It is not just the land at a Shropshire farming college which is proving fertile after more than a dozen staff fell pregnant within months of one another.

That is what happened at Harper Adams University College in Edgmond, near Newport, after 13 staff all got pregnant.

Five staff are still waiting to give birth while a further eight have already becoming mothers all within the last 12 months.

The next mother-to-be, who is due to give birth on August 27, is Sarah Pickthall, 33, who is a lecturer of engineering at Harper Adams.

She said: “This is my first baby so it’s quite exciting. Strangely enough this kind of thing happened in my last place of work too.”

Meanwhile, Jaclyn Green, 31, corporate communications manager at the college, gave birth to her daughter Lana just five weeks ago.

“There must be something in the water,” she said.

“I think what has happened is brilliant. Hopefully we are bringing up the future students who will come to the college. It’s really exciting for us.”

Giving birth eight and a half months ago was Emily Chapman who is the college’s business development manager for the animal’s department.

The 27-year-old is also due to marry in a few weeks’ time.

“It might be strange what has happened but the college is very supportive of mothers going on maternity leave,” she said.

“I was one of the first to give birth so I didn’t know this was going to happen, but I’m chuffed for all of them and everyone is supporting one another.”

Another first time mother is Georgina Coley, 37, who works as an administrator in the college’s business and market department.

“I am due in January but I think I will induce early,” she said.

“I think this is really nice because it’s like one big family and we can ask each other questions. The college has been very helpful but I am a little nervous.”

Harper Adams laboratory manager Victoria Talbot gave birth to her son Daniel 15 weeks ago.

The 38-year-old said: “It’s great that everyone is healthy and supportive of each other.

“The college has been fantastic and despite any recession it goes to show that none of us are afraid to go on maternity leave because we are confident that our jobs are safe. Everyone in the college is very supportive.”

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