By Duncan Bick

Published at 11:31, Thursday, 13 September 2012

STUDENTS got a taste of campus life at Carlisle College’s freshers’ fair.

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Hundreds turned out for a warm welcome to the Victoria Place campus yesterday.

The fair featured a range of activities and services open to the latest intake and included a wide range of fun attractions to fill down time too.

College principal Moira Tattersall said: “Our induction events are always very popular with students. It is a great opportunity for them to get to know other students and find out more about the college.”

Groups with their own stands included the Lanes, National Blood Service and Cumbria County Council’s active travel team. The News & Star was also there, highlighting the student section of the newspaper’s website.

Chris Wills, an active travel adviser, enjoyed the event. His group encourages people to find alternatives to using the car.

“I have met some of the most interesting young people from a diverse background today,” he said.

“I’m pleased with the response we are getting.”

But it was the fair’s fun elements that were attracting the most attention from students.

The most eye-catching feature was a rodeo sheep.

The longest anyone couls stay on for was 35 seconds.

Dan Graham, 16, of Belle Vue, Carlisle, who is training to be a motor mechanic, couldn’t manage that long but was still pleased to have beaten his friends.

“We are just going for the ride and seeing who can stay on the longest,” he laughed.

There were other energetic events outdoors and, despite bad weather, there were plenty of people willing to given them a go.

These included a test your strength machine, jousting contests and bungee race, which saw two people tied onto a rope charging in a straight line until they were pulled back.

One participant, music student George Cooke, 18, of Brampton, commented: “That was such a rush, being pulled back was just amazing.”

As well as all the energetic activities, they could also get an insight into their future from psychic and counsellor Jane Shaw Cunningham.

Holie Edmonson, 22, of Upperby, Carlisle who is on an access course, was one of those who took part. She thought the predictions were pretty accurate.

She also praised the fair: “It was quite interesting, I think it’s good for students just to get get along and just enjoy things.”

This event was a precursor to the Lanes’ student ‘lock in’ on September 26, which will feature information stalls plus discounts across shops.

dbick@cngroup.co.uk

Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk