Celebrating 25 years

City of Bristol College celebrates 25 years

City of Bristol College Centres have been hives of activity this week as staff and students enjoyed some lunchtime fun to mark our 25th birthday.

Ashley Down, Parkway, the AEC, SBSA and finally College Green played host to the roadshow which featured free cake and sweets, music, games and a photobooth which both staff and students could participate in.

The event was to recognise 25 years since the formation of City of Bristol College, after Brunel College merged with South Bristol College in 1996 and later merged with Soundwell College and smaller establishments such as the College of Care and Early Years Education. Staff were gifted with a free goodie such as a sustainable and reusable tote bag or a recycled bamboo travel mug while students enjoyed some free sweets.

Rebekah Wilkins said: “It has been wonderful to share this momentous occasion with our staff and students across our five centres. We had the opportunity to bring people together and celebrate 25 years of history and it was lovely to see so many people taking part in the games, grabbing some props and posing in the photobooth and feast on some birthday cake, which was kindly prepared by our brilliant Catering students at South Bristol Skills Academy and College Green.”

Visitors to the event were able to stroll down memory lane and view photos from our 25-year history, with many passing comments on the technology and interesting clothing and hairstyles from the time.

“I started at City of Bristol College on the 1 April 1999 and I instantly fell in love with the College. It is a great place to study.”

Slavica Talbot, Lecturer

“I’m an ex-City of Bristol College student and now work here. I started in 2005 and had a great time, and managed to get into drama school after leaving. It is good to see how it has developed and grown over the years.”

Peter Kyriacou, Industry Placement Officer

“When I got the job, I thought it was such a great job and the team I was working with were so amazing and they always have been. Now I am retiring and moving on and I am happy to have passed on everything to someone else who is really capable and has lots of industry experience.” Chris Rydlewski, Lecturer (retired)