Call to Save 'Jewel In The Crown' After Candidate's Visit To Pershore College

12.54.32pm GMT Tue 16th Jan 2007

Pershore College is the 'Jewel in the Crown' for horticultural studies and should not be merged with Warwickshire Colleges, said West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat parliamentary candidate, Richard Burt, following a visit to the college last week.

Mr Burt, who had already raised concerns about the proposed merger, was given a tour of the college and had talks with College Principal, Heather Barrett-Mold and her Deputy, Gavin Teasdale.

Richard Burt said: "I was staggered to learn that Pershore College currently caters for nearly 5000 full and part-time students on land-based courses. The college has a very high reputation nationally, attracting students from all over the country and makes a huge contribution to the high reputation enjoyed by the county for quality horticultural production.

"It cannot be right to allow Pershore College to become an annexe of a Warwickshire group of colleges. Neither is there any clear demonstration that a merger would enhance or improve the security of future land-based provision in Worcestershire. There would be nothing to stop Warwickshire College selling off Pershore assets to protect their own courses in the future.

"Pershore College will break even this year and can begin to pay back loans in 2008/09, so why is there no alternative to the merger being offered in the consultation document? It seems to me that the whole matter has been rushed through without adequate time for a measured response from staff, students and governors."

Consultation response forms can be obtained from Amanda Berry, Learning and Skills Council Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Progress House, Midland Road, Worcester, WR5 1DU or by emailing amanda.berry@lsc.gov.uk.