A College Apprentice has scooped the South West Regional heat of a National SPARKS* competition that could see him test his skills in Brazil.

Liam Bennet, 18, of Ebdon Road, Worle, competed at Bridgwater College against nine South West colleges, gaining 170 out of 200 points – 30 more than his nearest rival.

Weston College Building Services and Environmental Technology Manager, Christopher Simpson, said: “Liam has done brilliantly and we’re really proud of him.

“He’s been with us since he was 16 and is now a Level 3 Apprentice working for Weston Electrical Services. The whole electrical team here and at work have supported him.

Liam is now set to compete at a national level in April at Birmingham and if he succeeds is set to jet to Rio de Janeiro later this year for the international final.

The South West Skills Campus (SWSC) on Locking Road is undergoing an £11 million investment.

In 2010, the Construction and Engineering Centre of Excellence (CECE) won a ‘National Training Award’ for the South West of England.

It delivers training in a wide range of construction occupations including, plumbing, electrical installation, carpentry, trowel trades, painting, decorating, plastering, property maintenance, as well as renewable energy courses and apprenticeships.

The CECE holds specialist workshops for training electricians along with bespoke brickwork and carpentry workshops at a resource-based learning centre with online learning available.

The CECE is also a test centre for the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) and health and safety card.

There is a 100 per cent success rate for Level 2 qualifications with around 70 per cent of CECE students finding work in industry while others enhance their DIY skills.

Former Weston College student Bradley Ash has become a professional footballer after signing with SkyBet League One club Barnsley.

The 19-year-old, who studied BTEC Level 3 Sport at Weston College from 2012 to 2014, signed for an undisclosed fee on the opening day of the transfer window.

He had been watched by scouts from a number of Football League clubs after scoring 14 goals from 13 starts for Vanarama National League South side Weston-super-Mare.

Paul Taylor, Sports Development and Performance Manager at Weston College said: “We are very proud of Brad, particularly of his latest achievement of signing professionally for Barnsley Football Club.

“His determination, technical ability and incredible work ethic will I’m sure enable him to realise his dream.”

Barnsley Football Club, managed by former Bristol City midfielder Lee Johnson, snapped up Bradley without first taking him on trial.

During his time at Weston College, Bradley represented Weston College Football Academy throughout and was awarded ‘Sports Performer of the Year’ and ‘Outstanding Male Academy of Sport Athlete’ in 2014.

While in his second year, Bradley was nominated by Weston College to attend trials for the England Colleges National Team.

After three trials he was selected to represent England Colleges, making his debut against Australia, and going on to play a further eight times including matches against Wales, Scotland, Italy and San Marino during the season. In addition, Bradley represented England in an International Tournament in Italy.

Hidden messages, secret rooms and long-forgotten décor - as Weston College progresses in its refurbishment work, the mysteries of the Winter Gardens are gradually being revealed…

Hidden spaces

1 - Not many people know that the Winter Gardens has a basement, and far fewer people have had the chance to go inside it. When we began the structural repairs, we came across the dark and damp space which runs under the ballroom balcony.

2 - In a hidden corner of the ballroom a small, cast iron spiral staircase leads into a hidden room above...

3 - Accessible by a tight window in the Winter Garden’s roof is a small void inside the dome, which runs around the top of the ballroom.

Messages from the past

1 - Inside the basement, past employees voiced their thoughts and feelings about the venue, politics, and even wrote epitaphs for former colleagues who had passed away.

2 - More humorous notes include directions to the visiting dancers at the venue…

The original floor

When Midas Group stripped back the carpet on the balcony that runs around the ballroom, they found the remains of the original rubber flooring. The art-deco patterned floor was installed to reduce the echo in this part of the building. This was covered by carpet later in the 20th century.

Raising a glass to the future

While stripping out the remaining furniture, we found the original Champagne bowls from the building’s 1927 opening. The glasses are currently being held at the Town Hall before they are moved back to their permanent home in the Winter Gardens Pavilion when the refurbishment is complete.

What’s next?

The Winter Gardens will reopen to the public in September 2017, after extensive renovation and enhancement which will secure its status as a community asset for generations to come. The public will benefit from access to around half of the total site, including a restaurant and bar, a café, and – most importantly – the ballroom, which gives the building its iconic status.