Andrew makes the cut at Riseholme College

Michelle Mortimer Arboriculture

Andrew Sharman has become the first student at Riseholme College to win the Royal Forestry Society (RFS) Silky Fox Handsaws Awards.

Andrew is studying for a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Arboriculture, and has won the award as best student. The awards, which will be held annually, recognise outstanding performance on forestry and arboriculture courses and have been introduced at 21 colleges throughout Wales and England.

Presenting Andrew with a Silky Gomtaro 300mm pruning saw and a year’s RFS membership as well as the Joseph Nickerson Cup, RFS Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire Division chairman Andy Reynolds said: “ As a graduate I found that membership of the local RFS Division invaluable. The friendly and open structure created an ideal atmosphere, where theories and practical experience can merge to the benefit of all.

“The Joseph Nickerson cup will stay at Riseholme and sustain the ties between the Lincs and Notts Division and the college, and I am sure the Silky saw will provide sturdy service. We welcome Andrew to the division, and wish him well in his future career.”

“Understanding good woodland management is a continuous process as new techniques are developed, new threats and diseases appear and new tree species are introduced. The RFS promotes continuous learning through its many woodland events, allowing those interested in all forms of woodland management to discuss a broad range of issues and exchange experiences whilst seeing examples of practical woodland management in action.

“We look forward to seeing Andrew at our meetings, and wish him well in his future career.”

The RFS Nottinghamshire and Lincolnshire Division organises woodland visits and activities, and welcomes new members. For further information please contact Divisional Secretary William Price on 01507 588 489 or email wjep@aol.com or visit www.rfs.org.uk

Riseholme Sharp Shots

Bill Meredith Uncategorized

Lincolnshire student, Rob Russell was named ‘High Gun’ at the National Agricultural Student Clay Pigeon Championships held in Warwickshire. Rob (18), who is studying a Level 3 Diploma in Agriculture at Riseholme College, took the title with an impressive 49 hits out of 50.

The Riseholme College team which included Rob Russell, Steve Townsend, Gary Taylor, Lewis Pate, Sam Thompson and Ben Wray were the runners-up in the overall team competition, only one point behind the eventual winners, Harper Adams University College.

Rob, whose family farm near Stamford, was quick to point out that the shot he missed was the difference between the two teams.

Top shot Rob was presented with a leather gun sleeve and a cash prize and the Riseholme Team received a runners-up trophy to add to the one they won at last year’s championships.

Team manager, Neil Rowbottom, praised the students on their performance and said ‘the Riseholme students demonstrate the depth of sporting talent in ruralLincolnshireand they are certainly getting a reputation for their sharp shooting’.

 

 

Success at Work-based Awards

Michelle Mortimer Agriculture, News , , , ,

The work-based learning team is celebrating recent success at the Lincolnshireand Rutland Skills Awards which took place on 19th April.

Four of our Apprentices were short-listed.

Lee Friend (Level 2 Agricultural Apprentice) won the title of Apprentice of the Year for Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Care.

Liam Bradley (Level 2 Horticultural Apprentice) won the Personal Achiever of the Year award.

Ben Newton and Alex Anderson (both Level 3 Apprentices) were runners up in the Apprentice of the Year category.

Future of further education at Riseholme College secured

Michelle Mortimer News

The future of further education at Riseholme College has been secured after one of the country’s best-known land-based colleges won the contract to deliver courses from August 2012.

Bishop Burton College was announced as the preferred bidder to offer Further Education (FE) provision at Riseholme College following a competitive tendering process led by the Skills Funding Agency and the Young People’s Learning Agency.

Currently, the University of Lincoln runs FE courses at Riseholme College alongside its Higher Education (HE) courses on the Riseholme Campus. The FE portfolio includes diplomas and work-based apprenticeships in subjects such as agriculture, animal management, horticulture and land-based engineering.

The University previously announced it would not be renewing its FE contract at Riseholme College once it expired, so that it could focus on its HE offer. The University, which is renowned for its work in agriculture, food and animal sciences, will continue to deliver HE degree programmes at Riseholme Campus, alongside the College’s FE courses.

Bill Meredith, Head of Agriculture and Land-based Studies, said: “I’d like to reassure all our students that the quality of education on the campus will remain high and that the change in provider will not adversely affect any study currently undertaken on the campus.BishopBurtonCollegehas an excellent reputation in the sector.”

Professor Mary Stuart, Vice Chancellor at the University of Lincoln, said: “This announcement secures the future provision of further education atRiseholmeCollegeand we’re very much looking forward to working with one of theUK’s premier land-based colleges.

“The changes will ensure that Riseholme College continues to offer high quality further education for young people wishing to study land-based subjects. The University’s continued presence will present College students with clear routes of progression through to degree level courses, should they wish to continue in their studies.”

Bishop Burton College, which is based near Beverley in the East Riding of Yorkshire, is the only college in the UK to hold Centre of Vocational Excellence status in both agriculture and equine.

The transfer of FE provision at Riseholme College from the University of Lincoln to Bishop Burton Collegewill take place on 1st August 2012.

Jeanette Dawson, Principal of Bishop Burton College, said: “We’re very excited to have been awarded the contract to become the further education provider at Riseholme College and to have the opportunity to work in close partnership with the University of Lincoln.

“Riseholme College has a proud history of providing excellent education in agriculture and land-based studies. Together we can build on this for the benefit of our region’s communities and the widerUKeconomy, which needs this knowledge and skills base to feed future generations.”

Lights, Camera, Action

Michelle Mortimer Uncategorized

Filming took place this week of the Level 1 Diploma in Agriculture course (14-16). The filming was carried out by CfBt to highlight he importance of work related experience and education for learners aged 14-16.

The film is due to be shown at the Lincolnshire and Rutland Skills Awards on the 19th of April.

The Group this year have replaced the fencing alongside the sports field opposite Lawress Hall, and have been gapping up the hedge lines coming from the A15.  Their Skills gained will be beneficial throughout their lives and will help to contribute to the improvement of habitats and better management of land in Agriculture.  The skills generated on the course are transferable and not just linked to Agriculture.