By Kelly Eve

Last updated at 18:16, Friday, 25 November 2011

Three Carlisle livestock experts experienced life on a different stage when they were among 800 students graduating from the University of Cumbria.

Lynne Grieve, Grant Anderson and James Little swapped the busy Harrison and Hetherington livestock sales centre at Rosehill for the more sedate surroundings of Carlisle Cathedral.

The three colleagues were among 10 students to graduate with a Foundation Degree of Science in Auctioneering and Valuations, awarded by the University of Central Lancashire, and Lynne was the only woman on the course.

James, 24, of Wigton, described the last four years of part-time study as the “hardest of my life”.

He said: “We’ve all farmed at home, held down full-time jobs and then studied part-time. It has been a hard slog but worth it.

“Often I would be getting up at six on a morning to feed the cattle and sheep before getting into work at 8.30am. I’d work until six then go home and study.

“I left school at 16 and never thought I’d do anything like this. It’s great we’ve done it together, it’s definitely been worth it.”

Lynne, who lives in Carlisle but is originally from Northumberland, said: “The course has covered everything from tax and law to animal health and welfare.

“We were asked if we wanted to do the course but if you want to do valuations on farms you need this course.”

Completing the course has also led to Lynne, James and 23-year-old Grant, from Dumfries, being made fellows of the Livestock Auctioneers Association, James added.

Emma Stoszkowski , 30, of Belle Vue in Carlisle, graduated with a BA Hons degree in photography. She now works for local photography firm Aperture.

“I think I’ve lived my life back to front so far,” she said. “I left Morton School at 16 and went straight into work. Then I went off travelling and came back and that’s when I decided to go to university. I did a foundation degree first over a year then I did the three-year BA course.

“It has been hard, particularly financially. Going from working full-time to not working is hard but you do learn to live by your means. I still live at home and so I know that has helped but now I’m living my dream.

“I fell in love with photography during my travels and now I’m doing what I love.”

Emma’s proud parents Margaret and Paul, sister Nicola and young nieces Isla and Erin were among those in the cathedral to watch her graduate this week.

Six ceremonies were held across three days – Tuesday, Wednesday and yesterday

Students were able to pick up their robes as early as 7.30am from the Tithe Barn before they were invited to the cathedral.

Students from across all of the university’s faculties and campuses – including Greenwich and Tower Hamlets in London – came to Carlisle to celebrate their graduations after completing courses earlier this year.

The Archbishop of York, Dr John Sentamu, was the presiding officer on Tuesday lunchtime and Wednesday.

On Tuesday, Dr Sentamu had the graduates applaud their families in recognition of the support they had received.

He also got academics to stand and applaud the graduates before inviting the audience to show their appreciation to staff and students.

Dr Sentamu also encouraged people to cheer as he greeted graduates on the altar beneath the cathedral’s colourful East window.

In his address, he said to graduates: “I hope you look back on your time here with great affection and pleasure. I wish you all the very best in your life.”

Tickets to join the congregation were limited so university leaders arranged for live coverage to be broadcast in the lecture theatre of nearby Tullie House for those who missed out.

• Vice chancellor Professor Peter Strike has invited local firms to work with the university amid government changes to higher education.

During his installation address, he described how the university was looking to the future after its early financial troubles and turnaround.

He also highlighted its national reputation in fields such as health, education and forestry as the young institution prepares to build on its strong heritage inherited from its predecessor bodies – St Martin’s College, Cumbria Institute of the Arts and campuses of the University of Central Lancashire.

The university and its students also face challenges as the government introduces higher tuition fees from September 2012.

“I make no secret of my dislike of the proposals,” he said. “Education transforms people’s lives and I hope that the government’s new schemes will not damage the opportunities that gives students.

“There is a challenge for us all because if young people find it difficult to enjoy those opportunities I hope that industry and commerce will give consideration to the future workforce and will choose to work with the university sector to help people develop the skills they need.

“The University of Cumbria will be delighted to work with employers to that end.”

Dr John Sentamu, the Archbishop of York and the University of Cumbria’s chancellor, hugged Prof Strike as he performed the official declaration. Dr Sentamu had chaired the panel which selected Prof Strike.

• The university awarded five honorary fellowships during this week’s graduation celebrations - veteran Cumbrian broadcaster Harry King, the county's Lord Lieutenant Sir James Cropper, TV presenter Helen Skelton and Lancastrians Jill Ward and Jeffrey Fardon.

First published at 14:05, Friday, 25 November 2011
Published by http://www.cumberlandnews.co.uk