RXW21

July 28, 2018

The first Rural Week of our autumn programme started in lovely September sunshine.

We were joined by 8 HighGrounders, 4 of whom are still serving, and our first Royal Navy HighGrounder.

Our evening speakers were Jamie Ranson who left the Royal Signals in June and now lives in Cornwall and has his own business, Langore Tree Services. He joined us for a Rural Week at Bicton in 2017 and we were delighted and very proud to welcome him back as our first Bicton Rural Week alumnus.

Lee Kimber left the Royal Marines and started Wellington Forest School – he is an alumnus from our Rural Weeks at Plumpton College in 2015 and a huge supporter of Rural Weeks.

Pete Boorn our Course Manager gave us his customary excellent ‘life’ presentation on the Wednesday evening about life, jobs, interviews and much, much more.

It was great to welcome our good friend Sue van Leest to our Rural Week.

I dashed back to London to be a guest of King Edward VII’s Hospital who run a fantastic Veterans’ Pain Clinic for their annual fundraiser at the Royal Hospital Chelsea.

The following day I went to Wrest Park for the awards ceremony for graduates of HBGTP Trainee Programmes.

Chris Shepherd had organised another great week and we must thank John Wilding from Clinton Devon Estates, Grant from The Food Chain, Hi-Line, Neil from Ground Control, BASC, Nick from Green Valley Cyder and Sampson Hall.

We also have to thank Alex, Dan, Nadine, Adam, Terry and Ricki, Roger, Nick and Tom, Kevin, Andy, Glen and everyone at Bicton College for making us all so welcome and the Sir Walter Raleigh in East Budleigh for their usual hospitality on our last night – the perfect way to end another great week!

Last word:

Still serving. Leaving at termination of initial commission. Heard about Rural Week from Officers Association webinar.
I have had a superb week. Others will certainly do so in the future. Thank-you.
Gerry. Colonel RAMC. Retirement after 36 years’ service.

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