Two carpenters at Devon college have won a national crafts competition.

City College Plymouth students Jack Weekes, 19, and Sebastian Roberts, 30, both won first place in their category and were awarded £250.

More than 200 colleges took part in the competition, run by The Institute of Carpenters.
The site carpentry students were awarded first place in the South West regional category for their age groups.

John Bolt, wood occupations lecturer at the college, said: “This is a fantastic achievement for Sebastian and Jack, their hard work and dedication are an inspiration to others. The Carpenters’ Craft Competition builds on a long tradition of encouraging young people to develop their skills and craftsmanship and achieve the very highest standards of carpentry and joinery.”

Since his win, Mr Roberts has been made a practical skills lecturer at the college. He said: “I would like to take the opportunity to thank the staff and college for their knowledge and facilities and for enabling me to fulfil my potential and become the best carpenter I can be.”

Television and pop star Kerry Katona spoke to students at a Chester college about her experiences battling mental illness.

As part of a mental wellbeing week, the former Atomic Kitten singer talked to more than 400 West Cheshire College students about her diagnosis of bi-polar disorder.

“As a bi-polar sufferer I want to raise awareness of mental health problems as so many people do suffer from them, but there is still a stigma around it,” she said.

“I wanted to share my story so any individuals know they are not alone and that there is support available for them.”

Steph Garrett, the college’s assistant manager in health and wellbeing, said: “Kerry’s speech went down really well with the students. She has such an interesting story and really helped to explain and raise awareness about the effects of mental health and the importance of recovery.”

During the week, students also heard from a speaker who talked about her experiences with anorexia and self-harm, and created t-shirts with their thoughts about mental wellbeing to tackle stigmas.

Mental health wards at a Kent hospital have been brightened thanks to artwork created by local college students.

Thirty Canterbury College students have been working closely with patients and staff at St Martin’s hospital to create graphics and photos that evoke serene outdoor spaces for its new £10m wards.

The graphic design and photography students were given a £25,000 budget for the project.

The hospital’s director of acute services, David Tamsitt, said: “The partnership between St Martin’s and the college has been great and has allowed us to promote mental health awareness amongst the young people too.”

The wards’ lead occupational therapist, John Puddle, explained how the students’ images would increase patients’ chances of recovery: “In mental health there is evidence that calming and naturalistic art reduces the level of stress and aggression in the wards. It’s been a great collaboration.

“The hospital has really got a lot from it and I hope the students have too.”

Somerset students have been running in the footsteps of Olympians thanks to the arrival of £60,000 worth of sports equipment.

Weston College’s fitness suite has been kitted out with the same hi-tech machines used at London’s Olympic village.

Student Jamie Dulleham, 18, who studied a diploma in sport at the college and is now an apprentice with Allied Homes, helped staff source the TechnoGym equipment, which includes running and upper-body machines, cross trainers and a dual adjustable pulley.

Darran George, head of the service sectors faculty, said: “The machines are right up to the minute in terms of their spec. They do all the usual things like monitoring heart rate and calories burned, but they are also linked to the internet, and can even be used to help with literacy and numeracy.”

Green fingers have brightened up schools and care homes in the North East, thanks to some local students and a donation from a DIY store.

Students at Darlington College dug in to help out children and elderly residents improve their outdoor spaces, using equipment provided by Wickes.

The 200 amateur gardeners participated in the project as part of the Council for Voluntary Service’s Make a Difference Day. Wickes became involved after the college requested equipment from their local store.

Michael Rowntree, manager of Darlington’s Wickes said: “I think the project was excellent, especially helping out our older residents and young children, and we were really pleased to get involved.”

Construction students also took part in the project, building planters for care homes and schools without large outdoor spaces.

Tracy Hawthorn, assistant director at the college, said: “Make a Difference Day is a great chance for our students to try something different and get hands-on with their local community.”

Photography students in Staffordshire have had the chance to develop their skills by taking part in a live brief and magazine photoshoot.

Burton and South Derbyshire College students Coral Catullo, 19, and Josh Geary, 20, were selected to take part in a feature in BTN Magazine on the new Hilton and Hampton by Hilton hotels at St George’s Park, Burton upon Trent.

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge opened St George’s Park, dubbed the ‘new home of English football’ on October 9, and the new hotels will play host to sport, business and leisure guests.

Both Josh and Coral are studying for Level 3 Btec Extended Diplomas in Art & Design – Photography and Digital Imaging Pathway Their photos from the shoot have been published in BTN Magazine, a bi-monthly lifestyle magazine dedicated to Burton upon Trent.

Josh said: “We enjoyed the opportunity to work on a live brief. It was a lot of pressure on the day, but it was fun.

“We’re really pleased with how the photos look in the magazine.

“The project been a good experience for our future careers and will look fantastic in our portfolios.”

An £8.2m rebuild of a Lancashire college’s campus for sailing students has been given the royal seal of approval.

Princess Anne unveiled the 10-year redevelopment project at Blackpool and The Fylde College, which included the purchase of a £300,000 ship engine room simulator.

The Fleetwood Nautical Campus trains people for the merchant navy and offshore energy industries.

Unveiling a plaque, the Princess Royal said: “May I just say a big thank you for your investment in the maritime sector, which still has a very important part to play in our industry. This college has a very good track record in this area and I’m sure will continue to attract a lot of interest from around the world. It’s been a real pleasure to see it, thank you for your invitation.”

Pauline Waterhouse OBE, principal and chief executive, said: “We’re honoured that HRH The Princess Royal officially unveiled the new campus.

“She witnessed a helicopter underwater escape training exercise, which was completed by Prince William last year, and took time to talk to many students and staff as she toured the new facilities.”

A glittering future is on the cards for a Hartlepool graduate as her designs go on sale.

Cushions, bags, cards and prints by Cleveland College of Art and Design graduate Lauren Wilson, are being sold at a gallery in Bridlington, a Middlesbrough market and her college’s own shop.

“I was so proud seeing my work in a gallery, especially as some of it was put in the main window display. I still keep driving past just to see it,” said the 23-year-old. “This is my first exhibition as a graduate and working in the gallery has been a great experience, really inspiring me to share and discuss my own work with other artists and meeting so many visitors with a love of art.”

Lauren has also set up her own design company, Lauren Cherice Designs.

“I supply a few bespoke retail outlets at the moment that specialise in quality homemade gifts,” she said.

“I always knew that I wanted to pursue a career in art and moving to Hartlepool to study at Cleveland College was a massive decision, but one of the best I’ve made.”