The History of Askham Bryan College
A brief overview of the fascinating history of Askham Bryan College starting back before the second world war
Celebrating 75 Years
This year, the college is delighted to be celebrating 75 years of providing specialist land-based education and training to students.
A year of celebrations with students, staff, employers and other key stakeholders, will get underway in September 2023.
During the last 75 years, the college has developed a regional and national reputation and significantly grown its student and staff community and course offer.
As one of the top specialist land based colleges in the UK, it has increasingly adapted to provide the qualifications and skills that land based employers need.
The Early Years
1086 - What’s In A Name?
1936 - The Foundation Stone Is Laid
1939-1947 The War Effort
1948 - The First Student Arrive
1086 - What’s In A Name?
Mentioned in the Domesday Book, the name Askham is thought to derive from the Anglo-Saxon “Asch” meaning an ash tree and “ham”, a homestead. Anglo-Saxon England was an agricultural society, with the population living in self-supporting villages. At some point a family or group of famers cleared sufficient land in Askham Bryan to grow their arable crops (c. 480-960 acres).
Meadows were vital to medieval agriculture, valued higher than arable land since hay was the only fodder crop available to take animals through the Winter. It is thought that the Ings, to the South East of the village towards Askham Bog, is the most likely location for the 3 acres of meadow recorded in the Domesday survey.
The College was built adjacent to the village on the Ainsty Ridge in 1938 on the south facing slopes.
The 'Swinging Sixties' Begin
1960S - The Start Of A Major Building Programme
1980S - Pioneering Educcation
1990S - A Higher Education Offer
1960S - The Start Of A Major Building Programme
A considerable building programme was planned to run over several years, beginning in 1964 with completion of Conference Hall, phase 1 of the machinery workshops, Arkendale hostel for 28 students, and conversion of the old Dairy Building into labs for applied science.
In 1965 Bishopdale hostel was added and in 1968 the teaching block and phase 2 of the machinery workshops were complete. Coverdale hostel also opened and the main lecture theatre with students union and bar.
The 1960s were years of considerable expansion for the horticulture department as the courses offered moved from an emphasis on commercial horticulture, to amenity horticulture, to meet the needs of a growing industry.
The addition of “Horticulture” in the title, when the Institute was renamed the Askham Brayan College of Agriculture and Horticulture in 1967, bears witness to the new importance attached to the department.
During this period of major builds, the landscaping and planting was overseen by P.A. Hemsley, a tree expert from the Edinburgh Botanic Gardens, who had begun his career at Askham Bryan as a student. In 1978 he also took charge of the Museum Gardens in York, when the College won a contract to maintain the gardens until early 90’s.
In February 1974 the College received its first royal visit, by the Duchess of Kent.
A New Millennium
2005 - A New Equestrian Centre
2017 - Two Flagship Buildings
2021 - Looking Ahead – A Digital Evolution
2005 - A New Equestrian Centre
A new equestrian centre was opened in 2005 when horses re-joined the residential population at the College, the last farm horse having previously been sold in 1960.
Five years later the College hosted its first British Eventing Horse Trials in 2010.
As part of the course you will study and NCFE Level 3 in Sport and Physical Activity which covers a variety of units relating to the sport industry. Alongside this you will have the opportunity to choose a specialism in order to gain some industry specific skills.
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