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.

Horticulture students gain inspiration from Tatton Park

On Wednesday 5 December, students from NULC enjoyed a festive visit Tatton Park.

The BTEC Level 2 Floristry students and City and Guilds Level 2 Horticulture students, spent the day at Tatton Park in Knutsford, Cheshire. The visit provided the students with the opportunity to  look around the extensive gardens of the estate and visit the mansion house, which was decorated using a Dickensian theme.

 
The horticultural students experienced winter planting themes, while the floristry students gained inspiration for large event floral decorations.

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

New course helps students to grow community garden

Students from Newcastle-under-Lyme College (NULC) have joined forces with Staffordshire Fire and Rescue Service for a new community project.

Newcastle Community Fire Station has invited students from the College’s new Horticulture course to create a community garden at their new station opposite the College on Knutton Road.

The green fingered students will be putting their skills to use by creating a community garden using hard landscaping such as decking and paving as well as soft landscaping including planting.

Pete Hall, Neighbourhood Co-ordinator at Newcastle Community Fire Station, said: “The new Community Fire Stations are open to the public and they are fast becoming a hub for the community. Therefore we thought it a great idea to ask students from the College to get involved and create a lasting legacy in terms of a community garden.”

Once the garden is complete, youngsters from local primary schools will be invited to maintain the garden and continue planting throughout the year.

Nick Anderson, Lecturer in Horticulture at NULC, said: “This is a going to be a fantastic opportunity at the start of the new course for students to roll up their sleeves and put their new found skills to use.”

Talking about the course Nick added: “The new Horticulture courses complement our existing construction provision and provide a route for students wishing to move into landscape construction and maintenance.  The course is available part-time and full-time, with opportunities available to both young people and adults from across the area.”

Places are still available for people to sign up for the new Horticulture course. Students signing up for the new course will also be able to make use of the new gardening facilities at its Skills and Technology Centre, which include greenhouses and space to develop hard landscaping skills.

Tutors also hope to engage with high profile local gardens and visitor attractions to offer work experience opportunities and placements for students.

To find out more about the new Horticulture courses at NULC visit www.nulc.ac.uk/newcourses2012 or contact the Information Point on 01782 254254 or email info@nulc.ac.uk.

NULC Celebration Event 2012

NULC hosted it's first Celebration Event on Wednesday 27 June.  The event brought together a wide range of learners from across the College in order to celebrate their achievements over the past academic year. 

Awards were given in 11 different categories which recognised academic achievement, personal achievement, services to the College and the community as well as sporting success. 

Award winners from the Faculty of Technology and Enterprise

Award winners from the Faculty of Technology and Enterprise pictured with Head of Faculty Dominic Whittaker (centre). 

• Learner Endeavour: Alex Higgins – Level 2 Practical Engineering

• Services to College: Damien Coady – L2 Apprentice in Painting and Decorating

• Apprentice of the year: Adam Heath – AAT level 4 Diploma WBL

• Young Achiever: Keiran Weller – Level 3 year 2 Business

• Adult Achiever: Michael Jones – Level 4 AAT

• Work experience / placement; Ryan Leadbetter – Level 2 Diploma in Practical Engineering 

• Return to Learning: Jill Trueman – L1 Diploma in Bench Joinery

Each award winner received a unique trophy designed by a team of learners from our art and design courses and was made on College premises in the Engineering department. Award winners were joined by parents and guests to celebrate their achievements.     

To see the full gallery of images from the day visit our Facebook Page here.