Learning about lambing

5 February 2010

Studying at Trinity can involve learning about farming too! 

A group of our students is involved in community life in villages near Malmesbury, Wiltshire, as well as studying at Trinity. This is part of the Context Based Training pioneered by the college a few years ago. and is one option open to students.

Peter Kay, one of the group, writes:

'It's lambing season here in Woodbridge, and my wife and Ness and I have been finding about sheep farming by Rob, a local breeder of champion Cotswold sheep. We live on a farm complex, giving us real insight into modern rural life - both joys and challenges. Having been townies all our adult lives, life on a farm is often an eye-opener. In Autumn our landlord the farmer let us pick corn-on-the-cob from his field, and as well as the sheep we've got cattle wintering with us.

'We're enjoying the different sense of community here, as well as the lovely countryside. People seem to have more time for each other. We're making good friends in the church and wider community, but also getting plenty of good experience in church leadership and mission - for instance preaching, designing and leading services, and taking part a mission week last November.

'I think two key benefits of Context Based Training are how it takes place alongside the lectures, and also that it continues over the length of the whole course - much longer than a traditional placement. So we're not only inspired by college lectures on, for instance, disciple-making; we have the immediate chance to put ideas into practice, with time to develop the necessary relationships. In fact, the other week I found that even the Greek lectures became relevant to the practical side!'

Trinity has an Open Day on 13 March which features Context Based Training, giving an opportunity to find out more about it and to visit the four different communities where this training takes place: Henbury, Brentry and Hallen; Avonmouth, Lawrence Weston and Shirehampton; St Matthew's and Woodlands (Redland area of Bristol); and Woodbridge, the rural area mentioned above. 

More about Context Based Training

Photograph copyright Vanessa Kay