News
Wednesday 14 May 2008
Celebrating 60 years of education at Brackenhurst
Hundreds of former students and staff members are expected to attend an event celebrating 60 years of education and training at Nottingham Trent University’s Brackenhurst Campus on 14 June. Visitors from across the country are coming to share their memories and experiences of their time at Brackenhurst – previously Brackenhurst College – now home to the university’s School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences.
The event, at the campus in Southwell near Newark, will feature a welcome reception on the main lawn by the university Vice-Chancellor, Professor Neil Gorman, when guests will hear how Brackenhurst has grown from an agricultural college to earn a national reputation for excellence in specialist education for the land-based sector.
As well as live music, dancing and a barbecue serving local produce, there will be a number of tours of the campus and its facilities including the new flagship Veterinary Nursing Centre and Animal Unit, Equestrian Centre, and the Brackenhurst estate which provides an excellent learning resource for students across a wide range of courses.
There will also be a display of old photographs dating back to the late 1940s, showing campus scenes, students relaxing in the common room, prizewinning cattle, and even Brackenhurst College’s first football team.
“This celebration is an excellent opportunity to bring together groups of former students, colleagues and their friends, to share happy memories of their time here,” said Professor Jenny Saint, Dean of the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences.
She said: “The portfolio of courses here has evolved over the years to meet the needs of the developing rural community to cover animal, equine, veterinary nursing, geography, consumer protection, agriculture, horticulture, environmental and countryside management and wildlife conservation. In addition we provide advice, support, consultancy and knowledge and technology transfer to the food and drink sector.
“Our guests will recognise many of the features on campus such as the Main Hall which was built in 1828 and the stunning 200-hectare farm and woodland estate. We also want them to have the chance to see how we have invested in many new facilities and resources since their time here.”
The event will see the School of Animal, Rural and Environmental Sciences launch its new fundraising campaign, as part of an ongoing programme of major improvements across the campus.
As well as urging former staff and students to attend the event, the university is keen to hear from anyone with any old photographs, memorabilia, or interesting stories relating to Brackenhurst.
ENDS
Notes for editors: The event runs from 6-11pm, with the campus tours taking place beforehand from 4pm. Tickets for the event are £20 per person (£5 for children under 16) £150 for a group of ten, or £45 for a family ticket (two adults, two children).
To book a place for the event, or to share any interesting information or stories about Brackenhurst, email: alumni@ntu.ac.uk or call 0115 848 8777.
Sponsors for the event include Spring Lane Farm Shop; Forrest Feeds; Dodson and Horrell Ltd; H. Stocks and Son; and The Waggon and Horses at Halam.
Press enquiries please contact: Dave Rogers, Press Officer, on Tel: 0115 848 8782, or via email: dave.rogers@ntu.ac.uk or Therese Easom, Press and Media Relations Manager, on Tel: 0115 848 8774, or via email: therese.easom@ntu.ac.uk.
