STUDENTS from Pershore and Evesham Colleges were among the 230 Warwickshire College Group (WCG) graduates celebrating their academic achievements at three ceremonies at St Mary’s Collegiate Church and Old Shire Hall in Warwick.
The graduates, who have spent the past few years studying veterinary nursing, arboriculture and horticulture at Pershore and graphics and photography at Evesham, donned traditional gowns, hoods and mortarboards at the Grade 1-listed Old Shire Hall before arriving with family and friends at the ceremony and presentation of awards at the 900-year-old church.
Guests of honour and keynote speakers at the ceremonies were Sir Peter Rigby DL, chief executive of the Rigby Group PLC, Timothy Cox, Lord-Lieutenant of Warwickshire and David Holmes, CEO at British Eventing.
At Friday’s ceremony, WCG’s President Chris White and CEO Angela Joyce presented a fellowship of WCG to Steve Wood, who served as a governor of WCG for 11 years and latterly as chairman for the final three years of his tenure.
Kristina Davis and Katie Locke were celebrating after achieving a HNC and HND respectively in graphic design and photography at Evesham College.
Kristina, from Evesham, said: “I have really enjoyed the course. It was exactly what I was looking for.
“I love it so much that and am continuing at Evesham to work towards a full HND this year. The graduation ceremony was beautiful and wearing a gown was great – it was a lovely day.”
Lisa Walton graduated with the Pershore College Diploma in garden design.
“I feel a great sense of accomplishment. It’s still sinking in, the course went by so quickly,” she said. “I thoroughly enjoyed the studying as it brought me together with like-minded individuals. More so in the first year, as there were plenty of practicals to complete for each module.”
Annie Webster also celebrated achieving her FdSc in veterinary nursing at Pershore College.
The 22-year-old said: “Pershore College has been a great place to build life-long friendships and has given me the opportunity and hands-on experience I needed to develop my skills in the veterinary field.
“I am starting a job at a veterinary care centre back in my hometown of Liverpool and in the future I would like to teach animal care studies.”
Course manager Celia Barradell said: “Our HND students are brimming with creative talent and really enjoy working both individually and collaboratively during their two year-long course.
“The content is creative and fun but commercially focused. As a result, we see outcomes of outstanding quality with students set up for their future career.”
Visit www.wcg.ac.uk/openevents for more information about the colleges’ courses.
