Broomfield Hall Campus, Morley, Ilkeston, Derbyshire, DE7 6DN An extensive working estate providing a 200-acre classroom supporting the land-based, leisure and public services sectors, with students on a variety of pathways leading to positive destinations in the world of work, further and higher education.
Equine at Broomfield Hall
Welcome to the Derby College Equestrian Centre. We are very excited about the developments to our equestrian centre over the past 2 years and as a result have grown considerably in what we can offer to the equine industry. As well as an excellent training for our full and part time students, we now run competitions, elite training from industry professionals, short courses, riding lessons and adult riding camps.
We had a very busy year, excellent student results both in their City & Guilds qualifications and 100% success in their BHS industry exams.
We are also the reigning FE Equine Inter-College Champions 2013. Our 2nd Year Extended Diploma Students won both the regional heat at Moulton College and the National Final at Warwickshire College, a tremendous achievement.
Derby College Students Re-open Broomfield Plant Centre plant centre
Derby College has re-opened its plant centre at the Broomfield Hall campus in Morley to give Horticulture students vital work experience and boost their future job prospects.
The Plant Centre is open to the public on every weekday and weekends between 10am and 4pm, except Wednesdays, selling more than 40 varieties of vegetables, herbs, alpines, border perennials and bedding plants at cost effective prices.
The plant centre will also be holding regular events for staff and students to share their expertise with visitors.
The first Plant Fest will be held on Sunday May 24 between 10am and 4pm. The day will include a hanging basket workshop in the morning and then the chance for visitors to talk to the ‘Plant Doctor’ in the afternoon to discuss any problems they are having. There will also be guidance on spring pruning and a Gardeners Question time at 3pm.
The grounds of Broomfield will be open for guided walks and the Animal Care Unit will also be open to the public (entry £1) with the opportunity to see the small animals, reptiles and rare breeds that are looked after by the students.
Derby College Horticulture assessor and Plant Centre Manager David Harris explained: “The greenhouses at Broomfield Hall have been refurbished and we have been working hard to grow a wide range of plants which are now available to the public.
“Students are gaining valuable work experience at the centre – growing the plants and serving customers – which will greatly help them as they progress onto careers in the Horticulture industry.”
Among those involved in the plant centre are mature students Catriona Cummings from Ilkeston and Cindy Hollick from Turnditch.
Catriona (pictured left) is a keen gardener and has come back to College two days a week – combining her Horticulture studies with working in the Communications department of Derbyshire County Council.
Cindy recently set up her own gardening business and is boosting her formal qualifications with the level three course at Broomfield.
Catriona explained: “We have all been heavily involved in the development of the plant centre and it is great that we are now open to the public and serving a steady stream of customers.”
Cindy added: “Everyone has a passion for Horticulture and gaining experience in customer service and the retail side of the industry is very valuable alongside the theoretical and practical skills that we are learning here.”
The plant centre joins a host of other Derby College commercial facilities which are open to the public.
They include the floristry workshop, dog grooming parlour, equine centre and Little Explorers day nursery at Broomfield Hall; the Sensi hair and beauty salons at Ilkeston and at the Roundhouse; the Engine Shed restaurant and conference and event facilities at the Roundhouse and The motor vehicle garage at the nearby Johnson Building in Pride Park.
Derby College Chief Executive Mandie Stravino concluded: “Our role is to prepare students for the next stage of their lives whether that be an apprenticeship, work or Higher Education.
“Work experience is a key part of all of the students’ learning programmes at the College so the commercial facilities which are open to the public not only provide that on site for learners but also generates a vital income stream for the College to reduce our reliance on public funding.”
