Worleston Dairy Institute

The Worleston Dairy Institute was originally situated at Aston Hall, in Worleston, Cheshire. The Dairy Institute (a forerunner of Reaseheath College) was the first of its kind.  Below I've transcribed an article about its opening, which I've taken from the Manchester Courier and Lancashire General Advertiser on Wednesday 11th August 1886. This official opening took place a year after the Dairy Institute had started.

OPENING OF A DAIRY INSTITUTE.

Aston Hall, Worleston, which has been adapted as an institute to provide facilities for practical lessons in the improvement of cheese and butter making in Cheshire, was formally opened yesterday by a public meeting and address on dairy subjects. The project promises to supply a long felt want in the country.  Already a number of pupils have been secured. Several county landlords are paying fees for their tenants.  The annual report stated that during the brief interval that the institute had been opened the directors had received much encouragement and support. At a public meeting afterwards, Captain Cotton, M.P., and others took part in the discussion on dairying cheese; and butter making was illustrated by a steam cream extractor shown at work.

In 1914 Henhull Hall, Nantwich was purchased, and the Dairy Institute moved there in 1916. Reaseheath Hall was purchased in 1919 to form the County Agricultural School and Worleston Dairy Institute closed in 1925 when it became part of the Cheshire School of Agriculture (now Reaseheath College).

There's more information about Worleston Dairy Institute on my main site here.