Florists’ success at WorldSkills UK

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Our floristry students swept the board at the WorldSkills UK north west regional floristry qualifier, held at Myerscough College, Preston.

Fiona Davies, who is studying for her Level 5 Master Diploma in Professional Floristry, won the competition while Level 3 Diploma in Floristry students Robyn Longden and Carol Edginton took second and third place.

All three, who were commended for their outstanding work, are now waiting to hear if they  have qualified for the WorldSkills UK national floristry finals at The Skills Show in November. They are following in the footsteps of former Level 3 Diploma in Floristry student Anna Eite, who took the gold medal in the advanced section there last year.

A total of five students, accompanied by Head of Floristry Sue Poole, spent a full day of intense competition at Myerscough. Each competitor had to create three pieces of work with a ‘Party Time’ theme – a wreath, a fascinator and a hand tied bouquet on a framework.

Robyn, 18, has previously completed her Level 1 and Level 2 Diplomas with us while Carol, 45, is a career changer. Fiona is a Reaseheath floristry lecturer who is continuing to study to the highest professional level.

Our florists are now gearing up to contest the RHS Tatton Flower Show ‘College of the Year’ competition next month The team will be hoping to replicate last year’s success when we won the title and went on to become runners-up in the national final at the Chelsea Flower Show in May.

More from WorldSkills…

  • Three Level 3 Extended Diploma in Horticulture students, India Hill, Finin Talbot and Chris Shore, will be competing in the semi finals of the WorldSkills UK  garden landscape competition at RHS Tatton Flower Show and will hopefully get through to the national finals too.
  •  We are also contesting the WorldSkills UK butchery competition for the first time. Level 2 Diploma in Butchery student Ben Powell, 17, will fly the flag for Reaseheath at the WorldSkills UK regional heat for butchery skills, to be held in Leeds on July 9th.
  •  WorldSkills is an international Olympic style competition which recognises the skills and qualities of young professionals who are following vocational education and training. The world finals are held every two years. In August former Reaseheath Level 3 Diploma in Horticulture student Matt Beesley will be part of the GB team to compete against the world’s best in Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Reaseheath students grow their own success

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Reaseheath College horticultural students were feeling chipper after taking part in a First Early Potato Show, held at the Nantwich college on Saturday.

Thirty Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) Level 2 Diploma students demonstrated their skills at growing the world’s favourite root vegetable – and were rewarded with praise from one of the county’s top vegetable judges.

The students, who attend college one day a week, have been learning horticultural techniques such as how to successfully sow and plant vegetables and how to prepare them for exhibition. Course Manager Anne Harrison hopes that their new knowledge will encourage the students to support the fruit and vegetable shows run within their local communities.

Over 20 varieties of first early potatoes, grown on plots at the college, were on show. Best in Show went to Luise Crawford from Wincham near Northwich, who also won the Friday group section with her ‘Casablanca’ potatoes. Luise has launched a new career as a self employed gardener following redundancy.

Winner of the Monday group section was Susan De Kretser of Goostrey, Holmes Chapel, who is also following a new career as a horticulturist. Second and third places went to Racheal Nowakowski and Jane Loxley while Andrew Rose and Richard Massey were runners up in the Friday group.

•RHS students with their exhibits at Reaseheath’s First Early Potato competition

RHS students with their exhibits at Reaseheath’s First Early Potato competition

The competition was judged by Derek Jones of Malpas, a well known vegetable exhibitor, judge, horticulturist and historian. He explained: “I was looking for four potatoes which were equally matched in shape, size and colour. They had to be of good quality, of uniform shape, well prepared and typical of the variety.

“The entries showed a great deal of care and attention to detail, particularly as the growing conditions have been so difficult this season.”
Reaseheath’s First Early Potato Show was held for the first time last year and was so successful that it is likely to be an annual event.

Around 100 part-time students gain RHS qualifications at Reaseheath each year. The students include professional horticulturists, career changers and leisure gardeners. Reaseheath is an RHS training and examination centre and offers theory and practical qualifications at Levels 2 and 3.

As well as learning traditional skills, all Reaseheath’s horticulture students will be introduced to the latest technology in food production when the college opens its cutting edge national centre for Food Futures and the Environment later this year.

For further details on horticulture courses see www.reaseheath.ac.uk/horticulture.

Ruth Elliot Smith, Cuddington, Cheshire

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Apprentice Agricultural Assistant

To find out more about this vacancy and apply online visit the National Apprenticeship Service vacancy matching site.

Closing date:  21/06/15

British Wool Shearing Course
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RADA Knowledge Transfer Facilitator Lesley Innes arranged a two day sheep shearing course which was delivered by British Wool Marketing Training Ltd(a growing area of Wool Board activity). The course, which was held last week on the Reasheath sheep unit saw the delegates work toward the internationally recognised qualification in Blue, Bronze, Silver or Gold Seals, which were awarded depending on their ability.

This course will now be running on an annual basis.

Contact Lesley for more information-

Lesleyi@reaseheath.ac.uk

Picture Caption:  Left to Right British wool trainer Richard Schofield, Ollie Bagley (Reaseheath Flock Manager)-SILVER, Richard Petford-BRONZE and Callum Lewis-BLUE (external delegates), British Wool Trainer Bill Jones, Erica Bower (Subsidiary Diploma in Agriculture)-BLUE and front row Miriam Howarth (Reaseheath Farm Secretary)-BLUE and Emma Ferneyhough (Level 2 diploma in Agriculture)-BLUE

Reaseheath welcomes Czech dairy students

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A few weeks ago Reaseheath became home to a group of 13 dairy students and a tutor from the Czech Republic for two weeks.

The students have been enjoying an Agri-Food study visit funded by the European Erasmus+ VET programme, which aims to promote vocational educational training within the European community.

Our visitors spent three days with our Agriculture team milking cows, lambing and learning some basic theory about UK agriculture. They then joined our Food Department for a week, where they learnt some fundamentals about meat, dairy, and bakery technology. This included a variety of practical sessions to support their learning, including making soft cheeses, butter, lemon curd and croissants – they certainly ate well!

 

The group with Agriculture Programme Leader Iain Clarke and lecturer Alan Brown.

The group with Agriculture Programme Leader Iain Clarke and lecturer Alan Brown.

The students, ages 18-20, stayed in Platt Hall, our newest student halls of residence. For nine it was their first time in England, so this not only gave them a taste of life on a UK campus but also helped them develop their English language skills and gave them an appreciation of UK culture.

They also enjoyed a visit to Liverpool and its many museums and arts centres. Their final day was particularly memorable, with the solar eclipse ending their stay.

The students are all final year students at VOSP SPSM Kromeriz, a specialist dairy college several hours from Prague. We hope this visit will be the first of many – and plans are already afoot to arrange a return visit for our students in the near future.

Kathy Merrett, Food Programme Leader

Top training helps Cody kick-start career

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Successful motor vehicle alumnus Cody Brookes returned to Reaseheath to share how his time at college helped kick-start his career in the motor industry.

Cody,19, from Nantwich, addressed a captive audience of 40 students in our state-of-the-art Motor Vehicle Technology Centre, with a presentation on starting out in the industry. He shared with students how the knowledge and training gained whilst studying at Reaseheath helped him to secure his first professional role as an apprentice technician with the well-known automotive manufacturer, Audi.

Cody Brookes addresses students in Reaseheath’s Motor Vehicle Technology Centre

Cody Brookes addresses students in Reaseheath’s Motor Vehicle Technology Centre

Based at the Crewe Audi dealership, Cody explained to students how he is supported in his role through Audi’s prestigious Modern Apprenticeship Programme. This 3 year scheme combines full-time employment with block-release training and is designed to equip employees with the technical skills and knowledge to become fully qualified service technicians for the brand.

Cody studied both IMI Levels 2 and 3 in Light Vehicle Maintenance and Repair during his time at Reaseheath and was thrilled to be invited back to the campus. Our latest cohort of motor vehicle students were very impressed with Cody’s industry knowledge and drive to succeed.

Said Cody: “I’m so grateful for support and training I received at Reaseheath. The experience and skills I gained gave me the confidence to focus my career aspirations and get a great job with good career prospects.”

Motor vehicle students joined by Cody Brookes, Programme Leader Ryan Johnson and Course Manager Steve Ellis

Motor vehicle students and staff joined by Cody Brookes

 

 

Reaseheath rugby team show great promise

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Reaseheath rugby team demonstrated great sportsmanship during their recent game against Crewe and Nantwich Colts.

The two teams met at the Vagrants on Wednesday February 25th and played a celebratory match to mark the installation of Crewe and Nantwich RUFC’s new floodlights.

Despite Reaseheath loosing 29-3 to the Colts, our students demonstrated plenty of promise and it was a great experience for all of the players.

The game was exciting to watch and was played in good spirit with fantastic support on the touchline for both teams.

Reaseheath Rugby Team

It is hoped that playing against the Colts will become a regular fixture for the Reaeheath team, as this will be great experience for the students. This will also help to maintain and strengthen the link between the College and the Crewe and Nantwich RUFC.

Reaseheath rugby team have a number of fixtures left to play this season. Please continue to show your support as the team strive to finish top of their league.

You can keep up to date with the Reaseheath Sports department on Twitter @RHC_Sports

Tattenhall blacksmith forges his mark on village

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War horse reduced MB and brighter

Talented Blacksmith Andrew Smith helped Tattenhall commemorate the centenary of the First World War with a fitting sculpture.

Andrew, a former Reaseheath engineering student, was commissioned by Tattenhall and District Parish Council to create a steel ‘Horse of War’ sculpture as part of Tattenhall Remembers, the village’s community event marking the centennial year. Having previously been commissioned to update Tattenhall’s village sign, Andrew was delighted to have the opportunity to contribute to the community once again.

IMG_1797Christened ‘George’ by local primary school pupils, the horse was unveiled to crowds by the Lord-Lieutenant of Cheshire, David Briggs MBE, K.St.J., on Monday 4th August. George has now taken permanent residence adjacent to the Tattenhall War Memorial.

Andrew studied on the City and Guild’s ‘015’ agricultural engineering and farm mechanisation course 1978-79, back in the days when we were known as the ‘Cheshire College of Agriculture’. Speaking fondly of his time at college, Andrew commented: “College provided me with a great set of skills and grounding in the basics of engineering, which has certainly stayed with me as I’ve progressed in my career. One thing we made as part of the course was a toolbox – and I actually still use that to this day. I also made a drawbar to put on a trailer or back of a car, I’ve still got that too – some things are truly timeless!”

With an interest in the blacksmith’s craft from a young age, Andrew spent much of his early career researching, self-teaching and essentially ‘working and learning’ simultaneously to build up his forging techniques and skills.

After working in the agricultural industry for some time after finishing college, Andrew decided it was time to dedicate his workload to his passion. He built his own blacksmith workshop and has now been running his own business at Hill View Forge for 28 years.

You can find out more about the history of Tattenhall and the Tattenhall Rememebers event by visiting the Tattenhall and district local history website.

Horse of War

Level 2 Diploma in Horticulture

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Apprenticeships in Horticulture

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