Encouraging The Brightest And The Best

Last year, the Duchy of Lancaster introduced a second bursary for students at Harper Adams University – this time focusing specifically on students of Rural Estate and Land Management (REALM). The new award runs alongside the existing Duchy scholarship awarded to students of agricultural courses since 2014.

This year’s recipients have been named as Agri-Food Marketing with Business Studies student Eleanor Brook and REALM student Abigail Hicklin. Both are second year students at Harper Adams and will start their mandatory year out in industry placements this summer. Eleanor will be working with the Waitrose Farming Partnership while Abigail has secured a placement with Fisher German.

Commenting on her award, Eleanor said: “The scholarship will help me considerably during my second year of study, alleviating the pressure to find paid work for extended periods both in and out of term time. This will allow me to focus on my studies, including my assignments and exams. I am very grateful to the Duchy for their generous support.”

Abigail added: “The fact that the Duchy has chosen me as the recipient of this year’s scholarship has given me a real confidence boost and made me feel like I’m working for a purpose. I will not let you down!”

The Duchy of Lancaster invests around £30,000 each year in financial awards to students of agriculture, land management and traditional construction skills.

Students at Harper Adams University, Myerscough College, Lancaster University and Moulton College have all received financial support, study placements, work experience and post-graduate advice over the past year as part of the Duchy’s commitment to encouraging the farmers, landowners, agri-businesses and craftsmen of the future.

Commenting on the new Harper Adams bursary for REALM students, Duchy Head of Rural Christopher Sparrow said: “It is so important that we encourage the brightest and the best of this new generation into agriculture, estate management and the development of traditional crafts and skills. Their energy, enthusiasm and fresh approach is essential to rural communities and the development of new and innovative approaches to the industry as a whole.”