Breaking News!

Friday, 18th December 2020 - news that Newton Rigg College, Penrith, CA11 0AH will be no more.    News did not break until Friday morning.    The college campus will be sold in July 2021.    Many of the staff only discovering the closure this morning.    

This is terrible news.

  • Newton Rigg has been provider of specialist land-based further education since 1896.    Originally named the Cumberland and Westmorland Farm School the college became Newton  Rigg College in 1992.    The first building, a farmhouse, is still used for administrative and educational purposes.   The campus, gardens and arboretum spread over a vast site close to the M6 Motorway.
  • 1998 the college was merged with the University of Central Lancashire
  •  2007 the University of Cumbria took control.
  • 2010 a grant was received for £3,000,000 to establish a National Centre for the Uplands to lead training, research and dialogue in hill farming and land management.
  • 2014 Newton Rigg College became part of Askham Bryan College, York.
  • Subjects taught include:
  • Agriculture                                                     
  • Animal Management
  • Land Based Engineering
  • Forestry and Aboriculture
  • Equine studies
  • Game Keeping
  • Outdoor Adventure Sport
  • Floristry
  • Horticulture
Horticulture is close to my heart.   To say I and my fellow students were sad to know that our group will be the last to study at Newton Rigg is an understatement.    We took a photograph, with two of our wonderful tutors, to mark the day.   All socially distanced.     RHS II Practical Horticulture Class of 2020/21.


Rumour has it that the site will be sold for housing.    No one seems sure what will happen to the Hill Farm, Mungrisedale or the Dairy Farm, Penrith.    Dr. Neil Hudson, Conservative MP for Penrith and the Borders, released a statement - "I am deeply saddened that the strategic review of Newton Rigg College has not been able to approve any of the bids that came forward" to purchase the college.    "I will not give up. We will not give up. Penrith needs Newton Rigg. Cumbria needs Newton Rigg. The UK needs Newton Rigg".


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