Former staff of the horticulture centre at Newton Rigg College, Penrith, plus many of its students, have now been transplanted to facilities at Lowther Castle and Gardens.
The NR Training School of Horticulture at the castle was officially opened by David Beeby, the High Sheriff of Cumbria, who likened the occasion to a phoenix arising from the ashes of Newton Rigg.
The Penrith campus has been shut down by its former operator Askkham Bryan College, York, which is now in the process of selling off its assets.
Mr Beeby said: “Newton Rigg College was first established in 1896. Today we are seeing a new entity emerging with a bright new future. The horticultural enterprise today is only part of the story.
“We know that Cumbria is a large and diverse county; that the agriculture and land-based economy is fundamental to Cumbria’s future and also its world heritage status; and that the industry is also experiencing significant change as a result of Brexit and environmental initiatives.
“We also know that in order for the land based economy to develop and thrive it is absolutely essential that there is up to date educational training available in Cumbria for Cumbrians utilising the best of traditional and modern rural skills and land-based education.
“It is fantastic to see that after all the hard work of the Newton Rigg Ltd directors and their many supporters we are starting to see the foundations of a new college, fit for the future. I am in awe at the progress that has been made.
“There is still a long way to go but I want to express my congratulations to you all for what has been achieved so far.”
He added: “Reverting specifically to horticulture, this is a great collaboration between NR Training and Lowther Castle. I am sure it will be a great experience for everybody involved.
“My partner Soo is delighted to be rejoining her course, led by the wonderful Shelagh Todd, that was so abruptly terminated last year.”
Shelagh, formerly head of horticulture, forestry and floristry at Newton Rigg and now head of the team at Lowther Castle, said there will be at least 60 horticulture students this academic year at the new facility, who will be taught by herself, Louise Stoddart, Jay Barker and Lyn Brunetti – all former members of the team at the Penrith campus.
She added: “We will have around the same numbers as at Newton Rigg at first, with more to come. We are close to the M6, so it’s easy to get here; there’s fantastic car parking and a cafe; some great classrooms; and a garden people travel from all over the world to see.
“Occasionally we will also go to the kitchen garden at Askham Hall, where they grow fruit vegetables and herbs which aren’t kept in the castle gardens.”
Also present were Professor Andrew Cobb, chairman of Newton Rigg Ltd, who said it was a “wonderful day” for the group, and fellow board member Andrew Counsell, formerly principal of Duchy College and vice-chairman for 10 years of Landex.
Mr Counsell said the horticulture school is just the start of what Newton Rigg Ltd is aiming to do, and that the group is in talks with county agricultural firms, education bodies and the farming industry over what is needed and achievable.
He mentioned the possibility of setting up a rural business school similar to that developed at Duchy College, involving both local companies and groups of farmers who might be responsible for delivering some of the course content on a low cost but high quality basis, as well as determining what the subject matter should be.
Such a school would need a physical site, he said, and this could even be at the former Newton Rigg campus.
He said a good start had been made to establishing Newton Rigg Ltd. as a financially sound body, since this is what is required to attract funding and also gain accreditation for courses, and that the first people the group will employ will be bid writers to gain such financial backers.
Prof Cobb added that the opening of the horticulture school was just a first step for Newton Rigg Ltd, with its next ambitions for this academic year being the launch of dairy and sheep management courses.
Farmers First, Westmorland Ltd and the Carrs Group are among the organisation’s numerous supporters.
