RRW49 – sunshine and rain
June 13, 2025
CEO, Jamie Crisp greeted the beneficiaries for Residential Rural Week 49 at Bicton College.
The course of 2 Army, I RN, 3 RAF and 1 RM – a mix of serving in resettlement and veterans – gave a lively start to the week. Introductions from Chris Shepherd (Course Director) and Pete Boorn (Welfare and Support) set the scene and gave guidance as to how to get the most from the week.
Technology in the Land-based sector presentation by Ed Parrish, Director of Land-based at Bicton College is a great session to start the week and helps underpin how much technology is increasingly used across the whole sector. Military technology has helped pioneer this increasingly important area and this session helps participants understand how their skills are so valuable.
From the Agri-tech centre, the group moved to the Bicton College Farm and were hosted by Kevin Bond, who gave valuable insight into the gains valuable insight into the realities of a sector that is very much in the spotlight at present. Following lunch the group visited Rob Coventry, Head Forester at Clinton Devon Estate who talked through the many opportunities available in woodland management in the private sector.
Our long time supporters, Terry Farkins and Andy George at Woodbury Park gave another excellent introduction to Greenkeeping. This “hidden in plain sight” sector is one many don’t think of and the visit is always an eye-opener.
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.
Tuesday started with a visit to Toby Taylor at RSPB Aylesbeare Common and a discussion about Environmental Conservation. This sector is always a popular option as a potential career option and Toby’s knowledgeable and honest 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. Follow a lunch with views, the group moved to Exeter Racecourse on Haldon Hill, meeting Clerk of the Course Jason Loosemore. The perception is usually that the equine world is a tough one to enter, so this visit proves enlightening and demonstrates the management and support roles available that don’t necessarily require equine knowledge.
For a complete change of direction, the afternoon continued with our regular visit to Rodney Hall’s organic vegetable farm always provides useful insights into the realities of commercial veg and crop production. Back at the college, former HighGrounder, Ross Hocking 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 his is a useful story and helps beneficiaries understand what is possible and how to look at resettlement time a little differently.
Our evening speakers provide a welcome change of pace and fascinating insights on the transition journey into sometimes surprising areas. Another HighGrounder, former Royal Marine Ali McGoldrick is now a celebrated blacksmith and generously gave up an evening to join the group for a fascinating hour.
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. We are so grateful for this burgeoning relationship and the huge value it offers the course. A quick trip up the motorway to Killerton House followed, meeting Karl Emeleus (Head Gardener on the estate), 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. To round off the afternoon the group returned to Clinton Devon Estate meeting Wildlife Ranger Tom Garner who explained the changing role of game-keeping on many estates into a wildlife and conservation emphasis. Our evening speaker was former HighGrounder, Adam Chant, detailing his transition journey and how he has created a role in deer management.
Thursday’s early start took the group to South Yeo Farm West where despite the torrential rain Debbie Kingsley’s deep knowledge and enthusiasm stimulated an interesting discussion into smallholding. Mark and Dawn Rees at Gotland Gin help the group understand how diversification and an open mind can make a success of a smallholding. The weather meant that our usually interactive tree climbing with Hi Line was curtailed, but Kirsty and Matt delivered an informative discussion on Arboriculture including the all important progression and career extending information. With many service leavers considering rural estate management, we were joined via Teams by Robert Honan, estate manager at Ascott Estate. His extensive knowledge is always welcome, especially around the various routes into the profession helps to reinforce the significant skills service leavers bring to the land-based economy.
Thankfully the rain cleared allowing a beautiful walk along the River Otter and a discussion about wetland regeneration and the conflicts between such schemes and farming communities. 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 and Pete 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 Chair of Trustees, Simon Caraffi. We were delighted to be joined by Caroline Crewe-Read of Army Central Fund who are one of the generous funders that enable these weeks to take place.
Bicton College once again, thank you for another wonderful week, for looking after us so well and your generous and enthusiastic support.
We gratefully acknowledge support from Greenwich Hospital RAF Benevolent Fund and the Army Central Fund for supporting beneficiaries this week.
Pictures from the week can be seen here
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