Eight Nantwich-based students secure wildlife placements in Europe

Eight Nantwich-based students are to join environmental projects abroad as part of their summer training.

The Reaseheath College students, on a conservation and wildlife course, will gain experience in eco-tourism, environmental and woodland management during a four-week work placement.

They won the opportunity after successfully applying to Grampus Heritage and Training Ltd, which aims to give UK students and young workers experience and practical skills required.

All Reaseheath’s students gained placements against strong competition from applicants from colleges nationwide.

Adam Bailey-Rimmer, 17, from Manchester, Alice Hardwell, 16, from Wrexham and Floris Stoter, 28, from Liverpool, are going to Skálanes Nature Reserve in East Iceland, where they will help to create a centre for Icelandic environment and cultural history.

Alice Martin, 16, from Aberystwyth, and Jasmine Salmon, 18, from Ellesmere Port, are off to the Czech Republic to study organic horticulture and permaculture systems.

John Humphreys, 26, from Wirral, and Richard Laurence, 27, from Nantwich, will join Hylates Limited, an eco-tourism company which is developing environmentally friendly facilities for visitors in Cyprus.

Rhys Donnell, 17, from Clwyd will join preparations for the annual woodfest in the Dübener Heide Naturpark, Germany.

All students on the Level 3 Diploma have already completed one month’s work experience this year with leading countryside bodies like the National Trust.

Programme leader Siobhan Smyth said: “This experience will greatly enhance our students’ CVs as they will be engaging with conservation industries across Europe and learning the skills which employers look for.

“They will also learn how other cultures operate, which is only something you can learn by experience.”

Richard, 27, who hopes eventually to set up his own environmental business, said: “This is a brilliant placement where we will be using local materials and methods to aid public access to heritage sites.

“I’m looking forward to it very much. It’ll give me valuable experience and some real skills which I can use to take my career forward.”