Bedford College Trainee Engineer aims high with Spitfire at Shuttleworth Collection

Andy Preslent (Engineer) and Gareth Rutt (Trainee Engineer)

Not many trainee engineers can claim to be renovating a Spitfire that has seen action in World War II and starred in the film Battle of Britain, but Gareth Rutt from Biggleswade certainly can.

The Shuttleworth Trust (Education) has set up a trainee scheme, in partnership with Bedford College and Marshall Aerospace, with Gareth the first trainee engineer in 30 years.

He is learning specialist skills in renovating historic aircraft from engineer Andy Preslent, who was the original first trainee engineer at Shuttleworth and is now in his 40th year working on renovating and maintaining over 50 world famous historic aircraft.

Andy explained:

“The trainee scheme combines aeronautical engineering at Bedford College and Marshall Aerospace with specialist knowledge that can only be learnt here. Working on vintage aircraft, trainees will learn a wide range of techniques including woodwork and fabric in restoration of our vintage aircraft.”

Gareth Rutt has always had a fascination for aircraft and joined the Shuttleworth Trust as a work experience student, from Stratton Upper School, when he was 14. That gave him the bug for restoring vintage aircraft and he went on to study aeronautical engineering at Bedford College. After completing year 1 of a 2 year diploma course he read in the Shuttleworth magazine about a new trainee scheme and decided it was for him.

As trainee engineer he has studied at Bedford College and Marshall Aerospace, gaining a National Certificate with double distinction. He is now studying towards NVQ3 and plans to go on to achieve the prestigious qualification as Licensed Aircraft Engineer.

“Not many people learn their trade working on a Spitfire!”, explained Gareth.
“Learning specialist techniques of renovation on the Spitfire is more romantic than working on airlines because it is part of British history. My job as trainee engineer has lots of variety, from working on the Spitfire to working on the Bleriot, the worlds oldest airworthy aircraft, the same type as the first to cross the channel in 1909. You can sense the history as you work to renovate these historic aircraft to their former glory.”

Una Watts, Trust General Manager, explained that the new trainee scheme is already proving to be a huge success and the close working relationship with Bedford College and Marshall Aerospace ensures that everything is in place to lead to Licensed Engineer status for trainees and for a new generation of qualified engineers to work with the prized Shuttleworth Collection.

She added:

“We have many young people who want to get involved working with us in a voluntary or trainee capacity. Our volunteers span the generations from enthusiasts with a wealth of experience, such as our pilots and engineers, to younger people who want to learn a skill. Gareth has certainly set a high standard for others to follow.”

“The Shuttleworth Collection is about living history and the people who work here are extremely proud of this unique collection of aircraft and motors that continue to be lovingly restored.”

The staff of 21, including 7 engineers, are supported by a dedicated and committed team of 120 volunteers, some of them highly skilled, who give their time in many different roles from pilots to engineers and helping in the smooth running of the many events that take place over the year.

With over 50 world-famous vintage aircraft all in flying condition, visitors to the Shuttleworth Collection can see over 100 years of aviation history and experience the thrill of unique and spectacular airshows. Historic cars, motorcyles and coaches complete the collection, housed within eight floodlit hangars.

Editors' notes

1. The Shuttleworth Trust (Education) became part of Beacon Status and outstanding Ofsted winner Bedford College on 7 August 2009.

2. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

3. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

4. Photographs available.

5. For more about Bedford College see www.bedford.ac.uk

6. For more about the Shuttleworth Trust and Collection see www.shuttleworth.org

The Princess and the Frog at Shuttleworth College

Katie tries magic dust on African Bullfrog as Carl keeps the creature from hopping it !

As the Princess and the Frog magical animated Disney film shows to packed cinemas, a frog that needs the magic of conservation takes centre stage at Shuttleworth College.

Poison dart frogs have arrived at Shuttleworth College and will be part of a world-wide conservation and breeding programme. The frogs are under threat of extinction in the tropical rainforests of Central America and the work at Shuttleworth will be a crucial part of their survival.

Carl Groombridge, Animal Unit Manager, at Shuttleworth College explained:

"Our students will gain invaluable experience from working with this endangered species of amphibian. They will learn about conservation and the fact that amphibians are under threat from global warming, and a global virus that is adding to the urgency of conservation.

"Our breeding programme aims to maintain this species for future generations and ultimately to release them back into the tropical rainforests of Central America.

"Part of the conservation and breeding programme for students means learning about the flora and fauna that are essential to the survival of these frogs and recreating their habitat here in Bedfordshire.”

The Animal Care Centre is home to just about every family of species in the world. and habitats include a tropical rainforest setting where recorded sounds of the forest give an added dimension to the environment.

Students go to Shuttleworth to learn about animal husbandry, how to create and build habitats from scratch to meet wildlife standards and to develop breeding programmes. The aim is to give students a taste of all aspects of animal welfare and management in preparation for careers from practical hands-on jobs to highly academic research and scientific opportunities, including animal conservation programmes across the world.

Editors' notes

1. Poison dart frog is the common name of a group of frogs in the family Dendrobatidae which are native to Central America. Unlike most frogs, these species are active during the day and often exhibit brightly-colored bodies. Although all wild dendrobatids are at least somewhat toxic, levels of toxicity vary considerably from one species to the next and from one population to another. Many species are critically endangered. These amphibians are often called "dart frogs" due to indigenous Amerindians use of their toxic secretions to poison the tips of blowdarts.

2. Shuttleworth College in Central Bedfordshire became part of Beacon Status and outstanding Ofsted winner Bedford College on 7 August 2009.

3. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

4. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

5. Photographs available.

6. For more about Bedford College see www.bedford.ac.uk

Meerkats at Shuttleworth - anything but a "seemple" life

Meerkats have moved into Shuttleworth College where a palatial mansion house and stunning grounds are in keeping with the lifestyle of master of all meerkats Aleksandr Orlov, currently residing in Moscow.

With over half a million Facebook fans and 24,000 Tweeter followers, Aleksandra is known to lead anything but the “seemple” life as successful businessKat and founder of comparethemeerkat.com

Carl Groombridge (manager/lecturer) of the Animal Care Centre at Shuttleworth College explained that he receives lots of enquiries from visitors about meerkats and added:

“Meerkats have become one of our most popular animals with visitors asking questions about these fascinating creatures. With blasts of cold weather from Russia at the moment, Shuttleworth would be a home from home for Aleksandra and his team.”

Meerkats are one of the animals that are at home at Shuttleworth College, along with just about every family of species in the world including exotic species from amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals and reptiles, to birds and larger animals.

Shuttleworth College provides a stimulating environment where students learn about animal husbandry, how to create and build habitats from scratch to meet wildlife standards and develop breeding programmes. The aim is to give students a taste of all aspects of animal welfare and management in preparation for careers from practical hands-on jobs to highly academic research and scientific opportunities.

Editors' notes

1. Shuttleworth College in Central Bedfordshire became part of Beacon Status and outstanding Ofsted winner Bedford College on 7 August 2009.

2. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

3. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

4. Photographs available.

Animal Magic at Shuttleworth College

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Since being taken over by award-winning Bedford College, Shuttleworth College in Central Bedfordshire is enjoying the national limelight. While Bedford College is already famed for its educational expertise, Shuttleworth has been quietly getting on with job. Now the two are working together to improve opportunities and experiences for students. So now courses from agriculture and art to zoology are available under the Bedford College banner.

New to Bedford College is the area of animal care:

Carl Groombridge (manager/lecturer) of the Animal Care Centre at Shuttleworth College has an infectious enthusiasm about animal welfare, habitats and breeding programmes.

The Animal Care Centre is home to just about every family of species in the world and habitats include a tropical rainforest setting where the sounds of the forest give an added dimension to the environment.

Students come here to learn about animal husbandry, how to create and build habitats from scratch to meet wildlife standards and develop breeding programmes. The aim is to give students a taste of all aspects of animal welfare and management in preparation for careers from practical hands-on jobs to highly academic research and scientific opportunities.

Carl explained:

“We offer students the chance to develop their practical skills whilst working in a stimulating environment. We have a wide range of exotic species from amphibians, invertebrates, small mammals and reptiles, to birds and larger animals.

“The Animal Care Centre is rich with species and this is something that Ofsted recently commented on.

“Our links with the zoological industry gives our students an added advantage and they are encouraged to design and build habitats for animals that include the unusual and exotic so that their knowledge and skills are stretched.

“Practical learners benefit a great deal from hands on experience of caring for animals and we are pleased to welcome all students on visits from Years 10 and 11.

“From the moment students arrive to study at the Animal Care Centre they are on a learning curve that can open up opportunities to them in the animal world, some of which they would never have thought possible.”

Students working with lizards recently saw the full circle of the breeding programme, from incubation of eggs to the thrill of seeing them hatch. They work with animals including Chilean bird-eating spiders, giant alibino snails, chameleons, geckos, meerkats, snakes, rodents, llamas, emus, alpacas and many more including the more usual farm animals such as pigs.

The Centre will soon welcome a new visitor - Goliath the world's biggest bug.

Editors' notes

1. Shuttleworth College in Central Bedfordshire became part of Beacon Status and outstanding Ofsted winner Bedford College on 7 August 2009.

2. Issued by Manners PR for Bedford College.

3. For more info contact Sue Gough at Manners PR on 07921 514 940.

4. Photographs available.

5. For more about Bedford College see http://www.bedford.ac.uk/

Top of Form

Shuttleworth College in Central Bedfordshire is now part of Beacon Status and Outstanding Ofsted winner, Bedford College.

The land-based college in Old Warden near Biggleswade will benefit from the award-winning management of Bedford College - whilst maintaining its educational specialisms.

The deal was finalised on Friday August 7th.

Staff and students at Shuttleworth have been assured that there will be the minimum of disruption to their work and already Bedford College has been working to ensure their new colleagues and students feel part of the award-winning team.

“Our priority has always been about people - our students and our staff, this will be no different at Shuttleworth,” explained CEO Ian Pryce.

“This is a very exciting project, one of the most important since Bedford College became independent in 1993.

“Shuttleworth has grown very fast in the last four years. Its location means we will have a strong physical presence within the newly created Central Bedfordshire unitary authority demonstrating our commitment to the wider community. Already 30% of Bedford College students come from within Central Bedfordshire.

“It also presents some interesting challenges. For instance, in addition to the educational provision, Shuttleworth runs events, weddings and hospitality at the site which will be a new challenge and one which are looking forward to meeting.

“Our balance sheet now includes a wallaby, horse and snake collection as well as buildings and contents.”

ends

Editors:
All and any future inquiries regarding Press inquiries at Shuttleworth College should come to
Jacquie Manners at Manners PR for Bedford College on 07971 216014

Advertising via: Director of Marketing Sarah Baxter on 01234 291920