Kildare & David Lawson scholar: Henry Thorpe

Henry Thorpe, fourth year Agricultural Engineering BSc (Hons) student, and recipient of the Kildare & David Lawson Scholarship.

“Due to my active role within the family farm at home, I incur high traveling costs, as well as paying rent on a small flat in Newport which I occupy during the week. The financial element of the scholarship means a tremendous amount to me as a student, because it allows me to continue with my studies with less of the day-to-day worry of paying for rent and traveling expenses”, says Henry, 22.

“Since being born on a small family farm in Herefordshire I have wanted to be involved in agriculture. Over the years I have taken a keen interest in the daily running of our own farm as well as undertaking more farm work in the local area. Following my A-levels in 2014, I spent some time abroad, where I was involved in a diverse range of mixed farming activities from combining and spraying to cattle work and fencing.”

Henry, from Lucton in Herefordshire, has considerable work experience under his belt already, having undertaken a full placement with JCB prior to enrolling at Harper Adams.

“My passion for engineering grew out of the farm workshop at home and has developed throughout my farming life. It was this which lead me to a career within engineering. Following my involvement within engineering at JCB and with my underlying roots in agriculture, I felt that the Agricultural Engineering course at Harper Adams was the right choice for me.”