RHS medal for first time garden designer Nathan

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Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture student Nathan Webster was awarded a bronze medal at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park for his first ever show garden.

At 17 one of the youngest garden designers ever at the prestigious horticultural event, Nathan was supported in the garden build by Reaseheath trained apprentices and staff from Hultons Landscapes.

His striking garden ‘Sitting below the Mulberry Tree’, in the back-to-back category, is designed for young people with life limiting illnesses and will be relocated to Claire House Children’s Hospice, Wirral, to be enjoyed by families from throughout the north west.

Nathan Webster on his show garden

Nathan Webster on his show garden

Nathan, who has just completed the first year of his course, is planning a design and build career with Hultons, which is owned and run by his father Lee and sponsored the show garden.
Other members of the build team included Ian Rowbottom, a current Reaseheath horticulture apprentice and Tom Roberts, who completed his apprenticeship in Plant Maintenance with us last year. Reaseheath trained former apprentice Tom Pennington and Rory Littlewood, who gained his Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture with us ten years ago, were also part of the team and Theo Wilson, one of Nathan’s current fellow students, helped with the build.

Monty Don reporting from Nathan Webster's show garden

Monty Don reporting from Nathan Webster’s show garden

Designed to give families an accessible and peaceful seating area, the garden offers two serpentine shaped benches and a water cascade which falls down the retaining wall to collect in a ground level pool.

Nathan, who gained valuable experience at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park last year working alongside gold medal winning designer Pip Probert, said: “The atmosphere at RHS Tatton is amazing. I really enjoyed it last year but this year is different because I’m here with my own design and working with our own apprentices and staff. I’ve also learned a lot of technical skills during my course at Reaseheath.”

Lee Webster, who was previously Operational Director of the Landscape Group before launching Hultons, commented: “Designing and building a garden for RHS Tatton Park gives us a fantastic opportunity to show off the skills and talent of our rising stars. Apprentices and newly qualified horticulturists and designers are a fundamental resource for the horticultural industry. We’re currently facing a massive skills shortage and this show gives us a platform to remind visitors of the well paid range of careers which are available.”

See Nathan talk about his garden here>> 

Small spaces with big ideas lead to success for former students

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Small but perfectly formed, The Tiny Plant Company repeated last year’s success by winning a silver medal at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park 2016.

The company was launched less than two years ago by former Reaseheath horticulture student Matt Wood and has Reaseheath trained designer Sally Parkinson as one of its directors. The web-based business rears and supplies dwarf varieties of familiar plants which are suitable for restricted spaces and has been inspired by the rising popularity of container and ‘fairy’ gardens.

The Tatton exhibit, in the Blooming Borders category, was designed by Sally with  plants from The Tiny Plant Company. It demonstrated how even the lowliest of window boxes can be transformed into an interesting and attractive feature and  drew crowds of admiring show visitors.

While ideal for small herbaceous borders, patios or parking spaces, the planting ideas could also be combined into a larger scheme for gardeners who are less challenged for space.

Matt’s interest in small plants stems from his hobby of growing bonsai. He has shown with the Gold medal winning Cheshire Bonsai Society (of which he is membership secretary) at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park for the past seven years.

Matt Wood and Sally Parkinson silver medal

Matt Wood and Sally Parkinson celebrate their silver award

He and his wife Susi, who also works in The Tiny Plant Company, have their sights set on RHS Chatsworth Flower Show in 2017 and will then look beyond to RHS Chelsea Flower Show.

This year Matt has also been busy building show displays for Bowden Hostas at both RHS Chelsea Flower Show and RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show.

He completed his Level 3 Diploma in Plant Production at Reaseheath in 2005 and was runner up in the Chartered Institute of Horticulture’s ‘Young Horticulturalist of the Year’ regional final, held on campus earlier this year.

Sally completed her Professional Diploma in Garden Design at Reaseheath in 2007 before setting up her Mouldsworth-based garden design business, ‘Gardens and Spaces’. She is gaining a growing reputation throughout Cheshire for her designs, and has been a regular exhibitor at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park.

She said: “The business is doing really well considering the short time it has been operating. It’s particularly impressive that the plants which Matt has grown are already of the quality required for one of Britain’s top horticultural shows.”

See The Tiny Plant Company exhibit and hear from Matt at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park here>>

 

Top honours for Eden students at Nantwich International Cheese Show

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Reaseheath College trained dairy technologists took five top awards at the Nantwich International Cheese Show, proving they can hold their own against world class professionals.

The students, who are studying on the Nantwich, Cheshire, college’s unique Eden programme, was awarded gold in the Specialist Cheesemakers’ class for a speciality cheddar made by Sarah Roberts, Chris Hay and Jack Parini. A cheese from the same batch also won the highly competitive Student Cheesemaker class after impressing judges with its flavour, texture and creamy after-taste.

Eden student Georgie Brighton, a trainee dairy technologist from Arla, with one of the prizewinning cheeses

Eden student Georgie Brighton, a trainee dairy technologist from Arla, with one of the prizewinning cheeses

Standard mature cheddar cheeses made by fellow students Mike Reid, Lynn Graham, Sarah Hinchliffe and Craig Mayhew  took silver awards in the specialist and student cheesemaker classes and another student Cheshire cheese was awarded bronze in a class for territorial hard cheese.

A total of ten cheeses made by Eden students were entered into the show, which claimed a new world record by attracting 5,000 entries from 31 countries. The Student Cheesemaker class is sponsored by Reaseheath College.

celebrity chef James Martin with Lorraine Murray-Lunt and Megan Jones

Bakery and Patisserie students Megan Jones and Lorraine Murray-Lunt with celebrity chef James Martin

The Eden programme is a unique, ground breaking, education initiative driven and supported by leading dairy companies including Arla, Muller, Dairy Crest and Glanbia, which recognise the importance of investing in talented employees.

The technicians attend Reaseheath on a block release basis to study for an internationally recognised Foundation Degree in Dairy Technology which includes practical training in the college’s industry standard dairy processing halls. They spend the rest of their time extending their experience in the workplace.

Now in its eighth year and delivered exclusively by Reaseheath, the three year course covers relevant topics ranging from dairy chemistry and microbiology to cheesemaking.

Said Course Manager Debbie Heritage-Brill: “We were delighted at the success of our students, particularly against such strong competition from within the industry at a show with exceptionally high standards.”

Apart from competing, the Eden students demonstrated the process of cheesemaking at the show, giving families the chance to see how the nation’s favourite food is produced. They also helped with stewarding at the show.

Megan Jones and Lorraine Murray-Lunt, who have just completed their Level 2 Diploma in Bakery and Patisserie, and former student Elysha Emberson supported celebrity chefs James Martin, Will Holland, Sean Wilson and Peter Sidwell as they demonstrated how to cook tasty dishes in the international cheese marquee.

The students were also busy behind the scenes helping home economist Jill Weatherburn to prepare ingredients.

Find out more about the Eden programme at www.reaseheath.ac.uk/dairy-technology-foundation-degree

Nantwich Show success for student cattle exhibitors

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Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture students from Reaseheath College enjoyed record success in the cattle section at the Nantwich Show, winning a total of nine rosettes in youngstock showing and young handler classes.

The students prepared and showed three heifers from the Reaseheath Holstein dairy herd and four young beef shorthorn cattle, including bull Redhill Jethro, from the Bridge House pedigree herd. The students had trained and prepared the shorthorns for the show for Sandbach farmers George and Brenda Sutton, two of many local supporters who offer our students industry experience. This was the first time our students have had the opportunity to handle a bull in the showring.

The Reaseheath Holstein heifers won two second prizes and a third prize in their different age groups while the Bridge House youngstock took three third places in youngstock and pairs classes.

Prizewinners in the Young handler classes were: Imogen Lightfoot (third , beef class);  Hope Tatton (sixth, dairy class) and Siobhan Rutter (second, newcomers class). The other students who successfully showed cattle were Libby Turner, James Hodgkinson, Eden Gray and Ally Lightfoot.

Agricultural Instructor Sally Beresford, who with colleague Katie Oakley was in charge of the show preparation, said: “I was very proud to see our students contribute to the success of Reaseheath College at the Nantwich Show.  It was great to see the students and cattle doing so well in the showring. This was a really pleasing result, particularly as this the first season in which most of these students have shown cattle – and this was the first opportunity we have had to show a bull.”

Header image caption: Reaseheath students line-up in preparation for the Grand Parade at Nantwich Show

RHS silver for a planetary garden

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Reaseheath undergraduates have pooled their talents to design and build a silver medal winning garden at the prestigious RHS Flower Show Tatton Park (July 20 – 24).

Will Parks, Anna Tyler and Laura Cartmell, who are studying for their Foundation Degree in Garden and Landscape Design, took up the challenge and were supported in the build by Dave Cutler and other fellow students.

BBC presenter Joe Swift joins Reaseheath undergraduates Will Parks and Anna Tyler on their Heaven and Earth garden at RHS Tatton

BBC presenter Joe Swift joins undergraduates Will Parks and Anna Tyler at the Heaven and Earth garden at RHS Tatton

The garden, ‘Heaven and Earth’ (site TP317), is one of eight displays making up the ‘Cheshire Gardens of Distinction’ exhibit, which itself has been awarded ‘Best Show Feature’. The combined displays celebrate the best horticultural venues and training providers in the county.

Heaven and Earth, in the back-to-back category, is in homage to influential landscape architect Sir Geoffrey Jellicoe. Its minimalistic style, reminiscent of the 1950s and the start of the space race, is inspired by the visionary roof garden designed and built by Sir Geoffrey  on the roof of Harvey’s store in Guildford High Street 60 years ago.

At that time, Sir Geoffrey was inspired by the launch of ‘Sputnik’ and the garden reflects this with a pool with stepping stones representing planets and an abstract backdrop of the ‘Plough’ constellation. It is designed for a young professional couple who need a tranquil escape from their busy careers in the City of London and uses water and textural planting to create a feeling of peace.

Will said: “This has been an amazing opportunity for all of us to showcase the practical and design skills we’ve learned on our course, Although it’s been hard work, the reaction of visitors who are enjoying our garden has made it all worthwhile.”

See our undergraduates talk about their garden >>

Other Reaseheath successes at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park include:

  • 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
  • SILVER GILT for current floristry students in the RHS Future Florists competition
  • SILVER for two former Reaseheath students, horticulturist Matt Wood and designer Sally Parkinson, who have joined forces on a ‘Blooming Borders’ display by The Tiny Plant Company
  • BRONZE for first time designer Nathan Webster, who at 17 is one of the youngest designers at the show. Nathan, who is studying for his Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture at Reaseheath, has designed ‘Sitting Under the Mulberry Tree’ at TP 329 for Claire House Children’s Hospice, Wirral. He has been supported in the build by Reaseheath trained apprentices who work for Hultons Landscapes, sponsors of the garden
  • Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture student, Aaron Byrne, is through to the national finals of WorldSkillsUK
  • Reaseheath lecturers are organising family activities during the show’s duration – the countryside management department is offering free seed planting for bees in the Activities Marquee while Master of Horticulture Harry Delaney and RHS Course Manager Anne Harrison are running demonstrations in the Discover and Grow Marquee alongside student projects

BALI prize encourages young professional

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Reaseheath Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture Student of the Year Finin Talbot made useful industry connections during a visit to the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park as guest of the British Association of Landscape Industries (BALI).

BALI sponsors Reaseheath’s ‘Student of the Year‘ award annually as part of its campaign to encourage and support young talent within the industry and the trip to RHS Tatton was part of the prize. BALI had a major presence at the horticultural event through its support of a new class, the Best RHS Young Landscape Contractor. Former Reaseheath horticulture student Matt Beesley won a coveted gold medal in this class.

Fin, who has just completed his qualification and is considering his next step, spent part of the day touring the inspirational show gardens and trade stands with BALI representatives.  He said: “This was a brilliant opportunity to network with exhibitors and supporters of the industry. The team at BALI made a real effort to make the visit enjoyable and informative.”

BALI Chief Executive Wayne Grills said: “We were delighted that Fin, who is one of Reaseheath’s brightest and most skilful students, could join us at the RHS Flower Show Tatton Park. All three finalists in the Best RHS Young Landscape Contractor class and their planting design partners won a gold medal. This was a momentous achievement and I am delighted that Fin was able to witness their success first-hand.

“BALI will continue to support and nurture young talent across the industry and recognises the importance of working closely with land-based colleges like Reaseheath. We will continue to follow Fin’s personal development with keen interest.”

Learn more at www.bali.org.uk

Caption: Here’s Fin at the BALI stand with Chief Executive Wayne Grills

 

Reaseheath florists awarded top medal at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park

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Talented floristry students from Reaseheath College, Nantwich, are celebrating after taking a top medal at RHS Flower Show Tatton Park (July 20 – 24).

The student team of Jacqueline Tudor, Shiona Fosh, Helen Cooke and Robyn Longden were awarded a silver gilt medal in the hotly contested RHS Future Florists competition.

Their achievement, which saw the students missing a coveted gold medal by just a few points, was outstanding as the show is one of Britain’s most prestigious horticultural events.

The students are now waiting to hear whether their success has qualified them for the national finals at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2017. Reaseheath’s florists have been runners-up for the national title at Chelsea in both 2015 and 2016.

The challenge at RHS Tatton this year was to create a costume suitable for the Rio Carnival. The students, who have just completed their Level 3 Diploma in Floristry, dressed a mannequin in the ‘hot ‘ colours of yellow, cerise pink and orange with flower varieties including Vanda orchids, Oncidium orchids, gerberas and roses.

Their stunning design, described by judge Sarah Cunningham as showing fantastic techniques and superb workmanship, is now impressing the thousands of visiitors to the Floral Design Studio.

Sarah, of the UK Floristry Judges Guild, said: “Reaseheath’s design really shouts Rio. This is a fabulous design in good proportion, made with a good choice of flowers with clever use of mirrors. This medal was extremely well deserved.”

Sue Poole, Programme Leader for Horticulture and Floristry, said: “I am so proud of my team of students and the way they have come up to the mark at a world class event. Competing at RHS Tatton gives our florists the chance to showcase the skills and knowledge they have learned through their vocational training. It also provides a platform for them to test their team work, problem solving, determination and handwork.”

The RHS Future Florists competition is designed to reward the best floristry college, school or training provider in the UK.

Competitors must enter a heat at either RHS Flower Show Tatton Park or RHS Hampton Court Palace Flower Show to be in with a chance of progressing to the final at the RHS Chelsea Flower Show in 2017.

See Shiona describe their show design below >>

 

Header image caption: Floristry students Shiona Fosh, Robyn Longden, Jaqueline Tudor and Helen Cooke with their award winning design

 

Horse behaviourist Richard Maxwell gives insight into training

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Renowned Horse Behaviourist Richard Maxwell  gave audiences at Reaseheath Equestrian Centre a fascinating insight into his training methods and philosophies.

Richard, who is a qualified Masterson Method Practitioner, combines a unique blend of natural and traditional horsemanship in order to help horses and their owners. His many clients hail from all equestrian disciplines and include international event rider Sharon Hunt and dressage star Matt Frost.

Richard began his career as a riding instructor in the Household Cavalry where his own introduction to ‘natural horsemanship’ came through a chance meeting with the legendary Monty Roberts.

Easter Bunny (2) by Roy Gadsden

Said Richard:  “In 1988, Monty came to the UK to give a demonstration for the Queen. I gleaned so much from his knowledge and found it  interesting how you could take something from a different  style of equitation, such as western or rodeo, and introduce this into ‘mainstream’ training.”

Richard’s holistic approach has also been inspired by experts in the field of equine physiology such as Andy Andrews and Jim Masterson – founder of the ‘Integrated Equine Performance Bodywork’ system.

Richard explained: “Andy Andrews helped me to appreciate how physiological problems can contribute heavily to behavioural issues. On meeting Jim Masterson, I was able to put a few more pieces into the jigsaw puzzle and I now feel that I have a fuller picture. I can now help horses physiologically as well as through behavioural training.”

In front of a packed house, Richard worked with three very different types of horses ranging from a dressage horse with ‘stage-fright’ to a Welsh cob with loading problems.

Said Richard: “Any demo is only a snapshot and the answer to behavioural problems is never a quick fix. If I can get just one thing right that might help a horse, then the peripheral problems surrounding an issue may start to lessen.”

Read more about Richard’s demonstration here.

Celebration time for successful Reaseheath students

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One of the country’s most successful specialist colleges, Reaseheath College in Nantwich, Cheshire, continues to notch up record student enrolments and achievements.

The college’s annual awards ceremony, held over two days last week, celebrated the success of 1235 Further Education (FE) students who have achieved industry recognised qualifications and skills this year.

Read more

Facelift for Under 18s Common Room

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Our Under 18s Common Room is enjoying a new lease of life thanks to the efforts of a group of resourceful FE students.

Following a suggestion by Safeguarding Officer Stuart Lloyd, Kaitlinn Schaap and her friends decided to encourage their fellow students to spend more time doing communal activities by revamping the common room.

Kaitlinn and Kerri-Anne Williams, who are both 17 and live on campus during term time, organised a weekend student group to tidy and clean the room, then put out a Facebook post asking for furniture donations. Thanks to support from staff and helped by Stuart, the students collected and installed sofas and a new sound system in the common room, and also painted a chalk board for suggestions and news of events.

They also organised funding for a new tv and games console, and staff have donated DVDs and Xbox 360 games. Encouraged by their success so far, the students are now looking for more donations – in particular a Bluetooth docking station and bean bags if anyone has them going spare.

The common room, which is open from 6.30pm to11.30pm, is now a hub of activity and well used and respected  by  our younger, live-in students from all departments.

Principal Meredydd David, who joined Kaitlinn for a game of table football, said: “These students should be congratulated on their initiative, which has been supported by our Student Services team and wider staff.  It is typical of the way everyone at Reaseheath pulls together to provide a great ‘Reaseheath Experience’.”