Traditional spring weather started the open day at Plumpton College and, despite mid-morning rain, the event attracted 8,000 visitors.

The purpose of the open day is to demonstrate all that the College does and it is also a small ‘country fair’ to enable it to be a good family day out. The Principal, Des Lambert said: “All the staff and students work very hard to make Open Day a success. It takes a lot of work to put on the event, and we should be all very pleased and proud at the outcome. Visitors had an ideal opportunity to see the range of provision from each department. It was busy with activity and visitors across the whole of the Estate and we received a lot of very favourable comments about the College”.

The open day is held in association with the Sussex Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs.

The UK Wine Research Centre, which was opened by HRH, The Duchess of Cornwall, attracted much attention. Visitors sampled Plumpton Estate award-winning wines, wine tasting master classes, winery tours and alumni exhibits.

The equine department offered tours of the stables and riding schools, horse grooming and musical riding as well as Shire horses, a ride on a mechanical horse, lungeing displays and loose jumping. Classic cars and a crafts market near the Sussex Rural Business Centre proved popular attractions too.

Students and staff at the animal management centre offered guided tours of the range of small animals while the dog grooming unit provided demonstrations. The popular Veterinary nurse training centre offered course advice. The Horticulture Department offered plant sales, garden design, floristry competition and hard landscaping. Landscaped grounds, display gardens and floristry displays pleased visitors.

Plumpton College own produce sales included the award-winning wines, as well as cheese, cream, ice cream, plants, rapeseed oil and milk shakes. Some College products can be obtained through the online shop, shop.plumpton.ac.uk.

Central to the afternoon is the courses and careers advice by specialist staff, with many students enrolling on the wide range of land based vocational apprenticeships, and courses. Visitors came from London, the South East and overseas to sample a taste of countryside courses. This rural College, situated within an extensive and attractive Estate, close to Brighton and London, offers a wide range of land-based courses to over 3,000 full time and part time students who come from far and wide.

To find out more, visit the information afternoon/evening at Plumpton College on 25 June, www.plumpton.ac.uk