Just wondering if any of you fine ladies or gents went to Sparsholt College in Hampshire? One of my nephews is interested in going with regard a career in river keeping.
I have met a few students working on the banks of the chalkstreams but don't know anything of the courses offered or what they are like. He will obviously find out a lot more through the appropriate channels but I was thinking that some of you must have some inside information on becoming a river keeper.
The keeper on my beat says it's more not what you know but who you know but also speaks highly of their students and thinks it would be the place to start.
Any info would be very welcome. (might go myself - very mature student)

Reg Wyatt

Sparsholt is by far the best college, mainly because of its situation and the number of years they have been running for. Your 'knipper' (he needs to get used to being called that) will be able to have a look at the whole industry, not just keepering during his two years. I dont employ anyone who hasn't spent at least two years at Sparsholt.

The only downside with these colleges is that they produced so many post graduates for so few jobs. There will something like 128 looking for a job each May. The Agency never employs those straight from the classroom and as your friend says, most jobs are filled in house. He will, however make friends who would lie down in the middle of the road for him, he will know the optimium temperature for Newcastle Brown Ale and he will be able to roll a spliff whilst driving.

sparshalt dont turn out any graduates, all degrees from sparshalt are actually degrees from us at portsmouth university

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What's this then?

scroll to the bottom of the page... there is a bit that says "verified by university of portsmouth ", that means the course is taught at sparshalt with the input of our academics, spaeshalt is an FE college, they dont have HE status, the degree is really from portsmouth

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It means that the degree is moderated and awarded by Portsmouth.

Quote, also from the website -

"Facts
UCAS entry procedures apply - full time courses only
Institution code S34
Validated by the University of Portsmouth
Three years, full-time"

It is quite a common situation. My own post-grad was through Birmingham School of Art Education, part of what was Birmingham Poly but the degree was awarded by Birmingham University.

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I attended Sparsholt about 15 years ago and I would have to say it was a brilliant course. I done the 2 year fish farming and fishery management course and its location is excellent in terms of gaining practical experience.
True too many people chasing too few jobs but if you have good practical experience and that is what Sparsholt provided it certainly does give you an edge against others. It also a great springboard for further education. I now have a great managerial position and I know that I would not be here only for the courses they offer.

The equestrian girls are ones to watch for.... ummmmmmmmmm


I have forgotten how to roll a spliff and correct temp of Newcastle Brown Ale didnt really matter at the time.

Thanks for the information chaps. I also contacted the keeper at Nursling and told him of your suggestions. He laughed and said, "If they come from Sparsholt they will usually have a hangover, almost continually smoke roll ups, be totally skint and the male ones will attempt to shag anything that moves!"

It's becoming more and more attractive by the day.

Reg Wyatt

Just a shame they booted the Guernsey herd out of the cow shed to put in the goldfish tanks.

It was Hampshire College of Agriculture when I was there.

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A forum post should be like a skirt. Long enough to cover the subject matter, but short enough to remain interesting.

Nothing's changed then in the last 20 years. The Rack & Manger must still be doing brisk trade.

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A forum post should be like a skirt. Long enough to cover the subject matter, but short enough to remain interesting.