A student from Pershore College has been crowned the “Young Horticulturalist of the Year” by the Institute of Horticulture in Edinburgh.

Douglas Mackay, 21, from South Devon, was awarded a £2,000 bursary by the Shropshire Horticultural Society, which will allow him to travel abroad in pursuit of a horticultural career.

“It was a great experience,” he said.

“It’s just such a fantastic opportunity; it’s just been so good to be part of it really.”

Mr Mackay now hopes to tour Europe in order to observe food production once he graduates next summer.

Julia Page, assistant principal at the college, said: “We’re all really thrilled for Douglas and really pleased that he has been able to show the superb knowledge that he has gained while he has been at Pershore.”

Students from South Cheshire College gave carers and service users a day to remember at the Neuromuscular Centre in Winsford.

Level 2 Complementary Therapy students and the level 2 Beauty Therapy group spent a day at the Centre delivering relaxing treatments such as massages, manicures and facials.

Sandra Smith, a complementary therapeutic practice for health and wellbeing foundation degree lecturer, said she was delighted with the event.

“The students all did themselves proud at the Neuromuscular Centre and those who attended thoroughly enjoyed the experience,” she said.

The Centre is a regional charity that provides a combination of services for people with a wide range of neuromuscular conditions from across the country.

Beauty therapy students at Strode College have been showing off their creative flair and technical make-up skills by creating movie character looks.

The students worked in pairs, one as model and one as make-up artist, to put together a total look including make-up, hair, nails and clothes for an annual competition at the college.

Marcie Mickleburgh, course manager for level 2 beauty and therapy students, told FE Week: “The students have two and a half hours, and it is timed very strictly.

“Three judges then come round and take about 15 minutes to decide before going off and having a chat, coming back and announcing the winners.”

From Strode’s Level 2 beauty therapy Course, first prize went to ‘Black Swan’, modelled by Sophie Farmer from Somerton with makeup by Roxy Hannam from West Chinnock, Crewkerne. Second prize went to ‘Aavatar’, modelled by Laura Cobden from Martock, with makeup by Laura Beale from South Petherton.

Artists from Canterbury College have transformed an empty shop in the Marlowe Arcade into an exciting new art gallery.

The Curious Curator exhibition space, formerly The Discovery Store, will feature paintings, sculptures and installations by BTEC Subsidiary Diploma in Art and Design students.

The special four-day show was open to the public from 10am to 4pm on Saturday, 12 May, to Tuesday, 15 May, as part of the Sounds New Creative Music Festival.

Twelve students helped convert the empty store into a contemporary gallery featuring their work, which is a visual response to the music and themes of the Sounds New festival.

The festival also featured performances by Canterbury College Music and Dance students and others.

Myerscough College has created 151 new apprenticeships placements, smashing their original ‘100 in 100’ days campaign target.

Ann Turner, principal of Myerscough College, said: “Achieving 151 apprenticeships in only 100 days is incredible news.

“It means 151 people have secured a new job and will be trained to achieve a qualification that will hopefully secure them a long-term future.

“For employers it means they have gained new members of the workforce who will add value for many years to come.”

The initiative, launched in January, is part of Myerscough College’s yearlong apprenticeship campaign, called “My Apprentice 2012”.

The principal added: “This however is not the end of our drive to increase apprenticeships.

“For the remainder of 2012 we will build on the successes of the first 100 days and focus on securing further apprenticeships and opportunities throughout the year.”

Former Middlesbrough, Southampton and Darlington star Neil Maddison has a new role after signing on as a coach at Middlesbrough College. The appointment is good news for the College, which is in the process of developing its Sports Academies as part of the new £6.5 million Middlesbrough College Sixth Form Centre – known as MC6. The new MC6 Sixth Form Centre will include a state-of-the-art 4G astro turf pitch along with modern changing facilities which will also be open to the public seven days a week.

Deputy director of sport, Paul Watt, said: “As well as these qualifications, Neil brings invaluable experience of both playing and coaching professional football. This really gives the students who come to Middlesbrough College the best possible coaching experience alongside their academic commitments.”

Josh Keeble, 16, who lives locally in Guisborough and is in his first year of a Level 3 BTEC National Diploma in Sports Coaching and Fitness, said: “Neil really knows what he’s doing, he’s played the game, he’s been a coach and he’s been a manager so if he tells you to do something it’s very difficult to argue with him.”

Michael Jaffrain is the new principal of St Brendan’s Sixth Form College, following the retirement of Ann Barrow.

The college says Mr Jaffrain has a wealth of experience in the education sector, having been promoted from the position of assistant principal, and has the “qualities to lead St Brendan’s into an exciting new chapter.”

Mr Jaffrain says he joined the college because he “was really keen to go back into the Catholic education sector as it has much to offer.

“I also wanted to remain in a specialist Sixth Form College as they provide excellent teaching and learning for post 16.

“St Brendan’s fulfilled both roles and has a fantastic reputation”.

The college says Mr Jaffrain’s strategy over the next few years is “to work closely with students, governors and the community to ensure that teaching and learning gets even better.”

An inspirational MidKent College student held an event to promote stroke awareness earlier this month

Amber Garland, 21, had to learn to speak again after suffering a stroke in August 2009, and has no memory of her life before it happened.

The art student was joined by representatives from the Stroke Association – a charity of which she is now a volunteer – to help her run the event as part of Action on Stroke Month.

Jane Sedgwick, a spokeswoman for the Stroke Association, said: “I’m absolutely delighted for Amber.

“She has embarked on becoming a volunteer and we thought it would be a great idea if she lost her training wheels and did an event like this so she can get used to being in the spotlight.

“Amber has done very well and the event has attracted a lot of attention, which is obviously what we were hoping for.”

Students and staff from TyneMet College have been running the Sport Relief Mile in order to raise money for charity.

Ben Henderson, who is studying the Public Services Extended Diploma at level 3, set the best time by running the distance in 5 minutes and 58 seconds. Meanwhile, Claire Tallentyre set the fastest time for a female student, completing the mile in 7 minutes and 12 seconds.

Chris Bunten, flex fitness gym manager and strength and conditioning coach at TyneMet College, said: “The staff and students at TyneMet were delighted to be able to support and promote Sport Relief and we are very pleased to have raised the amazing amount of £150 to donate to the charity.”