Big news this week as the UK starts the world’s first covid vaccination programme, the largest in the history of the NHS. Some of the first 800,000 doses in the first tranch were delivered here in Sussex where the Brighton and Sussex University Hospitals began inoculation to outpatients and inpatients aged 80 and above.
In other news, last week I visited Plumpton College, which is a land-based college covering 19 subject areas including agriculture, viticulture, agri-tech, veterinary nursing and much more. The college, alongside Brinsbury, are massive assets to our area creating a pipeline of talented, skilled professionals to fill the skills gaps within our rural industries. This is vital as I have seen on my many visits to local farms and glasshouses the need for ever more technologically advanced skill sets. We now have fully mechanised dairy farms, with livestock monitored for changes in their temperature to detect illness before any symptoms arise. Our growers, are almost entirely mechanised in some cases with herbs like basil and coriander matured under differing coloured lights like a disco - which I am told helps the plant to grow, enhancing flavours and plant health.
The College is the regional lead for Horticulture, Floristry, Veterinary Nursing, Agriculture and Butchery training – and is the national provider for viticulture and oenology (the study of wines), something I very much enjoyed seeing and tasting. Our part of the world is seeing a rapid growth in wine production, especially English sparkling wine. Today some of the more established local vineyards are comfortably challenging the famous Champagnes from across the Channel in both taste and quality. Possibly one of the few benefits to our warming climate. On my visit, I learned more about this sector and even tried mixing my own wine, which is easier said than done...
I was hugely impressed by the College, which works with over 2,500 organisations who offer everything from work placements, careers support and apprenticeships – including some well know businesses and institutions like Tesco, The National Trust and Royal Horticultural Society. Such is the demand for skilled people in these industries the college has an employability rate of 92%.
This week the rhetoric surrounding the Brexit negotiations reached an all-time high with the deadline fast approaching. I know there is willing on both sides to reach a deal that works to benefit the UK and the EU and I am optimistic we will have a positive result when all is said and done. Brexit does provide us with some significant opportunities not least in our environmental and agricultural policy, which we are shaping for the first time in nearly half a century. We’re focusing on improved sustainability, biodiversity and productivity. All of which will require the next generation to learn more innovative approaches to land management and food production, only increasing the value of colleges like Plumpton. I have to say my visit left me optimistic that both our countryside and my wine rack have a bright future ahead of them.
