THE open day at Duchy College, Stoke Climsland, proved very popular at the weekend, with over 700 members of the public attending taking part in a large and varied programme of events and entertainments throughout the campus, and a chance for visitors to meet the staff and explore all departments.

Farm tours by tractor and trailer left for the college farm every twenty minutes for those interested in seeing farm livestock and husbandry techniques at the college. In the machinery workshop area there were more livestock and farming displays, plus home grown vegetable sales. Machinery workshops and a digger challenge were also available for the more mechanically minded.

The Equine Depart­ment put on yard tours and a programme of riding displays including jumping skills, which drew large crowds of spectators. Smaller animals from goats to guinea pigs could be visited in the Animal Management Centre, which held reptile encounters and dog grooming sessions, while even smaller creatures could be investigated during pond dipping sessions at the lake.

Sporting activities included free archery sessions, assault course, Nintendo Wii fit games in the sports hall, climbing and abseiling on the climbing tower and free rides on a rodeo bull.

Quieter pastimes were on show with the creative techniques exhibition featuring interior design, patchwork, embroidery and soft furnishings, while the Skills for Life area offered free giant sudoku amongst a range of educational games, free face painting and sales of home grown plants from the students' own garden, which was also open to the public.

The Pathfinder students had made 22 different beautifully dressed, named scarecrows that had been placed at points all around the campus for young visitors to find in a special scarecrow hunt.

Further activities, from gardening to willow weaving, were on offer with the Forest School and Early Years departments, while the Business Department held a helium stick competition and a communication exercise. In the Food department there was a chance for people to create their own sausages and taste the latest produce from Ginsters, Tamar Foods and Kensey Foods.

Hour-long campus tours in glorious sunshine, and the chance to ask about college life in the Learning Centre, ensured that potential students were given a comprehensive introduction to life at Duchy College.

Dave Linnell, Principal of Cornwall College, said: "Duchy College staff and students worked hard together to create a wonderful family day out. The combination of a modern campus and its attractive rural setting, together with the great team spirit at Duchy, mean that the college can be proud to showcase its many achievements. We look forward to welcoming the new student intake next term."