RRW48 – 2025 rural weeks start with sunshine
March 21, 2025
Sunshine, although with a chilly a chilly breeze, greeted us at Bicton College for the first residential rural week of 2025. A full course of 4 Army, I RN and 3 RM – a mix of serving in resettlement and veterans – brought a lively start to the week. Introductions from Chris Shepherd (Course Director), Pete Boorn (Welfare and Support), Jamie Crisp (CEO) and Heather Crawford (Ops Manager) and guidance as to how to get the most from the week set the scene.
Monday sees the week start in earnest and the vocational area presentations began with a Technology in the Land-based sector presentation by Ed Parrish, Director of Land-based at Bicton College also made use of the Agri-tech Engineering Centre . Military technology has helped pioneer this increasingly important area and this session helps participants understand how their skills are so valuable.
The agriculture sector is always of interest and a visit to Jim Pyne gains valuable insight into the realities of a sector that is very much in the spotlight at present. Following lunch the group visited Clinton Devon Estate and Rob Coventry who talked through woodland management in the private sector. The opportunities this sector offers many beneficiaries means there are questions a-plenty.
Terry Farkins and Andy George at Woodbury Park always provide an excellent introduction to Greenkeeping, an area many never think of and as such is always an eye-opener for HighGrounders.
The evening session on a Monday is run by Pete, who takes the group through the Wheel of Life exercise. This helps identify areas of importance in each persons life and encourage individuals to think about what they value and what they want life post-military to look like. Given that many attendees have rarely had dedicated time to think deeply and solely about what they want from the next steps in their life this is a thought-provoking and important session.
Toby Taylor at RSPB Aylesbeare Common started Tuesday with a discussion about Environmental Conservation. An increasing number of HighGrounders are looking at this as a potential career option and Toby’s insights provide food for thought. The public aspect of the forestry industry is a useful comparison with Monday’s visit and Josh Stephen at Forestry England Haldon Forest Park ably supports us in helping the group understand the differences. Rodney Hall’s organic vegetable farm always provides useful insights into the realities of commercial veg and crop production. Career opportunities within the horserqacing world were discussed with Zoe Elliot of the British Horseracing Authority who joined the group via TEAMS. We always love keeping in touch with former HighGrounders and Ross Hocking also utilised technology to talk to the group about his transition from the military, his HighGround experience and the role he now holds with PGL Adventure
Tony Benger Landscaping and in particular Chris Bolton, are fast becoming valued and regular supporters on rural weeks. This visit gave the group a chance to learn about horticultural landscaping, another area that many have not previously considered but that offers significant opportunities. With Wednesday off to a hugely positive start, the group then headed to Killerton House , meeting Karl Emeleus, who gave a tour explaining Heritage Gardening and working for the National Trust, always much enjoyed given Karl’s progression through different roles within the organisation. Nick Murphy of the Outdoors Group introduced Forest Schools which is a rapidly growing area and of interest to many given their family situations. A fascinating insight into the wide ranging remit of game-keeping and wildlife management came from Chris Yelland of Hayes Barton Estate – this is a sector familiar to many and is often on a list of potential future careers in some form. Jeff Green, a dry stone waller, was an entertaining and enlightening Wednesday evening speaker and showed how heritage skills can provide a sustainable and fulfilling career.
Thursday, and the early start took the group to South Yeo Farm West where Debbie Kingsley stimulated an interesting discussion into smallholding. This, followed by the always popular visit to Gotland Gin helps the group understand how diversification and an open mind can make a success of a smallholding. Long time supporters and highly knowledgable, Matt and Kirsty from Hi Line delivered another fun and informative Arboriculture session. With many service leavers considering rural estate management, Ian Bowler of Bowler Oakfield gave a presentation on the routes into the profession which prompted questions and discussion especially around the skills service leavers bring to the sector.
The Thursday evening social allows the group time to chat further about ideas, possibilities, future plans and to begin to reflect on what they have learned.
Jamie Ranson and Bramble of Langore Tree Services in Cornwall joined the everyone for breakfast and chat before an informative and important session showing the realities of self-employment and demonstrates the possibilities of portfolio working which is a draw for many HighGrounders. Drawing the week to a close, Chris rounded up the learning from the week and talked through next steps and support, with additional support and guidance from Jamie Crisp and Heather Crawford, and valuable insights from Cahir of Trustees, Simon Caraffi.
What a wonderful start to the rural week programme for the year. Thank you, as always, to all at Bicton College, and we are especially proud to share your joy at an Outstanding grading by Ofsted – many congratulations!
We gratefully acknowledge support from Greenwich Hospital and the Army Central Fund for supporting beneficiaries this week.
Pictures from the week can be seen here
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