6 hectares

TURNOVER Academic year 2015 /16: £30 million

FACILITIES On-site accommodation for 802; five catering outlets; student lounge/ bar; learning resource centre, HE study area, sports hall, climbing wall, multi gym, sports pitches, equestrian centre, campus farm, campus zoo, licensed food factory.

Teams Foundation Team (Curriculum Team of Year) for delivering a life changing experience to learners, many of whom are high needs students, by preparing them for the world of work.

STAFF 715 (including part-time and casual)

FURTHER DETAILS Visit our college website or please ask for a prospectus Reaseheath College, Nantwich, Cheshire CW5 6DF

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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 find out more about food production at our

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Apple Festival and Open Farm Sunday are just a few of the reasons visitors pour onto campus each year.

Our zoo is open during many school holidays and we have wildlife clubs and 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 we often hold guest lectures with an animal theme which are open 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.

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 l 01270 625131 Written and edited by Reaseheath’s Press Officer Lynne Lomax lynnel@reaseheath.ac.uk