Totley Hall Training College

As it is anticipated that the college on the Totley site will close this summer, I felt that I should write down a few memories of those early days, something that I have been meaning to do ever since I retired twenty years ago.

SOME KEY DATES.

1950 September 11th, Totley Hall College of Housecraft opened with twenty-seven Students.

1951 December. new dining room and catering kitchen opened.

1952 May, first of the new training kitchens opened. November, first University examinations (normally at the end of the year two of the course) owing to some disruption with building etc. we were allowed to defer until November of the third year.

1953. January, Highfield Hall of Residence opened, followed later in the year by the Main Assembly Hall. July 14th Official opening of the college by Mrs. Attlee.

1957/58. Full inspection of the college in all aspects by a team of HMI.

1958. Miss Cameron (first Principal) retired at the end of the spring term. Miss O. Metcalf followed as Principal.

1963. First students started the general Primary Teachers course. First group of trained teachers to take a one year supplementary course in Home Economics.

1967. First men students (Primary course).

1966/68. Building on Lowfield site, teaching rooms (art studio, language laboratory, Needlecraft rooms, lecture rooms) Library, gymnasium, dining room and catering kitchens, staff and student common rooms and Buchanan Hall.

1969. First students, already qualified in the Certificate course, to take a fourth year course for the award of a B.Ed. degree.

1971. Miss Metcalf retired. Dr. Banfield appointed Principal, Amalgamation with Thornbridge Hall to form Totley/Thornbridge College of Education.

1977. Sheffield City Polytechnic formed. (amalgamation of Polytechnic and the Colleges of Education (City College, Totley, Thornbridge).

THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE COLLEGE AT TOTLEY.

The background building to the college was of course Totley Hall. It was described in a booklet published by the Council for the Preservation of Rural England, dated 1945, as the finest remaining building within the Green Belt'. It was bought in July 1944 by Sheffield City council.

At that time, just after the Second World War, there was a shortage of teachers of Home Economics and several colleges throughout the country were being opened offering teacher training in the subject. Totley Hall College of Housecraft was to be one. It may be interesting to note some of the history relating to Totley Hall, as researched by our first English lecturer and written in the first edition of the college magazine, dated 1951. I quote from the magazine article here:

' ... the evidence of the Hall's past is vague and contradictory. A newspaper account of 1876 says that Totley Hall has long been better known for its pure air than for its gaiety; for its rum and milk than for the dryness of its antiquarian detail. Totley village is of ancient standing and appears in the Doomsday book of 1087, with the Saxon name of Totinglee or Totenlee, the leah, or forest clearing of Tota, probably a Saxon thane. It was held by the King's thanes and had a close connection with the Abbots of Beauchief Radulphe de Dore is referred to in 1382 as the squire of Totley and his descendants, the Barker family, were connected with the property until the seventeenth century. The arms over the fireplace in the entrance hall at Totley Hall are those of the Barkers, which seems to indicate that Edward Barker, living here in 1646, might have been concerned in the building of the Hall in 1623. But there is another account, which identifies George Newbold as the builder, and points to the initials G.N. over the front door with the date 1623. According to this story, the Hall was, in the early seventeenth century, owned by the Earl of Pembroke, to whom it was brought by his wife, by the family of the Earls of Shrewsbury. His possessions in Totley were conveyed in 1630 to Stephen Bright for £1,850, which included the manor and six messuages, farms etc. together with the appurtenances for a corn mill in Totley, in the occupation of Edward Barker, Gentleman.'

We have no further reliable news of Totley Hall until the late eighteenth century, when Andrew Gillimore, who died in 1791, left it to his niece, Mrs. Coke, and it remained in her family for the next century. Reverend Ewes Coke, at the beginning of the nineteenth century took some pride in the old place and stored it with quaint furniture.' The owner in 1876, William Sacheverell Coke lived in Nottinghamshire, but his tenant, F. Hunt, seems to have cared for it well. It is described in a newspaper article at that time as ' one of those great rambling old houses that grew rather than were built and is irregular as the most erratic genius could desire.' At this time, in 1876, the entrance hall was' ..... hung around with trophies of the chase and instruments of the angler.' It was furnished with a fine oak dining table, oak chairs and a rack filled with pewter plates.

In the late nineteenth century) it had been occupied by Mr. Unwin Wing, who made many alterations, added considerably to the building and then by Aldham Milner. In the days of the Milners of Totley, children danced around the Maypole on the lawn and crowned their May Queen. Miss Milner, a grand daughter, who was staying in Bakewell for a holiday, called to see us when the college had been opened about ten years. She was very interested in the use being made of the old hall and told me about the use of the rooms when her grand parents lived there. After the war. The Tozers lived in the Hall for a few years. Mrs. Brian Johnston (nee Pauline Tozer) also called one day to see the changes made to the old house. 

..... And so to 1950, when Totley Hall College of Housecraft opened and the old hall was used once again, at first as residence for the Principal, two lecturers, some domestic staff and seven students. The ground floor housed the Principal's office, staff and student common rooms and

a library, the inner entrance hall was used as a dining room.

THE BEGINNING.

I first saw Totley Hall in February 1950. I had been a lecturer at Leicester Domestic Science College since April 1943, working under an outstanding and far-seeing Principal and with an excellent Head of department. I was very happy in my work and had learnt much in so many ways during this time but it was now time that I moved to pastures new. I had seen an advertisement for a senior lecturer at a new college that was to open in September at Totley Hall near Sheffield. Should I apply? It was a difficult decision to make - and soon. Several new colleges were opening offering teacher training in Home Economics - or Housecraft as it was then called. The decision was made for me in a verse of a hymn at evensong on Sunday:-

‘Nor mine but Thine the choice,

In things both great and small

For Thou shall be my guide

My wisdom and my all.'

On Monday morning I made an appointment to discuss the matter with the Principal. Yes, she thought that this was right for me and would do all that she could to support my application. I lost no time in preparing my application, writing to referees etc. I heard nothing for some weeks but I

knew that my references had been taken up. Eventually I was called for interview towards the end of February at the Education Office in Leopold Street. Three people were interviewed, all presently in college posts. Members of the Higher Education Committee, chaired by Alderman Marshall, plus the Chief Education Officer and the Principal Designate took part in the interview. It was a bit nerve wracking but I hoped that I had done myself justice. I was the first to be interviewed, so than a period of waiting after which I was recalled and offered the post, which was to be resident for at least one year. At this stage I had not been to Totley and as I felt that I could not accept until 1 had seen the college, Miss Cameron brought me to Totley. Builders were then in the process of converting the old hall; the pseudo terrazzo flooring was being put down over the old flag stones in the entrance. New building was also going on to make four teaching rooms and two double study bedrooms. I remarked to Miss Cameron that it was going to be an enormous task! Sometime after she told me that she was afraid that I was going to withdraw at this stage. This had not crossed my mind but I could see what a challenge it was going to be, and it was!

So, back to Leicester for my last term. There was of course much preparation to be done in starting a new college, not least writing the syllabus for approval by the University, ordering equipment and library books etc, I was very fortunate that a group of emergency trained teachers who were at Leicester for eight months specialist training finished their course at Easter. I had been the tutor responsible for this group and the Principal at Leicester generously allowed me to use the free time resulting from their departure to work for Totley, In addition I had access to stock books etc., which was a great help in deciding on the extensive range of small equipment we should order.
 
I came to Sheffield to two staff meetings' during the Summer term, one on a Saturday at the Maynard Arms at Grindleford, where Miss Cameron was living until her accommodation was ready at Totley, and the second at Totley itself. Amongst other things we discussed the uniform for practical classes and books and equipment that students would need to supply themselves. Four full-time lecturers had been appointed; Education, English and two Home Economics (one with special responsibility for Needlecraft and myself for Housecraft and Food Studies). In addition a domestic bursar, who was also responsible for catering, a trained cook and a secretary were appointed, together with domestic staff, many being local Totley people. To get the general practical rooms ready and sort out and mark equipment and library books, lecturers came two at a time for two weeks during the summer holiday. It was a good opportunity for us to get to know each other. So, ready to start on September 11th 1950.

THE FIRST YEAR
So we started on September 11th 1950. Twenty seven students registered for the three-year teacher training course, twenty-four resident students and three day students. Seven students lived in the old hall; four in the largest room and three in another. Four students lived in the two new study bedrooms and the rest were in local billets for bed and breakfast, with all other meals in college. We were greatly helped in finding billets by the late Reverend Frank Duckworth, Minister at the Union church (now the United Reformed Church) who was on the college governing body. We lived in rather cramped quarters until more building took place. The lecturers’ bed-sitting rooms were very small, one probably having been the dressing room of a large bedroom when the house was in private occupancy.

All students followed the same course during the year, Home Economics, Needlecraft; Education and English, with a period of general teaching practice during the summer term. Applied Science formed an important part of the course but as we had no science laboratories, students went to Abbeydale Girl's and Hurlfield Girl's School on two early evenings and on Saturday mornings and were taught by the school science teachers. Later a part-time Art lecturer (later to be full-time) and a part-time P.E. lecturer were appointed. We even managed to field a hockey team! Miss Kellett and myself shared the warden's duties and with the domestic bursar we checked and locked up the building each night. We also had to turn off the huge electric heating boiler (we called in Frankenstein) However, the heating engineer lived close by on The Grove, and came readily if we had any difficulties. Before long Mr. Earl was appointed Building Maintenance Officer and relieved us of some of these duties. He was, however, still living at Dronfield until more building was completed to give domestic staff accommodation in Highfield Hall of Residence and thus vacate the staff quarters in the old hall to give Mr. Earl and his family rooms, At this time we were subjected to lengthy electricity cuts regularly but we knew when this would happen. One of the Home Economics rooms was entirely electrically powered. Whoever was teaching in this room had to get up very early to get the water hot before the class started, so that at least some practical work could be done. Some power cuts were in the afternoons but happily this often coincided with the students' visit to Abbeydale and Hurlfield Schools.

The University had approved the syllabus. We were given a lot of help with our contacts with the University by the late Mr. Trevor Edwards, who was secretary at the Institute of Education (University of Sheffield). A Students' Union was formed with Kitty Moser as the first President.  A lot of local interest was shown and we entertained various groups of visitors, for example, the billet hostesses, members of the local churches etc. The Council for the Preservation of Rural England showed an interest as a footpath ran through the proposed building site, but access for walkers was made around the perimeter. A small exhibition of student work was shown at an open day towards the end of the year. One exhibit that created a lot of interest was a comparison of old and new methods of fabric care. Nylon had just become available as underwear and I was able to get hold of some very old, very voluminous cotton underwear with many tucks, Broderie Anglais and trimming etc. for comparison. We also had some old equipment to compare with modern types. There were also food exhibits. All in all, it was a good P.R. exercise with students acting as hosts to the visitors. We looked forward to the second year with the promise of new accommodation and a further intake of twenty-four students. The full number of students was to be one hundred and forty-four, forty-eight in each year, as soon as the
building was complete. This was to be increased to fifty-four per year in the early 1960's, when it was found that more teachers were required.

ONWARDS. 
It is impossible to write a detailed account of each year's activities, so I shall give a general picture and point out a few important, interesting events. Until the late summer of 1953, building was going on all the time. More accommodation for teaching and administrative purposes was built, also residence for staff and students. Flats for six staff and study bedrooms, mostly single, were available in the hall of residence by 1953, for one hundred and twenty- four students. The first students moved in during January 1951, building was still going on. At last the entire buildings were ready for the official opening on July 14th 1953 (details of this event later).

Students were now able to specialise in their final year, having taken basic course examinations. The options were Advanced Cookery and Nutrition. Needlecraft (including dressmaking), Home Management and Family Studies. Having more specialised rooms made working Conditions much easier and students had been able to make suggestions for the interior set-up of the rooms. As we now had science laboratories, students had no longer to go to the schools for their science work. All students had a period of running a flat (housekeeping, cleaning, cooking, budgeting, entertaining etc.) when the home management flats were ready. Usually four students lived together for a month, one each week doing the housekeeping, the others following normal college timetables.

Periods of teaching practice took place each year, the final practice being of four weeks duration in the spring term of year three. Then students were thinking of applying for teaching posts. Twenty three students finished the course in 1953, two having left as they decided that teaching was not for them one had to leave because of illness and another transferred to a general course at another college. All students who qualified obtained teaching posts. We made many friends with teachers in Sheffield schools and I still correspond with one of the teachers who helped students in our first group. As numbers grew, we had to go further afield to schools in Chesterfield and Rotherham.

We maintained our contact with members of the local community through open days, entertaining in the home management flats and by adult demonstrations by students following the Advanced Cookery course. There was a good relationship with the local churches and church families invited many students to weekend meals.

Students' Union and other Social Occasions.

The Students' Union progressed and various societies were formed including Dramatic, Athletic, Entertainment, Music, Gardening and later, the Christian Union. The Dramatic Society produced several plays over the years, ably supported by Miss Plowright, English lecturer. Their first performance was scenes from Twelfth Night. As we had no hall in the first year, this took place on the lawns at the front of the old hall.

The first full-length play was in the new dining hall in 1951, She Stoops to Conquer. As numbers grew it was easier to cast plays and by 1953 we had the new assembly hall, with stage and green rooms. Outside audiences, mostly friends and local people, were invited and productions were for two or three evenings. Amongst those plays I remember were The Chocolate Soldier, I Had Five Daughters, The Insect Play, Blithe Spirit, and 1066 And All That, the latter having a large cast. Many of the costumes were made in the college with the help of Miss Meakin, Needlecraft lecturer. Later in the 1960's when the Primary course offered Drama as a main subject, this department took responsibility for college plays, some of these being performed in the Buchanan Hall on the Lowfield site.

The Athletic society had some very enthusiastic members, and we did indeed field hockey, netball and tennis teams. When numbers were small the choice of teams was limited and I think that we lost more matches than we won, although perhaps we were rather better at tennis. A sports afternoon took place for staff and students during the summer term on the top field. Mrs. Oldfield, a part-time lecturer, helped with athletic activities.

The Music Society was small to start with but later on a choir was formed and this progressed when a music lecturer was appointed for the Primary course. The choir sang at Christmas carol services, which took place at first in the assembly hall and later, on the last Sunday afternoon of term at All Saints' Church.

The Entertainment Society flourished, their main activities being the college dances, which were quite elegant affairs in evening dress, with students introducing their partners on arrival. Students made all the refreshments. which were much appreciated by the visitors. A bonfire party was arranged for November 5th for a few years. We had a team making toffee apples (supervised by me) for this event.

The Gardening Society planted some of the flowerbeds outside the old hall and bought bulbs for inside and out, but this ceased when a full-time gardener and a groundsman were appointed. Throughout the years, open days and evenings were organised each year, towards the end of the summer term, when examples of work were displayed, with some students doing actual practical demonstrations.

As in all institutions, things did not always run smoothly! Ear!y in 1952, it was discovered that the woodwork in the old hall was riddled with deathwatch and furniture beetle damage (see press cuttings). One of the large beams in the entrance hall was just like sand inside. My bedroom was just above this, so I must have had a lucky escape in not falling through! It is surprising that this was not discovered years earlier. Another problem we had, this time in the new building, was flooding. We had very heavy rain during thunder storms, Totley Hall Lane was like a river and for a time impassible to traffic. I particularly remember one evening when we were hoping to entertain an external examiner at the theatre, but there-was so much water in the lane that we had to stay put. About this time, water came in the back door of the old hall and also cascaded down the steps at the back of the residential block. On this occasion students had to brush water away from the common room to prevent damage to the wood block floor. The fire brigade came to pump water out from the basement - we cooked them bacon and eggs at midnight! We already had experience of water lifting the wood block floor in the demonstration room. It seems that excavation for building had caused water to flow down the hillside and in December 1951 the boilers which were in place for building the residential block were submerged in water. In the autumn of 1958, after a dry spell, the moors above Totley were on fire, this was a spectacular sight from Hathersage Road, albeit rather frightening. Following this, one Sunday, we had a kind of dust storm and everywhere was covered in a thick layer of dust, it was 50 penetrating. We could not do any practical work on the Monday until all equipment had been washed, the teaching kitchens were badly affected as the wind blew in that direction.

In late 1957, we had a full inspection of all aspects of the college by a team of HMI. I expected that this might be very stressful but it was very thorough and I found it very stimulating and worthwhile. Perhaps I can say, in hindsight, that I enjoyed it. The inspectors were courteous and helpful. A full report was given to the governing body and we were able to see our particular subject reports.

In 1958, the summer term saw a change of Principal when Miss Cameron retired, having set a fine foundation and expectation of a high standard of work. Miss Metcalf was the next Principal. There were a few years of consolidation but it was not long before there were to be major changes. There was still a shortage of teachers in 1963, and a three-year course for primary school teaching commenced. Again we started with a small number of students and a limited number of main subjects were offered. All students following this course took Education, one main subject and a wide range of curriculum studies for the primary school. Staff experienced in working in primary schools were appointed in addition to main subject lecturers. As all Home Economic students were trained to work in secondary schools, this was an interesting and welcome development. Later in the primary school course, some Home Economics work was included but it "was on a somewhat different basis, so much can be taught and learnt at a very early age using food as a medium. I was very interested in this but I wanted to see what young children could do practically, at rust hand. To this end I had a class of staff offspring for a few weeks after school, and I certainly learnt as much as the children did! A Saturday morning class of various activities was arranged in conjunction with Abbey Lane school, where Mr. Craig head of Education Dept. had been headmaster. Activities included games, P.E. Drama and of course cookery. The latter was very popular and we had queues outside the kitchen doors long before the classes started, all assuring me that they bad brought their money and their aprons! Of course, the numbers had to be limited, so it needed a bit of diplomacy to sort things out, but they did all have their turn in the end. As a result of activities in this field, we ran some evening short courses, supported by the LEA, for teachers in primary schools, and we have some interesting open evenings at the end of the courses. Meanwhile, we were asked to take a few more Home Economics students, so our intake numbers increased to fifty- four. A bit later a number of mature students took full-time courses in all fields.

1967 saw the first male students. So by now we were indeed a mixed college. For a few years we ran a I year supplementary Course for trained teachers who wished to teach Home Economics. We had some delightful people with a wide range of experience on this course and they fitted in very well. From 1966 to 1968 expansion was rapid, due to demand for teachers and on the primary course a "box and cox" system had to be used, that is, half the students were in schools whilst the other half were in college, with a change at half term.

Building went on at the Lowfield site. Teaching rooms which included an Art studio, a language laboratory, Needlecraft rooms and lecture rooms. a library and a resource centre and a gymnasium. A residential block for one hundred and sixty- four students, dining room, catering kitchen, staff and student common rooms, various offices and a sick bay were added, so it seemed that the building was complete on the lower site. However, a new environmental studies unit was built adjoining the Home Economics teaching block and a Student Union block a bit higher lip. By 1969, moves were afoot to make teaching a graduate profession. The first few students, providing that they had reached a high standard in the certificate course and had good practical teaching grades, were able to take a fourth year leading to a B.Ed. Degree. 1972 was another turning point, when the Principals of Totley and Thornbridge Hall colleges retired at the same time and a new Principal to cover both colleges, Dr, Banfield, was appointed. Totley and Thornbridge gradually came together, working on both sites for a short while. Then both staff and students came to Totley and after much deliberation the college was renamed Totley/Thornbridge College of Education. 

THE OFFICIAL OPENING, July 14th 1953. 
The last phase of building being completed, plans were made for the college to be opened officially. Miss Cameron was keen that this ceremony should take place before the first group of students left college, The Education Committee told us that Mrs. Attlee (later Lady Attlee) had accepted an invitation to perform the opening ceremony on July 14th, so plans went ahead. Mrs. Attlee came to the college in the morning to look round and to talk to staff and students. We found her very friendly and most interested in all that was going on.

The formal ceremony took place in the Assembly Hall starting at 2.30pm. In addition to Governors, representatives from the Education Committee and from the Institute of Education (Sheffield University) there was an invited audience, including parents and some Principals from other Home Economic (Domestic Science) colleges.

A copy of the afternoon, programme together with some information given in the official opening brochure follows. The afternoon ended with afternoon tea, most of which had been prepared by students. This was served in the Old Hall and in the new dining room. Visitors were invited to look round the college where students’ work was on display in most of the rooms. A dress parade showed students wearing dresses, skirts and blouses made in the Needlecraft and Dressmaking classes. All in all it was a very happy, albeit exhausting day! 

From the Official Opening Brochure.

OPENING CEREMONY.

THE CHAIRMAN OF THE EDUCATION COMMITTEE (Alderman J. H. Bingham, LL.D.,J.P.) will preside.

THE DEPUTY LORD MAYOR (Alderman Peter Buchanan, J.P.) will accord a civic welcome to Mrs. Attlee.

THE STUDENTS' CHOIR.
'Diaphenia' arr. By C. V. Stanford.
'Five Eyes' Walter de la Mere.
''Cargoes' John Masefield.

STATEMENT BY
The Chairman of the Training of Teachers Sub-Committee.
(Alderman S. H. Marshall, J.P.)

CHORAL, SPEECH - FIRST YEAR STUDENTS.
'The Scythe Song' Andrew Lang.
Speech from 'Zeal of Thy House' Scene II. Dorothy Sayers. 

ADDRESS AND FORMAL OPENING OF THE COLLEGE BY MRS. C. R. ATTLEE.

THE STUDENTS' CHOIR.
'Twilight Shadows'. Arr. by Alfred Moffat
Arrangement of Psalms 121, 122, 127 'Brother James' Air'
arr. By Gordon Jacob.

VOTE OF THANKS
Moved by Mrs. G. Sumner, B.Sc., J.P.
Seconded by Mrs. Buchanan. J.P.
Supported by the Senior Student 

HYMN
'Dedication' J.G. Whittier.

PRAYER
The Rev. Charles Maccurdy, B.A. (President of the Sheffield
Free Church Federeal Council).

NATIONAL ANTHEM.
After the ceremony the'College will be open for inspection.

TOTLEY HALL TRAINING COLLEGE OF HOUSECRAFT 
It has been a common criticism of educational provision for girls it! this country, that it has limped along rather lamely, often a pale imitation of the schooling of their brothers. There may have been widespread agreement with the dictum of Dr. Johnson that 'a man is better pleased when he has a good dinner upon his table than when his wife talks Greek' but a hundred years after this was said, the chum pious of wcsrsen’s rights were themselves founding schools for girls in which the fostering of housecraft skills apply appeared, if at all, alter the claims of the study of the classical tongues, and ether academic subjects, had been met.

Between the two wars, considerable thought was given to the need for differences of approach and content in the education of boys and girls, and at least one important report published by the Board of Education, carefully examined the problems involved. Yet it is, perhaps with the development of the newer secondary-education, with its insistence upon a variety of courses designed to meet the interests and aptitudes of different groups of pupils, and upon the approach to the education of the adolescent through his or her own observation and discovery, and their practical applications, at least as much as through learning from books, that the fullest opportunity has been provided for developing the most appropriate courses for girls, in such courses the place of the domestic arts and sciences is clear, not only - and perhaps even not mainly - because of their obvious utility, but also because they can so readily provide a natural central interest teaching at many points and thus awakening latent talents in other branches of study. And if we are sometimes tempted, to think that we live in an age in which the tin opener had undermined culinary art, and the labour saving device reduced the need for domestic accomplishments, the Ministry of Education itself has in Circular 117, reminded all those concerned with the service of education, that 'an incalculable sum of human happiness and efficiency depends upon the knowledge and skill applied to the running of the home and the upbringing of children.’

It is in such a context that the work of this college in the training of teachers of housecraft subjects must be seen. As the new secondary education, for which the Education Act of 1944 provided the legal framework, came to be developed the country was faced with a dangerous shortage of teachers in this field and adequate facilities for training a sufficient number to staff the schools did not exist. The Sheffield Education Committee, therefore, with the close and active cooperation of the Ministry of Education, decided in November 1949, to make this important contribution to meeting the country’s need.

The special circumstances of the time precluded the launching of such a scheme without a nucleus of existing accommodation which could be adapted for the purpose, and the urgency of the need to begin the work of the College made it very desirable to begin training teachers immediately in this accommodation whilst the planning and erection of the main buildings proceeded. The nucleus was provided by Totley Hall, an attractive house in Sheffield's 'green belt, with the atmosphere of English, home building of a previous age, and some nine and a half acres of adjoining land already in the possession of the City. The house, part of which dates from 1623, was adapted and extensions were built to provide the initial teaching and residential accommodation so that the College could receive its first group of students in September 1950. To begin with, however, about half the students had to-be lodged, in the district, and the Education Committee were most grateful for for the cooperation of local householders without whose help the beginning of the College’s work would have been seriously delayed.

The task facing the architect was not an easy one and both this and the administrative problems involved in establishing a new college were made more complex by the fact that the Hall and the first phase of the building had from the outset to serve purposes which could not be their final roles in the completed scheme and that, therefore, it was necessary to anticipate the subsequent transition from one purpose to another later whilst the work of the college itself was proceeding. In addition it was not possible to provide at the very beginning ? all the teaching staff and accommodation required, even for the first intake of students, and in this the College received the generous assistance both in teaching and in accommodation from Abbeydale and Hurlfield Girls' Grammar Schools

The main building work proceeded in three carefullv planned stages, and the College took over additional rooms and residential accommodation, as these became available. This work is now virtually complete and provides for a resident community of 144 students with teaching and domestic staff: The course provided lasts for three years and the College will, therefore, send out into the schools some 48 new housecraft teachers each year. In addition to her specialised studies in Housecraft (including Cookery, Laundrywork and Housewifery) and Needleworlk each student follows courses in the principles and practice or Education, Health Education, English and in Art and Science as are applied to the domestic studie. In her final year a student may also specialise still further in Home Management and Family Studies, in Needlework and Dressmaking with the study of textiles, Of in Cookery and Nutrition. The course leads to the qualification awarded by the Sheffield University lnstitute of Education, with which the Collece is affiliated, and successful students are accepted by the Ministry of Education as qualified teachers of Housecraft.

The internal layout of the teaching rooms and their equipment has been the subject of much careful thought and planning, in which the officers of the Ministry of Education and H. M. Inspectors have co-operated closely with the architect, the Director of Education and his staff and the Principal to make this probably the most up-to-date and best equipped training college of its kind in the country, of which the Education Committee are justly proud.

THE ANIMALS OF TOTLEY HALL.
Animals did not play a large part in college life but I thought that it might be worth recording some of the amusing, and more serious, incidents relating to animals. Our first animal resident was the Principal's cat, named Tikki. It was soon evident that Tikki was a female and expecting kittens. The kittens were born, but where? We all seraches without success. It was about the same time that the woodwork in the hall was being treated, and in connection with this the floorboards had been taken up in the library. The floorboards had been put back but were the kittens under the floor? The boards must be taken up again! No kittens there. A few days later Tikki arrived home carrying a kitten and having left it, went to collect another. Someone watched her movements, yes, she emerged from the buildings that had been the stables in the past, I can't remember how many more kittens there were, but I think that Tikki was adopted after this incident!

Next the dogs. First Blackie, a little, overweight black dog belonging to Miss Plowright. He did not play an important part in college life, as he was non-resident. Next came Bob, the Principal's dog, a lovable mongrel, who as far as I can remember died after a while, but the real character dog wise, was Miss Metcalf's Jack. He had been rescued from a not-too-kind master and did not trust men. He was a sheep dog and had a habit of attacking people's ankles (one student said that you needed iron gaiters on when he was about) He excelled himself one evening by pulling to pieces a mock fur bonnet belonging to a member of staff. Panic followed as the large fur hook on it was missing. Had he swallowed it? I don't think that this was possible but there was no rest until it was found. You either loved Jack or you were terrified of him.

I suppose the animals that caused problems were the cows from the farm next door. If the main gate was open when they were being brought in from the field for milking, they followed one another into the college grounds, trampling all over the flower beds and the lawn. The whole herd came in one evening when it was dark. Imagine the job to get them out! The funniest episode was on a Sunday morning, I could see the cows on the lawn from my sitting room window, so I went to help get them out. One cow detached itself from the herd and wandered up the drive onto the terraces. There was an audience of students from the windows of Highfield Hall of residence, but no one dared to come out to help me, they were enjoying my dilemma. At last one student came and we managed to get the cow to go down the back drive, one of us dashing down to prevent it coming up the front again, an exercise not to be recommended on a Sunday morning! 

Then there was Violet, the off-white horse, who was given to visiting. One Saturday afternoon she put her head through the open window of the Principal's office trampling on the newly planted flower bed. A student who was used to dealing with horses came and rattled a bucket, presumably with food in it, to persuade Violet to follow her off the premises. She came in on other occasions, once when the lawn was covered with pure white snow. Violet looked anything but white!

One other dog that I have forgotten to mention was Honey, a guide dog to a visiting lecturer who was blind. Honey was a big dog that had a liking for cheeses and one lunch time she gobbled up all the cheeses on the staff trolley, she did not seem to suffer any effects from this feast.
Lastly, not forgetting the mice who came up from the cellar into the warmth of the hall. I was anything but happy. From time to time we had birds and bats in through open windows. 

THE OLD STUDENTS' ASSOCIATION.
A former students' association' came into being in 1953 at the end of the first completed course. Each year a reunion is held, usually the second Saturday in May. For a number of years the reunion was a real family affair, taking place on the college premises. The first year students made a variety of biscuits to be served with morning coffee in the common rooms from 10.00a.m. This was followed by the AGM before lunch. Lunch was served in the dining room with third year students acting as waitresses. Members were joined by husbands and children for afternoon tea. As the years passed more children came and it was interesting to see them growing up from year to year. The second year students made the cakes for tea. This arrangement continued for a number of years until the Lowfield premises were built. From then on coffee continued to be served at Highfield, but lunch was served buffet style in Lowfield dining room and the AGM took place in Buchanan HaH. It was always a happy and lively day with exchange of news, photographs to look at, many of weddings and nostalgic visits to parts of college. At the earlier reunions we sometimes had an after lunch speaker and once we had a visit to Hardwick Hall, but it was obvious as the years passed, that members really wanted to meet friends and talk.

When the future of the Totley site appeared to be doubtful, investigations were made about other possible venues, bearing in mind that we needed a room for the AGM in addition to a dining room for a meal. June Smith and Heather Mayo undertook the task of finding a suitable place, the outcome being that our reunion has been held at University House, University of Sheffield, for the past three years. This has proved very satisfactory, although some members regret the move from Totley, but now as it seems that the Totley site is closing in summer 1997, the decision was the right one. For some years we had an annual meeting of year representatives to plan the reunion. Eventually this was dropped. Our treasurer, June Smith, and secretary Ann Simpson, do a tremendous amount of work in preparing for the reunion, supported by the year representatives. Without this help we could not have a reunion.

It is commendable that so many former students still support the Association, some travelling quite long distances to be at the reunion, it is always a thoroughly enjoyable day. We have a magazine published each year in time for the reunion and we are grateful to the magazine secretary Janet Goodwin for getting this ready for production. A good deal of the magazine gives news of members but we welcome articles for inclusion, these to be sent directly to Janet or via the year representative.

SOME AMUSING MEMORIES!

To end on an amusing note! Some of these memories I mentioned in the Association's magazine a year or two ago. The missing front gate. One Friday evening about midnight, Mr. Earl rang me to say that the front gate was missing. How could a large and heavy gate like that go missing? I rang the police, hastily dressed and Mr. Earl and I went in search of the gate, even going up as far as the main road. No sign of the gate but as we were coming down the lane we met a group of lads who evidently knew that the gate was missing. It was the weekend of the University Rag! We gave up the search anticipating a herd of cows coming through the open entrance in the morning! Some half an hour later the police arrived to announce that they had located the gate and found the culprits, who were just carrying it up from where they had dumped it on the swampy ground at the bottom of the Lowfield site (there was no building here at this time. I can't remember how We got it back (In but it must have been quite a hefty task carrying it up. The police were not amused with the culprits. 

Do you remember?

* Who at the end of their course tied a large number of oranges on an apple tree in a lecturer's garden with the label Have you had your vitamin C today?' She said that she enjoyed eating the oranges!

* Who got a Sally Lunn stuck either side of the bar at the top of an electric oven? She had not allowed for the dough to rise.

* Who fell down an open manhole in the corridor? Fortunately uninjured but amazed.

* Who put shredded suet in the desiccated coconut jar? Why did the coconut pyramids spread?

*Who rolled sausages in icing sugar instead of seasoned flour when making Toad-in-the-Hole? Result was a nice brown glaze but discovered by me when I had some for lunch

*Who had to climb through the hatch to get out of the housecraft dining room after the handle of the door came off? This was a whole group of students plus two staff - someone went back for the roast chicken for lunch!

* Who has been locked in Totley Hall and out of Totley Hall at least twice, once quite late at night? No prizes for guessing this one!

I have many more amusing memories but enough for now. Yes, we were not infallible but these incidents certainly added spice  to life at Totley Hall. 

No longer a College of Education ! And so to 1977. The polytechnic, the City College of Education and Totley/Thornbridge College of Education

amalgamated to form Sheffield City Polytechnic, later to become SHEFFIELD HALLAM UNIVERSITY.

There have been rumours over the last few years that the site at Totley was to be closed. The closure is now imminent, the date being given as July 1997. At the time of writing no details are available about the future use of the buildings, although there have been many rumours circulating. I feel most concerned about the Old Hall (Totley Hall). I hope that it will be preserved in a good state, part of the building being as early as 1623.

I cannot help feeling somewhat sad at the college closure and what it will mean to Totley, having watched its development over nearly 50 years. I watch and listen with interest.