Graduate profile – Amelia Kenyon
Amelia Kenyon graduated from Reaseheath in 2014 with a First Class Honours degree in Equine Science.
Graduate profile – Lucy Atkins
Reaseheath opened doors to a new career for Lucy when in 2007 she enrolled as a mature entry student on our BSc (Hons) Equine Science degree.
Reaseheath’s festival gets to the core of fruit growing
Hundreds of local families got to the core of fruit growing at Reaseheath College’s popular apple festival over the weekend.
The fruity festival, being held at the Nantwich college for the 25th consecutive year, featured 110 rare varieties of apples and pears…
Graduate profile – Laura Friend
In 2010, Laura Friend made the life-changing decision to resign from her career of 10 years and to enrol as a mature entry student on our BSc (Hons) in Equine Science.
Dairy technologists reach career milestone at Reaseheath College
Twenty-one trainee dairy technologists reached a significant career milestone last week when they graduated from their unique Eden training programme, delivered by Reaseheath College in Cheshire.
Reaseheath College degrees open doors to careers, graduates told
Although studying for a degree could be costly, it would prove to be a phenomenal investment in later life, new graduates from Reaseheath College heard.
Speaking at the Nantwich, Cheshire, college’s Faculty of Higher Education (HE) 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.
New lizard species identified by Reaseheath lecturer
Research by Reaseheath herpetologist Dr Simon Maddock has helped to formally identify a new species of Indian lizard, the Giri’s geckoella Cyrtodactylus (Geckoella) varadgiri.
A scientific paper containing a species description of the lizard, which was co-written by Simon, has been published today (Friday 23 September) in the peer reviewed scientific journal Zootaxa following an in-depth examination by scientific experts. A species description gives a clear description of a new species and explains how it differs from species which have been described previously.
Simon was a member of a collaborative research team from the UK, India and the USA to study the prominently patterned bent-toed gecko, which comes from Western and Central India. The lizard, which is 6cm – 7cm in total length, was named after esteemed Indian herpetologist Varad Giri in recognition of his contribution to Indian herpetology while he was a Curator at the Bombay Natural History Society.
The research, which was led by Ishan Agarwal of Villanova University, USA, used a combination of DNA and external characteristics to identify the new species. Although Giri’s geckoella has been documented for over 20 years, it was until now believed that the population belonged to the closely related forest spotted gecko (Geckoella collegalensis) from Southern India.
Giri’s geckoella is quite widely distributed and can be found from sea level around Mumbai up to approximately 350 m in deciduous forest, scrub and agricultural land. The species is active at night where it can be seen moving along the floor, during the day it retreats under rocks and logs. If disturbed, the lizard will make a defensive squealing call.
Simon, who is a Course Manager for our Level 3 Extended Diploma in Animal Management, completed his Level 3 National Diploma in Animal Management with us in 2007 before studying for a Masters Degree in Zoology at Bangor University, followed by a PhD jointly funded by London’s Natural History Museum and the University College London. He is currently a Research Associate of the Natural History Museum and is a world expert on the amphibians of the Seychelles.
Simon said: “The identification of this new species of lizard is extremely exciting and one of particular importance to the biodiversity of Central and Western India. It is likely that, over the coming years, more species belonging to this group of lizards will be discovered and described as new species.”
Simon has been involved in a number of key research projects and he has been a speaker at several global conferences. His published research can be found here.
Read more about this new species of Indian lizard here.
Spotlight on equine science graduate Natalie Harrison
Before enrolling at Reaseheath, Natalie Harrison ran her own business as a freelance groom but after working at a racehorse rehabilitation yard, her interest in equine rehabilitation and therapy blossomed.
Spolight on equine science graduate Charlotte Woolley
In 2014, Charlotte Woolley graduated with a First Class BSc (Hons) Equine Science degree and was awarded a prestigious internship to visit the Middleburg Agricultural Research and Extension (MARE) Center, part of the Virginia Tech State University, USA.
Spotlight on dairy technologist Melanie Leloup
A Quality Support Manager with Muller in Bridgwater, Somerset, Melanie was awarded the ‘best student’ accolade from National Skills Academy for Food and Drink when she graduated from our EDEN programme last year.