Easton College News Stories
Friday 13th November 2009
The Sir Nicholas Bacon Centre is officially opened.
The Equestrian and Animal Welfare Centre official named the Sir Nicholas Bacon Centre is now open at Easton College.
Saturday 24th October 2009 hosted the opening evening which was a fun filled affair with a host of well known equestrian personalities being involved in the entertainment. The evening began with tours of the complex and the 500 guests were treated to a superb buffet.
The impressive 71m x 39m indoor arena became the setting for the evening performance with Mike Gamble (Chair of Governors), Sir Nicholas Bacon and Pippa Funnell MBE all giving a welcome speech, before Sir Nicholas cut the ribbon to great applause marking the official opening.
Comperes for the evening David Hunter and Val Attenborough provided guests with an informed and amusing commentary. Seven year old Mollie and her pony Magpie kicked off the evening performance with a fast paced display that delighted the audience and showed that she is a name to watch for in the future.
Para showjumpers Susi Rogers-Hartley and Karen Bostock took to the stage next and showed off their skills over fences with some expert tuition from Pippa Funnell. Para dressage also featured with Para Olympic silver medallist Simon Laurens giving the audience a taste of his medal winning freestyle to music test, although he did confess that he forgot part of the test and had to ad lib!
Para driver Lindsey Tyas and Easton College student Amanda Goate gave a polished performance demonstrating the skills needed for carriage driving, and compere David Hunter tried his hand at being a backstepper for Lindsey.
Pakefield Riding School’s vaulting team thrilled the crowd with their gymnastics aboard Finbarr the vaulting horse, the refined performance was all the more remarkable as the team had only been practising together for one month.
The evening was rounded off with a pas de deux from Pippa Funnell and Alistair Hood, both former pupils of the renowned trainer Ruth McMullen who, much to her surprise, also received a presentation from the College in recognition of her contribution to producing elite event riders and her dedication to the equestrian world.
Hilary Francois, Equestrian Centre Manager BHSI says “The evening provided a rare opportunity for the horse industry in East Anglia to group together for an exceptional opening event, the wide range of attendees that have been invited include vets, farriers, saddlers, feed merchants, riding schools, livery yard owners, equine media and VIPs in the equestrian world.”
The new centre features an Olympic-sized indoor riding arena with a viewing area, along with an outdoor arena, internal and external stabling, a horse walker and a solarium, all of which will boost the education of around 300 equestrian students.Easton College are proud of the surfaces both on the indoor and outdoor arenas as these have been purchased from Andrews Bowen Limited.
Allen and Page have recently started to sponsor Easton College's Equestrian centre. This will enable the equine students to link with the feed company and learn from their expertise. Students will be able to complete projects under the learning and guidance of Allen and Page.
For more than 460 students on animal welfare courses, there is a new teaching centre with veterinary treatment areas, animal physiotherapy, cattery, dog grooming parlour and specialised classrooms, the centre will improve the understanding to students by providing real-life facilities.
“This is a major leap forward for our plans to be a top regional college in the equestrian and animal science and welfare field,” said college Principal David Lawrence. “The centre is designed to cope with a significant growth in student numbers in both areas of the college and to help meet the demand from industry for more qualified recruits.”
Students study from foundation level through BTEC First and National Diploma to Foundation degree or Apprenticeships – often gaining British Horse Society or veterinary nursing qualifications during their time at Easton.
“We are particularly pleased to be working with the University of East Anglia (UEA) on the provision of foundation degrees,” said Mr Lawrence.
“All the land-based industries need recruits at higher technician level or above and the foundation degree is a really good way of providing these skills through a mix of theoretical study and very practical work”.
“Graduates who have progressed through the BTEC National Diploma route will have a very good range of both technical knowledge and practical skills that the industry needs. The foundation degree also provides a seamless step through progression to degree level study.
“We are delighted to have secured such a substantial investment in the college which will provide a stimulating and exiting environment for both students and staff.”
For more information on hiring the centre for equestrian events, please contact Hilary Francois on 01603 731577 or email hfrancois@easton.ac.uk