We are also on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/RunshawCollege), Twitter (twitter.com/RunshawCollege) and Facebook (facebook.com/RunshawCollegeAlumni)AW CO H L S L The Runshaw N E G U E
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1974 2014
RubySpecial Souvenir Edition • September 2014 Anniversary
An Outstanding Anniversary! Runshaw College was accommodate increasing student students from all around the North success. Meeting the needs of our established in 1974. We numbers. It was during this phase, West. As well as glowing praise students and providing them with an under the nationally recognised from OFSTED, and a record 19 unrivalled educational experience initially began life catering leadership of Principal Bernard students with offers to study at will always be our primary goal”. solely for school leavers O’Connell (who was later knighted Oxford and Cambridge in 2014, Simon also described the college’s from Balshaw’s High for his services to education and to Runshaw has also recently again plans for improving its facilities the college) that Runshaw started topped the Government’s league even further: “Last year we School in Leyland, and to recruit in large numbers from tables, which show that advanced completed the refurbishment of Parklands High School in surrounding towns of Blackburn, level students at Runshaw now our Library and new student study Chorley. Today, according Wigan and Preston. make more progress than at any zones, and we are now adding extra After the millennium the college other college in the country. classroom and practical space to to OFSTED in November achieved: Investors in People Undoubtedly the future is our Hawkshead sports hall. The 2013, Runshaw has been Awards, Grade 1 inspections and exceptionally bright too. Principal idea is quite simple really – we “outstanding for 20 years”! superb links with the country’s top Simon Partington commented: have outstanding students and universities. “We are incredibly proud of the they deserve to continue to have The 1990s saw the college expand Today Runshaw is acknowledged achievements, history and tradition outstanding facilities for another rapidly, as it undertook an as the finest provider of Further of this college and we are looking 40 years!”. extensive building programme to Education in the sector, attracting forward to another 40 years of AW CO H L S L N E G U E
R Celebrating 40 YearsCelebrating of Educational 40 Years Excellence of Educational at Runshaw Excellence College 1974 2014 1 Anniversary Are you, or do you know any past Runshaw Alumni? We’d love to get back in touch; please have them call 01772 643000 or email [email protected] Image courtesy of Martin Mercer Martin of courtesy Image
Some of our Class of 1974 share their memories... As this was the coolest show on TV at the time, it added to Furry’s ‘coolness score’ immensely. Sadly, Mr Furness passed away just a few years after this photo was taken.” Since Runshaw: “The lack of IT facilities back Ken Addison Martin Mercer then clearly didn’t do me Chris Dickinson Best memories: “Being at Best memories: “My form any harm, as I’ve spent Best memories: “Only working a brand new place. Red tutor, and Computer my entire career in IT. afternoons! In the first term the squirrels in the woodland Science teacher, was John I’m currently head of “upper sixth” worked mornings outside the classroom. ‘Furry’ Furness, the most professional services for and the “lower sixth” worked I did an extra year so I was inspirational teacher I ever the Outsourcing Services afternoons. I also remember actually in the upper 6th at had, and instrumental in my division of Hitachi breaking the stroboscope in Balshaw’s as well.” choosing the career that I Consulting. I emigrated my A level Physics project Since Runshaw: “I worked at have had ever since. He was to Australia in 1983, had when it overheated.” BNFL in Finance and took also notable for an uncanny two children out there, Since Runshaw: “I am now early retirement when the resemblance to Bob Harris, and returned in 1994. a Professor of Clinical option became available.” who at the time was presenter We have been living in Optometry at the University of the Old Grey Whistle Test. Penwortham since then.” of Manchester.”
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R 2 1974 2014 Celebrating 40 Years of Educational Excellence Anniversary We are also on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/RunshawCollege), Twitter (twitter.com/RunshawCollege) and Facebook (facebook.com/RunshawCollegeAlumni)
1984: Fun and Frolics at Runshaw. Images 1980: (left to right) Sports Tutor Lorraine Geogh, Ian courtesy of Elaine Benson (née Ashcroft). Barker, Paul Eales (who became a professional golfer and won a European Tour in 1994) and Allan Smith, who has worked at Runshaw for 13 years in Study Support.
Dusting off the Photo Album Do you have any great pictures from your days at Runshaw? Please share them with us! We’ve loved looking through the archives and finding so many brilliant images of the college and our past students. A picture really does paint a thousand words and can bring back so many memories. So come on, dust off those photo albums and share your pictures, whether they are embarrassing examples of fashion, old college friends or of break times on Worden Park “Hi - this is the Chemistry class about 1976? From bottom right front row we - we promise, we will cherish them all. Please email them to have David Nifton, Me (Clive Weatherby), Julie Howard, Gordon Anderson- Taylor - then my memory goes so if anyone out there cares to add some [email protected] names please get in touch. I would love to track down David and Gordon.”
“From the class of 1976. The Maths and Further Maths group.” Raymond Clarke
× Foxholes in 1998. The popular training restaurant is open to the public during term time.
Ø The old student entrance was We have always offered the very latest in technology remodelled and for our students to use. modernised in 2010.
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R Celebrating 40 Years of Educational Excellence 1974 2014 3 Anniversary Are you, or do you know any past Runshaw Alumni? We’d love to get back in touch; please have them call 01772 643000 or email [email protected]
Alumni My favourite memory....
“Studying English with our teacher, the late Paul Donnelly. He inspired me to continue my studies onto University which eventually led to my current career as a researcher at the BBC. My time at Runshaw studying both English and Media studies prepared and inspired me for this job.”
1996 2014 Amy Ford studied at All Hallows High School before studying English Language and Literature, Media Studies, Performance Studies, RE, Philosophy “I loved Runshaw! I have lots of good and Ethics A-levels at Runshaw 2002 - 2004 memories from Runshaw days: student Amy is currently working on BBC1 programme theatre, Alan Ayckbourne and Willie Coast, previously having worked on the One Russell in particular. Then there was the Show, Crimewatch and Countryfile. dancing with the Scottish Ballet. My love of modern languages, and English Literature. Not to mention all the good work done in “I loved Runshaw far more the students’ union to help with students’ than school, or even uni. We needs. Everything set me up nicely to go to were all great friends, & there Cambridge and then do the work I do now in was always someone to meet Switzerland.” up. Finally being given a bit of Pav Akhtar studied at Tulketh High School before freedom & learning something taking A-levels at Runshaw 1994 - 1996 you were actually interested Pav went on to study at Cambridge and was President of the Cambridge Students’ Union. He later became a in was brill... I would go back Labour Councillor for the London Borough of Lambeth, tomorrow!” and now lives in Geneva, working as Director for Julia Jacques studied at St. Michael’s before taking Professionals and Managers for UNI Global Union, GNVQ Science at Runshaw 1998 - 2000 working to ensure workers’ rights are protected.
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R 4 1974 2014 Celebrating 40 Years of Educational Excellence Anniversary We are also on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/RunshawCollege), Twitter (twitter.com/RunshawCollege) and Facebook (facebook.com/RunshawCollegeAlumni)
“Mr Banks’ Biology lessons, making the minutest amounts of TNT in Chemistry, an awakening passion for understanding human psychology, club nights at The Park nightclub, end-of-term drinks at The Fox and the brilliant bacon butties in the Refectory.”
Mukund Lad studied at Penwortham Priory High School before taking Chemistry, Biology and Psychology A-levels at Runshaw 1995 - 1997
“I had a great time at Runshaw! I can remember being taught Psychology by a great teacher called Michelle for my two years. And my favourite classes by far were PE with Angela and Sarah. I remember 2000 2014 going on the mountaineering “Runshaw College is where I expeditions and having the best few really began to enjoy education. days with great friends - I hated My fondest memories are of the mountain climbing but I guess the various Spanish exchange it prepared me well for a life in the programmes we had with jungle! Oh and those freshly baked Liceo Villa Fontana School in cookies - they were the best.” Mostoles.” Becky Cliffe studied at Priory Sports and Technology College before studying A-level Psychology, Biology, Chemistry Luis Canosa came to Runshaw from Leyland St. Mary’s and and Physical Education at Runshaw 2006 - 2007 studied A-level Economics, Law and Spanish 1999 - 2001 Becky is now a zoologist working at the Sloth Luis graduated from University College London Sanctuary of Costa Rica. Becky has featured in the with LLB Law with Hispanic Law, and is currently award winning documentary ‘Meet the Sloths’ and a Royal Navy Commando Officer working at Royal ‘Too cute! Baby Sloths’ for Animal Planet, and has Naval Air Station Yeovilton in Somerset. filmed an eight episode sloth series for Discovery.
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R Celebrating 40 Years of Educational Excellence 1974 2014 5 Anniversary Are you, or do you know any past Runshaw Alumni? We’d love to get back in touch; please have them call 01772 643000 or email [email protected] NotableAlumni © Martyn Harrison Joe Gilgun David Unsworth Actor Professional Footballer Even before college Joe had played David was a professional footballer from Jamie Armstrong in Coronation 1991-2009, earning an England cap in Street. He went on to star in This is 1995. He now coaches Everton u21s. England as Woody, and Eli Dingle in Emmerdale. He played the central character, Rudy, in Misfits on Channel 4 and appeared in the Tom Bidwell Amanda Roocroft BBC’s Ripper Street and Lockout. BAFTA and Oscar- International Opera Singer nominated Writer Amanda Roocroft has secured Tom’s first play, Risky & Fluke, won an international reputation as the Sunday Times NSDF Award one of Britain’s most exciting and recently finished a tour of singers. In concert she has Europe. His radio play Things To Do appeared with leading orchestras Before You Die was aired on BBC throughout Europe and North Radio 4 to great acclaim. Tom was America. Amanda also won the nominated for an Oscar in the short 2007 Laurence Olivier Award for film category for Wish 143, the story Outstanding Achievement. of a 15-year-old cancer patient who Hywel & Jamie is granted one wish before he dies. Radio DJs Tom was also nominated for a BAFTA for E4 comedy drama ‘My Ex-Parklands students Hywel Evans Mad Fat Diary’. He has also written and Jamie Atherton have hosted the for Doctors, EastEnders, Casualty breakfast slot on Rock FM since 2011, and Holby City. having previously hosted on BBC6 Music. They also have weekend slots on Key 103 and Kerrang! Radio. John Thomson Actor and Comedian While at university, John met Steve Coogan, working with him on Spitting Image. They would continue to collaborate on Coogan’s Ansett Richard © BBC – Photographer: Run, the Paul and Pauline Calf video diaries (where he played ‘Fat Steve Pemberton Bob’) and Knowing Me, Knowing Actor and Comedian You... with Alan Partridge, which he Steve is an actor, comedian, writer also contributed to writing. The two and performer, and is a member of won the Perrier Comedy Award in The League of Gentlemen, which 1992 for their act at the Edinburgh has seen Pemberton awarded a Fringe. British Academy Television Award, John has also appeared in the a Royal Television Society Award BBC sketch series The Fast Show, and the prestigious Golden Rose of Lloyd Cole Ted & Ralph, Soldier Soldier, Men Holly Bleasdale Montreux. Steve’s other TV credits Musician Behaving Badly, Cold Feet, The Track & Field athlete include Whitechapel, Doctor Who, Lloyd is a singer and songwriter, Perfect Match, New Street Law, Holly specialises in the pole vault. Benidorm, Under the Greenwood known for his solo work as lead Coronation Street and Waterloo She holds the British Record for the Tree, Hotel Babylon, The Last singer of Lloyd Cole and the Road. event and is also the current (2013) Detective, Randall & Hopkirk Commotions, and for his subsequent European Indoor Champion. (Deceased), Shameless and Poirot. solo work.
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R 6 1974 2014 Celebrating 40 Years of Educational Excellence Anniversary We are also on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/RunshawCollege), Twitter (twitter.com/RunshawCollege) and Facebook (facebook.com/RunshawCollegeAlumni)
Samantha Robinson Tim Farron MP Damian Brown Jessica Taylor and Actor MP for Westmorland and Chef Kevin Simm After Runshaw Samantha gained a Lonsdale Damian is Head Chef and co-owner place at Rose Bruford College and of the 2AA Rosettes Chesil Rectory, Members of Liberty X Before winning the Westmorland has appeared in Casualty, Doctors, Winchester and Executive Chef at Liberty X achieved ten consecutive and Lonsdale seat in May 2005, Five Days, Holby City, The Girls The Three Tuns Pub in Romsey. UK Top 20 singles, and various Tim worked as a senior manager at Who Came to Stay, Shameless, His culinary skills have secured charting singles worldwide, meaning St Martin’s College at Ambleside, Jamaica Me Crazy and Island at War a string of accolades and awards. that these runners-up of Popstars Lancaster and Carlisle. In 2006 amongst many others. Samantha was Having trained at Runshaw College were commercially more successful Tim became Parliamentary a Laurence Olivier Bursary award and Northcote Manor, Damian than the winners, Hear’Say. Private Secretary to Party leader winner 2001. spent time under the wing of They disbanded in early 2007 Ming Campbell. Following the Most recently, Samantha was seen Michelin-starred chef Billy Reid, but reformed in 2013 for the election of Nick Clegg as Party at the Lantern Theatre in Order by then went on to work in some of ITV2 documentary series The Leader, Tim was promoted to the Martin Derbyshire, and a revival of Britain’s best kitchens including Big Reunion. During the group’s Lib Dem Shadow Cabinet. Tim Can’t Stand Up For Falling Down Marco Pierre White’s L’Escargot and hiatus Jessica Taylor took part in was then elected the national by Richard Cameron, both directed the Michelin–starred Vineyard at the BBC’s Strictly Come Dancing President of the Liberal Democrats by Ruth Carney. She is currently on Stockcross. Damian says, “Without and Dancing on Ice and was signed in November 2010 winning 53% tour with the Northern Broadsides Neil [Cruickshanks] and the catering in 2009 as the face and body of of the vote. He was re-elected theatre company with their show, team at Runshaw I wouldn’t have the company Ultimo. She is married to unopposed in autumn 2012 and The Grand Gesture. career I have today”. England cricketer, Kevin Pietersen. will continue for the full term until handing over the role at the beginning of January 2015. © itv/MammothScreen Sean Rigby Actor Mark Birchall Sean graduated from LAMDA in Chef 2012. He plays Police Constable Lorraine Norris Mark Birchall went on from his Strange in the Inspector Morse Chief Executive, Preston training at Foxholes to become the prequel Endeavour, now in its Head Chef at restaurant L’Enclume second series on ITV1. When asked Council in Cumbria and win the Roux Graeme Ballard in an interview when he decided to Lorraine attended Balshaw’s before Scholarship 2011. L’Enclume has Athlete become a professional actor, Sean coming to Runshaw to study. She been named the best in the UK. Graeme is an English Paralympian replied: “It was when I was about 17 now oversees 1600 staff in her role. The restaurant in Cartmel took the athlete. He is the British world or 18 while I was studying performing She has direct responsibility for top spot in the Good Food Guide record holder for the T36 100m, and arts [at Runshaw]. I applied and was Regeneration, which comprises of for the first time, beating Heston has won bronze and silver Olympic fortunate enough to be accepted into Economic Regeneration, and Policy Blumenthal’s The Fat Duck in medals. LAMDA.” and Communications. Berkshire into second place.
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R Celebrating 40 Years of Educational Excellence 1974 2014 7 Anniversary Are you, or do you know any past Runshaw Alumni? We’d love to get back in touch; please have them call 01772 643000 or email [email protected] From theArchives
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R 8 1974 2014 Celebrating 40 Years of Educational Excellence Anniversary We are also on LinkedIn (linkedin.com/company/RunshawCollege), Twitter (twitter.com/RunshawCollege) and Facebook (facebook.com/RunshawCollegeAlumni) The Ellison Family: Runshaw Legends Runshaw Study Zone Advisor Martin Ellison is not only one of our class of ’74 but he and his family also have incredibly close ties to the college.
Starting as one of Runshaw’s first ever cohort in September 1974, Martin studied English Literature, History & Economics and remembers how different the college was back then: “We used to have a computer department that was about the size of a broom cupboard and I always used to wear the standard 1970’s outfit of Penny-collared shirts, tank-tops, high-waist pants and platform shoes!”
After studying an introductory year of his degree at Runshaw Business Centre on Wigan Road, Martin worked part time in an enrolment office and undertook exam invigilation to supplement his student grant as he moved on to study American Studies and English at UCLAN. It was shortly after graduating that Martin started working part time in the Runshaw Library which gradually led to a full time post and a recent progression on to a Study Zone Advisor post, and the rest, as they say, is Runshaw history!
Remarkably Martin’s link to Runshaw does not end there, as the following members of his family have either worked at Runshaw, or passed through our doors:
Mandy Ellison Both Martin’s children, Kitty & Joe, Katie Ellison (now Jan Ellison (Martin’s Robert Ellison (Martin’s (Martin’s wife), is an studied A levels at Runshaw with Kitty Holliday) (niece) is sister-in-law), worked brother), worked with Educational Support working at Runshaw as an ESW for 18 currently an English as a library assistant the Schools Liaison Worker (of over 20 months. teacher at Runshaw. and is now retired. team until retirement years service). earlier this year.
Martin and the rest of the Ellisons are true Runshaw legends, and we salute them! AW CO H L S L N E G U E
R Celebrating 40 Years of Educational Excellence 1974 2014 9 Anniversary Are you, or do you know any past Runshaw Alumni? We’d love to get back in touch; please have them call 01772 643000 or email [email protected] Runshaw Students return to help the next generation and beyond
Tim Cahill Joanne Crawford Lee McFarlane High School: Leyland High School: Penwortham High School: Balshaw’s C of E St. Mary’s Girls’ High School Studied at Runshaw: Studied at Runshaw: Studied at Runshaw: A-levels A-level Religious Studies, A-levels in English, Law in Psychology, Business English Language and and European History Studies and English Language Literature, General Studies Between: 1998 - 2000 Between: 1994 - 1996 Between: 1996 - 1998 Your fondest memory of Your fondest memory of Your fondest memory of Runshaw: My teachers Runshaw: Really fun lessons Runshaw: It being an David Jakubovic and the with fantastic, personable environment committed to late great Paul Donnelly. teachers. I loved the trips and learning and achievement. What you are doing now? enrichment activities too. What you are doing now? I look after Schools’ Liaison What you are doing Educational Support Worker. and 16-19 Marketing at now? I have been a Runshaw, and work with NQTs Psychology Lecturer at in our partner high schools. Runshaw for 12 years.
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Rosie Hiles Natalie Holme Sharon Alder Will Sutton High School: All Hallows High School: Balshaw’s C of E High School: Parklands, High School: Hutton Catholic High School Studied at Runshaw: A-levels in Chorley Grammar School Studied at Runshaw: BTEC Biology, Psychology and Textiles Studied at Runshaw: Law, Studied at Runshaw: Hospitality National Diploma in Sports Between: 2005 – 2007 English, Economics, and Professional Cookery and Exercise Science Your fondest memory of Psychology A-level Between: 2002 - 2005 and Diploma in Personal Runshaw: I really enjoyed Between: 1990 - 1992 Your fondest memory of Training NVQ Level 3. being a student here and Your fondest memory Runshaw: Training in Between: 2009 - 2012 loved the subjects I chose to of Runshaw: Really Foxholes and working Your fondest memory of study. It’s changed a little since interesting law lessons! at the Themed events Runshaw: The group I was a student but when I Inspiring teachers, they What you are doing now? of friends I met on the walk around campus I feel were a large part of the Trained and worked as Personal Training course. very nostalgic, particularly reason I now am one! a teacher in Hospitality What you are doing now? in the Dalehead canteen. What you are doing now? and Catering from 2009- Working at Runshaw What you are doing now? Head of School of Law. 2011 before transferring College, Adult Admissions. I work as an A-level to the A-level Programme Pastoral Mentor. as a Pastoral Mentor.
Andrew Gibbins Christine Caunce Clare McLeod High School: Worden High School: Balshaw’s C of E High School: Leyland High School Studied at Runshaw: St. Mary’s Studied at Runshaw: A-level English Literature, Studied at Runshaw: A-levels A-levels in Law, Sociology Economics, shorthand and in Business, Law and Spanish and Accountancy typing (and A-level Law at Between: 1998 - 2000 Between: 1993 - 1994 XLC as an adult student) Your fondest memory Your fondest memory Your fondest memory of of Runshaw: Studying of Runshaw: The Runshaw: The relaxed A-level Business with residential to Butlins! atmosphere and hanging Pete Sidebottom along What you are doing now? out in the social area with with lectures from Steve Teaching Media Production. my friends (only in free Wastel - legends! periods of course!) What you are doing now? What you are doing now? CIT leader for A-level Programme A-level Business. Administrator.
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R Celebrating 40 Years of Educational Excellence 1974 2014 11 Anniversary Are you, or do you know any past Runshaw Alumni? We’d love to get back in touch; please have them call 01772 643000 or email [email protected] Building for the future Not expansion, but improvement for our students
Employability Skills Centre to teach essential skills to gain employment
This building is the replacement for ensuring that vital employability they can gain these skills for their areas. Additional specimen trees the Borrowdale building. The new skills can be gained via access to future employment. have already been planned in all building will be the first on the site presentations, one to one and group All access to the building will potential gaps on the Langdale being constructed to the latest BREEAM sessions, IT facilities, specialist be via double doors to the rear Road boundary to enhance and Excellent sustainability standard. external presenters etc. The of the building, to help reduce screen the area. The aim of the project is to bring outcome is to ensure students are any potential noise levels and in some large open space areas that aware of what employers want and movement of students during the have great flexibility. This will aid need from their employees and how day further into the college’s central
The North West’s Best Sporting College gains state-of-the-art £1.2million Sports Annex During June 2014, the new Hawkshead Sports Annex will have been completed. This state of the art facility will allow the relocation of the vast majority of the School of Sport into one central location. This building is designed to suit current and future needs of students with: • Extensive environmentally friendly facilities to reduce our carbon footprint • Latest information technology, with built in flexibility • Specialist anti-glare windows and blinds • Latest security, fire and CCTV systems for 24/7 monitoring • Fire lifts, accessible toilets and good contrasting colours to aid all potential users who may have special needs • Separate staff facilities. This facility will assist with maintaining the college at the cutting edge of educational practices that ensures we continue to be an outstanding college, with a fully comprehensive programme for all.
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