THIS has to be one of the most significant months in the history of both our colleges. As I write, work has just begun on the £34m project at our York campus which will see a new animal management centre, improved student accommodation for our ever-increasing numbers, plus new farm buildings and a new silage clamp.

Then at Newton Rigg, the official opening has taken place of our state-of-the-art dairy unit. Lord Donald Curry officiated and I understand it was a “first”

for the Bishop of Carlisle as he blessed the college herd.

This was a momentous day on many levels – for our students and staff, for the farming community of Cumbria and, indeed, for British dairying generally.

It was wonderful to see students proudly showing our guests the new facilities and enthusing about the educational paths they have chosen to follow with us.

Looking ahead, we have just announced our first conference at Newton Rigg College organised by our team at the National Centre for the Uplands.

Entitled Future Upland Management, it takes place on May 13 and 14, with a range of speakers representing the various different interests. Dame Helen Ghosh, director general of the National Trust, is the keynote speaker.

The conference is particularly appropriate as Newton Rigg has a growing reputation for its agriculture courses. It is the only college to have its own hill farm and now offers a degree in uplands agriculture and land management.

I would urge anyone concerned or interested in this important sector of our countryside to put the dates in the diary.

Bookings can be made by contacting Michaela Dixon at michaela.dixon@ newtonrigg.ac.uk or by ringing 01768-893508.

Lambing is very much the focus at Low Beckside, our Cumbrian hill farm. With 1,100 sheep in total, the team there have their work cut out, but it is all valuable experience for our students.

The Lambing Sunday events held at each of our campuses proved popular and enabled us to showcase the scale of what’s involved in ensuring that livestock – in this case sheep – are cared for properly and efficiently.

And of course, there is the entertainment factor, which is always a key element for visitors.

Opening our gates for events such as these is extremely important and involves great commitment from our staff and students, but it allows us to interact with those who perhaps have little opportunity to see farming firsthand.

We are already looking forward to our next “open door” Countryside Days, which take place at Newton Rigg College on Sunday, May 11, and at York on Sunday, June 8.

Liz Philip Chief executive Askham Bryan College