Myerscough College

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Myerscough College
Established:
Type: Public
Principal: Ann Turner
Chair of Governors: Ann Jones
Location: Preston, Lancashire, England
Campus: Rural (Preston)
Website: www.myerscough.ac.uk

Myerscough College (pronounced Myersco or Myerskoh) is a land-based Higher and Further Education college in Bilsborrow on The Fylde in Lancashire, England.

Contents

[edit] Origins

The college dates back to the 19th century, when it was known as Lancashire College of Agriculture.[1] The original college was based to the South of Preston near Hutton, and moved to the current site in 1969.[citation needed] The new College was built on the site of Myerscough Hall[2], near St Michael's Road in Bilsborrow, and is in the rural parish of Myerscough & Bilsborrow.[3]

The college occupies the substantial grounds previously occupied by the Hall and farm, extending to River Brock on the north side, and St Michael's Road on the south. The College also leases several local farms, including Lee Farm[1] and Lodge Farm,[4] for agricultural research and teaching purposes. The college estate extends to 605 hectares, and the campus has extensive residential accommodation.[3]

The college offers both further and higher education. The University of Central Lancashire validates the colleges degrees and there are special links with two universities in the USA.[3]

Other centres have also been added in Blackburn, Blackpool, Burnley, Liverpool, Manchester and Dorset. Each offers a variety of land-based and sport courses. The Myerscough Centre in Dorset, The Lynwood Veterinary Hospital, specialises in veterinary nursing.

In September 2006, the college was the setting for former BBC Gardeners' World presenter, Christine Walkdens new television programme, Christine's Garden. Walkden is a former student at the college,[1] and in the programme she gave advice on how to present and sell produce; and she also reminisced about her time at the college. The shows aired on BBC2 in March 2007.[5] On 11 October 2006, Equine expert Monty Roberts, the inspiration for the Robert Redford film, The Horse Whisperer appeared at the college as part of his "The Horses in My Life" tour.[6] On 20 February 2007, Prince Edward, Earl of Wessex visited the college and toured around the college's agricultural education facilities, where he was said to be very impressed by the welcome he received at the college.[7] And in June 2007, the Bishop of New York, the Right Rev E Don Taylor, spent three days at the college, as part of a two month sabbatical learning about the mission and ministry of rural communities and churches. [8]

[edit] Study

In 2006 the college had about 6,000 students, of whom 2,000 were full time, with about 1,000 studying Higher Education. As well as agriculture, subjects include motorsports, mechanisation, sports and leisure, golf, arboriculture, landscape design, animal care, equine studies, horticulture, photography, and farriery/metalwork. Short courses for industry range from crane handling to crop spraying, and short leisure courses from caravan manoeuvring to floristry.

In August 2005, the college announced a partnership with Lancashire County Cricket Club where they would offer students the opportunity to study at the club's indoor cricket centre for a national diploma combining academic studies in sport with practical skill development in cricket.[9]

[edit] Facilities

There is an International Equine Arena, a nine hole golf course[10] and Simulated Golf Training Centre, the National Arboricultural Centre, the Plant Centre, an off-road driving track, sports fields and a Sports Centre and Gymnasium, as well as woods, fields, ponds and a river on the site. The Frank Peregrine Higher Education Centre was opened in 2006.

In addition the college houses the Rural Business Centre, which provides support for rural business in the form of courses, advice, links and the Rural Business Incubator for startup businesses.

The Sports Centre, which cost £1.8M was opened in 2004, and contains a Golf Studio.[10] In May 2007, the college opened a Milking parlour at Lodge Farm which the college stated showed their long-term commitment to agriculture.[4]

[edit] References

  1. ^ a b c "Garden guru at college", Blackpool Gazette, 2006-09-22. Retrieved on 2007-09-07. 
  2. ^ Myerscough. GENUKI (2006-06-01). Retrieved on 2007-09-06.
  3. ^ a b c Myerscough & Bilsborrow Profile. Lancashire County Council. Retrieved on 2007-09-06.
  4. ^ a b Wade, David. "College invests in milk parlour", Blackpool Gazette, 2007-05-24. Retrieved on 2007-09-07. 
  5. ^ Ettridge, Lisa. "Gardens expert in BBC2 role at college", Blackpool Gazette, 2007-03-14. Retrieved on 2007-09-07. 
  6. ^ "The Horse Whisperer to appear at college", Blackpool Gazette, 2006-10-04. Retrieved on 2007-09-07. 
  7. ^ Robinson, Joe. "Royal visit for Fylde college", Blackpool Gazette, 2007-02-21. Retrieved on 2007-09-07. 
  8. ^ Butler, Heather. "Bishop of New York visits Fylde", Blackpool Gazette, 2007-06-22. Retrieved on 2007-09-07. 
  9. ^ "Myerscough's Lancs link", Blackpool Gazette, 2005-08-02. Retrieved on 2007-09-07. 
  10. ^ a b "Putting the fun into college course work", Blackpool Gazette, 2004-12-08. Retrieved on 2007-09-07. 

[edit] External links