Marlow are proud sponsors of the Plumpton College open day.  It is all about each department demonstrating and showing off what the college do on their courses and to promote local businesses.

For the forestry department they have a machinery demonstration and climbing demonstrations/competitions.

This year they had a spiking pole and a balance beam. The students entering the competition were on the level 3 Diploma in Forestry and Arboriculture and were a mix of year 1s and year 2s.

They were in teams of two that they picked themselves and the final competition totals worked on a points system.

The aim of the spiking pole is to get to the bell at the top of the pole in the fastest time, the pole was forty foot and the quickest time was around 15secs, so they get up there pretty quick. The combined times of the two team members were then added up and put down on the leader board. 8points for the team in first place and 1 point for those in last. (There were eight teams in total)

The aim of the balance beam is for the team of two to work together. They are attached to the same line that goes through a pulley at the top of the pole and they have to try and walk along the balance beam that is 4 foot off the ground without either end of the balance beam touching the ground. The aim is for each member to get a peg out on the balance beam as far as they can and then get back in again. One team member is working as the counter balance and realising the slack to the other member who is going out as far as possible on the beam to put the peg in. This really works on the student’s skills in branch walking and balance making sure they keep their weight in the ropes and harnesses. It also really promotes great teamwork. (It’s hard to explain exactly how it works so the photo may help!) The winning combination was the team who managed to put out their pegs the furthest and get back into the stem without the beam touching the ground.

The winning team overall for the day was Will Strivens and Dean Bell who are in the second and final year of their course. They did really well and were chuffed with their prizes donated by Marlow.

The whole competition is a great way for the students to show off their talents to the public and challenge themselves and their climbing skills. It always a highlight for the students and its great to see them sharing my passion and enjoying their climbing.

Marlow are proud sponsors of Plumpton College, for further information please click on the college link.

Marlow donated some 30m lengths of Gecko with sewn eyes to each end to both of the winners we hope this helps along the way to starting their profession!  For more information on this and other Arboriculture products take a look at our product lists here: ARBORICULTURE.