RXW41
June 20, 2023
Our 2nd Residential Rural Week of 2023 got off to a great start on Sunday 11th June when we welcomed General Richard Nugee Chairman of the Forces Trust and Brooke Bowater, one of his Trustees to Bicton. The Forces Trust is generously funding our 2023 Virtual Rural Weeks programme and this was an opportunity to see HighGround in action and meet our beneficiaries (we call them HighGrounders).
Our group of 9 HighGrounders was made up of 7 still serving and 2 veterans, 100% Army (by coincidence not design..!) and Devon was bathed in sunshine all week.
Chris Shepherd the Course Co-ordinator started the week on Monday morning with an introduction to land-based training and education to put the week in context, and then Andy Daw gave a presentation which covered Plant Operation and Agricultural Engineering before it was off to Tidwell Barton for the first visit of the week to Pete Wastenage’s dairy farm.
Next stop was a visit to meet John Wilding, Clinton Devon’s Deputy Chief Executive to learn about Forestry Management on a private estate. Terry and Andy at Woodbury Park gave an excellent introduction to Greenkeeping to round off Day 1.
Early breakfast on Tuesday to reach Aylesbeare Common in good time to meet Toby and Gary for a session about Environmental Conservation and then off to Haldon Forest Park for a different perspective about Forestry Management from Josh, who works for Forestry England.
The group was joined by Simon Caraffi our Chairman for the visit to Rodney Hall’s organic farm to learn about Vegetable and Crop production, and then back to Bicton for presentations about careers in the thoroughbred racing and breeding industry Careers in Racing and The Thoroughbred Breeders’ Association from Michelle Douglas, followed by a personal perspective from Ross Hocking about his resettlement journey and subsequent career in the land-based sector, Camp Kátur including the importance of volunteering as a way in.
Another early breakfast on Wednesday was followed by a visit to meet Tom Garner who explained his role of Ranger for Clinton Devon and how he has expanded the Wildlife Management side of his role over the years. Next to Killerton House to meet Karl and learn about Heritage Gardening, working for the National Trust, and Karl’s route into his role.
Then off to meet the Outdoors Group for Nick’s presentation about Forest School, what it is and how he got into the sector, before heading back to Bicton where Steve, Ben and their team were waiting to give our HighGrounders the opportunity to operate some agricultural machinery Holt JCB and follow up Andy Daw’s presentation on Monday.
Another action-packed day on Thursday starting with a visit to South Yeo Farm West to meet Debbie Kingsley and her animals to learn about Smallholding and another perspective on starting a business and working for yourself. Next stop Gotland Gin!
Mark Rees left the Army and started a gin distillery Gotland Gin, a fascinating story and another view of life beyond the military, with advice about starting a business and diversification. Matt and Kirsty from Hi-Line were waiting for us in the Park at Bicton to deliver another excellent presentation about the Arboriculture industry, routes into it, and required qualifications for the many and varied roles within Arboriculture which suit those with military skills and experience so perfectly.
Ian Bowler’s presentation about Estate Management gave an overview of the scope of running estates large and small to put the week’s visits and presentations into context and on Friday morning, Jamie Ranson’s open and honest presentation about his journey from the Army to running his own business was as inspiring as it was motivating. Jamie was still serving when he joined us for a Rural Week and we have watched in admiration as he has grown his business over the years – truly HighGround in action..!
A massive thanks to all our hosts and presenters including Charlie Maling-Dunn and Ben Smith our evening speakers, to Bicton for looking after us so well, and to all our funders whose generous support made the week possible.
You can view the photos from the week here.
Last word:
Really inspiring, interesting, feeling like I’ve found like-minded people.
Major RLC, found HighGround via CTP
Fantastic, informative course, working with such great individuals all helping one another in the most positive and supporting environment.
Major, awaiting medical discharge.
Hugely well organised course with a really good approach to introducing jobs in the sector – and not hiding the less good parts. The real passion of the presenters for their work was a big part. The visits give a flavour of the physical aspects of each sector – impossible to convey this online.
Brigadier, General Staff. Retirement.
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