Michelle J Parker, an artist blacksmith and lecturer at Warwickshire College has won the title of ‘World Women’s Blacksmithing Champion’ at the ‘European Biennial of the Blacksmiths’ in Tuscany, Italy.

The competition attracted blacksmiths worldwide who came together to exchange ideas and innovations, but most importantly, to compete for the coveted championship titles.

Michelle is the first woman in 600 years to be made a Fellow of the Worshipful Company of Blacksmiths and it was they who sponsored her to enter the competition.

Michelle said: “I am delighted to have won my category of the competition. The competitive pressure was intense and it was magnified by only having three hours in which to work.”

Prime Minister David Cameron, MP for Witney in Oxfordshire, officially opened Abingdon and Witney’s Construction Skills Centre ‘Avenue One’.

The Centre was established as a collaborative project by The West Oxfordshire Learning Partnership – a partnership between the college and local schools.

Mr Cameron said that ‘Avenue One’ was “an excellent example of a partnership project” and praised the efforts of the staff involved in getting the centre up and running.

Once the formalities were over with, the Prime Minister enjoyed a bacon roll and a mug of coffee while he chatted to staff and students.

Walford and North Shropshire College agriculture students had marathon expectations  when they set out to plough over 80 hectares in their 24 hour ploughing marathon.

The students enjoyed the event and took great delight in judging the quality of each other’s ploughing.  Student Ollie Owen said: “It was a good day, we had some fun and covered a lot of ground.” The students performed so well that extra ground had to be opened up to ensure they kept going for 24 hours.

Jon Parry, Director of Walford, said: “This is a great example of students taking responsibility and utilising their own time and effort to help improve the college environment.  We are very grateful to everyone who helped out with this event.

The money raised will go towards supporting the RD Park Trust. A charity, set up in memory of Don Park the first principal of Walford College which offers financial support for study trips and educational tours.

Bicton College Animal Management students were involved in a code red drill practice on their course induction day at Dartmoor Zoo.

The total lockdown, triggered if one of the zoo’s dangerous animals escapes, was part of the induction training for staff and students involved in a new course based at the zoo starting next week.

The students, who will have weekly work experience at the zoo, spent the morning getting to know the site, with introductions to the tiger house and Meerkat Park.

Sue Merrett, Bicton College Academy Head, says, “This has to be the most exciting course for anyone interested in a career in animal management. Students will get practical, hands on experience of working with and observing exotic species.”

Photo shows: Caz Addy Lecturer, Dartmoor Zoo Head Keeper, Mike Downman and students.

Vison West Notts (formally West Nottinghamshire College) has unveiled its latest state-of-the-art teaching facility.

‘Create’ – the college’s £5 million creative arts centre – opened its doors to eager students earlier this month.

The flagship building  provides media, music and performance students with industry-standard equipment and resources including workshop and rehearsal space, television, radio and digital recording studios, multi-media, animation and video editing suites, a commercial software training centre, performing arts and dance studios and a 150-seat performance theatre.

Create is the first phase of an ambitious £24 million redevelopment plan by the college.

Work on the final phase of the redevelopment at Central Sussex College’s Sixth Form Haywards Heath campus is now well underway, despite the best efforts of one campus resident – Plecotus Auritus – AKA a brown long-eared bat!

Mansell Project Manager, Kevin Spreyer explained: “Mansell has been working closely with College staff to ensure the building work is completed on time, despite the setback. People may find it staggering that one bat can effectively cause a 70 tonne piece of machinery to grind to a halt, but it is important they are protected.”
This final phase of the £30 million campus redevelopment is due for completion during the 2012/13 academic year. New facilities will include science laboratories, classrooms, a music suite, learning resource and IT centre, four court sports hall and a new reception area.