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A floral thank you for former food student

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Lovely to welcome food technology alumnus Lorraine Evans back to the campus this morning. She came to collect her photo album full of Cheshire College of Agriculture memories that she kindly lent to Alumni Officer Katie. 

Katie first met Lorraine (Food Technology with Dairy Specialism, 1980) and her husband Graham (Dairy Herd Management, 1980) back in May at Reaseheath’s Family Festival. The pair studied at the Cheshire College of Agriculture, 1979-80.

Keen to share their happy memories of Reaseheath, Lorraine and Graham presented Katie with the album on the day and are excited to share some of their special moments with our alumni community.

As a little thank you to Lorraine – who put the album together, our Floristry Department designed a beautiful little flower bouquet for her to take home! 

We’ll be posting a selection of Lorraine’s photographs from 1979-80 very soon – so watch this space! 

Lorraine Evans - alumnus class of 1980

Making a table

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Alumnus Tony Bramwell recently contacted us with a delightful tale about about his experiences of studying at Reaseheath. Here’s his story:

Console table with two drawers - American walnut with lacewood and ebony inlay

Console table with two drawers – American walnut with lacewood and ebony inlay, by Tony Bramwell

Back in 2011, I signed up for evening classes in Joinery at Reaseheath, with the aim of brushing up on my DIY woodworking skills. I enjoyed the course, so I enrolled in a longer ten week class. Our lecturer, Dave Allman, encouraged us to bring along any ideas. I came to the class with plans for a hall table that my daughter had asked for. Dave was really positive about the project and immediately set about explaining how to make the different joints, where to source the timber and so on. He remained supportive throughout, and the end result was a lovely oak table that I was able to present to my daughter, much to her delight.

Wall-mounted bangle cabinet in cherry wood, Tony Bramwell

Wall-mounted bangle cabinet in cherry wood, by Tony Bramwell

 

 

But something more happened. I found that the three-hour class seemed to be over in an instant as I became completely engrossed in designing, cutting shaping and assembling the timber, supported by Dave’s constant and unwavering enthusiasm.

I realised that this might be the activity I had been looking for as a way of making good use of my forthcoming retirement, and I began to look at the possibility of taking this up as a craft. As a result, immediately after my retirement in 2013 I signed up for a full time one-year course in designing and making fine furniture with a master craftsman near Oxford. This was a wonderful and deeply rewarding experience; you can see two examples of the pieces of furniture I made in the pictures below, and I am now building my own workshop so that I can pursue this wonderful activity full-time.

It all came from a short course in Joinery at Reaseheath, and the wonderful enthusiasm of our lecturer, Dave Allman, to whom I will always be grateful.

Tony Bramwell in his workshop 'making a table' article

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tony Bramwell,  short-course in Joinery, 2011

Inspired by Tony’ story? Find out more about the range short-courses currently on offer in our Construction department here.

 

Mr and Mrs Evans – What a Reaseheath Romance!

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Alumni Lorraine and J Graham nuttingknittingnanna Engagement May 1980 for newsletter

Reaseheath alumnus Lorraine Evans contacted Reaseheath Alumni Association after a recent visit to our annual Live Lambing event. We were delighted to hear some fantastic news from Lorraine along with a selection of recollections from her time at the Cheshire College of Agriculture.

Lorraine Newton on her MA graduation day with husband Graham Newton, 14th March 2014.

Lorraine Evans on her MA graduation day with husband Graham Evans, 14th March 2014.

Former Reaseheath student Lorraine Evans (nee Boydell) recently celebrated her 33rd wedding anniversary to husband and fellow former student Graham Evans. Lorraine and Graham met whilst both studying at the College 1979-1980. Whist Lorraine studied for her OND in Food Technology partner Graham trained in Dairy Herd Management. Living on campus the couple’s romance blossomed and as a result were engaged to marry on the 15th May 1980. The engagement was an extra special surprise for Lorraine, as this also marked her 19th birthday!

To this day, Lorraine and Graham remain as happy as the day they met as students at Reaseheath. On the 14th March 2014 the couple celebrated their 33rd wedding anniversary. The very same day saw Lorraine graduate with an MA in Education from University of Chester.

Lorraine commented: “I am very proud to have completed my Masters as it was a particularly challenging venture. Graham has wholeheartedly supported me throughout the process and, without him by my side, I would not have been able achieve this.  The fact that our wedding anniversary fell on the same day as my graduation made it an extra special celebration for both of us”.

Since leaving the College the couple have gone on to pave successful careers. Lorraine currently works in education with the Virtual School in Cheshire West and Chester and Graham is a bus driver based in Chester.

 

If you have a story you would like to share on our website, please contact Reaseheath’s Alumni Officer Katie  Burt.