2007 Reunion

Due to the intended closure of Bretton Hall as an educational institution at the end of the summer term of 2007, an event was organised for alumni and former staff of the College from 1949 to 2007.

The aim was to celebrate the College’s contribution to the Arts, and the establishment’s record of academic achievement throughout its fifty-eight years.

A group of students who were studying at Bretton in 2006 formed a team to organise events for a weekend in early May of the following year. The description that follows is an extract from Anna Lavery – the team leader :

"The project became a massive part of my degree and I have recently found out that the hard work has paid off as I got very pleasing marks! My role leading up to the weekend involved working closely with Peter Jones (China) LTD, choosing the commemorative items and clothing, looking at aspects of marketing the event as well as putting together the logistics of the whole weekend. The student support was incredible with over 150 present students involved either with the fringe events, plays, the art exhibition, performing, backstage, front of house or just talking to the alumni about their days on campus.

"The weekend exceeded expectations with over 3000 visitors attending, including former students and staff who travelled from as far away as California and Canada. Each day there was a ‘buzz’ on site, which managed to capture the ethos of Bretton. The gala dinners in the evenings, especially the ‘Bretton Brit and Bafta’ night for all the students, helped people celebrate their time on campus with friends including present and past tutors. These events all took place in the massive marquee structure set in the middle of the campus grounds, which became a unique and memorable venue for this very special weekend.

"I would like to thank everybody who came across the weekend; it was an experience which is a highlight of my university life and one which I will never forget. I would like to especially thank Anthony Lowe and Melanie Armitage as well as other members of staff, students and graduates who contributed during the 2 years of planning."

Sir Alec Clegg Memorial Lecture 5th May, 2007

by Dr. Alyn Davies

Dr. Alyn Davies served as the second Principal of Bretton Hall College from 1968 to 1980, when he was appointed to the Inner London Education Authority as Chief Inspector for Further and Higher Education.

On the last day of Bretton Hall's Reunion Weekend Event he delivered a lecture to celebrate and commemorate the valuable contributions of Sir Alexander Bradshaw Clegg to education in general and, in particular, to the development of Bretton Hall College.