Four teams of eager students, braved the freezing conditions and represented the College this year as teams from across the town battled it out for a place on the annual Pancake Race podium.

Students from Child Care, Public Services, FENNS (Functional English for Non-Native Speakers) and First Steps competed against tough opposition from Ross Brooke, English Provender, Charles Lucas & Marshall, John Lewis, Newbury Building Society, Swift Couriers, Swings and Smiles, The Breeze and Thomas Eggar.

Although no Newbury College team was fortunate enough to get the top spot, all was not lost. After the running race, pancakes were then tossed into the crowd from the town hall balcony by the mayor of Newbury, Arthur Johnson. The winning pancake was caught by the Newbury College First Steps team.

Course Leader for Child Care, Julia Reveler said "The students have been practicing really hard and have all thoroughly enjoyed the event. Next year we want to put a staff team together as well and show them how it's really done!"

Uniformed Public Service students took part in a three day expedition as part of their course in The Forest of Dean between the 28th and 30th May 2012.

This was our third year of using Rushmere Farm campsite at Coleford and the weather was nice and sunny this year and so plenty of sun cream was needed by students and staff alike.

The first day consisted of travelling to the site, setting up the site, some sports and planning the walk for Day Two.

The 12 mile walk went well with all students completing the walk with only a few blisters. All of the groups experienced getting lost at least once which added a few miles on to the walk, but all found their way in the end. They all practiced their navigation skills and leadership and team working skills and also learnt a lot about themselves especially when confronted by a few steep hills.

Following the walk everyone enjoyed a BBQ at the campsite before an early start to Day Three when the students went to Wyedean Activity Centre to take part in a raft building exercise.  Students had to complete a competition on the River Wye with some spending more time in the water than on it.

Course Leader, Neil Metcalfe said: "All in all it was an enjoyable few days for both staff and students and enabled the classroom learning of various subjects to be put into practice."

Newbury College offers Public Service courses at Levels 1 to 3. Enrol now for September or click here to find out more.

On the 26th April 2012, Uniformed Public Services took part in a combined map reading and navigation exercise at Combe Gibbet.

The gibbet was erected in 1676 for the purpose of hanging the bodies of George Broomham and Dorothy Newman who were hanged for murdering George's wife Martha, and their son Robert after they discovered the truth of the couple's affair.

Placed in such a prominent location as a warning, to deter others from committing crimes, nowadays it is a popular local tourist attraction with good views of the surrounding area.

The weather was very windy and rainy on the day the students visited but the trip allowed the courses an opportunity to get out in the fresh air and put some of the theory learned in class and in the college ground to practice.

The group walked along the Combe Gibbet ridge for a few kilometres and were put to the test by orientating their maps to the ground and pointing out certain features on the ground using grid references.

X marks the spot at Newbury College as the Geocaching craze continues to sweep across the world.

The global game of high-tech hide and seek involves over 1.7 million caches, or "treasures", hidden at various locations all over the planet
and are located using GPS devices or smartphones.

Caches are typically small waterproof containers that contain a logbook for adventurers to record their visit and swappable trinkets such as small toys and tags.

Newbury College Communications Officer Shaun Daubney said "The College site on Monks lane is a beautiful place to stroll, relax, refresh and remind yourself that life is about exploration and learning. Since moving to the Monks Lane site 10 years ago, we encourage local residents to come and visit us and see what Newbury College and our beautiful grounds have to offer . Getting involved with the Geocaching phenomenon is a great way for us to encourage even more people to get out in the fresh air and discover some of Berkshire's beautiful landscapes whilst learning new skills and engaging with the latest technology."

There are currently over 5 million geocachers worldwide, from families and scout groups to hikers and mountaineers. More information, including a brief introduction video can be found at www.geocaching.com