MEP visits revamped college

An MEP was given a guided tour of a college campus which has undergone a multi-million pound redevelopment.
(L-R) East Durham College vice principal, Graeme Blench, Paul Brannan MEP and East Durham College principal, Suzanne Duncan.(L-R) East Durham College vice principal, Graeme Blench, Paul Brannan MEP and East Durham College principal, Suzanne Duncan.
(L-R) East Durham College vice principal, Graeme Blench, Paul Brannan MEP and East Durham College principal, Suzanne Duncan.

Paul Brannen, a member of the European Parliament has visited East Durham College’s Houghall campus to speak with a number of different departments and get a guided tour of

the land-based studies college.

Mr Brannen, who is one of three North East MEPs, sits on the Agriculture & Rural Development Committee as well as the Environment, Public Health and Food Safety Committee, toured key parts of the 470-acre site.

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He looked around the £12million redevelopment facilities, due to open this September, and met with the principal, agriculture lecturers, the farm manager and also the arboriculture team - as he has a particular interest in forestry issues.

Mr Brannen, who grew up in North Shields, was impressed with what the Houghall campus had to offer and praised the staff for their hard work and dedication to land-based education.

He said: "This is an excellent educational institution which is doing an amazing job of inspiring students to learn about rural life and how to preserve and sustain the environment.

“It was inspiring to meet the staff of East Durham College, who are working so hard to improve themselves and their community.

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“I was especially interested in visiting the college farm as I am the European Parliamentary Labour Party spokesperson on agriculture, rural development and the environment.”

Work at the Durham City based Houghall campus includes a newly developed main building, a new animal care centre, a new indoor equine arena with 24 stable block and new agricultural buildings created on the site.

The development is on course to be completed for the new academic year beginning September 2016.

For more information on land based courses at the college’s Houghall campus visit www.eastdurham.ac.uk or contact our student services team on 0191 375 4710.