To celebrate our very first Ambleside Alumni Open Day we asked for your memories of studying in the Lake District.
It is clear that Ambleside means so much to all those who studied here. These wonderful memories span many decades and across Charlotte Mason College, St Martin’s College and now as the University of Cumbria.
What does Ambleside mean to you?
I love the Lakes and plan to move there eventually. Studying at the UoC meant that I could spend time in a beautiful part of the UK, and gain qualifications at the same time! Sarah Potts 2009-2011
I still see Ambleside as my second home and visit frequently with family. Alumnus 1994-1998
Started my total love of the Lake District. Carol Capper (Crowther)
Natural beauty, lasting friendships, freedom, joyful memories, beginning of a lifelong love of teaching. Helen Clayton 1971-1974
I always loved the hills and mountains studying here was a dream come true. There is no better way to relieve a stressful day on teaching placement or the anxiety of a looming dissertation deadline than just walking out of your student house into the heart of the beautiful Lake District. Elizabeth Hurst 2003-2006
It's like a second home a place that we make our pilgrimage to. First as students, then graduates, then husbands, wives, boyfriends and girlfriends. Then as mothers or fathers and finally as grandparents. It's a place we hold dear to our hearts and it means so much to us that we want to share it with those closest to us. Sarah Addicott 1997-2001
Ambleside feels like my second home to me now. It is where I met my husband and is somewhere we return to with fond memories. Ambleside is a place with many memories and fun times where I made some of my lifelong friends. An amazing place to spend four years of my life. Rachel Scholes (Norgate) 1997-2001
Fantastic memories. Great friends. Stunning location. Andy Robertson 1999-2002
Fun memories of living on campus for the first year and making friends (some of which I keep in contact with now). Alumnus 2005-2008
Met my husband here. He lived in the room above mine in the Crescent. Now have 2 teenage boys and we’re both still teaching. Unless we win the lottery … Eluned Oliver (Fenton) 1997-2001
It is my second home. I loved my 4 years being an honorary local. Sarah Henderson (Collings) 1995-2000
The place I met the most amazing people, and the best years of my life. Treasured memories of a wonderful place. I feel lucky to have been part of the CMC community. Jennifer Connor (Bryson) 1995-99
A close knit community of students who supported each other throughout our time there and a wonderful local community that embraced us - from Fred at the bookshop to Pizza above the sportsman. Helen Alden (Furlong) 1992-1996
A place of beauty, such a change from flat Lincolnshire. It was just a teacher training college in my day but 3 wonderful years of friendship and learning. Sharon Harris (Peatman) 1964-1967
I have a lot of happy memories of being in Ambleside and studying at CMC. Maria McHugh (Julyan) 1990-1994
It has many memories but the main one being that this is the place where I met my husband. I love returning most years and enjoy a wander round, it hasn’t changed much really over the years. A visit to the Apple Pie is always a treat. Deborah Minnikin (Hill) 1991-1995
It was a wonderful time filled with warm memories of fun and lifelong friendships made in beautiful surroundings. Geraldine Liddy (McKenna) 1992-1996
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Ambleside is beautiful. I have so many memories of living here for 4 years. Made long lasting friendships here and always feel a connection to the place. When I return, I always feel like I've come home. I miss it! Kathryn Armitage (Pearson) 1996-1999
I love it. Sarah Duffy (Lee) 1994-1998
This made me. I went in a boy and came out a man, it taught me to stand on my own two feet and gave me a sense of achievement. I didn’t end up “using” my degree as I initially expected. But. The experiences have helped me throughout my life. Craig Westwood 2002-2005
Second home. Lynn Hackett (Ireson) 1993-1997
Stone. Rain. Mountains. Water. Running. Fun. Beer. James Douglas 1980-1984
What is your fondest memory of studying in Ambleside
Driving up at 6am in the winter and seeing the sunrise as I drove into a snowy Ambleside. Sarah Potts 2009-2011
So many to choose from, but my first year living in Springfield was just brilliant and I remain friends with most of the house still today with regular communication thanks to social media. I’d have to say that first Autumn and the beautiful colours, especially the big red Japanese Maple in the grounds of Scale How (steps near beehive) is still my favourite tree ever! One notable memory is the first heavy snowfall that closed Rydal Road. As a result, we engaged in a great snowball fight against many Fairfield students in the street. I also have so many happy memories about some tutors, especially dear Bob Leather and Kath Langley-Hamel from the English department as I was an English specialist. What a fabulous pair of humans! Bob and his “dancing diphthongs” have come to mind so many times during my teaching career. Alumnus 1994-1998
Enjoying the area all year round. Carol Capper (Crowther)
Views ... open space, Kelsick, sound of the beck, mist over the lake, empty streets in winter, cinema, folk club, Salutation disco... Helen Clayton 1971-1974
First year student union nights at the SU where a lot of fun. Taking long walks the next day to blow away the cobwebs was also great. Elizabeth Hurst 2003-2006
Everything! Evenings in the computer suite (writing a dissertation up in an overnight session is not recommended!), teaching practice, friends at Wansfell Halls, the Overdraft Bar, the Barn, the Airport Lounge and those brunches on a Saturday in the canteen. Every single memory, good or bad, has a special place in my heart. Sarah Addicott (1997-2001)
There are so many... Most of our weekend nights ending in the student union singing at the top of our voices to Hey Jude or Angels. The fancy dress nights, the yards of ale on the bench outside, Donkins hill and the walk home down the little lanes. What a great family we were. Rachel Scholes (Norgate) 1997-2001
Maths sessions with John were always fun and very informative. Also, driving up the steep hill for sessions up the top and picking people up on the way. Student nights out to the student union and then on to Sporties to complete the night. The way that everyone knew everyone because it was a small campus. It was like one big family. Alumnus 2005-2008
The surroundings, the people, the culture of not having to make plans just popping out, meeting up and having a good time. Elund Oliver (Fenton) 1997-2001
Being snowed into the village, the snow was waist deep. Spar ran out of food, lectures were cancelled and we went sledging down Wansfell in Bivvy bags. Sarah Henderson (Collings) 1995-2000
Using the tea trays from our rooms to sledge down the hills in the snow during a ‘snow week’ when nobody could travel in or out of Ambleside. Also, ‘Hey Jude’ playing at the end of a Friday night at ‘The Barn’. Jennifer Connor (Bryson) 1995-1999
Setting up the first women's pool team to take part in the league with the colleges at Lancaster, and all the friendships made. Helen Furlong (Alden) 1992-1996
Performing the pantomime Peter Pan. Miss Pybus for giving me my love of poetry. My first house Low Nook. Sharon Harris (Peatman) 1964-1967
One winter it snowed and we had the greatest time. Meeting my husband. Deborah Minikin (Hill) 1991-1995
When we had to push my 2CV up the hill on a very wintery and icy day. The wonderful lecturers who were always helpful and friendly. Geraldine Liddy (McKenna) 1992-1996
We dressed up as YMCA for 70s night, it was hilarious! Kathryn Armitage (Pearson) 1996-1999
Eating at Zeffirellis. Those pizzas were awesome. Sarah Duffy (Lee) 1984-1988
Shopping trolley dash, with my friends, dressed as the shooting stars cast raising money for disabled children. Craig Westwood 2002-2005
Sailing on Lake Windermere. Lynn Hackett (Ireson) 1993-1997
Early morning runs up Loughrigg or maybe just walking around Rydal or maybe sessions in the Golden Rule. James Douglas 1980-1984
I graduated in 1998 and met my husband in 1999, we met at CMC and married in 2002 in Ambleside. We didn’t move far, just to Kendal. Simon taught for 5 years, I did 22 years. Janet & Sion Thom
A group of us still meet up every summer. Initially it was just CMC graduates, then us plus new partners. 20 years on we now meet up with all our kids.
I met my husband here on my very first day. He was my student warden at Heathfield. We got married after graduation in 2003 and we had two boys. Samuel will be 19 in December and Charlie will be 17. Without St Martin’s my family wouldn’t exist. Laura Sanders 1999-2002
To read more stories about our Ambleside Campus visit Memory Lane.
To submit your own memories, no matter what era or campus you studied at, complete our form here.