Motor vehicle students go back in time!

Daniel Goodenough, aged 17, is studying the Motor Vehicle City & Guilds 3901 Certificate in Basic Motor Vehicle Maintenance. He was one of a party of students and tutors who headed for Stondon Motor Museum, Bedfordshire and he shares the best aspects of the trip.
“I really enjoyed the trip and found it very interesting to see the differences in vehicles through all the different years of motoring history.
The most interesting thing was the different shapes of the early cars and then seeing how the shapes became more aerodynamic as times progressed. It was also fascinating to see how the old types of engine were very large but not very powerful and how different engines have been mounted in different areas of the vehicles.
On one car the engine was mounted on the front left wheel and the car was driven from there.”

Celebrating diversity in Neasden

The National Diploma in Care year 1 students went to Neasden Hindu Temple as part of their studies in equality and diversity. The group has been researching and discussing different cultures, religions and ways of life.
Tutor Helen Rose Wilson explains: “The Baps Shri Swaminarayan Mandir was the first Hindu temple in Europe and is the biggest outside India. It has been constructed using limestone from Bulgaria, marble form Italy and carved by over 1,500 men shipped in from India to complete the work. There is no steel at all within its structure and much of the inside is wood and marble; it took three years to complete. The place is absolutely breathtaking both inside and out, and well worth a visit.
We learnt about the history of Hinduism and how its ancient thinking has shaped the way we live today. Many years ago the Hindus were well advanced in specific mathematics and time measurements, around which ours are formed, as well as the sciences including physics, astronomy and medical surgery. We gained insight into three of their main beliefs 'caring for animals', 'caring for humanity' and 'caring for nature'.
The group was also able to attend a religious ceremony 'festival of lights'; it was a real insight as well as a calming and uplifting experience.
To complete the day we travelled to a local Indian community looking at clothing and footwear, ornate jewellery and of course tried some of the local cuisine.
A totally enjoyable day was had by all.”