RXW34

September 24, 2021

Our first Rural Week of 2021 at Bicton wasn’t until September, partly due to Government lockdown restrictions not being lifted until June, and partly due to our Rural Experience Week programme in the summer which we ran for the first time in 2021 with funding from the Armed Forces Covenant Fund Trust.

Rural Week 34 was also a milestone for us as Tim Lever joined Team HighGround officially on 1st September as our Rural Employment Manager having served for over 30 years in the Royal Marines – a very special day and we are so glad that he has chosen to join us.

In bright September sunshine, Chris Shepherd had organised another excellent programme and we were very grateful to Steve Davis from Dorset Wildlife Trust, Pete Boorn and Ben Smith our evening speakers.

It was great to welcome Ben back to Bicton; he joined us at Bicton for a Rural Week in 2017 while he was still serving, and now he is working for Landmarc and brought 2 of his colleagues with him so they could learn more about HighGround – an excellent outcome all round!

Special thanks must go to Daniel Cooper Clerk of the Course at Exeter racecourse for his hospitality, and also to Karl Emelius at Killerton House who gave a fascinating insight into the role of a National Trust Ranger during a visit to Killerton.

Really excellent additions to the timetable as we seek to constantly improve and develop it to keep it relevant and helpful for our unique client group.

Big thanks also to John Wilding and Tom Garner from Clinton Devon, Steve Ensell from BALI, Toby from RSPB, Josh at Haldon Forest Park Forestry England The Outdoors Group who give such interesting insights into Forest School; Debbie whose visits as always so popular South Yeo Farm West, Matt and Kirsty for their comprehensive insight into the world of Arboriculture from Hi-Line, Ian Bowler from Bowler Oakfield and our dear friend Philp Sampson from Sampson Hall.

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