Future of popular agricultural college hangs in the balance

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Adam Day, managing director of the Farmer Network, an organisation based at the campus, shared on Facebook that the loss of the college would be ‘damaging not only for the farming community but for the wider rural communities of Cumbria’.

He said: “Our young people entering the industry at this time of change need to do so with confidence and relevant training, and a local seat of learning will be the fulcrum to ensure this.

“I fully understand that there are huge financial pressures in the further education sector but I sincerely hope we do not lose Newton Rigg as a respected and trusted seat of learning in Cumbria.

“It will be a huge detriment to our country, our communities and our businesses if we do.”

Former gamekeeping and countryside management student, Jack Depledge, posted on Facebook that it would be a ‘real loss to the rural education system if Newton Rigg were to close.’

“As a former student, it is unclear to me why the future of such an education provider is at risk, since the modern, diverse education of future students at Newton Rigg is integral to the sustainable management of the UK countryside and wildlife,” he said.

The college has reassured its 820 students and apprentices that courses for the academic year 2019/20 will continue as planned.