U3A college students - for a day!

Twenty five members of Easingwold and district U3A experienced student life first hand on their recent visit to Northern College at Wentworth Castle, Stainborough, Barnsley.The College is an open-access adult residential college providing educational opportunities for people aged 19 and over who live in the regions of Yorkshire and Humberside, Derbyshire and the East Midlands. Courses range from basic literacy and numeracy through to Higher Education Diplomas plus tailor – made courses to suit the needs of individual students or organisations e.g. trades unions. The College is one of only four of its type in the country and is rated by Ofsted as ‘outstanding’.Our tutor and guide for the day was lecturer Steve Jones. After an easy coach journey and warm welcome we were quickly registered at reception and provided with our day course badges. We began ‘work’ in the conference room, seated in horseshoe fashion and completed the first part of our learning diaries by recording our aims and aspirations for the day.Steve, a true Barnsley character, delivered a brief but intensive history of Wentworth Castle and its noble occupants during the 17th and 18th centuries. He painted a fascinating picture of how Thomas Wentworth rose to fame and fortune under the Stuarts and became one of the most influential noblemen and politicians of his day. Wentworth’s dispute with his cousin Thomas Watson of Wentworth Woodhouse and the commenccment of the Hanoverian period led to a serious decline in his status and to his involvement with the Jacobite Rebellion. Our tutor’s humorous style and down to earth approach helped us to grasp the complexities of the topic.After taking light refreshments we began our walking tour of the castle. Though the contents of the house were sold in 1947 the interior has been sympathetically restored for use as a college and retains many of its original features. We were given a glimpse of how life must have been lived in this ‘palace of the north’ while seeing the modern facilities of the College. The tour took us outside to view the magnificent external architecture also.Lunch was kindly provided free of charge in the beautifully decorated dining room. Everyone was appreciative of the very good quality of the food. The warm sunny weather provided an excellent opportunity to tour the gardens and parkland. These are managed by a charitable trust, separate from the College and have undergone considerable improvements over many years. The 1000 acres contain the national collection of rhododendrons and azaleas together with numerous follies and monuments, a union jack garden, a deer park and stumpery. We were shown also the unique derelict glasshouse which featured in a recent BBC ‘Restoration’ programme and is about to undergo a £3.5 million makeover.Our visit ended back in the conference room for a debrief session. This allowed us to complete our learning diaries and to hear from Steve how the College changes the lives of disadvantaged students by offering pastoral care in a pastoral setting together with an opportunity to enhance their lives, learning levels and chances of employment.This had been a truly remarkable day. We had been blessed with glorious weather, an excellent tutor/guide and an opportunity to view a high quality educational establishment in a site of outstanding historical, botanical and environmental interest. The group were moved by hearing of the College’s work to make a donation to its student hardship fund.Northern College offers very good value short courses of general interest. Wentworth Castle is open for public viewing on certain days as are the gardens and parkland. Being only a 75 minute drive from Easingwold, why not make a visit or even become a student yourself?


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