On Saturday 9 September 16 alumni along with their partners met up on the Ambleside campus for a reunion to celebrate 50 years since they started college together back in 1967.
The event was organised by Joan Ratcliffe, who visited campus back in February to look round and check locations for the potential event.
The beehive was picked as a suitable location, the large, bright space was a room that the group remembered fondly from their student days. It was the library back in 1967, with somebody who shall remain anonymous, recalling the many happy hours sat reading novels in a quiet corner when she perhaps should have been studying!
The alumni were joined by Revd Doreen Harrison who lives locally in Ambleisde. Revd Harrison was the Geography lecturer from 1961 until 1992. Clive Walkley was also in attendance, the Music Lecturer at Charlotte Mason in the 60s. Mr Walkley shared memories of his small office upstairs in Rigg Cottage, with rooms next door for music practice, each with its own piano.
A tour of the campus was given by Hollie Campbell, a 2nd year Animal Conservation student and Joanne Lusher, Alumni Relations Officer. Around the back of Scale How the good windows for escaping were pointed out. It was important back then that you picked your friends based on where they lived in the building to ensure access to the most strategically placed windows for sneaking out (and back in again) after curfew!
Afternoon tea with finger sandwiches, cream scones and cake was served in the Beehive whilst the group enjoyed catching up and sharing round happy photos of their student days.
Have you ever considered your own reunion? Perhaps you would just love to pop back to campus and have a look round? Do get in touch so we can help you reminisce about your student days. More details about reunions and events can be found here or contact Joanne Lusher Alumni Relations Officer alumni@cumbria.ac.uk telephone 01228 616391.