SERC Students Build RSPB Stand for Balmoral Show

Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery Students at South Eastern Regional College’s (SERC) Lisburn Campus have put their skills to the test, working with RSPB to build their stand for the Balmoral Show 15 – 18 May.

The first-year students, under the tutelage of Seamus Braniff, Technical Support Officer at SERC, planned and constructed the stand.   He said, “This was a challenge for the students as the items we were making for the stand were constructed from old wooden pallets – so it was a great way of recycling something that might end up in landfill. The team made seats, a bench, fencing and a wishing well to help RSPB attract visitors to their stand so they could hear about their work.

He added, “It was a great opportunity for the students to see how their skills are essential for major events such as the Balmoral Show – which couldn’t take place without carpenters and joiners.   The bonus was that the things they made were fully recycled which has given them lots of ideas for further ‘green’ projects.”

Tim McCann, Community Team Manager with RSPB said “RSPB have been attending the Balmoral show for a number of years now and every year we rely on the great help and support from SERC in delivering our objectives to engage with thousands of people on how we “give nature a home” in NI.

“This year we have been extremely lucky in not only getting support from Animal Care Lecturer, Julie Armstrong and her students, generating income through the sale of pin badges but also for the first time, we have the fantastic work by Seamus Braniff and the Level 2 Carpentry and Joinery students at SERC in designing and building a wildlife friendly garden constructed entirely out of reclaimed pallets – proof that you don’t need to have a big space, or indeed lots of money, to bring nature into our own back garden but with a little imaginative thinking you can have a fantastic garden which attracts all manner of wildlife.

“The main attraction of the build is an amazing wishing well, furnished with bucket, rope and handles, all made from reclaimed materials. The well will feature some beautiful bee friendly plants and thanks to a quick thinking student on the team, will be used to generate some much needed income for the charity as people can “make a wish for nature” and drop their change into a collection box in the centre of the well.

He added, “RSPB rely on partnerships to ensure nature thrives in NI and are delighted to once again to be working with the entire team at SERC to ensure the future is one of hope.”

South Eastern Regional College are hosting part-time open evenings, 4.00pm – 8.00pm on Wednesday 5 June at Bangor, Downpatrick, Lisburn and Newtownards Campuses. Enrol now and transform your future with a part-time course www.serc.ac.uk #BetterOffAtSERC