Lantra link brings in key Indian visitors

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Key figures from an Indian land-based training organisation visited our new horticultural facilities and food centre last week during a fact finding mission looking at best practice.

Satender Arya, Chief Executive of the Agriculture Skill Council of India, and Sanjeev Asthana, the council’s Chairman, were in Britain as part of the UK and Indian Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI) project being run with Lantra.

Lantra is the UK’s training organisation for land-based industries and business development and the Agriculture Skill Council is its equivalent in India. The initiative aims to encourage knowledge exchange between educational institutions and to demonstrate how colleges such as Reaseheath help to reduce skills shortages and improve the nation’s productivity through employer-led training such as apprenticeships.

They were invited to visit Reaseheath by Alastair Taylor, a Reaseheath governor who is Chief Executive of the Institute of Agricultural Engineers (IAgrE), and accompanied by Stuart Phillips, Lantra’s Skills Partnership Manager.

Our visitors admired the facilities in our National Centre for Horticulture, the Environment and Sustainable Technology and also toured our food processing halls. Earlier that day they had been to The Skills Show in Birmingham, the nation’s largest skills and careers event. We were well represented there, with a busy college stand and three students competing in the WorldSkills UK national finals.

Said Satender Arya: “We are interested in all  training which is relevant to land-based industries. We have been very impressed with the level of training and the way colleges, particularly Reaseheath, work so closely with the industries they serve. We have also been impressed with Reaseheath’s up to date training facilities in food production and horticulture.

Talented students prove they are among the best

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Chris Shore preparing for his WorldSkills UK final build (photo thanks to Steve Burden Photography)

Chris Shore preparing for his WorldSkills UK national final build (photo thanks to Steve Burden Photography)

Three talented Reaseheath students proved they were among the best in the country by successfully competing in the WorldSkills UK national finals.

Garden landscaper Chris Shore and florists Fiona Davies and Robyn Longden battled it out in front of record crowds last week at The Skills Show, the nation’s largest skills and careers event.

Fiona Davies' final pieces from the competition

Fiona Davies’ final pieces from the competition

Although none brought back a medal, all three classed the show ‘an amazing experience’ and Robyn has been selected to join the potential squad for the next WorldSkills GB team. She and the other young people on the long list will be offered further training opportunities before final selection nearer the 2017 world finals, which will be held in Abu Dhabi.

Robyn will be encouraged to follow in the footsteps of Matt Beesley, a former Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture student who, with fellow team member Jonathan Gill from Northern Ireland, won GB’s first ever medal in landscape gardening at the WorldSkills final in Sao Paulo, Brazil this summer.

Robyn is a Level 3 Diploma in Floristry student while Fiona, who manages our Level 2 Diploma in Floristry course, is studying for her Level 5 Master Diploma in Professional Floristry. Chris has gained his Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture with us and has now progressed onto his Foundation Degree in Garden and Landscape Design. He was one of just six students or apprentices nationwide to qualify for the finals.

Our florists had to create five designs – a hand tied bouquet, a wreath, a bridal bouquet, a decorated lampshade and a pair of customised high heeled shoes – while Chris built a garden to plan which included hard and soft landscaping.

Robyn Longden competing at The Skills Show 2015

Robyn Longden competing at The Skills Show 2015

As well as supporting our competing students, we also took an impressive stand showcasing horticulture, floristry, countryside and environmental archaeology. The Skills Show, at the NEC Birmingham, attracted 80,000 visitors. Many colleagues who helped to staff the stand over the three days said that in their opinion it was the best event they had ever attended.

Chris Shore joined by the whole landscape gardening finalists
Chris Shore joined by the whole landscape gardening finalists
The completed garden
The completed garden
Matt Beesley demonstrates landscape gardening techniques at The Skills Show 2015
Matt Beesley demonstrates landscape gardening techniques at The Skills Show 2015

Research put into context by visiting speaker

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Our animal management undergraduates were privileged to have a lecture on the importance of research from Dr Paul Rees, a leading authority on captive elephant welfare.

Dr Rees, of the University of Salford, has been advising on our degree programmes for over four years and was instrumental in the launch of our wildlife and ecology degree. He is also a respected author and several of his books are required reading for students.

Dr Rees’ lecture looked at methods of research used by scientists to measure the behaviour of elephants in zoos and the legislation and practices which had been put into place as a result. He also looked at the challenges faced by academics when it came to data interpretation.

On an encouraging note, Dr Rees showed how some research had resulted in additional facilities being provided in enclosures to allow natural behaviour such as dust bathing and to provide more opportunities for feeding. Data gathering had also influenced a trend to keep captive elephants in mixed age groups, which was more akin to how they would live in the wild.

Describing Dr Rees’ visit as ‘a great coup’, HE Course Manager Kevin Palmer said: “This was a great lecture which was of particular interest to undergraduates who are currently involved in researching projects or who may be thinking of going into research as a career.”

Header picture caption: Dr Paul Rees shows his latest book to undergraduates Rachel Turner, Claudia-Rose Stefanie, Harry Martindale and Emma Evans

Reaseheath demo by world class eventer

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Eventing enthusiasts had the chance to learn from one of the best cross country riders in the world when Paul Tapner gave a demonstration at Reaseheath College’s Equestrian Centre in Cheshire.

A member of the Australian eventing team and former winner of Badminton Horse Trials, Paul shared his training tips for novice and advanced horses. Riding Counterparty, a seven year-old former racehorse now competing at two star level, Paul demonstrated how consistent schooling over poles and small fences will achieve results with even the sharpest of horses. He also emphasised how important it is for the rider to accurately judge the distance between fences.

Eventer Paul Tapner and Kilronan are joined by Reaseheath equine lecturer James Rayner , Commercial and Resources Manager Zoe Cappaert, Equine Events Co-ordinator Heather Cooper and students Rhianne Edisbury and Kirsty Brasenell

Eventer Paul Tapner and Kilronan are joined by Reaseheath equine lecturer James Rayner , Commercial and Resources Manager Zoe Cappaert, Equine Events Co-ordinator Heather Cooper and students Rhianne Edisbury and Kirsty Brasenell

Counterparty, who ran five times under rules, was the 2015 Elite Eventing Champion for the Retraining of Racehorses (ROR) and is being aimed at three star competitions next year. Paul then partnered his top four star horse, 14 year-old Kilronan, to show how he uses the same principles to prepare his more advanced horses for the competition season.

After answering questions from enthusiastic spectators, Paul said: “It’s been a great evening. Reaseheath’s facilities are excellent and you’ve been a fabulous audience.”

Reaseheath Equine Events Co-ordinator Heather Cooper added: “It was a fantastic coup to have Paul here. We hope our visitors went away having learned something which will help them train their own horses.”

  • Friday December 4 Evening dressage demonstration by British Dressage World Class Director of Coaching Ferdi Eilberg with son Michael and daughter Maria, both successful international competitors. Tickets available from the Reaseheath Online Store.

Reaseheath students mark Remembrance Day

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Reaseheath students and staff turned out in force at a college service today (Wed) to commemorate Remembrance Day. Over a thousand people gathered around the flagpole on the Nantwich college’s campus to pay tribute to those who lost their lives in conflict.

A wreath of poppies supplied by students  was laid by Bill Holroyd, CBE, High Sheriff for Cheshire. Two minutes of silence was broken by Reaseheath Chaplain Drew Walker, who read the names on a college remembrance wall.

Bill Holroyd, High Sheriff of Cheshire, lays a wreath at Reaseheath College watched by Cheshire Police, Army and Fire cadets Lauren Taylor, Betty Wood, Alex Hardy, Reef Spry, Matt Walker and Oli Taylor

Bill Holroyd, High Sheriff of Cheshire, lays a wreath at Reaseheath College watched by Cheshire Police, Army and Fire cadets Lauren Taylor, Betty Wood, Alex Hardy, Reef Spry, Matt Walker and Oli Taylor

Mr Holroyd said: “This was a very impressive service attended by students who appreciate that many servicemen and women who are involved in current conflicts are the same age as themselves. I thoroughly enjoyed my visit and have been hugely impressed as to how the college has developed. Reaseheath College is a real asset to the county.”

Over a thousand of Reaseheath students and staff gather round the college flagpole to pay their respects at a Remembrance Day service

Over a thousand of Reaseheath students and staff gather round the college flagpole to pay their respects at a Remembrance Day service

Cheshire Racing Hub turns spotlight on horseracing careers

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Young people are being encouraged to ‘kick on’ into a racing career thanks to a new project which turns the spotlight onto Cheshire’s thriving horseracing industry.

‘Racing Through Education’ has been launched by Cheshire Racing Hub to promote the wide choice of attractive careers available in the industry to secondary school pupils, college students and veterinary undergraduates.

The initiative is being led by Cheshire West and Chester Council as part of its rural regeneration strategy, with support from partners Reaseheath College in Nantwich, the University of Liverpool and Chester Race Company.

Reaseheath College, a leader in equine education, is for the first time offering a bespoke racing module within its equine courses which has been taken up by over 40 students. The University of Liverpool, which has an international reputation for its equine veterinary and research specialisms, is encouraging future vets at the Philip Leverhulme Equine Hospital, Wirral, to look at opportunities within the industry while Chester Race Company operates Chester and Bangor-on-Dee racecourses, key venues for racegoers.

Local schools and colleges are being encouraged to promote horseracing as an exciting, but often unrecognised, career route which is available locally. The message coincides with national publicity about a critical staff shortage in the racing industry. Project co-ordinator is Sophie Keepax, a Reaseheath Higher Education equine course manager and lecturer.

Cheshire Racing Hub was formed in 2013 to promote horseracing as a career among school and college students and to encourage the growth of equine businesses and investment in Cheshire. This followed research which identified horse racing as a key economic driver within the region.

After a break in funding, the partnership has received a second grant of £13,920 from the British Horseracing Grant Scheme to continue its work with young people through ‘Racing Through Education’. The project is part of the British Horseracing Authority’s ‘Racing Together’ scheme to promote careers in racing and to raise the profile of racing nationally within communities.

Speaking at the Malpas yard of point to point trainer Oliver Greenall, where the ‘Racing Though Education’ launch was held, Chair of Cheshire Racing Hub Kay Kent said: “Horse racing is growing in economic importance to Cheshire and we are delighted to receive this second grant to highlight the careers opportunities available to young people across the county, from both rural and urban backgrounds.

“It’s important that young people fully realise just how many rewarding jobs are available, not just riding and  caring for racehorses but within the support industries such as farriery, veterinary services,  equine dentistry and physiotherapy, nutrition  and racing administration. We will be working with both local and national training providers involved with racing to ensure young people have all the information they need to take their first steps into a racing career.”

For further details on ‘Racing Through Education’ contact Sophie Keepax  sophie@cheshireracinghub.co.uk

Picture caption: Racing Through Education’ launches with (l-r) Sue Griffith (Work Related Co-ordinator, Bishop Heber High School); Sophie Keepax (Project Co-Ordinator); Dr Jan Birch (Higher Education Programme Leader, Reaseheath College); Dr Ellen Singer (Senior Lecturer in Equine Orthopaedics, (University of Liverpool); Jeannie Chantler (General Manager, Bangor on Dee Racecourse); Oliver Greenall (Oliver Greenall Racing); Kay Kent (Chair of Cheshire Racing Hub); Sean O’Connor (Community Engagement Manager, Racing Together); Carrie Ford (Regional Education Officer, British Horseracing Education and Standards Trust); Ellie Morris ( Rural Regeneration Programme Manager, Cheshire West and Chester Council)

A flavour of fruit growing at annual apple festival

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Hundreds of local families got a real flavour of fruit growing at Reaseheath College’s popular apple festival over the weekend.

Our horticulture students demonstrating apple pressing

Our horticulture students demonstrating apple pressing

The fruity festival, held at the Nantwich college as part of a national celebration of the English apple, featured 115 rare varieties of apples, some dating back to Roman times and some of more recent origin.

Horticultural experts Derek Jones and Harry Delaney were on hand to identify apple varieties, answer queries on the production of apples and other fruits and offered advice on the selection, growth, pruning and propagation of fruit trees.

Many visitors arrived with fruit and foliage for identification or brought in their own apples for juicing. Tours of the College’s fruit garden were delivered by former horticulture student Philip Swift, whilst Reaseheath’s current cohort of Royal Horticulture Society (RHS) students set up and helped to man the festival. Many of the apples on show were donated by Elizabeth Gentil, widow of Tony Gentil, Reaseheath’s former Deputy Head of Horticulture or came from Reaseheath’s own fruit orchard.

The festival, being held at Reaseheath for the 24th consecutive year, was aimed at encouraging gardeners to preserve old varieties of apples and soft fruit by growing them in their own gardens.

Explained Harry Delaney: “The English apple is part of our national heritage and though some species have been lost forever, the festival gives us the chance to think about the huge number of varieties we have left and how we ought to preserve them.

“This event is becoming busier each year. Lots of local families are interested in identifying and learning how to care for the old fruit trees they have inherited, or want to plant new trees in their gardens.”

Reaseheath College is offering day courses in pruning and grafting over the winter months and also has fruit trees for sale now. For further details contact 01270 613211 or suepa@reaseheath.ac.uk.

Reaseheath students inspired by ‘Horses Inside Out’

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Reaseheath College’s equine students had the unique opportunity to work with inspirational equine anatomist Gillian Higgins when the British Horse Society (BHS) Cheshire branch presented a ‘Horses Inside Out’ demonstration at Reaseheath’s Equestrian Centre.

Gillian, who is a BHS senior coach, equine anatomist and sports and remedial therapist, founded ‘Horses Inside Out’ as an education resource for the equine industry and her demonstrations and conferences attract an international following.

The event, organised by BHS Cheshire officers and volunteers, covered equine anatomy and biomechanics and demonstrated the muscular skeletal system of horses in action. It featured many exercises, ridden and on the lunge, which could be used at home to improve the posture of both horses and riders.

The sell-out audience included BHS instructors, competitive riders, sports therapists, equine students and leisure riders. Reaseheath degree and Level 3 Diploma students had the chance to prepare the two equine ‘stars’ of the evening by painting the structure of their skeleton and muscles onto their bodies under the supervision of Gillian Higgins. The students also provided the arena party.
The horses were Roger, an 11 year-old Irish Sports Horse who events with owner Kelly Cain, and Ralph, an 8 year-old Connemara belonging to Reaseheath Foundation Degree in Equine Science and Management undergraduate Alice Banner.

Gillian said: “The aim of these demonstrations is to turn what could be a dull and difficult subject into something very relevant and also show how the posture of the rider affects horse performance and potentially horse welfare. Hopefully it will inspire Reaseheath’s students and those in the audience to learn more about anatomy and biomechanics.”

Reaseheath College is a BHS approved training centre and encourages students to gain BHS qualifications as part of their portfolio.

Hannah Carrick, Regional Development Officer for the North West said: “The demonstration was a tremendous success and we received many compliments from spectators. I would like to thank our volunteers and Reaseheath College for working together to put on such a fascinating and educational event.”

 

It’s a done deal for Higher Education students at Reaseheath

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The Faculty of Higher Education at Reaseheath College launch their Bursary schemes for HE Students from September 2016.

‘The Deal @ Reaseheath’ is a package of support designed to equip new students who have a means tested household income of less than £25,000, with the tools for success in their studies. The deal comprises of a £100 ‘starter pack’ that is tailored to each course area, and the ‘Reaseheath Bursary’ that provides a further £900 worth of support to those in need.

Also launching today is the ‘Aspire’ bursary, available to all level three students who progress through to a Higher Education programme* at Reaseheath. 

Sean Hargreaves, Academic Operations Officer within the Faculty says: “Reaseheath College is committed to providing additional financial support to those who need it.  Our bursary schemes detailed above are designed to ensure that students can all access, thrive and succeed in Higher Education at Reaseheath College.”

For more information visit our Additional Financial Support page.

*Programme must be validated by Harper Adams University

Florists enjoy demonstration by leading expert

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Floristry students had the chance to learn from a leading expert when Diane Fair,  an international floral demonstrator for the National Association of Flower Arrangement Societies (NAFAS), gave a demonstration in our historic Old Hall.

During her demonstration Diane, who is also a qualified floristry judge and an award winning competitor at local and national level, created six contemporary and traditional floral designs. She also gave our students tips for their future careers. Students on both full time and leisure courses attended the event, gaining first hand knowledge of how a professional demonstration is organised.

This was the first time Diane had used a college as a venue, but not the first time she had visited our campus. She launched her floristry career  as a competitor at a Young Farmers Rally at Reaseheath!

Said Diane: “It was lovely to be joined by so many keen young people and a great chance to tell them about the many opportunities in the industry.”