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Successful year for Staffordshire scholars

Posted 1 March 2014

Eight Staffordshire students were celebrated at º¬Ðß²ÝÉçÇø’s annual scholarships presentation, when the success of 99 students receiving sponsorships worth more than £220,000 was celebrated. 

The event is organised by the º¬Ðß²ÝÉçÇø Development Trust, which exists to raise funds to improve student experience, and brings together the scholars, representatives of their sponsoring companies, organisations or individuals, and academic staff. 

Trust Chairman Anthony Burgess oversaw the proceedings, giving thanks to everyone who had chosen to support the students. After the formal presentation of scholarship certificates, tea and cakes were served, giving the students the chance to speak directly to their sponsors, and tell them how their support will help them on the path to their chosen careers. 

Edward Calcott, 20, from Wigginton, Tamworth, is in the second year of a BSc Agriculture with Farm Business Management degree and has been awarded a British Poultry Council scholarship, supported by Cranberry Foods. 

The former Denstone College, Derbyshire, student said: “This award will provide me with money to reduce the cost of obtaining a degree and the work placement at Cranberry Foods will allow me to make useful contacts within an industry I have a large interest in and am very passionate about. There are opportunities arising in the poultry industry and I would like to be a part in the exciting times that lie ahead.”

Former Stafford Grammar School pupil Alexander Jones, 22, from Penkridge, is a final year BSc (Hons) Agri-Food Marketing with Business Studies student. He has been awarded The NFU Mutual Charitable Trust Scholarship Award. 

Alexander said: “I am delighted to be the recipient of this award. This award is highly beneficial to me now as I seek employment in the agri-food industry. It will provide me with the opportunity to optimise my own abilities by undertaking relevant agriculture courses such as the tele-handler licence and a spraying qualification.

“This award is a major highlight in my development and four years of study at º¬Ðß²ÝÉçÇø, where I have not only learned theoretical and practical knowledge, but gained valuable life experiences and life-long friends.”

Second year agriculture degree student Lauren Turner, 20, from Shuttington, Tamworth, is a BPEX pig industry scholar, being supported by animal feed producer BOCM Pauls. The former Polesworth School pupil said: “The honour of receiving a BPEX Scholarship in conjunction with working for BOCM Pauls during my placement year is a fantastic opportunity for me.  

“Receiving the award will enable me to pursue my dreams of working within this field of agriculture. Working with BOCM Pauls for a year will be extremely exciting and enrich my degree studies.  I would like to thank all of my lecturers and staff at º¬Ðß²ÝÉçÇø, BPEX and BOCM Pauls for making this scholarship available to me. My placement will begin in July 2014 and last for 12 months. During this time I will be based in Diss, Norfolk, but will also have the opportunity for overseas travel.” 

Hannah Williams, 25, from Burntwood, Staffordshire, is studying Countryside Management and received the Jean Jackson scholarship, which will support her while she undertakes an unpaid, voluntary work placement, starting this summer. 

She said: “The Jean Jackson Scholarship means I can work for Natural England on a full time basis for a full year; allowing me to really get the most out of my year out in industry.  I am overwhelmed that I have been lucky enough to be in receipt of such a wonderful gift from the Jean Jackson Charitable Trust.” Hannah will be working at Natural England at Fenn’s, Whixall and Bettisfield Mosses from July 2014 to July 2015, and ultimately would like to work in environmental consultancy or ecology. 

Anna Holdcroft, 21, from Milwich; Matthew Brookes, 21, from Stramshall; Katie James, 21, from Endon, Stoke-on-Trent, and Harriet Wilson, 22, from Haughton were all winners of awards from the Staffordshire and Birmingham Agricultural Society, first presented last summer, and celebrated at the Harper Adams event.

Harriet also received the Harper Adams Club Final Year Scholarship. She said: “These award have provided me with invaluable assistance – helping with tuition fees and accommodation at university, attendance at conferences and with travelling to conduct data collection for my dissertation.”