Brooksby Hall groundsman is awarded British Empire Medal

General newsin Schools & Colleges

A groundsman who has worked at Brooksby Melton College's Brooksby Hall for more than half a century has been awarded a British Empire Medal for service to horticulture and land-based education.

Christopher James Willder (70), who lives at Asfordby, still works part-time on the land around the 16th century manor house and the Brooksby Melton College campus.

He said: "I'm quite honoured to receive this award. My brother John was awarded a medal in the honour's list a few years ago for services to teaching so it's nice for the family to get another one."

He first got involved in work on the land while helping his father on his smallholding with animals and poultry off Dalby Road in Melton while he was growing up.

Mr Willder, who started work at Brooksby Hall 54 years ago, said: "The work has changed tremendously in that time.

"There were 15 students when I first worked there and it was just a farming and agriculture college.

"Now there are 400 students and about 40 different courses. We also don't have the amount of staff we used to have. I've always enjoyed the work, though, because I like to work outside."

Full article in Melton Times

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