Suffolk Rural's top land-based students scoop £150 for 'outstanding' efforts

Some of Suffolk's top land-based students have scooped prizes including £150 in cash for their outstanding efforts over the last year.

The youngsters - who followed courses at Suffolk Rural in Otley - also took away certificates and prizes from sponsors at the annual awards event hosted by Suffolk New College.

Principal Alan Pease said it had been a "remarkable year" for the college, which scooped a number of awards including this paper's Further and Higher Education Provider of the Year at the inaugural Suffolk Education Awards held in October 2023.

It also received an education "Oscar" from the Association of Colleges for its sustainability drive.

In all, 32 accolades were handed out to top-performing learners in subjects including agriculture and horticulture.

Mr Pease said: “It’s an honour and a privilege to work for Suffolk New College and I’m proud to be principal and chief executive of this amazing organisation. It’s been an outstanding year and this event is a fantastic way to celebrate our many successes.”

Douglas Charles, 19, from Thwaite near Eye, took the top prize on his agricultural engineering course and is now going on to work for agricultural dealership Tuckwells in Woodbridge.

Douglas Charles won the top agricultural engineering prize and is pictured with his mum at the Suffolk New College student awards (Image: Suffolk New College) “I was surprised as I really didn’t expect it,” he said.

Theo Nichols, 16, from Chantry in Ipswich - who was at the awards with mum Lynsey - was named horticulture student of the year.

“I might be going to Chelsea next year and the dream for me is to run my own business, earn lots of money and be successful," he said.

Theo Nichols won best horticulture student and shared the moment with his mum Lynsey (Image: Suffolk New College) Phoebe Mann, 17, from Swilland was named top equine learner. Tutor Karen King said: “Phoebe has been hard-working, enthusiastic and she will go far.”

Phoebe Mann won best equine student (Image: Suffolk New College) Other land-based winners included Ceylan Abdullah for her floristry achievements, James Horswill for tree surgery and Freddie Rabey-Coyston in animal studies.

Ceylan Abdullah received the top floristry prize and is pictured with her partner Bradley Cook (Image: Suffolk New College)

(Image: Suffolk New College)

Every award was sponsored at the event, and food was provided by the Suffolk Centre for Culinary Arts.

Sizewell C was platinum sponsor and University of Suffolk gold sponsor.

In addition to land-based winners - one learner – George Hall - won two awards in English and painting and decorating.

He was praised for learning some British Sign Language phrases outside of college to enable him to communicate better with a classmate.