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’.”

Reaseheath plays key role in launch of UK’s first national land based college

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Reaseheath College is playing a leading role in the establishment of the UK’s first virtual national land based college which will draw from the best minds in education and industry and offer students clear career pathways and opportunities for advancement.

The National Land Based College (NLBC), launched last month, is a collaboration of leading colleges, universities and industry experts working together to offer nationally coordinated training programmes which are tailored to the needs of both students and employers.

Meredydd David

Reaseheath College Principal Meredydd David

Reaseheath College, in Nantwich, is one of the largest and most successful land based colleges in the country and is an inaugural member of the NLBC. Principal Meredydd David is a member of the board which has been developing the innovative partnership over the past two years.

Courses will be delivered through ‘blended learning’ offered by a national network of member colleges and will be supported through online teaching and by industry experts in the workplace.

Aimed at those approaching or at supervisory and management level, the City and Guilds qualifications will include part time higher level programmes and opportunities for continuing professional development. The courses will be offered over a wide range of subjects including agriculture, gamekeeping, equine management and horticulture and are aimed at providing an essential balance between theory and practical skills training.

A small team at the NLBC hub will actively promote land based careers to high flying students, entrepreneurs and new entrants in collaboration with key organisations. It will also provide a CPD register for graduates.

Chief Executive of the NLBC Leigh Morris said: “Working for the first time at a coordinated national level, we can build a pool of resources drawn from the very best minds in education and industry.

“Collaboratively we will promote land based careers, raise the standard of college courses and create cutting edge training for those already employed. By so doing, we will meet the skills needs of the sector today and into the future.”

Meredydd David emphasised: “By working together, this collaboration of land-based colleges has developed professional and technical qualifications that are truly responsive to the current and future skills needs of the industry.

“By offering these cohesive, nationally recognised standards of achievement we aim to attract the very best people into the land based sector and equip them for the exciting opportunities that lie ahead.

“Businesses will also benefit. Multi-site businesses can be assured of consistent standard of delivery to staff throughout the country while smaller and more specialist enterprises will find it easier to access expert trainers.”

The NLBC is a registered charity chaired by Lord Donald Curry and with a board of industry leaders and principals from land based colleges and universities. Seed funding has been provided by Landex member colleges, Landex, and City and Guilds.

Reaseheath Zoo receives gold award for giving rare spiders a helping hand

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Keepers at Reaseheath College’s campus zoo have been recognised for their success in rearing the minute offspring of one of the UK’s rarest and most spectacular spiders.

Reaseheath Zoo has been awarded a prestigious gold award by the British and Irish Association of Zoos and Aquariums (BIAZA) for its efforts to conserve the endangered fen raft spider (Dolomedes plantarius).

Six hundred fen raft spiderlings were hand reared at the Nantwich college during a three year ‘rear and release’ project aimed at conserving British native species. The spiderlings were kept in individual test tubes and fed with fruit flies and tiny invertebrates for three months until reaching a suitable size for release. They have since successfully established viable new populations in restored habitat.

Reaseheath collaborated with nine other members of BIAZA, including Chester Zoo and ZSL London Zoo, throughout the project and all received a gold award award at BIAZA’s 50th anniversary conference held at Marwell Zoo, Hampshire, earlier this month. Around 6,000 spiderlings were released over four years.

Fen raft spiders are a wetland species found in just three sites in east Sussex, East Anglia and south Wales and can literally walk on water. They feed on a wide range of invertebrates and can also take small amphibians and fish. The survival chances of spiderlings increases to over 90% if they are reared in captivity.

Flashback: Lauren Lane releases the fen raft spiderlings into a protected habitat

Flashback: Lauren Lane releases the fen raft spiderlings into a protected habitat

Deputy Head Keeper Lauren Lane led on the project at Reaseheath, helped by colleagues and by student members of the college’s Herpetological Society.

Lauren said: “I am extremely proud that our contribution to this important project has been recognised. It was a rare privilege to be actively involved in conservation work, although it was very time consuming and really tested our skills as zoo keepers!

“The project was extremely rewarding, particularly when we released the spiders into the wild. It was also a great opportunity for staff and students to work alongside major conservation bodies.”

Presenting the awards, Dr Kirsten Pullen, Director of BIAZA, said: “As we celebrate 50 years of ‘Working Together for Wildlife’ we have an opportunity to reflect on the incredibly important work done in conservation and the significant contribution our members make in educating the public about our natural world and inspiring them to protect it. This event has provided us with an opportunity to re-inforce our commitment to animal welfare, conservation, education and scientific research.”

The fen raft spider translocation programme was run through a partnership which included Natural England, the Suffolk and Sussex Wildlife Trusts, The Broads Authority, the RSPB and BIAZA.

• A groundbreaking workshop on invertebrate first aid, written by Lauren Lane and fellow experts, was also recognised for its excellence at the BIAZA award ceremony. The workshop, which received a silver award in the animal breeding, care and welfare category, was introduced at the national conference of the BIAZA Terrestrial Invertebrate Working Group and Veterinary Invertebrate Society last year and has since been rolled out nationwide.

The practical workshop demonstrated little understood first aid techniques for animals such as spiders, insects and snails.

Reaseheath Zoo has over 150 different species including a substantial collection of invertebrates, reptiles and amphibians. It is open to the public every day during the school holidays, July 25 – August 29.

Header image caption: Lauren Lane and Lower Vertebrate and Invertebrate Keeper Joe Chattell celebrate their BIAZA Gold Award

 

Agriculture students shine at Royal Cheshire Show

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Reaseheath agriculture students had a great two days at the Royal Cheshire County Show, competing in cattle and pig showing classes and helping organisers to ensure that the schedule ran smoothly.

The county’s premier agricultural show, being run under ‘royal’ status for the first time, attracted competitors from across the country and showcased the best aspects of farming and rural life.

Our Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture students enjoyed first day success in the cattle section, winning a fistful of rosettes with four youngstock from the Reaseheath Holstein dairy herd and five beef shorthorn cattle from the Bridge House pedigree herd. The students trained and prepared the shorthorns for the show for Sandbach farmer George Sutton, one of many local supporters who offer our students industry experience, and also prepared out own cattle for the showring.

Reaseheath Holstein were awarded first, second, fifth and sixth placings in breed youngstock classes with students James Henderson, Matt Gilbert, Zoe Brunt and Hope Tatton and were third in a pairs class when shown by Libby Turner and Matt Gilbert.

We were also successful in the Young Handler classes, with Libby, Zoe, Hope and James being well placed.

The rosettes kept coming in during the judging of the beef section, with Libby and James Hodgkinson winning the pairs class. Students Alex Lightfoot, Eden Grey, Charlie Morris, Jacob Eley and Paige Jepson were also placed with the beef shorthorns.

The final accolade came with the announcement that we had won the dairy ‘tidy lines’ competition and were runners-up in the beef ‘tidy lines’ competition – awarded for high standards of animal care. Our students were also involved in stewarding and in the grand parade.

Two other agriculture students, Kostja Vezanovs and Aidan Simmons, took on key roles in the pig section, helping with bio-security measures and ensuring that the livestock accommodation remained top class for animals, exhibitors and spectators.

Kostja and Aidan were rewarded on Day 2 of the show with the opportunity to show Large Whites for traditional pig breeders Stephen and Mandy Booth from Lymm, another of our supporters. Both students entered the Young Handler competition, gaining a creditable third and fourth placing.

Said Kostja, who is shortly leaving for a year’s placement in the USA: “This was a really different experience which I thoroughly enjoyed.”

Commending the students for their commitment, Stephen Booth said: “Ring craft can be a daunting task but both Kostja and Aidan adapted well and tackled their learning curve with enthusiasm and humour. They were a credit to Reaseheath and would be welcome to help at any other show.”

We were also approached by the South Devon Cattle Society which was holding its national show at the Royal Cheshire Show. Several our students were allowed to help prepare the animals and take them into the showring – a real test of stockmanship and showmanship

Another Level 3 Diploma student, Will May, was kept busy demonstrating sheep shearing in Sainsbury’s Agri Centre, while our equine students provided the arena party in the working hunter rings.

Royal Cheshire Show President Vic Croxson, a former Principal of Reaseheath College, said: “Reaseheath’s students have made a vital contribution to the efficient running of the show, which is recognised as the leading summertime event in the north of England. They helped us make the event a memorable occasion for our visitors, competitors and exhibitors, and we were delighted at their professional attitude. They have also proved their showmanship skills in the rings alongside leading professionals.”

Reaseheath’s stand provided its usual range of family activities, with visitors queuing to ride the college’s mechanical horse and have a go on a driving simulator. Other activities, under the banner ‘We are Reaseheath’, included the chance to make floral buttonholes, milk a model cow and learn new construction skills.

Stand organiser Stephanie Owen said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity for us to demonstrate the range of vocational courses we offer. We are very proud of the success of our students and coming to the Royal Cheshire Show gives us a great platform to show the public what we can do.”

The show also provided our Student Association with a final fundraising opportunity, enabling them to reach a record £25,000 which this year goes to the British Heart Foundation.