RRW52 – 2026 starts with sunshine
March 20, 2026
After the seemingly endless rain and grey skies, the first RRW of 2026 brought wall to wall sunshine!
What a joy to be back at Bicton College
6 thoroughly engaged and enthusiastic beneficiaries 3 Army, 1 Royal Marines and 2 RAF personnel joined course manager – Chris and welfare officer – Pete on Sunday evening and settled into a cohesive group right away. CEO – Jamie and Ops Manager Heather joined the group welcome and always it was great to see the course start, with Chair of Trustees, Simon joining us on Friday morning.
The week involves a variety of visits to different sectors within the land-based economy allowing the group to gain first hand understanding of the realities of the work, opportunities available, what is needed and most importantly, what is not needed in order to transition into that area.
The week is about starting the process of understanding what type of work and which sector(s) feels right for each individual, whether that be land-based engineering, greenkeeping or the equine industry. The opportunity to ask questions of people with extensive experience of working within the sectors and get honest answers is hugely valuable and helps build those all important networks.
The week gives beneficiaries a rare chance to focus on what is next in their careers; time that allows them to take a deep dive into what is important. This approach helps them decide on a pathway that fits their whole life.
Our evening speakers this week were Jeff Green, a renowned dry stone waller, and Jo Edwards and Matt Wildgoose of Solace in Devon who all spoke eloquently of their transition journeys and how they found what they now do in post-military lives. These sessions allow reflection time and a chance to understand the journeys of other veterans, which often resonate with their own experiences.
These weeks would be nothing without the support of some amazing people and organisations.
This week, the group explored the following sectors:
Agri-Tech – Andy Irvine and Chris Giles John Deere
Agriculture – Kevin Bond of Home Farm, Bicton College
Woodland Management – with John Wilding of Clinton Devon Estates
Aboriculture – with Kirsty, Matt and Rhys of Hi-Line Tree Services
Equine industry – with Rob Bateson of Budleigh Riding School
Wildlife Conservation – with Toby Taylor from RSPB Aylesbeare Common
Forestry – with Josh Stephen of Haldon Forest Park
Landscaping – with Chris Bolton of Tony Benger Landscaping
Heritage Gardening – with Karl Emaleus, Head Gardener at Killerton House
Greenkeeping – with Terry Farkins and Andy George from Woodbury Park Golf Club
Forest School – Nick Murphy of The Outdoors Group
Land Agent – with Mark Butler of Dartmoor National Park
Self employment Jamie Ranson (tree surgeon and hedge layer) Langore Tree Services
Smallholding – Debbie Kingsley South Yeo Farm West
Gin distilling and rare breeds – Mark and Dawn Rees Gotland Gin
Rural Estate Management – Robert Honan of Ascott Estate
The week ends with round-up sessions in which we explain the next steps in support from HighGround and pass on details of other organisations who can provide in areas such as CV writing, putting military experience into civilian language and also to remind them of the importance of maintaining support networks. Once part of the HighGround family, beneficiaries have our support for as long as they need it. We love hearing good news stories and being able to share successes with the group as inspiration for their own decisions.
Pictures from the week can be seen here
We are indebted to funders this week – Greenwich Hospital, Army Central Fund, RAF Benevolent Fund and Veterans Foundation – their generous support makes these weeks possible.
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