Site visit to Apedale Light Railway Centre

A group of students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) will be carrying out building surveys at Apedale Light Railway Centre.

Students studying the Level 3 BTEC in Construction are visiting the Chesterton tourist attraction on Tuesday 12 November where they will be carrying out building surveys of two of the buildings.  The practical visit will help the students to gather evidence for a Building Surveying unit they are currently studying as part of their Level 3 vocational course.

Steve Pinnell, Construction Tutor at NULC, said: “This is a fabulous opportunity for our Construction students to gain practical skills on a real working site.  Here at NULC we’re keen to encourage students to gain the practical employability skills that are needed to ensure they progress in to a successful career.” 

Steve added: “During the visit students will survey the site to gather evidence on their method of construction, materials and noting of any structural defects. The data collected during the visit will be used to produce formal reports that will form part of their coursework and be marked.”

The College offers a range of full-time, part-time and Apprenticeship courses in Construction at its purpose built £5 million Skills and Technology Centre on Knutton Lane. 

Young people wanting to find out more about the courses available are invited to the College’s Open Events on Wednesday 13 November and Thursday 5 December, from 5.30pm – 8.00pm. 

Steve Pinnell and construction staff will be providing taster sessions and demonstrations in Bricklaying, Joinery and Painting and Decorating where young people and their parents can get hands on experience of the courses available at NULC.

To find out more about studying Construction at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

Students create educational garden for local community

A community garden designed and constructed by students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) was officially opened today.

Landscape gardening students have created a community garden at Newcastle Fire Station on Knutton Lane.  The garden was officially opened by NULC Principal Karen Dobson on Monday 1 July at 2.00pm.

Representatives from Newcastle Fire and Rescue and year 6 pupils from St Mary's Primary Schools attended the event at Newcastle Fire Station.  Following the ribbon cutting, the primary schools pupils took part in a planting workshop with Level 1 Horticulture students where they each got to take a potted plant home with them.

Nick Anderson, Lecturer in Landscape Gardening at NULC, said: “The garden will be open to the local community and provide a relaxing environment where youngsters will also be able to benefit from the educational opportunities provided through growing their own vegetables.”

The completed garden will be used as an outside space for local primary schools where children will have the opportunity to plant, watch things grow, learn about different plants and gain an interest in the attracted wildlife.

The garden includes a wildflower area and a tomato crop for the children to develop. The area is wheel chair friendly and includes a paved area for the children to use as an outdoor classroom and community learning environment.

The enterprising students wrote to local construction suppliers with a wish list including timber for raised planting beds, trellis for climbing fruit and compost bins as well as a number of other items.  Local suppliers including Emery’s Builders Merchants, S Keeling Timber, All Turf and Euroflor have all generously donated materials enabling the students to construct the community garden.

The Level 1 qualification in Landscape Gardening launched in September 2012 at the College and has gone from strength to strength with students gaining work placements at leading local visitor attractions including Biddulph Grange Gardens and the Dorothy Clive Gardens.

Nick added: “The vocational qualification in Landscape Gardening complements the College’s existing construction provision and allows learners of all ages to gain a recognized qualification with skills in gardening, landscaping and issues effecting the environment.”

To find out more about studying Landscape Gardening visit www.nulc.ac.uk or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

Students landscape town centre flower bed

Landscape Gardening students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) are transforming a large flower bed within Newcastle-under-Lyme town centre.

The flower bed, which is situated on Pepper Street next to the Roebuck Shopping Centre, will be re-designed and planted with a range of colourful summer plants by 10 students who are studying the BTEC Level 2 Diploma in Landscape Gardening.

The 10 students will be split into two teams who will present their Landscape Design ideas to members of the Roebuck Shopping Centre’s Head Office.

Shaun McDonald, Landscape Gardening lecturer said: “We are so pleased to be involved in this project. It’s great to be able to contribute in improving the town centre. We are really keen to make sure the garden design matches the design of the Roebuck Shopping Centre to ensure it is in keeping with the architecture.”

NULC is one of the largest providers of 16-18 education in Staffordshire and offers every type of post-16 course, including AS/A Levels, vocational courses and Apprenticeships.

Susan McCarthy, Roebuck Shopping Centre Manager said: “I’m thrilled we are finally getting around to do something with the flower bed at the back of the Shopping Centre. It is in a bad way and we’ve been planning this transformation for months.”

The students will begin the transformation on Wednesday 8 May by clearing the space ready to begin implementing the chosen design.

For more information about our Landscape Gardening courses, call 01782 254254, email info@nulc.ac.uk or visit www.nulc.ac.uk

Students transform shopping centre garden

Students studying Landscaping Gardening at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) are redesigning the Roebuck Shopping Centre's Garden  as part of their practical course.

Click here to read more and view photos on the Roebuck Shopping Centre's website.

Gardening students renovate customer garden

Six students studying the Level 1 Diploma in Landscape Gardening at Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) spent half a day re-turfing a back garden for a real life customer.  The students spent half a day completing the job to a professional standard.

Nick Anderson, Lecturer in Landscape Gardening at NULC, said: "This was a great opportunity for the students to get a real hands-on experience."

To find out more about studying Landscape Gardening at NULC click here or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

Businesses urged to donate gardening supplies

Students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College are calling upon the local construction industry to help them create a community garden.

Horticulture students have written to hundreds of local building suppliers, asking for donations in order to create a community garden at Newcastle Fire Station on Knutton Lane.

The students’ wish list includes timber for raised planting beds, trellis for climbing fruit and compost bins as well as a number of other items.

Nick Anderson, Lecturer in Horticulture at NULC, said: “The Horticulture students are dedicated to making the project a success, but in order to do that they need the support and donations of building supplies.  Donations no matter how big or small will be greatly received and help to provide a lasting community garden for the local children of Knutton and Newcastle-under-Lyme.”

The Horticulture students have designed the community garden and displayed their plan in the College’s Skills and Technology Centre.  The students aim to start work in April once they have managed to gather the materials needed.

The completed garden will be used as an outside space for local primary schools where children will have the opportunity to plant, watch things grow, learn about different plants and gain an interest in the attracted wildlife.

The garden will also include a wormery and a sand pit for the children to use. The area will be wheel chair friendly and include a paved area for the children to use as an outdoor classroom and community learning environment.

Nick added: “The garden will be open to the local community and provide a relaxing environment where youngsters will also be able to benefit from the educational opportunities provided through growing their own vegetables.”

The Level 1 qualification in Horticulture launched in September 2012 at the College and has gone from strength to strength with students gaining work placements at leading local visitor attractions including Biddulph Grange Gardens and the Dorothy Clive Gardens.

Nick added: “The vocational qualification in Horticulture complements the College’s existing construction provision and allows learners of all ages to gain a recognized qualification with skills in gardening, landscaping and issues effecting the environment.”

Anyone wishing to donate items for the community garden is asked to contact lecturer Nick Anderson at Newcastle-under-Lyme College on nick.anderson@nulc.ac.uk or call 01782 254208.