RXW30

October 11, 2019

Our 2nd Rural Week of the Autumn programme started in steady Devon drizzle – the early mornings teased us with the promise of sunshine but it didn’t last..!

The 4 HighGrounders we welcomed this week were a select group as we had been hit with last minute cancellations due to surgery, and Anna’s full diary causing her to drop the ball but they were all very welcome and the feedback at the end of the Rural Week was as positive and enthusiastic as ever.

In addition to our excellent evening speakers, we were honoured the Lord Lieutenant of Devon David Fursdon came to visit us to learn about Rural Weeks, and it was a lovely surprise when Tim Lever who is joining us as our Rural Employment Manager when he leaves the Royal Marines next year called in unexpectedly!

Thank-you also to Chris Eberhardie who does so much for the Friends of HighGround Steering Group who came to visit us and meet our HighGrounders – she and Jon Perkins are hatching a fundraising plot for the South West in 2020 – watch this space…

Whilst both our evening speakers are from Wales, Harry Legge-Bourke who runs The Glanusk Estate and Adrian Matthews who came to talk to us about the circular economy, approached the land-based sector from very different angles – we thank them both for their long journeys and for all the wisdom and contacts they shared so freely.

Chris Shepherd’s excellent timetable included visits to Devon dairy farmers Peter and Di Wastenage at Wastenage Farms, Clinton Devon Estates, RSPB, Forestry England and Exminster Golf Centre and that’s only on Monday and Tuesday…!

We were delighted to welcome back Steve from BALI and on Wednesday and Thursday Chris had organised more fact-finding visits to The Outdoors Group, Devon Riding, South Yeo Farm West and Hi-Line.

We also thank Ian from Bowler Oakfield and Phil Sampson from SampsonHall for their excellent presentations, and as always the College staff and presenters for making us so welcome.

Last word goes to Colonel Tim:
“I wanted to convey my thanks to you, Chris and Pete for last week’s course. I was really impressed by the range of opportunities for employment in the land based sector and the course confirmed that this is an area in which I intend to work when I finish my Army career. I thoroughly enjoyed every aspect of the course from the site visits, engagement with people already employed in the land based sector, development sessions to the practical elements such as machinery operation. From my personal perspective every event was either relevant or interesting and in most cases – both”.
Colonel Royal Army Medical Corps. Still serving.

SHARE THIS POST