Archive for year: 2016

Members of Reaseheath College’s Student Association picked litter from one of Nantwich’s major gateways as their contribution to the ‘Clean for the Queen’ campaign.

Wearing hi vis vests and armed with litter pickers and bin liners, the students cleared refuse from the A51 roundabout and major roads near to the college campus in Nantwich. Their efforts were part of a national campaign, launched by Country Life magazine in partnership with Keep Britain Tidy, to clean up Britain in time for The Queen’s 90th birthday in June.

The students joined a growing army of volunteers, including Nantwich Litter Group, who are determined to make the town litter free in time for the celebration.

‘Clean for the Queen’ is the biggest ever community-led clean-up of the country’s streets, parks, roadside verges and hedgerows. The campaign is supported by the Government and by Cheshire East Council. The Cheshire East Street Cleansing team (ANSA) supports the efforts of all volunteer litter groups.

Nantwich Litter Group (NLG), formed in 2010, is group of volunteers who help to keep the town tidy, promote pride in the local environment and raise awareness of the anti-social nature of littering. The group have already held a ‘Clean for the Queen’ litter pick in March covering a large area of the town.

NLG Volunteer Co-ordinator Joyce Webb said: “This is a particularly important campaign and we were delighted that students from Reaseheath College offered to become involved. Many visitors and business people gain their first impressions of Nantwich when they arrive at the Reaseheath roundabout so it’s particularly important that it’s clean and tidy.

“We welcome support from any local individuals, organisations or businesses who would like to get involved with this campaign.  By working together we can really make a difference and ensure Nantwich is at its best in time for the Queen’s birthday.”

For further details about the ‘Clean for the Queen’ campaign or Nantwich Litter Group email joycewebb47@hotmail.com

Forty of our sports performance and adventure sports students gained a personal insight into the training and lifestyle of an elite athlete thanks to two presentations from Senior Team GB canoeist Adam Burgess.

Adam, one of the world’s top ten senior canoe slalom athletes, joined us for an appearance day as part of his sponsorship by UK Sport. During his inspirational and enthusiastic talks he described the commitment needed from athlete and support team, the level of training required at world class level and his hopes for the future.

The current ‘Under 23 World Champion for White Water Canoe Slalom’, Adam recalled the thrill of standing on the podium in Brazil in April 2015 to receive his title, his travels to international competitions and the amazing people who had supported him. Other major wins in his career to date have included a 3xC1M Team Gold in the Junior World Championships in France and his first senior medal – bronze at the Oceania Championships in Australia this February.

The 23 year-old, from Staffordshire, told our students how he had combined studying for a degree in sports science at Nottingham Trent University with training at the nearby National White Water Centre, and how the degree would help him in his future career outside competitive sport.

Realising that he needed a job back-up once his guaranteed funding had come to an end, he said he had realised there were skills in sport which he could adapt for business.

Based at Lee Valley White Water Centre, London, the Home of British Canoeing, Adam is currently focused on making his boat go faster by pushing the limits in ‘race real’ situations.

Attributing his success to optimising all processes, he said: “I get excited by the technical side rather than just chasing the time. The attraction of being out on the water is that conditions change every time. Winners are not always the best athletes –  you’ve got to have a good day too.”

An apprentice gardener at Cholmondeley Castle Gardens near Malpas has become Reaseheath College’s ‘Horticulture Apprentice of the Year’.

Rebecca Dawson, 26, from Aldford, Chester, received her award at a college ceremony held 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.

Rebecca was one of 150 apprentices who have gained their qualifications at the Nantwich, Cheshire, specialist college in the past year. She is one of a team of seven gardeners who look after the historic gardens and grounds at Cholmondeley, which attract thousands of visitors each year.

Reaseheath’s award was the second prestigious accolade which Rebecca has received since she became an apprentice just over a year ago. She also holds the national title of ‘New Gardener of the Year 2015’, presented by the Professional Gardeners Guild to the top new entrant to the industry.

Barry Grain, Head Gardener at Cholmondeley, who is mentoring Rebecca through her apprenticeship and who nominated her for her Professional Gardeners Guild Award, said: “Rebecca is exactly the sort of person we need to attract into the industry. She is young, committed and passionate and really wants to learn and get involved.

“Cholmondeley Castle Gardens are known as one of the best in the region and are part of our living history. We need young talent to help preserve and enhance historic gardens like ours for the future and are currently looking for another apprentice to join our team.”

Rebecca has completed her Level 2 apprenticeship and has progressed onto her Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship. She attends Reaseheath once a week to learn academic and practical skills and is also supported by college assessors at her workplace.

At Cholmondeley she has worked in all sections, including the popular terraces and temple garden. She also helped to build Cholmondeley’s award winning show garden at RHS Tatton Park Flower Show last year and will work on a similar project at RHS Chelsea Flower Show this year.

Rebecca said: ““An apprenticeship is a very versatile qualification which is becoming increasingly popular with employers. By choosing this route I have not only been able to enter the horticultural industry, but my future prospects have improved through the lifelong skills I’ve learnt and vital networking opportunities I’ve gained.  I’m also very fortunate to work in such a beautiful and historic environment as Cholmondeley.”

Reaseheath currently has 355 apprentices studying agriculture, agricultural engineering, animal care, construction, construction plant, food industry skills, horse care, horticulture, motor vehicle and sports turf.

Rebecca’s assessor Lyndon Smith said: “Rebecca is an outstanding apprentice and we were delighted to choose her as our award winner this year. Her portfolio of work is exceptional and her enthusiasm is infectious. She has become a vital team member at Cholmondeley, taking garden tours and answering questions from the public.”

Cholmondeley Castle Gardens were a personal project of the late Lady Lavinia Cholmondeley, who began work on them in the 1950s. The gardens are currently going through a renaissance, with new landscaping and renovated borders. They have just reopened to the public for the new season.

For further details of Reaseheath apprenticeships visit www.reaseheath.ac.uk/apprenticeships or call 01270 613221

For further details of Cholmondeley Castle Gardens see www.cholmondeleycastle.com

Header caption: Rebecca is joined by Lyndon Smith (left) and Barry Grain at Cholmondeley Castle Gardens

A Reaseheath countryside student is one of the stars in a groundbreaking  TV series about the unique abilities of people who have neuro-diverse conditions.

‘Employable Me’ uses science to uncover the strengths and skills of people who have Autism and Tourette’s Syndrome as they seek employment. This is in the wake of radical emerging findings that neurological conditions shouldn’t always be looked at in negative terms. Leading scientists and psychologists are brought in to show how harnessing the conditions can lead to outstanding ability and eventually to a dream job.

Tom, who is 27 and lives in Staffordshire, has Tourette’s Syndrome. A film crew from Optomen Television spent a day in January capturing his journey on camera as he went about campus, meeting friends, and attending classes. A clip of Tom’s activities at Reaseheath comes at the end of the second programme in the series, which will air on BBC2 tonight (Wednesday, March 30) at 9pm.

Many thanks to the staff of the countryside department for their support and co-operation during the preparation for filming, and throughout the day.

Catch up on the first episode of ‘Employable Me’ on BBC iplayer.