RXW25

April 05, 2019

Here we go again!

Rain, sleet and plenty of Spring sunshine for our first Rural Week of 2019 at Bicton College from 31st March to 5th April.

We welcomed 10 HighGrounders from the Royal Marines and the Army; 5 serving and 5 veterans.

Pete Boorn acted as Course Manager and Pete, Lee Kimber and Paul Collinson were our evening speakers – we thank them all for sharing their military transition and civvy street perspectives so freely with our HighGrounders.

As always Chris Shepherd had put together a packed programme of visits and presenters from across the whole land-based sector with the Forestry Commission, our friends at Hi-Line in Exeter and Debbie Kingsley at South Yeo Farm West all first time visits, although we know Debbie well from her excellent presentations at Bicton.

Massive thanks to Andy, Steve, Tom, Nadine, Roger, Ginge and Alex for setting their respective scenes so well, and to Riverford, Clinton Devon Estates, RSPB, Kenniford Farm, Exminster Golf Centre, Ground Control, The Outdoors Group, Green Valley Cider, Glendale Services and of course the Sir Walter Raleigh in East Budleigh for their warm welcome on Thursday, our last night!

Royal Marine, still serving – “A unique opportunity not available anywhere else and relevant to life circumstances at the moment. Wish it had been available sooner!”

Parachute Regiment veteran – “I can’t think of any way to improve this Rural Week and would like to thank you all for the time you have invested in me and for all your kindness.”

Army veteran – “It has taken the ‘unknowns’ out of my plans.”

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