Travel beckons for ambitious dairy farmers

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Two ambitious young dairy farmers are looking forward to global travel thanks to a scholarship run by Reaseheath College and the Cheshire Agricultural Society.

Neil Roberts and Neil Quinlan were presented with John Platt Travel Scholarships, worth £2,000, during the Presidents Lunch at the Cheshire Show.

Neil Roberts, a 30 year-old dairy farmers and herd manager for Townhouse Holsteins at Park Hall Farm, Clotton near Tarporley, will use his scholarship to learn about progressive cow housing systems on a ‘Cow Signals’ course in Holland and will continue his studies at the ‘Alta-U’ course in Wisconsin, USA. He will follow this with a week viewing some of the world’s best dairy facilities in North America.

Neil Quinlan, 35, who helps to manage the dairy herd and youngstock at Polar Hall, Tattenhall, for Neil and Nigel Matthews, plans to visit large and small scale dairy farms in the USA to identify successful strategies in heifer rearing. He will also attend a ‘Calf Signals’ course and visit heifer rearing units in the UK so he can compare techniques.

Both participants will share their finding with fellow farmers, Young Farmers Clubs and agricultural students as part of their award.

Neil Roberts and Neil Quinlan both studied agriculture at Reaseheath College in Nantwich and have continued to expand their knowledge while progressing into responsible roles within the dairy industry.

Neil Roberts has been Herd Manager at Park Hall Farm for 11 years and helps to run the 12,000 kg herd of 500 pedigree Holsteins on a high yield system milking three times daily. The business also has 450 heifer replacements on the farm.

The ‘Cow Signals’ course he will attend has been set up by Joep Dreissen an influential Dutch vet, and will focus on farm set up, building design and other factors which can improve welfare and profit. After the week long course Neil will become a qualified ‘Cow Signals’ master trainer.

He said: “this travel scholarship will help me to maximise cow welfare both at my own farm and on other throughout Cheshire. It will enable me to attend a course where I’ll be encouraged to think ‘outside the box’ when it comes to housing. Often small details can make cows life easier and live longer”.

Neil Quinlan is particularly interested in heifer rearing and plans to identify successful strategies used in the USA, particularly methods of colostrum management and techniques to support calves during their first two weeks of life. He also wants to investigate how weight gains are maximised and growth targets are achieves, from weaning to bulling age.

A ‘Tesco Future Farmer’ last year, Neil runs the youngstock unit with over 100 replacement heifers at Poplar Hall as well as helping to manage the dairy herd of 305 Holstein cows.

He said: “I believe we in the UK could do a great deal more to maximise efficiencies and income within the youngstock industry. I am looking forward to seeing as much as possible and sharing the knowledge that I have gained with other farmers.

“I would like to thank Reaseheath College and the Cheshire Agricultural Society for giving me the opportunity to further my knowledge and interests.”

The John Platt scholarship is in memory of John Platt, a former Chair of Reaseheath Governors and former Chairman, President and Honorary Life Warden of the Cheshire Agricultural Society.

Presenting the awards, Cheshire Show Director Keith Thomas said that both young farmers had been outstanding candidates and had shown the drive, ambition and desire to seek out new information and technology which would benefit the Cheshire farming community.

The John Platt Scholarship is awarded annually and is open to young people from a rural background who live or work in Cheshire. Applications are being taken for next year.

Find out more about The John Platt Travel Scholarship here or email davek@reaseheath.ac.uk

Caption: Neil Quinlan and Neil Roberts receive their John Platt Travel Scholarships from Keith Thomas and Reaseheath Governor and selection committee member Richard Ratcliffe. 

Reaseheath conservationists inspired by gorilla expert

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Influential conservationist Ian Redmond OBE gave an inspirational talk to student members of Reaseheath College’s Conservation Society and members of the public when he visited the College last week.

Best known for his work studying the mountain gorillas of Rwanda with zoologist Dian Fossey, who inspired the film ‘Gorillas in the Mist’, Ian has been involved with more than 50 television wildlife documentaries and is founder and chairman of Ape Alliance, an international coalition of organisations and individuals working for the conservation and welfare of apes.

The tropical field biologist, whose career spans more than 30 years, is also renowned for his research studies of elephants in both Africa and Asia. During his lecture, Ian described his experiences with apes and other species and also discussed his concerns about climate change.

He also spent time answering questions from students studying for wildlife related degrees and diplomas, many of whom have already or will go on to complete field research with exotic species.

Ian Redmond meets Reaseheath’s ring tailed lemurs with Zoo Management and Wildlife Conservation undergraduates Ashleigh Ball, Daniel Collin, Harley Merrigan, Charlotte Daniels, Jack Wootton and James Wylor-Owen and Zoo Keeper Alan Woodward

Ian Redmond meets Reaseheath’s ring tailed lemurs with Zoo Management and Wildlife Conservation undergraduates Ashleigh Ball, Daniel Collin, Harley Merrigan, Charlotte Daniels, Jack Wootton and James Wylor-Owen and Zoo Keeper Alan Woodward

BSc Wildlife Conservation and Ecology undergraduate James Wylor-Owen, who is looking for a research placement abroad, said: “This has been a fantastic opportunity to meet a conservation role model with an incredible background in in-situ research, particularly in human and wildlife conflict.”

Ian, who toured Reaseheath’s zoo before his talk, commented: “This has been a revelation to me. Reaseheath has magnificent facilities and not only provides an excellent home for a range of species found in national zoo collections, but is using them to train the biologists of the future.

“I have been impressed with the enthusiasm and evident knowledge of the students and their wish to make a difference to habitat and species conservation.”

The Reaseheath Conservation Society has over 100 student members who are passionate about conserving animals and the natural world. The group enjoy educational visits and lectures, work with communities on environmental projects and hold public events to raise funds for animal charities. Ian Redmond’s talk raised nearly £800 for Gorilla Conservation.

Like Reaseheath Conservation Society on Facebook and follow them on Twitter to find out more about the work of society.

Jack wins scholarship to explore fish behaviour

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Congratulations to Jack Wootton, a third year undergraduate on our BSc Wildlife Conservation and Ecology Degree.

Jack  has been awarded a two month £1600 scholarship from the Universities Federation For Animal Welfare (UFAW)  to explore the behavioural responses of fish to reflective stimuli in their tanks. This will take place over the summer using fantailed guppies and will be based at the University of Chester.

Jack has always been passionate about fish welfare. He completed a Diploma in Animal Management at Reaseheath  in 2010 and then spent two years working in the field in Borneo and in the industry near his home in Stockport.

He followed this by completing his Foundation Degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare at Reaseheath, followed by his current one year top-up which will hopefully lead to him achieving his BSc in Wildlife Conservation and Ecology. In addition to his studies Jack gained highly relevant experience working part-time as a zoo keeper at our Animal Centre, helping to look after our fish department.

Jack, who is particularly keen to improve the living conditions of fish in aquaria, applied for his scholarship independently while working for his degree.

He said:  “I was really surprised but delighted when my project proposal was chosen. I am really looking forward to working with UFAW. Reaseheath has played  an integral part in building my passion for aquatic life and furthering my career .”

Helen Kay, Higher Education Support Team (HEST) Leader, said: “Jack is definitely one to watch for the future. As well as working to the highest level for his degrees, he always found time to help, educate and inspire less experienced students. The HEST team is convinced he will go to the very top in his career.”

Reaseheath trained A-Plant engineer carries off top awards

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Talented Reaseheath trained engineer Paige Carter has carried off the top awards in a competition aimed at finding the nation’s best construction plant apprentices.

The 18 year-old became the first female apprentice to win the prestigious title of ‘Apprentice of the Year’ at the Construction Plant-hire Association’s (CPA) Stars of  the Future Awards.  The competition finals were held at PLANTWORX, a bi-annual showcase event for the UK’s construction industry, held this year in Leicestershire.

Paige had earlier been awarded ‘Level 2 Apprentice of the Year’ at the event and went head to head with other winners to clinch the national title. Nearly 600 apprentices in the construction plant trade were eligible for the competition.

Paige Carter with trophies at Plantworx

Paige celebrates her awards at PLANTWORX

She received her awards, including a fully-equipped Snap-on tool box, from Richard Noble OBE, a World Land Speed record holder and the pioneer of the Bloodhound Super Sonic Car.

Paige is a trainee construction plant apprentice with A-Plant and is based in Stockton-on-Tees. She specialises in powered access plant such as scissor lifts and cherry pickers and aims to progress into management after gaining more workshop experience.

She has just completed her Level 2 apprenticeship at Reaseheath through block release training and will progress onto her Level 3 apprenticeship in the next academic year.

Paige, who enjoyed maths and science at school, has gone on to receive technical training in mechanical, electrical and hydraulics systems and in welding both at college and in the workplace.  She said: “I think engineering is a great career which I would really recommend to girls.”

Reaseheath Course Manager Simon Keen commented: “Paige is a very deserving winner who thoroughly deserves the recognition. We put her forward for this year’s competition because she has outstanding practical and theory skills, supported by very positive feedback from her employer. She is definitely future management material who will continue to raise the bar for all apprentices.

A-Plant’s Head of Training Bob Harper said: “We are absolutely delighted that Paige has won this national award in recognition of her ability and her total commitment to learning and her work. The Stars of the Future scheme not only rewards outstanding apprentices who will provide the future foundations of the construction plant hire industry, but also recognises those with the potential to become its leaders. We are very proud of Paige for winning the regional and national Level 2 award.”

Reaseheath Engineering is one of the UK leaders in construction plant training. We currently have 172 apprentices and this year saw a record intake of over 120 first year apprentices. We are the preferred trainer for blue chip companies including A-Plant, JCB, Clee Hill Plant, Morgan Plant Hire and J.S. Berry.

We were also successful in the CPA ‘Stars of the Future’ awards in 2013, when James Scott from A-Plant took the title of ‘Best Level 3 Construction Plant Apprentice’ and Level 2 apprentice Adam Hughes from Gunn JCB was a regional winner.

Reaseheath College welcomes royal visitor at Cheshire Show

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Reaseheath College gave Sophie, Countess of Wessex, a right royal welcome when she visited the college’s award winning stand at the Cheshire Show earlier this week (June 23 and 24)

Her Royal Highness, who is Cheshire Show President, spent 20 minutes chatting to staff and students and inspecting the stand’s activities. She particularly admired Reaseheath’s mechanical horse and a pizza oven built by construction students and was keen to find out more about apprenticeships.

Stand organiser Stephanie Owen said: “The Countess seemed to be very knowledgeable and supportive of landbased industries and asked a lot of pertinent questions about our work with rural businesses. She seemed very natural and was obviously enjoying carrying out her duties at the show.”

The Nantwich college’s visitor friendly stand had earlier taken the top award in the education section, with judge Marie Birkenhead paying tribute to the range of activities on offer and the enthusiastic and well informed staff.

Mrs Birkenhead said: “Reaseheath College’s stand was far and away the best exhibit in its section and really met the criteria, which is to educate and inform visitors about the countryside. We were impressed with the attractive display offering activities for all ages, but what was most outstanding was the wonderful welcome which all visitors received when they went on the stand.”

Top crowd puller on the stand was a Caterpillar digger which gave visitors the chance to operate the controls. Apart from riding the mechanical horse, families were able to have a go on a climbing wall and try milking a model cow. Other activities, under the banner ‘Do Something Different’, included a display of the latest horticultural technology and a chance to make floral buttonholes and beaded dragonflies. Animals from the college’s zoo and a scarecrow from this summer’s ‘Superhero’ maize maze were also on display.

Reaseheath agriculture students took part in breed showing and young handler classes in the cattle show ring with heifers and a cow in milk from the Reaseheath Holstein dairy herd. The student team were awarded first place in the ‘tidy lines’ competition.

Deputy Marketing Manager Faye Thomson-Butt 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 Cheshire Show each year gives us a great platform to show the public what we can do.”

Caption: Sophie, Countess of Wessex, joins Stephanie Owen and agricultural lecturer Mark Walton on Reaseheath College’s stand at the Cheshire Show.

Reaseheath’s record RAG raises funds for Macmillan Cancer Support

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Caring students and staff from Reaseheath College in Nantwich have raised a record £20,380 this year for Macmillan Cancer Support – with more to come.

Members of the College’s Student Association presented their bumper cheque to representatives of the cancer charity at the student summer ball last Tuesday.

Macmillan fundraisers have been so impressed at the success of the students’ RAG (Raising and Giving) activities that they have asked them to write a RAG Guide advising other colleges and universities who are considering supporting the charity.

Fundraising Manager for East Cheshire, Louisa Walmsley, said: “Macmillan Cancer Support is hugely grateful to the students and staff of Reaseheath College for raising such a phenomenal amount of money.

“We have been very impressed with the dedication, determination and passion shown by the Student Association, and we are absolutely delighted that the target of £20,000 was reached! This money will make a huge difference to people affected by cancer. On their behalf, I’d like to say a big ‘thank you’ to everyone who has been involved in fundraising.”

Macmillan Cancer Support is one of Britain’s largest charities and provides specialist healthcare, information and funding to people living with cancer. The charity funds a Macmillan Benefits Advisor, based in Nantwich, who helps people to apply for a Macmillan Grant to help meet costs that can arise from the condition and its treatment. In 2013, 281 grants were handed out to residents of Cheshire East, totally £48,486.

President Rob Sparkes, RAG Chair Katie Gibson and Vice President Fenna Ball hand over the cheque to Macmillan Fundraising Managers Louisa Walmsely and Mandy West, watched by members of the Student Association

President Rob Sparkes, RAG Chair Katie Gibson and Vice President Fenna Ball hand over the cheque to Macmillan Fundraising Managers Louisa Walmsely and Mandy West, watched by members of the Student Association

Reaseheath’s Student Association organised 24 fund raising events in RAG week alone,  including a masquerade  RAG Ball, a staff versus students football match, a raft race on the college lake, a tractor pull and a Three Peaks Challenge by students and staff from the construction department. The public also had the chance to be a zoo keeper for a day.

Student Association President Rob Sparkes 22, who has just completed his Foundation Degree in Zoo Management, said: “We had a brilliant team of Student Association members who worked really hard to put together activities which everyone could enjoy while raising money for a good cause. All departments and academic staff have supported us and I am so proud of what everyone achieved.”

“We chose Macmillan because its services benefit the whole community and because many of the members of our group know someone who has cancer.”

In addition to fundraising for Macmillan Cancer Support, Reaseheath students and staff raised a further £3,000 for the Poppy Appeal and £1,368.90 for the Epilepsy Society. Further funds remain to be collected and it is hoped that the final total raised this year may reach an impressive £25,000.

Over the past 27 years students and staff have raised over £215,000 for local charities.

 

Equine students provide arena party at world class Bolesworth

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Our equine students were commended for the professional way they provided the arena party for Bolesworth International, our local world class showjumping event.

A team of 40 students and staff were on duty in all three arenas for four full days of action last week, working alongside international course designers Bob Ellis and Kelvin Bywater.  Competitors included world famous showjumpers such as John and Robert Whitaker, Nick Skelton and Scott Brash.

Our students also provided the arena party for the Equestrian.com intermediate dressage to music class, which saw London 2012 British team gold medallist Laura Tomlinson going head to head with 2013 European team medallist Michael Eilberg.

Bolesworth has invested thousands of pounds to build up this exciting, multi national 4 star event, which has been hailed as an industry leader.

Show founder Nina Barbour, who is Managing Director of Bolesworth, said: “Reaseheath’s arena party were extremely competent and professional. We really appreciated their teamwork, which helped us to deliver showjumping at its highest level.”

Watch our equine team and hear Bob Ellis’ comments as our students  prepare the course for Bolesworth International. 

 

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.

Business and events management students get hands-on at Bolesworth International

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Level 3 Diploma in Business and Events Management made themselves indispensable at Bolesworth International by helping with the organisation of some major visitor attractions.

Twelve students, accompanied by staff, worked for all four days of the Ashford Farm sponsored 4 star event. Their duties ranged from helping to set up for the grand opening ceremony to shepherding 800 school children between activities during the Bolesworth Schools Day. They also looked after the Cheshire Police bands.

Our students also carried out useful market research with over 300 visitors which will help inform the organisers when they plan future events. As well as gaining high level event management experience, the team also benefitted from training sessions held at college.

Bolesworth International Event Co-ordinator Howard Blythe said: “We were delighted with the input of the students, who quickly became part of the Bolesworth team and took on responsible and useful roles. In particular, the results of their market research on customer satisfaction will be extremely important to us.”

Bolesworth International has indicated that it would like to develop further links with Reaseheath’s event management department. There is a strong possibility that some of the students, along with the equine team who provided the showjumping arena party at Bolesworth, will be invited to Liverpool International Horse Show, a new family extravaganza being held at the city’s Echo Arena on Jan 1-3.

Caption: Event management students Sammy Clare and Abi Bore with course managers Elayne Frost and Jayne Cawood at Bolesworth International

Celebration of achievement for special schools

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Pupils from special schools marked the completion of their course with a celebration of achievement this week.

Over 30 young people received Certificates of Attendance after completing a 30 week programme made up of ten week sessions on horticulture, animal care and horse care.

The vocational taster programme is run by our Pre-entry Department and taken up by schools for pupils with special educational needs throughout the region. As well as learning practical skills, the pupils are introduced to a more independent life at college, with some enjoying their experience so much that they choose to join our pre-entry programme.

Thumbs up from Greenbank School, Northwich

Thumbs up from Greenbank School, Northwich

Our pictures show sixth formers from Greenbank School, Northwich, and Springfield School, Crewe, relaxing during some well earned down-time after receiving their awards. Pupils from West Kirby Residential School also attended.

Course Manager Lisa Alkins, who with our pre-entry team organised the celebration along with music and food, said: “Our programme offers pupils the opportunity to take part in hands-on activities out of the class room. They also gain a lot by participating in college life as far as they are able. It’s hugely rewarding to see how much the pupils benefit and grow simply by being in the college environment.”