The Cheshire Grassland Society celebrates half century

The Cheshire Grassland Society celebrates half century

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The Cheshire Grassland Society celebrated its 50th anniversary with a drinks reception and formal dinner at Reaseheath College, Nantwich, last week.

The society held its first meeting at Reaseheath in October 1964 and has held its winter meetings at the college since then.

Sixty past and present members attended including past chairmen George Radley, (1973/74), Neville Thornhill, (1982/83), Jim Fletcher (1984/85), Richard Ratcliffe (1986/87), Stuart Yarwood (1988/89), Ken Furness (1992/94), David Hughes (1994/95) and Colin Hamilton (2011/13) and current chairman Phil Feeney. They were joined by members of the British Grassland Society and by representatives from the agriculture industry.

The Cheshire Grassland Society provides a forum for the county’s progressive grassland farmers, helping them to grow more grass which is converted by livestock into milk and meat for the supermarket shelf. The society invites specialist speakers to its winter meetings, organises silage and grazing competitions among members and runs an annual trip to look at top class grassland farms in other parts of the country.

The Cheshire Grassland Society secretary Lesley Innes, a member of the planning committee for the event, said: “The evening marked a significant milestone for the society and it was a great success. The drinks reception had a vibrant atmosphere and this was followed by an excellent formal dinner. Guests were delighted to have the opportunity to catch up and reminisce, particularly as some had not seen each other for years. Everyone enjoyed themselves and I am sure the evening will be talked about for a very long time.”

The event was partly sponsored by Harvey Hughes Ltd, HJ Lea Oakes, Trouw Nutrition, Germinal Seeds, Nickerson Seeds and Growhow Ltd.

 

QAA

Reaseheath College earns top marks for its Higher Education

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Reaseheath College’s higher education students receive an excellent experience, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA) has confirmed.

The QAA, which is the HE equivalent of Ofsted, has judged that the quality of degrees offered by Reaseheath and the way they are delivered is worthy of commendation and in a number of areas exceeds UK expectations. The findings, published last month, can be found at www.reaseheath.ac.uk/qaa

QAA reviewers who visited the specialist college in Nantwich judged that its academic standards and the quality of information about its learning opportunities met UK expectations. They particularly commended the quality and enhancement of student learning opportunities, finding that in those two areas the college exceeded expectations.

The review team was impressed with the college’s extensive links to employers and the extent to which they were involved in the design, quality assurance and delivery of higher education courses.

The reviewers also found that the college effectively manages its resources, using a co-ordinated and systematic approach to support its students’ academic, personal and professional development so that they reach their full potential.

They noted that all Higher Education programmes include work-based learning, work placements, internships or other opportunities for students to gain relevant work experience.

The review team found seven examples of good practice and no recommendations for improvement.

Assistant Principal and Dean of HE Rachel Ellis-Jones said: “I am delighted that the excellent quality and delivery of higher education at Reaseheath has been identified and recognised by the Quality Assurance Agency.

“The continued investment which Reaseheath makes into its specialist facilities and expert staff was also noted. This investment is a major part of Reaseheath’s ethos, which is to encourage and support our degree students as they progress into careers within their chosen industries.”

The successful review means that Reaseheath can now display the QAA Quality Mark, indicating to UK and international students that the college meets national requirements for standards and quality.

Reaseheath offers specialist degrees in animal science, adventure sports, agricultural science, equine science, environmental management, agricultural engineering, food science and landscape design.

 

Team Quest Competition
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To enter our next Team Quest competition please keep updated with the British Dressage website,

For further information, please contact 01270 616482 or email equineevents@reaseheath.ac.uk or enter online: http://bit.ly/RHC_EquineEvents

Sports science at Reaseheath supports Crewe Alex fitness programme

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Cutting edge sport science equipment at Reaseheath College is helping Crewe Alexandra FC’s first team squad to train throughout the season.

All first team players have visited the Nantwich college to use a new sports science laboratory which forms part of a significant investment into the campus gym.

Sports science lab Stuart Fisher, Lauren Goff, James Earl, James Baillie first team player

First team full-back James Baillie is tested in Reaseheath’s sports science lab while student James Earl records data and sports lecturers Lauren Goff and Stuart Fisher oversee data collection

The squad went through maximal fitness testing on a top-of-the-range medical treadmill. The data will be used by Andy Franks, Head of Sports Science and Conditioning at Crewe Alex, to check the base level of fitness of each player and to set personalised training programmes. The players will return for retesting later in the season to check their progress.

The data collection was carried out by Reaseheath Level 3 Extended Diploma in Sport Performance students, many of whom will progress to careers in coaching or sport fitness.

Course Manager Richard Brooke explained: “This was a fantastic opportunity for our students to practice and develop their skills by working with local, talented, professional athletes. Our students learn sports science and coaching techniques as part of their course and this has been a chance for them to see how critical these skills are in the industry they plan to join. We have also been delighted to support Crewe Alex.”

Andy Franks said: “This has been a great opportunity which has been much appreciated by first team players and our sports science staff. By using sophisticated testing equipment we have been able to set accurate training zones for our pre-season training programmes, individualised for each player.”

Reaseheath College and Crewe Alex FC have a well established partnership. Reaseheath delivers the academic training to Crewe Alex Academy apprentices, with scholars achieving the best grades in the country. In return, many of Reaseheath’s sports performance students complete work experience with Crewe Alex, gaining an insight into the possibilities of career progression within the football industry.

Reaseheath’s new gym is used to train students on sports performance and public services courses and is open to the college’s staff and students.

For further details on Reaseheath’s sports courses see www.reaseheath.ac.uk/sport

 

RHES and Sea Turtle Oversight Protection

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RHES (Reaseheath Herpetological and Entomological Society) received a talk and presentation on the work carried out by Sea Turtle Oversight Protection (STOP), based in Florida. STOP work on the beaches of Florida redirecting disorientated sea turtles back to the sea. Light pollution from the bright cities surrounding the beaches disorientate the turtles causing them to misjudge their intended destination after hatching.  STOP monitor turtles laying  eggs and time the hatchings so they can be on hand to take the hatchlings back to the sea. STOP also support with community education and work with local authorities to improve coastal lighting for wildlife.

Holly, a representative from STOP provided RHES with a presentation and talk over Skype all the way from Florida covering: sea turtle natural history, the roles of STOP, footage and photographs of work carried out, the future of STOP and the work they are doing to improve coastal lighting. Holly also invited RHES out to Florida during breeding season to assist in the redirections of sea turtle hatchlings, which the group were really excited about.

RHES would like to thank Holly for taking the time to talk to the group and the information put into the presentation gave the group a fantastic insight into work being carried out by herpetologists across the globe.

If you would like to find out more information about STOP, you can follow them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SeaTurtleOP.

RHES help monitor two of Britain’s rarest herps

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Every year as part of RHES aims, the group went back to Talacre North Wales to assist the Field Studies Centre and their team with the monitoring of Britain’s rarest herps.

RHESRHES spent a late evening with the team surveying the Natterjack Toad Epidalea calamita on a successful reintroduction site. RHES members surveyed this species on the same site the previous year and collated data for the field studies centre on the sex, weight and size of the animals. This year they identified sex ratio, breeding pools and spawn strings. Due to the number of members that attended we were able to cover a large area of the sight. Kim and her team shared knowledge on species natural history and conservation action points and the group hope to be invited back next year to continue the surveying.

The same week RHES spent the Saturday on a neighbouring site with experts, receiving training to monitor Sand Lizard Lacerta agilis populations. The sand dune habitats and the secretive nature of the lizards meant the group had to tread quietly and have a keen eye. The experts explained the most successful way to look for the sand lizards. These skills will help the group as their herpetology careers develops.

RHES would like to say a huge thank you to Kim, Sarah, Mick, Josh and Mandy for leading them with their expertise. Also to Lisa for driving them.

RHES go to The Deep

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RHES took a trip to the world’s only submarium ‘The Deep’, located in Hull. The Deep is home to one of the UK’s largest aquariums and a large collection of terrestrial invertebrates. After having a good look around the attraction the group were given a behind the scenes tour of the facilities of The Deep by Claire and Kirsten. This included: the Jellyfish quarantine, coral quarantine, Bug quarantine and above the big tank (pictured).

Following the behind the scenes tour, Claire and Kirsten talked the group through the in-house theming. At The Deep the enclosure revamps and theming is all carried out by the team. They are highly trained and enthusiastic and have a lot of skills that can benefit the RHES group. They talked the group through theming processes, materials and any problems they encountered. The new Gentoo Penguin Display included some fascinating theming including fake ice and leaking dry stone walls.

RHES have picked up some great ideas for future projects from the The Deep.  It is hoped that in the new academic year Claire and Kirsten will come up to Reaseheath and potential provide a theming workshop for students.

RHES would like to thank Claire and Kirsten from The Deep for taking time out of their day to talk to them and for sharing their experiences. Also, a huge thank you to Joe for driving RHES all the way to Hull.

Farm lead sets sights on new Forest Schools initiative

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Pig and GeeseSteve Waterworth, the Reaseheath College Countryside department’s  student of year 2013 is putting his Diploma in Countryside Management to good use as the Farm Lead at Ladybridge High School, Bolton.

Ladybridge High is a part of a growing number of schools across UK offering outdoor educational opportunities, through running their own farm.  Steve manages the farmlands and cares for the range of animals onsite including; donkeys, pigs, goats, rabbits, ducks and hens. The farm is currently primarily utilised by visiting primary school groups, used to create an interactive learning environment to contextualise the teaching of ‘life cycles’ in plants and animals.

Aside caring for the farm’s animals, the role of Farm Lead requires Steve to maintain the woodlands and meadows surrounding the school grounds. Steve’s current restoration project involves revitalising the pond area at Ladybridge, which has suffered from some considerable neglect in recent times.  He will then be moving on to redevelop the woodlands and meadow lands, creating a nature trail with a den building and mini beast hunting areas.

Steve Waterworth at work at Ladybridge High School

Steve Waterworth at work at Ladybridge High School

Steve achieved an overall Distinction in his Level 3 Diploma in Countryside Management from Reaseheath,  returning to education after a break of nearly 30 years. Steve commented; “taking that leap back into education is the best decision I’ve ever made.  After 16 years in the motor trade and previous jobs as a printer and furniture maker, I’ve finally found my calling in conservation and countryside restoration.

“My time at Reaseheath has been an important part of my life and will always be grateful for the help and advice from my tutors, which as a result I have the job I wanted and enjoy”.

Moving forward, Steve has ambitious plans to establish a ‘Forest School’ at Ladybridge. The Forest Schools initiative is a national educational movement  that takes an active and immersive approach to learning in the outdoors. Steve mentioned: “ the farm and revitalised woodlands will be perfect to facilitate Forest School sessions. I’m excited to get this project off the ground and help forge more opportunities for young people to engage with the farm and their beautiful natural surroundings.”

 

Talented blacksmith helps Tattenhall remember WW1

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War horse reduced MB and brighter

Last week, Alumni Officer Katie visited the workshop of talented Tattenhall blacksmith, Andrew Brian Smith.

Andrew gave Katie an insight into the life of a blacksmith and chatted about his latest commission for the Village of Tattenhall – their very own ‘Horse of War‘. Christened ‘George’ by local primary school pupils, the horse was created by Andrew to help Tattenhall mark the centenary year of the beginning of the First World War.

Andrew studied agricultural engineering at Reaseheath in 1978, back in the days when we were known as the ‘Cheshire College of Agriculture’.

You can check out George and some more of Andrew’s handy work pictured below, we think they are all brilliant!!

 

 

 

 

Chris Budd – BSc (Hons) Food Technology

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Chris buddBSc (Hons) Food Industry with Management graduate Chris Budd is excelling in the food industry after completing his studies at Reaseheath.

Chris studied at Reaseheath for six years, beginning with a Level 3 National Diploma in Food Manufacturing and Nutrition, progressing on to a Foundation Degree and finally ‘topping-up’ to graduate with a 2:1 in his BSc (Hons) in Food Industry and Management.

During his time at Reaseheath, Chris gained invaluable experience both on campus and out in industry, working in creameries and retail professionals.

After completing his degree, Chris successfully landed a job within the Samworth Brothers Group in Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, as a Process Development Technologist at Kettleby Foods. His role involved supporting all departments in the concept, trialling and launching of high quality ready-meals for retail.

Chris commented, “working in the ‘Fast Moving Consumer Goods’ (FMCG) industry has its challenges, but offers great variation, from attending customer panels, to managing factory trials, to visiting suppliers – which ensures no day is ever the same”.

“I believe that I had the best preparation I could have from Reaseheath, and I am confident that the skills and knowledge gained has set me up for a long and prosperous career in the food industry.”

Chris has recently progressed in his career further, securing a new job as a Product Development Manager at Covent Garden Soup Company.

You can find out more about degrees in food at Reaseheath here.