A TABLE tennis academy has served up success and returned strong numbers since launching earlier this year.

The strategic partnership between Coleg Cambria and Table Tennis Wales is focused on providing an inclusive community club programme and dedicated grassroots coaching.

Focused on all five of the college’s sites – Deeside, Northop, Llysfasi, and Yale and Bersham Road in Wrexham – the academy welcomed more than 800 people for training and fun sessions in just four months.

Regional Development Officer for North Wales Aaron Beech liaised with schools, clubs, and community organisations in a bid to find the country’s next Olympic, Commonwealth or World champion.

He said: “We have had a very busy few months and the feedback has been brilliant.

“As part of our high-performance hub we have invested in new equipment – the Yale college site now has 12 table tennis tables – and across the region we have met and trained with people of all ages.

“From students to children and older members of the community, there is a lot of talent out there, so we are trying to harness it and help people reach their potential.”

Aaron added: “We’ve had a lot of support from grassroots players and coaches across North Wales as well and are really thankful to them for volunteering their time.”

Throughout the summer, Aaron organised ‘food and fun’ sessions in Denbighshire, Anglesey, Wrexham, and Flintshire, as well as North Wales County Trials.

In collaboration with Aura (Flintshire), Active Wrexham, Denbighshire Leisure, Conwy council, Byw’n Iach, Mon Actif and primary and secondary schools, kit bags have also been distributed to prospective players, and a new relationship was forged with Disability Sport Wales.

“We’ve been holding regional and community training programmes every week and a local league, all of which have started to improve standards and provided more opportunities to play,” said Aaron.

“We’ve also started ‘How to coach table tennis’ sessions for Sports students at Yale and in December the Welsh Colleges regional competition will be held there.

“There is so much in the pipeline, we’ve made great strides and hopefully the profile of table tennis in this area will continue to grow and grow.”

Sally Jones, Cambria’s Curriculum Director for Sport, Uniformed Public Services, Business and Elite Sport, added: “This has been fantastic for our learners and also the community, the response has been so positive and there’s no doubt the Academy is providing a platform for the next generation of table tennis stars from North Wales.”

For more information, email aaron.beech@tabletennis.wales or visit www.tabletennis.wales.

Visit www.cambria.ac.uk for the latest news and information from Coleg Cambria.

AN ARTEFACT of major historic and cultural significance for north east Wales has returned to its original home.

A copy of the Wrexham and East Denbighshire Roll of Honour of the Fallen of the Great War (World War One) has taken pride of place in the library at Coleg Cambria Yale.

Early in the last century the site was occupied by Roseneath Auxiliary Hospital before being converted to a hospital for wounded soldiers and later the Memorial Hospital – where the item was first kept – from 1926 until the early nineties when it became Yale College.

It was then the roll of honour was moved to the County Museum, where it remains due to its fragile condition.

However, with the support of the museum, the college now has a physical copy of the document and there are plans to digitise it in the future.

Simon Mapp, an Academic Skills Advisor at Yale, is pleased they have managed to return the roll of honour to “its rightful home”.

“The original was kept in the hospital, which is now the college’s art block, so it’s of great importance locally,” he said.

“The library felt that, with the approach of Remembrance Sunday, it was an appropriate time to ensure the return of the book that records those young men who sacrificed their lives in the 1914-18 war, some of whom would have been pupils at Grove Park School, which to this day forms part of the Yale site.

“It will now be available to view in the library for students and staff, so we would like to thank the County Museum, notably its Archive Assistant Mark Taylor, for their help with this project.”

Cambria’s Chaplain Tim Feak added: “The library teams across all our sites do a great job in raising awareness across college communities about some really important issues and events.

“None more so than Remembrance Day, so having this at Yale and having the opportunity to see the names of the people who sacrificed their lives for our freedom really adds a layer of depth and poignancy to our reflections this year.

“Thank you so much to Simon for facilitating this, it’s a real gift to our community.”

Visit www.cambria.ac.uk for the latest news and information from Coleg Cambria.

COLEG CAMBRIA is the number one FE institution in Wales for the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE).

The north east Wales college – based in Wrexham, Northop, Llysfasi and Deeside – has seen more than 270 learners achieve the Bronze, Silver or Gold DofE Award in the last year.

And those taking part donated a staggering 3,107 hours of their own time for volunteering and charity work.

To celebrate the achievement, a group from the charity visited Cambria’s Yale site in Wrexham, including former student and DofE UK Executive Director Rebecca Kennelly, and Director for the DofE in Wales, Stephanie Price.

Following a tour led by Gold Award participants Kitty Davies and Lowri Green, who hail from the city, there was a special presentation for Gary Abnett and Alan Lowry, Cambria’s DofE coordinators, who have given almost five decades of time and commitment to the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award in Wales.

Cambria’s Learner and Enterprise Manager Rona Griffiths thanked the DofE for its support of learners over the years, notably those from challenging backgrounds.

“They helped us to focus on our provision for vulnerable students or young people with additional learning needs and even offered 150 funded places so we could deliver the courses to them, providing support and teaching new skills,” she said.

“Hundreds of students have really benefited as a result, and a lot of that is down to colleagues across all sites, led by our coordinators Alan and Gary, who have worked so hard – much of it in their own time – to empower them, to teach them and build their confidence.

“We could not be prouder of what they’ve done, and the effect Cambria has had in partnership with the DofE, in making a real difference to their lives.”

Reinforcing those words, Stephanie added: “It’s great to see so many young people from Coleg Cambria achieving a DofE Award, which is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the learners and DofE leaders who support them.

“Last year, DofE participants at Cambria collectively volunteered 3,107 hours, a fantastic contribution to their local community and charities.

“It was fantastic to be able to thank Alan and Gary for their long service to recognise the significant contribution they have made in providing DofE opportunities to learners at the college over the years.”

The final word goes to Kitty and Lowri, who spoke positively about their DofE experiences.

A former pupil at Darland High School, Lowri is studying Criminal Justice at Yale, and said: “I achieved my Bronze and Silver at Cambria and am now working toward my Gold. As well as learning new skills it has helped towards my career as I hope to a be police officer in the future.”

Uniformed Public Services student Kitty added: “I’m also doing my Gold award and being part of the DofE helped me to get work placements and employment opportunities. It’s also good for your CV and the community, which is really rewarding.”

Visit www.cambria.ac.uk for the latest news and information from Coleg Cambria.

For more on the DofE, visit the website: www.dofe.org.

TALENTED food producers headlined a multi-cultural college event for up to 100 students.

Charlotte Stanley, owner of Up a Yard in Ffynnongroyw, near Prestatyn, appeared at the Culture Collective gathering Tastes of the World at Coleg Cambria’s Ial Restaurant in Wrexham.

Charlotte, who trained as a chef at Cambria’s Deeside site, was joined by jam and chutney supremo Valerie Creusailor from Goch and Company and Sabor de Amor founder Beatriz Albo, a Big Ideas Wales role model and producer of incredible Spanish cooking sauces and condiments.

Enterprise and Entrepreneurship Coordinator Judith Alexander said: “We appreciated these local businesses giving up their time to share their inspirational start-up stories and products with us.

“It is so interesting that they all shared similar stories, recipes born from their traditional family and cultural backgrounds and the takeaway for participants was that with some hard work anyone can start their own business and be their own boss.

“Start small and build it from there, with support from the college and Big Ideas Wales.”

Chaplain Tim Feak added: “It was fantastic to see our students learning about different foods and cultures whilst also being inspired by entrepreneurs.

“It’s amazing what we can achieve when we work together and we are confident that many young people left inspired, which was our aim.”

The first Culture Collective held last year showcased different food and drink from around the world, as well as music, dance, literature, art and more.

Tim and Judith said these, and other inspirational happenings, will continue to promote unity and interaction.

For a full list of events taking place this year, email judith.alexander@cambria.ac.uk or tim.feak@cambria.ac.uk.

Visit www.cambria.ac.uk for the latest news and information from Coleg Cambria.

A GROUP of intrepid explorers will again scale great heights for charity.

Led by Karl Jackson, the team from Coleg Cambria are aiming to raise more than £1,000 for Menstrual Health Project (MHP) by taking on the Cairngorm 4000s later this month.

They will brave the elements while journeying over three days across the 4,000ft+ mountains of the region, in Scotland’s eastern highlands, and camping in the wild.

Assistant Principal for the Institute of Technology and site lead at the college’s Bersham Road site in Wrexham, Karl hopes the public will back their challenge and help the campaign, which was founded by friends Anna Cooper and Gabz Pearson.

“We are pleased to again be supported by the Anwyl Group as we take on another huge adventure for a brilliant cause,” he said.

“This is an incredible independent charity which is already having a major impact in supporting women nationwide, so we want to raise as much as we can to help them continue that amazing work.”

This latest fundraising drive comes just months after 16 staff from Bersham Road took on the Welsh Three Peaks in aid of Stepping Stones North Wales, climbing Snowdon, Cadair Idris and Pen y Fan in just 22 hours.

Menstrual Health Project’s mission is to provide practical support for those suffering with menstrual health concerns and conditionals, providing educational tools and resources.

Gabz and Anna created the organisation having struggled with endometriosis, and found nowhere to turn to for guidance and support.

“Endometriosis has impacted our lives considerably and is extremely debilitating,” they said.

“It is a constant battle of fatigue, pain, is emotionally draining and has social limitations.

“We decided it was time to use the knowledge and experience we have gathered to create something positive, channelling our passion for advocating and raising awareness, not only about endometriosis but all menstrual health concerns and conditions.”

Emma Williams-Tully, Fundraising Trustee for Menstrual Health Project, added: “We are incredibly grateful for Karl and his team’s amazing fundraising efforts and for taking on such a challenge to ensure our charity can have vital funds.

“MHP is so thankful they have chosen to support us so we can help those who need it the most through educational resources such as toolkits, educational talks and workshops.

“Being a new charity means word of mouth is essential for us so we can grow and continue all the work we do.

“People like Karl and the team from Cambria are so kind, thoughtful, and empathetic to take time out of their lives to do something so selfless.

“Thank you again for supporting us, we wish them the best of luck with this epic challenge.”

To sponsor the team from Coleg Cambria, visit the JustGiving page: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/karl-jackson-1.

Visit www.menstrualhealthproject.org.uk for more news and information from Menstrual Health Project.

COLEG CAMBRIA has launched new qualifications to build sustainable workforces and help future-proof organisations as part of the UK’s move towards a ‘green economy’.

The college’s Northop Business School unveiled a suite of Level 2 and Level 3 online courses designed to support the public and private sectors in their journey towards ‘net zero’.

Accredited by the Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment (IEMA) – the largest professional body for environmental practitioners in the UK and worldwide, with up to 21,000 members – the Environmental Sustainability Skills for The Workforce and Environmental Sustainability Skills for Managers programmes have already generated interest across the region.

They aim to provide leaders and staff with an understanding of strategic constraints and opportunities that environmental sustainability can provide.

Lecturer Peter Laurence says given the national focus on companies lowering their carbon footprint, and wellbeing and health and safety, it is a natural next step for them to pursue these qualifications.

“The courses are suited to all sectors, as all sectors have environmental targets – to different degrees – and are trying to do more to become sustainable,” he added.

“These flexible courses will look at risk and impact, challenges and opportunities and help organisations shape their strategies long-term, whether that’s in a bid to achieve net zero status – given the UK Government’s target of being net zero by 2050 – or primarily to improve their current working practices.”

Modules also highlight the importance of resource efficiency; the impact of environmental sustainability across the value chain; the impacts of pollution, prevention, control, and environmental legislation in organisations, and how employees support environmental sustainability.

Peter said: “The courses are over one and two days so it’s a small commitment timewise for what is such an important factor for any industry. They are taught remotely but can also be held in person if requested.

“We will be running them throughout the year and are the only college in the area doing so, so we hope to see even more interest in the months ahead from individuals and organisations.”

The programmes are free to anyone eligible for PLA (Personal Learning Account) funding: over 19 years of age, self-employed, or employed and earning under £29,534 per year.

A YouGov poll commissioned by IEMA found that 56% of the British public had not heard of green jobs, with 62% not understanding what the term green skills meant, and 65% said they didn’t have any access to green skills training.

Sarah Mukherjee MBE, CEO of IEMA, said: “I’d really like to encourage people to sign up to these courses. To tackle the climate crisis, we must have a workforce equipped with the training to transition to a greener economy. We need green skills in every sector of the economy.”

Visit www.cambria.ac.uk for more on the wide range of courses and qualifications available at Coleg Cambria.