One of Newton Rigg College’s assets is set to be sold to an educational land-based charity.
An offer by the Ernest Cook Trust for Low Beckside Farm at Mungrisdale has been accepted by Newton Rigg owner Askham Bryan for an undisclosed sum.
The trust has committed to maintaining the farm as a learning resource for the area.
A statement from the trust said: “The farm is the sole remaining centre of learning on the land in Cumbria and was part of Newton Rigg campus, which is closing this month.
“There was local concern at the potential loss of this valuable learning resource to the children and young people of Cumbria.”
The trust said it planned to get more people learning from the land by operating the farm alongside training schemes, apprenticeships, demonstrations, educational visits, workshops, seminars and open days.
The Ernest Cook Trust’s chairman of trustees, Andrew Christie-Miller, said: “We have been looking for a suitable place to support land-based learning in the north of England.
“We are really excited about the opportunities that Low Beckside will offer to so many young people.”
The Ernest Cook Trust already operates training and apprenticeship programmes for disadvantaged young people from its base in Cumbria, in collaboration with Lowther Castle and Gardens Trust.
The trust also works in Lancashire, as part of the Pendle Hill Landscape Partnership Scheme.
Tim Whitaker, chief executive and principal of Askham Bryan College, which took over the running of Newton Rigg in 2011, said: “We are delighted that The Ernest Cook Trust has come forward to protect this valuable local resource.
“Low Beckside has provided practical training opportunities to so many young people over the years and its contribution to the future of upland farming now looks set to continue.”
The Ernest Cook Trust’s chief executive, Dr Victoria Edwards OBE said: “We have a lifelong approach to outdoor learning that covers schools, skills and communities.
“Low Beckside will provide a spectacular landscape for us to nurture and grow our work in the North West.”
