RXW16

November 27, 2017

Our 7th Rural Week of 2017 at Bicton College in Devon started on an unseasonably mild November Sunday. The good weather lasted all week with no rain or frost, and lovely mild days.

We were joined by 7 serving and veteran HighGrounders from the Army and the RAF, and for the first time we welcomed an SBS HighGrounder who joined us via the Royal Marines Charity who do such fantastic work helping Royal Marines back into employment.

All our HighGrounders had joined us because they wanted to learn more about opportunities in the land-based sector including breeding and keeping sheep in Suffolk, starting a smallholding, running a polo club, farming in Sussex and starting a Forest School – there was a lot to pack into 5 days..!

Tony Potter acted as Course Manager for the week and we are very grateful for the wisdom and experience of life beyond the military which he brings.

As well as our regular outside presenters we welcomed Julia Birchall-Mann from BASC back for another fascination presentation about Gamekeeping.

Our evening speakers Scott Todd who runs Bicton Military Academy, Cal Rose from R & M Utility and Civil Engineering Services and David Marino shared their experiences and contacts generously as always, and we thank you them for giving up their precious time – truly HighGround in action..

For our social evening on Thursday we tried the Sir Walter Raleigh in East Budleigh for the first time. It’s a traditional Devon pub and a good time was had by all; great that Andy from the Bicton staff could join us too.

We gratefully acknowledge the support of Help4Heroes who helped to fund RXW16 and the other generous donors without whom Rural Weeks would not be possible.

Last word:
“This has been the highlight of my Resettlement package.”
Lt Col. The Royal Gurkha Rifles.

Images of our HighGrounders on Rural Week 16 can be found on HighGround’s Flickr

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