Celebrations and events to mark the 200-year anniversary of Craven College have carried on throughout the month of February.
We are eagerly awaiting the sprouting of bulbs planted by Gardening Club to commemorate the year, and keeping everything crossed that the cold snap in January didn’t hamper their progress!
The cross-College collaboration on the flower sculpture continues, with the piece taking shape with tissue flowers crafted by numerous students and staff members; each contributing to the installation.
Media students have been using the newly refurbished radio studio to record a series of shows, each with a reference to our 200 years! Students have been enjoying the new sound desk, new computer system, new microphones and headphones, a large TV screen and, of course, the new LED lighting; giving a truly professional feel. Did you know the first ever radio broadcast took place on 13 May 1897, a huge 72 years after Skipton Mechanics’ Institute, the forerunner of Craven College, opened!
From 10 to 16 February, we celebrated and participated in National Apprenticeship Week, hosting our Careers and Apprenticeship Job Fair at Skipton Town Hall. Apprenticeships have long been a core offering at Craven College for almost 30 years.
Business, Public Services and Sport’s “Rower Challenge;” has given staff and students the chance to try and row 200m in as quick a time as possible. Culminating on 28 February, the final winner was Freddie Mills who rowed the distance in an amazing 33.3 seconds!
Greg Aspin, Head of Public Services, Sport, and Progression said, “Uniformed Protective Services student Freddie Mills has triumphed in the Craven College 200m Row Challenge, showcasing outstanding strength, speed, and determination. His impressive performance secured him first place, earning him a well-deserved £20 gift voucher for his efforts. Freddie’s dedication and competitive spirit set him apart, making him a worthy winner of the challenge.”
Serving our community is a core part of Craven College’s ethos and Painting and Decorating students truly served their community by participating in work experience at the Almshouses in Skipton, a group of 12 homes run as a charity providing low-cost homes for local people over the age of 55 who are able to live independently.
Celebrating LGBTQ+ History Month throughout February, students participated with pride in a number of celebratory events organised by Student Services, some with a nod to the all-important 200 years! Students colourfully decorated 200 buns which were then photographed in the shape of the number 200 – we’re told they tasted amazing too!
February has been a month of feel good stories for the College, with a long-standing member of the Equine team getting a makeover and a new role, one of our Apprentices being crowned Young Apprentice of the Year at the Yorkshire Young Professional Awards, the journalists of the future participating in BBC Young Reporters Day, a visit from an industry expert to Beauty Therapy, and a diverse range of local employers meeting in a forum to discuss the business needs of companies in our area so we provide the necessary essential and digital skills.
We would love to hear from anyone connected to the College throughout the years, whether as a student, staff or simply anyone with a story to tell. Anyone who would like to share their memories and become a part of the College’s incredible journey should email: rbarratt@craven-college.ac.uk.
If you’d like to keep up to date with all the 200-year celebrations and events, please visit our 200 years’ page and sign up to our mailing list.
