Stockbridge Technology Centre

Stockbridge Technology Centre
Cawood
Selby
North Yorkshire
YO8 3TZ
Contact: Julian Davis
Tel:01757 268275
Email: enquiries@stc-nyorks.co.uk
Web Site:

Stockbridge Technology Centre Ltd

Stockbridge House has been a centre for the development of improved horticultural crop production techniques since 1950. Over the years, the staff have established an excellent reputation for the delivery of high quality R & D that meets the day to day needs of the growing industry.

The combination of facilities at Stockbridge House is unique within the UK . There are 180 acres of good quality irrigated land capable of growing most horticultural and arable crops. There is also a protected crops unit consisting of over 40 modern glasshouses (ranging from 12 to 1000m2) suitable for small scale studies and commercial production trials.

From April 1 2001 the site has been the home of the Stockbridge Technology Centre Ltd (STC). This new centre of horticultural excellence is a grower-led initiative that has been supported by both production and supply sectors of the industry. The STC will be managed by   a Chief Executive and three Business Managers, who will be assisted by a large team of highly respected scientific and support staff for the delivery of high quality contract R & D to a wide customer base. A formal customer-based liaison committee will ensure that the STC continues to serve the needs of UK horticulture. The business will be organised in 3 main areas.

Agronomy

Sustainable Systems

Crop Protection

Diagnostic / Plant Clinic services Efficacy evaluation of pesticides (registering for “Official Recognition) Crop sensitivity to new pesticides Residue studies (registering for “GLP” status)

The Stockbridge Schools Project

This project started in March 2003 aims to re-connect children with where food comes from through practical, fun based activities. The project is funded through the Selby Leader+ scheme and funding is committed for 3 years. Commercial funding has been obtained from Rijk Zwaan   (seeds) English Village Salads (growers) Bulrush Horticultural (peat supplier) Yorkshire Bank and Yorkshire Agricultural Society. Stockbridge Technology Centre is based at Cawood near Selby in North Yorkshire

And is a horticultural research and development company specialising in projects on glass house and field crops.

The project involves 12 local primary schools in the Selby District with a group of 8, 9 or 10 year olds coming on four occasions to learn about growing vegetables, salads and strawberries. All the activities are carried out on one field at Stockbridge where 2 polythene tunnels have been erected with one being used as an “outdoor classroom” and the other for growing tomatoes in grow bags.

At each visit the children sow seeds, plant crops or harvest crops with sowing planting and crops carefully selected to expose the children to a wide range of crops. The children have grown potatoes carrots onions from seed and sets, 5 types of lettuce, 3 types of cauliflower (green smooth, romanesco and purple), 3 types of cabbage (red, savoy, and white), 3 types of courgettes (round, green and yellow) peas and French beans. Photographs are sent on a cd between visits to show children how the plants are growing.

The project is managed by Julian Davis with 3 part time teachers employed to deliver the sessions to ensure all activities are linked to the National Curriculum. In between visits the staff at Stockbridge look after the plants with sprays used to control weeds and pests. All travel arrangements are made by the project manager who liaises between the schools and the coach company.

The 4 visits are for 2 hours on each occasion in late March, late May/early June early July before the summer holidays and in mid September. Open days are also held on Saturdays in mid July and late September where children   are invited to bring along their families to see what they have been doing and to take home more produce.

Plans are being made to expand the scheme in 2004 to include 20 school groups and to allow the children to undertake small projects, relating to science and investigating growing conditions. In addition, at the suggestion of Rosie Denison the regional “5 a day” co-ordinator, it is hoped to undertake a project to monitor the effects of the project on children’s attitude to and consumption of vegetables and salads as a result of this intervention. A local celebrity chef has offered to come and demonstrate cooking skills to each group in 2004. He has offered to do this to encourage children to learn more about cooking and trying to interest them in a career as a chef.

For more details please contact:

Julian Davis on 01757 268275 or e-mail juliandavis@stc-nyorks.co.uk

Key Words
Sustainable Systems Agronomy Organic National Curriculum.