Ellesmerenews

The Raven and Ring Page 4

Sixth Form Barbecue Shakespeare Schools Festival Cricket Stars Page 4 Page 9 Page 15

Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 Exam Results Summer Examination Success t may now seem some time ago, but the first Newsletter of this academic year must begin with congratulations to all those who received their hard-earned exam results just before the start of this term. IFirst to receive their results were, as ever, the International There was equal cause for celebration when the A Level Baccalaureate Diploma students. This year a total of 23 results were published later in August. Amongst many Ellesmere Sixth Form Students followed the demanding course notable performances William Mapstone from Tilston achieved of six subjects, plus the Theory of Knowledge, a university A grades in Physics, Maths and Chemistry and is now reading standard Extended Essay, as well as taking up opportunities Mechanical Engineering at Bristol. Mike Pan achieved 3 A for public service. Of these over 50% achieved the higher level levels including two A* top grades in Maths and Further at above 30 points, which is the equivalent of 3 A* grades Maths and is studying Civil Engineering at Imperial, London. at A Level. An impressive 3 A grades and a B was gained by Victoria von Hoven from Shawbury in Business, History, General Studies The average overall score for the International Baccalaureate and English Literature respectively. Vicky is now reading Business candidates equated to three A grades at A Level, with local Management at Nottingham Trent. girl, Caroline Hayes from Ellesmere, achieving a top score of 41 points, which is equivalent to 4 A* grades at A Level. Finally, our GCSE students were rewarded for their long Caroline was also recently awarded a ‘Highly Commended’ wait for results at the end of the summer by some excellent in a History essay competition run by Cambridge University grades, with over a third of all grades being A*/A and over and is now reading Medicine at the University of Newcastle. 56% of those who took IGCSE being awarded A*/A/B grades. Another notable result was that of James Morrison, with an The House Captain of St Aidan’s House, Emily Palmer from equivalent A level grade of over 3 A*s, who is now studying Baschurch, achieved 10 A* grades and an A grade in the History at Birmingham. extra course, Free Standing Maths Qualification for gifted mathematicians. John Leadbeater from Ruyton XI Towns also achieved an impressive 5A*s and 5As, Jake Rogan from Market Drayton, 6A*s and 2 As and 1B and Craig Tattersall, from Bangor on Dee, 5 A*s, 4 As and 1B. Many pupils in Years 9 and 10 have also completed some early GCSEs with pleasing results and they are included in our congratulations. Mr Brendan Wignall, Headmaster, said, ‘It is a testament to our pupils that they can combine achieving an excellent academic record along with maintaining their valued contribution to the musical, dramatic and sporting life of the College. It is always a delight to receive such a well deserved, good set of results.’

Top IB Performer, Caroline Hayes

Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 2 Exam Results

A Level Students looking forward to the future

Successful GCSE Students: John Leadbeater, Emily Palmer and Josh Bendell

3 Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 The Raven and Ring The Raven and Ring he new Raven and Ring sculpture is the latest Leavers’ Gift at TEllesmere College. It was created by local artist Ben Broadbent, who was commissioned earlier this year to produce a galvanised steel sculpture based on the College’s crest.

Each year those leaving Ellesmere contribute to a Leavers’ Gift, which at the moment enables the College to add a piece of sculpture to our fabulous grounds. We seek out talented, local artists, some of whom will be displaying their work at our National Art Exhibition at the end of May 2013, so that we can lift the profile of the Arts in the region. Ben’s fabulous and evocative sculpture sits alongside the Seat of Learning carved in Portland stone by Judy Greaves, much to the initial bemusement of the local bird population.

The legend of the Raven relates to St Oswald, after whom the College was originally named. King Oswald sent his pet Raven, with a wedding ring in its beak, to propose marriage to a Welsh princess. A date for your diary Following the success of this year’s inaugural event, the next Ellesmere Art Exhibition will take place from 29th May to 2nd June 2013. There will be many new artists exhibiting, as well as favourites from this year, so why not put the date into your diary now?

Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 4 Sixth Form Barbecue Pulling together

t the end of the first week of the College term there was an opportunity for all members of the Sixth Form together with tutors and teachers to enjoy a social evening on the Terraces. An excellent barbecue was the prelude to a hotly contested tug-of-war competition organised by Mr Goodwin. Teams were drawn up from Houses and different interest groups. Common Room was nearly victorious, but, predictably, youth triumphed Ain the end. The week had begun with an induction period for all the Lower Sixth who now had the opportunity to relax and enjoy themselves before committing themselves to academic study.

5 Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 Sherry Zhang Exciting times for Sherry Zhang (Upper Sixth)

Setting up the Exhibition any Ellesmere students use Mthe long summer holidays not just to relax, but also to push themselves through new challenges and exciting ventures. This summer Upper Sixth student Sherry Zhang threw herself into promoting and inspiring a new generation of young artistic talent in her home country of China, and returned to Ellesmere in the Autumn full of excitement at what she and her fellow artists had achieved. The public enjoying the work

Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 6 Sherry Zhang

The members of the International Sherry gives a guided tour Association for Contemporary Arts

Sherry writes, ‘I am the Executive Deputy Chairman of a The students worked incredibly hard to bring their work to newly formed group called The International Association of the public in three major art galleries in China, and Sherry is to Contemporary Arts. This is an association of eight young aspiring be congratulated, not only on her artistic contribution, but also artists. We believe we can highlight and push the boundaries of on the leadership and communication skills which she clearly Arts in China and we would like to use our ideas to promote demonstrated. We wish her every success in taking forward this a ‘revolution’ of Art in our country. This summer we set up and new enterprise when she returns to China next year. promoted exhibitions in three major Chinese cities (Shanghai, Jiangsu Province and Zhejiang Province) with the support of the Government. Our aim was to deliver what we consider to be ‘true’ art to the people of China.’

7 Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 Shakespeare Shakespeare Schools Festival his term the Middle School Production took the form of the TCollege’s entry to the annual Shakespeare Schools’ Festival. This is a national youth theatre event which takes place every autumn in over 90 different professional theatres across the country and with students from over 700 schools taking part.

Ellesmere College was chosen as one mix with pupils from other schools. of three schools to perform at the It demands a huge commitment from Theatre Severn in Shrewsbury and everyone involved, partly because of Director, Margaret Hutchings, chose the need to travel to and from the Shakespeare’s moving and beautiful late Theatre to rehearse, but finally on play ‘The Winter’s Tale’ as our contribution. the performance night everything Participation in the Festival is particularly came together in a wonderful exciting for the students who take part, evening celebrating the work of our not only because they get the opportunity greatest dramatist. to perform in a professional theatre, Annie Hughes, Regional Manager for but also because they take part in a the Festival, was very complimentary cast workshop with staff from the about the College’s production, writing world-renowned Central School of afterwards, ‘It was a fantastic piece of Speech and Drama, where they also theatre and your cast really shone. They had an excellent grasp of the language and the production was both bewitching and moving, which is an impressive balance to strike. The cast behaved really professionally and were a joy to work Ronan Phillips with with during a long performance day.’ Isaac Maddock-James

Euan Venner (Polixenes) Isaac Maddock-James (Leontes) with Jo Jameson (Camillo) and Mia Foster (Hermione)

Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 8 Arts Award Expo Arts Award Autumn Expo Students from the Thursday afternoon Arts Award activity group enjoyed a rich and varied Autumn Expo just before half term.

As well as a trip to Liverpool to visit the Tate Gallery, The Beatles Experience and a multi-media exhibition at the Bluecoat School, Drama students were also treated to a half day puppet workshop with drama group Boxtale Soup, who then performed their own version of ‘Northanger Abbey’ in the evening. Musicians carried out a composition and recording project, Media students spent a day filming in North Wales, and Art students enjoyed a fantastic and inspiring workshop with Andrew Vaughan, freelance artist and Senior Education Officer from the Whitworth Gallery, Manchester.

Box Tale Soup in action

Harry Williamson Artist Andrew Vaughan filming on location offers inspiration

9 Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 House Plays House Plays 2012 highlight of the Michaelmas Term is, as ever, the annual House APlay Festival, usually preceded by weeks of hard work, stress and frenzied line learning for the student directors and their eager casts. This year the theme was Shakespeare, with each House performing a half hour version of some of the Bard’s favourite comedies.

Meynell’s ‘Twelfth Night’ Directed by Sasha Kien Talbot opened the Festival with a spirited version of the bitter-sweet love story of Viola and Sebastian, twins separated by a shipwreck, who then find true love in a new country. The production was given an imaginative framing by modern day twins reading the story from a huge book whilst on a holiday beach (how else would you get two giant crabs into the story?) Alice Tow and Kyle McNamara, whilst not exactly identical, gave convincing emotional performances. Luke Taylor was a commanding lone figure as Orsino, but Ben Hall’s lascivious Malvolio rather stole the show, especially when wearing his famous ‘yellow stockings’. Perri Rowe’s ‘Ellie’ winning performance as Maria marked her out as ‘one to watch in future’ and Charles Coppinger as Sir Toby and Peter Stegemann as Sir Andrew capered in an admirably disgraceful way. Ben Hall as Malvolio Perri Rowe as Maria

Talbot’s ‘The Taming of the Shrew’ Directed The opening to Talbot’s production was set outside a very convincing nightclub by Magdalena Helon and Joe Pescod and this brilliant idea really helped the audience to identify with the sometimes troubling relationships between the characters in the play. Magadalena Helon, playing the ‘Shrew’ Katherina as well as co-directing, portrayed the character as stormy and troubled, in contrast to her more liked but rather conniving sister, Bianca, played to spoiled perfection by Alex Brooks. Ben Williams was a masterful Petruchio, but this production was well supported by a large number of excellent performances in minor roles such as Ajose-Adeogun Olayinka (Binks) as Hortensio, Charlie Whitehead as Baptista Minola , Leroy Tonge as Lucentio and Harry Stow as Tranio. A true ensemble performance which was Hortensio (Ajose-Adeogun Olayinka) much appreciated by the audience. argues with Gremio (Joe Pescod)

Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 10 House Plays

Woodard’s ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ Directed by Daisy Clarke Woodard opened the second night of the Festival with a lively production of one of Shakespeare’s best loved comedies which played the comic opportunities to their fullest potential. Sarah Carr as Beatrice demonstrated both comic timing and physical presence, but also showed the vulnerable side of the character as well. Her counterpart Benedick was on this occasion played very convincingly by a girl, Kate Parry, and together they beautifully conveyed the verbal sparring but reluctant attraction of the couple. Again, there were excellent supporting performances from a large cast, but special mention must be made of Ollie Dier’s brilliantly sinister Don John, enhanced by some inspired lighting from Sarah Carr as Beatrice Technician Callum Trent. Margaret (Poppy Clarke), Ursula (Lily Wilson), and Hero (Emily Moore)

Wakeman-Lambart’s ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ Wakeman-Lambert perhaps had a hard job giving one of Shakespeare’s Directed by George Fradley most familiar plays a fresh treatment, but their dramatic circus music opening certainly caught everyone’s attention. The touching story of the two pairs of lovers was cleverly played with the utmost seriousness in order to give greater comic emphasis to the hilarious antics of Peter von Hoven’s womanly but slightly unhinged Titania, which brought the house down (who will ever forget when ‘Gangnam Style’ met Shakespeare?) Luke Caldicott’s dignified Oberon, ably assisted by Sam Reeves’ Puck, brought havoc and confusion to both the lovers and the mechanicals, and Ed Shelley as Bottom played the fool to perfection. Once all were reunited, it only remained for the workmen to perform their version of ‘Pyramus and Thisbe’, and Alex Johnson, Mark McBrien, Dillon Bauschulte and Ed Shelley admirably played the text for every comic Unhappy lovers, Hermia (Freya Rodda) nuance and double entendre. and Lysander (Dan Chesworth)

11 Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 Battle of the Bands Battle his term’s Band Night opened to a full house with a Twell-polished set from Train of Thought, a visiting local band featuring the College’s own John Paul on guitar. As well as some well-known covers, they played some new self-penned songs from their forthcoming EP. Definitely one to watch for the future! of the Next up were some performances from College musicians. Dan Chesworth and Dillon Bauschulte played a song they wrote together recently, before Dillon teamed up with ‘Binks’, John Leadbeater, Beatrice Roberts, John Paul and Mr Paul to reprise their version of Stevie Wonder’s ‘Superstition’. Bands New 6th form duo N20, featuring Nick Wood and Ollie Dier, made their Band Night debut with a set of songs by Ed Sheeran. The evening was rounded off by staff band The Graduates (Messrs Paul, Dover and Santry, with John Paul deputizing on guitar for Mr Smith) playing some covers including ‘Play that Funky Music’ and Alice Cooper’s ‘School’s Out’.

Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 12 Sport Berwyn Hughes – a talent for Ice Hockey lthough Ellesmere is able to offer a fantastic range of sports to its pupils within College, it is also keen to support students to Adevelop their talents and interests in others areas outside School. One such is Upper Sixth former Berwyn Hughes, who has recently been making a name for himself in the exciting sport of Ice Hockey. Berwyn began playing roller hockey when he was 6 years of age at Plas Madoc Leisure Centre. This is a non contact form of ice hockey played on in-line roller skates and on a rink which is the same size as an ice rink. He then began to train and play ice hockey at Deeside for the Flintshire Junior Ice Hockey Club at the age of 10, soon progressing to play for the Under 14s team as there were insufficient players for his age group. Ice Hockey is governed by the English Ice Hockey Association and is perhaps the fastest team sport. Flintshire play in the Northern League where there are 2 divisions. Berwyn has played in both divisions as he has progressed through the age groups, travelling long distances i.e. Hull, Grimsby, Sheffield, Nottingham and Whitley Bay. At 16 Berwyn transferred to play for Manchester Phoenix Under 18s team in Division 1 North, where he was chosen to go for trials for the North of England Team and has since played for them in tournaments. This automatically results in being invited for trials for the Great Britain team. Berwyn has also played for the Trafford Metros which is an adult team in the English National League 1. Our congratulations go to Berwyn for his amazing success so far, and we look forward to hearing how his Ice Hockey career develops in the future. Ellesmere College blaze to the top ollowing on from a highly successful summer with wins at Bisley and a 9th place in the Ashburton Shield, the College Rifle Team Ftravelled to Appleton in September and featured heavily in the prize list at the last open event of the season, the ‘American’ match: Richard Lay took 1st place at 100 yards in class B and 3rd in the aggregate; Katy Leeming took 1st place at 50 yards in class C and 2nd in the aggregate; Luke Caldecott took 2nd place at 100 yards in class C; In class D, Lottie Hulme took 1st place at 100 yards, 2nd place at 50 yards and 2nd in the aggregate; her sister Caro took 2nd place at 100 yards and 3rd in the aggregate. It was a clean sweep in the Junior Championship for Ellesmere College with Richard Lay taking first place. Academy Coach, Tom Rylands is delighted at the results: “To pick up 10 trophies at an open event against all ages, in three different classes, proves how target shooting at Ellesmere is going from strength to strength. We have started clay shooting this term and already look to have some potential champions in the making. We have over 60 children participating in one target discipline or another each week and the College’s vision of providing opportunity in every Olympic Target Sport is beginning to look very realistic – we have the raw talent, now we have to work to create the facility.”

13 Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 Cricket News International call up for young cricketers

hree rising stars from Ellesmere College have been selected to play cricket for Wales this season. Ben Beaver, Connor Davies and TJosh Andrady are part of the College’s Elite Cricket Academy and Development Centre, which offers pupils the opportunity to experience some of the best coaching and facilities in the county.

Ben Beaver, Connor Davies and Josh Andrady

Ben Beaver, a cricket scholar at Ellesmere, has had three years Academy Director, Rod Jones said, “All three lads are developing working under senior coach Rod Jones and has represented nicely and working hard towards being good all round cricketers, Shropshire U10s, becoming the team’s leading batsman. Connor but they are also good role models at Ellesmere, which is Davies who plays at Brymbo Cricket Club and Josh Andrady important. As a school we are keen to develop character as well who is at Northop CC have joined Ellesmere College this as skill and they are all working to a tailor made programme year and are also on cricket scholarships. Josh said, “Ellesmere which includes nutrition, psychology and fitness. We look forward has given me the opportunity to focus my passion for cricket to seeing them develop further and play at the highest levels. In alongside my studies. The coaching is great and it has really the last year, the College has seen an increase in young cricketers improved my bowling action for much better accuracy. My coming into the Academy, so the future looks very promising.” overall game has also improved and being at Ellesmere has boosted my confidence to play for Wales”.

Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 14 Cricket News Barbados Cricket Tour

his summer fourteen excited Ellesmerians Tgathered at Manchester Airport to fly off to the Caribbean island of Barbados for a ten-day cricket tour. The squad, eager to get started

On arrival we discovered that our hotel the short even grass we were used to good batting or bowling performance was literally built on the beach, with the at Ellesmere, but was very long with to remember on their return home. water lapping the balcony, where every patches of soil, concrete and even holes – In between the matches we enjoyed morning we would have our breakfast. not an outfield for diving stops! The hopping on the local white vans which However, soon after arrival we were wicket was excellent for batting though, cost just 2 dollars a journey to explore whisked off to the local Oistins fish and Cameron Murdoch top-scored as Bridgetown, the St. Lawrence Gap and market to enjoy a typically Bajan fish meal. we won by 108 runs. to return to Oistins. Many hours were The next morning we set off to play our We went on to win three of the spent on the beach, but the highlight of first match at Welches CC just outside remaining four matches against school our visit was a five hour catamaran trip Bridgetown. On the way we noticed sides, the highlight of the tour being Sam along the west coast which included that even the roundabouts were named Owen’s 138 not out against Ellerslie swimming with turtles. after famous West Indian test cricketers School. Our Captain, Scott Burdekin, All too soon we were back on the plane from the past such as Garfield Sobers and scored 61 against the strongest side on to Heathrow after a truly brilliant trip. On Everton Weeks. There was rain in the air the island, Combermere School, while Will behalf of the players I would like to thank and the groundsman on a small roller was Doerr had the best bowling figures of both Mr Cawcutt, who masterminded the preparing the strip we were to play on in 4-25 also against Ellerslie. Every player in tour, and Mr Hayes for making it possible. the middle of an outfield which was unlike the tour party contributed to the success anything we had seen before. It was not of the tour and all the players had either a David Powell, Year 11

A different kind of pitch! Match in progress

15 Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 Carols by Candlelight OE News New Office of External Relations ollege has recently established its new Office of External Nick Pettingale, Director of External Relations said: “I am CRelations, under the leadership of Nick Pettingale, formally very pleased to welcome Andrew and Olivia to the team. the Director of Development. The College has also appointed Together we will maximize the full potential of the Ellesmere Andrew Thelwell as Marketing Officer and Olivia Beckett as story and also look to extend it even further with new Secretary to External Relations. Both are newly-created roles. innovations and services.” In Andrew Thelwell’s new role, he will be overseeing all marketing activity for Ellesmere’s portfolio which includes recruitment, retention and external communications. Andrew has over ten years experience in educational marketing. Prior to joining Ellesmere College, he has held various positions with increasing responsibilities at Keele University and South Staffordshire College. Olivia Beckett spent eight years working for an Internet Retailer where she developed strong skills in Business Development, Personnel, Purchasing, Finance and Team Management. Headmaster, Brendan Wignall said: “Academic success at Ellesmere is doing the very best you can. We are not an exam factory. That is a vital message in an age driven by league tables and statistics, a message that the External Relations team will be working to tell loud and clear. We are committed to the development of each individual student, seeing them reach their full potential. I am delighted that we can add this new function to an already vibrant school.” Carols by Candlelight

e will be holding our annual Candelit Carol Service on Thursday 29th November at 7.30pm in the Chapel of St Oswald to which all OEs are cordially invited. For many of us, Wthis is the moment when Christmas really begins, so why not make a date to be there? Please contact Olivia Beckett for further details on [email protected] / Tel: 01691 626541

Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 16 Wedding OEs turn out for a Big Wedding in Big School

ianne Betts started life at Ellesmere Lin 1996 joining the Lower School, when Caroline Newbold was her Headmistress, moving on through the College until her departure for Oswestry College to study Health and Social Care in 2003.

Eventually flying off to Thailand and, a year later, to China to work in orphanages, Lianne travelled the world meeting en route her now husband, Karim Zaidi. Lianne and Karim married in Big School in July, the first Old Ellesmerian to do so. Other OEs in attendance were Sofie Witter, Melissa Halstead (now Mrs. Keeble), Abigail Owen and Tara Unwin, as well as Mr and Mrs Matt Stone. Lianne and Karim have set up home in Melbourne, Australia where Karim is Director of a packaging company and Lianne works as a care assistant in a nursing home.

17 Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 OEs – Where are they now? Henry Maybury Meynell 2005 – 2010 ld Ellesmerian, Henry Maybury, wowed the crowd and judging panel recently in the Open Mic UK Regional Showcase at the OBirmingham NEC. He is now one step away from performing at The O2 in London. Thousands of acts entered Open Mic UK 2012 and the best unsigned singers from across the country were chosen to perform at the live Regional Final shows. Henry performed in front of a live audience and professional judging panel on October 6th at the N.E.C. in Birmingham. He is now set to perform at the Area Final for the chance to progress to the National Grand Final at The O2 in London on 19th January 2013. After leaving Ellesmere College in 2010, Henry attended Hull University for a short period of time until deciding that the course he was studying was unsuitable for him. He applied to study Music with Musical Theatre at Chichester where he has been concentrating on singing, song writing and preparing for his big break. Over the last 6 months, Henry’s music has really started to take off, with his You Tube videos receiving over a quarter of million views, and obviously with the success of the Open Mic competition. Majid Farzanehfar Lambart 1970 – 1975 ajid left Ellesmere in 1975 and went to study Architecture Mat the Architectural Association School of Architecture in London where he graduated with a Masters (Honours) degree. After graduating, Majid moved to Los Angeles where he immediately started his career with Fulks Architects and he soon became a partner. In 1987, Majid created his own company, Majid Farzanefar Design where he worked on 56 custom residential, commercial, cultural and office buildings. He decided to move back home to Tehran in 1994 and continued with the success of his business. Majid’s company in Tehran, Hedayat Parvaneh Tech, was founded to try and upgrade the architecture of ‘otherwise modern’ Iran. With an impressive portfolio of projects, Majid’s company is going from strength to strength.

Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 18 OEs – Where are they now? Patrick Gorman Woodard 2004 – 2008 fter leaving Ellesmere in 2008, Patrick moved to London where he studied the AArt and Architecture Foundation Course at Central Saint Martins. Once he had completed the Foundation Course, he decided to continue his studies and enrolled on the BA (Hons) Architecture Space and Objects course (RIBA part 1). This led to 3 years of intensive architecture studies where he gained an impressive 2:1 classification. Patrick’s final self initiated project was hugely successful, being nominated for the RIBA London region award, and he was voted as the ‘Stand Out Student’ at his degree show by the Architects’ Journal magazine Since finishing his part 1 studies, Patrick has now moved back to Manchester where he is working for Ian Simpson Architects, the company who influenced a lot of his work whilst he was studying at Ellesmere. Patrick is currently part of the team that is working on the Battersea Power Station redevelopment in London on the River Thames. Rosie Rickett Meynell 2004 – 2009 osie Rickett has the enviable job of training Michael Jung’s Olympic Gold medal winning eventer, Sam. She has evented up Rto intermediate level and is now a working pupil at the Jungs’ yard, near Stuttgart. Michael Jung is the first rider to hold Olympic, World and European titles at the same time. Rosie was introduced to him by a friend, and went out to Germany for two months last October. The Jungs asked Rosie to stay for a year as a working pupil looking after the horses and working them in for Michael. While Michael is working away, she rides Sam and goes through his daily fitness routine with him. Rosie told us , “Sam’s lovely: very laid-back and chilled. He goes out in the paddock every day. He was very sharp when he was younger and Michael was the only one that rode him but he’s a good boy now. “ Michael has ten Event horses, ten Show Jumping horses, three Dressage horses and several ponies. He currently has five members of staff who assist in taking care of, training and grooming the horses. As Rosie happily says, “Everything in this yard is just so organised and there’s never any stress. It’s nice and peaceful and the horses are all very happy. When we’ve finished working them, there’s a bowl of treats and they all get one. The horses are really fit; during the winter they go on the treadmill for half-an-hour a day in addition to being schooled and they do an hour a day on the treadmill in the summer. The facilities are amazing; there’s a course of show jumps on grass and a cross-country course. Michael changes the fences and the courses all the time, so the horses are constantly jumping different courses.”

19 Ellesmere College Newsletter Autumn Term 2012 Autumn Concert 2012