In The Ground For 125 Years
Essex Life|January 2018

Writtle University College celebrates its 125th anniversary in 2018 after being established in 1893 as the County Laboratories. Rebecca Hughes speaks to new Vice-Chancellor Professor Tim Middleton about the changes of the last 125 years and some exciting plans to come

Rebecca Hughes
In The Ground For 125 Years
 LOOKING through the photographic archive of Writtle University College, it’s fascinating to see Edwardians in their suits studying horticulture and the land in front of the Main Building gone over to sprouts as it embraced the effort to ‘dig for victory’. The history of this institution, located just outside Chelmsford, spans a remarkable period of time which has witnessed women gaining the vote, two world wars and the coronation of Queen Elizabeth II. During that time, it has grown a strong reputation and profile, particularly in its founding subjects of horticulture and agriculture, but the University College has since evolved into much more.

A visit to the 220 hectare estate epitomises this. The impressive Main Building nestled in manicured gardens oozes heritage. But over the road on its Lordships Campus are modern science laboratories and a high-tech sports science centre, as well as floristry and design studios. Next to this campus, leading agricultural dealer Crawfords is building a new workshop and sales depot which will give students access to the latest machinery and technology. Just around the corner, building is almost finished on a £1.5million development of an equine campus where all the facilities needed for breeding horses will sit alongside horse rehabilitation resources, such as therapy barns with smart screens, an equine water treadmill and a solarium.

A Canine Therapy Centre, complete with hydrotherapy pool and underwater treadmill, was officially opened in 2017 and is located next to the Titchmarsh Centre for Animal Studies (named after former patron Alan Titchmarsh), which is home to a vast array of exotic, companion and livestock animals.

Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Essex Life.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

Denne historien er fra January 2018-utgaven av Essex Life.

Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.

FLERE HISTORIER FRA ESSEX LIFESe alt
The rise of maskne
Essex Life

The rise of maskne

With the term ‘maskne’ becoming an increasingly common search online and on social media, Krystal Prince explains what it is and how you can control mask-induced acne

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
The forgotten lady
Essex Life

The forgotten lady

Charlotte Christie shares the life story of Anne Knight, an Essex pioneer for the abolition of slavery and women’s suffrage who’s achievements have almost been air-brushed from history

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
Stride out in the Sampfords
Essex Life

Stride out in the Sampfords

This charming, circular winter walk takes you on a tour from the village of Great Sampford to its neighbour, Little Sampford, and back again

time-read
3 mins  |
November 2020
MUCH TO TALK ABOUT
Essex Life

MUCH TO TALK ABOUT

As a presenter on Sky Music and the host of two TV talk shows of her own on Gidea Park-based Sky channel Spotlight TV, Hayley Palmer is never short of words. Nicky Adams asks her how she came to be in front of the camera

time-read
4 mins  |
November 2020
LIFE and SOUL
Essex Life

LIFE and SOUL

Radio 1 broadcaster and producer Charlie Hedges began her career as Britain’s youngest breakfast show host and is now one of the world’s most successful female DJs. Denise Marshall caught up with the Essex-based queen of the air waves

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
Lest we forget
Essex Life

Lest we forget

Remembrance Sunday will have a special poignance this month as 2020 marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. Stephen Roberts profiles how much the county of Essex contributed to the war effort and how much it cost

time-read
5 mins  |
November 2020
Lakeside Magic
Essex Life

Lakeside Magic

The Lake House, nestled in Mill End on the outskirts of the village of Bradwell on Sea, has been owned by the same family for 60 years and was once a thriving four-buoy water-ski lake.

time-read
1 min  |
November 2020
Keep on running
Essex Life

Keep on running

BBC presenter and director David Whiteley shares his insightful view on stories from across the county of Essex

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020
Cheers!
Essex Life

Cheers!

Starting to get that festive vibe? Why not plan ahead by selecting not only the drinks you want to serve this Christmas, but also ticking off a few presents too?

time-read
7 mins  |
November 2020
A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden
Essex Life

A doggy day out on… Saffron Walden

Join Ernie, the county’s most famous Westie, as he steps back in time on a trip to this medieval market town

time-read
2 mins  |
November 2020