Penrith and The Border MP, Dr Neil Hudson has launched an online petition, asking people to show their support for Newton Rigg Campus.
Newton Rigg College is the oldest Agricultural Education establishment in England, with its origins dating back as far as 1874. The college was established on its current site 124 years ago, at the suggestion of Sir Wilfred Lawson, a local MP. The campus runs two farms, a dairy unit at Sewborwens which re-opened in March 2014 and a hill farm at Mungrisdale in the Lake District National Park. Newton Rigg is the only college in England with a hill farm facility.
With over 1000 learners and 130 staff, not only does the campus support the land-based sector by providing courses in areas such as Agriculture, Game Keeping and Animal Management, but it also supports the General Further Education for the Eden Valley with courses such as and Health and Social Care and Sport and Outdoor Adventure.
Dr Neil Hudson MP said "This petition aims to highlight the importance of the College, not only to Cumbria but also to the wider nation’s rural economy. Newton Rigg College provides training in an array of subjects that are needed in order to support the rural economy of Cumbria and the UK. Training in areas such as Social Care are vital as we look to sustain and increase the workforce in this critical area. It is so important that we all support the College and work together to ensure its secure and sustainable future".
You can join Neil in supporting Newton Rigg via the website - www.neilhudson.org.uk/campaigns
