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Turning back time on BSU
Wednesday, 17 December, 2025Bath Spa University has a rich history, dating back over 170 years to the establishment of the Bath School of Art. It has since seen students come and go through its various iterations, building a community of alumni whose university journeys span decades.
The Newton Park and Sion Hill campuses began as teacher training institutions in the 1940s, while the Sion Hill campus was built after the Second World War and became the home of the Bath College of Domestic Science in 1959.
Highly regarded, both colleges developed reputations that precede them today, merging in 1975 to become the Bath College of Higher Education.
By 1992, the college was given degree-awarding powers, and in 2005, it was granted university status, becoming the Bath Spa University we know today.
BSU is proud of its heritage and strong ties to its alumni community, with graduates keeping in touch decades after graduation. The Alumni Team is dedicated to retaining and developing its network, offering a space for alumni to engage, share stories and stay connected with the University today.
Everyone in the BSU community has their own memories of life at BSU and the people who made it feel like home. We reconnected with a few alumni to hear about their student days and the relationships that left a lasting impact.
Lesley Garbutt attended the Bath Teacher Training College between 1966 – 1969 and describes how her community was formed during her time there.
“The best time of the week was Wednesday's Globe Night. The Globe pub at the bottom of the hill rented us their back room. The second and third years had high-tech stuff like a record player and LP records. We would dance the night away to the Beach Boys, drinking scrumpy.”
Lesley and her friends lived together for three years, and she reflects on the unmatchable bond formed through spending those formative years under the same roof.
“Living together for three years and experiencing all the pains of growing up together made us so close. We all looked out for each other. We had so much fun and did daft things. We played tiddlywinks all around Bath Abbey one Rag Week. There were practical jokes played.
“On my 21st birthday, they bought me a lovely handbag. They knew I would take it to the afternoon lecture, so they put an alarm clock in it. Halfway through a lecture with 120 students, the alarm went off.”
Since college, the group’s bond has deepened. They have been bridesmaids, godmothers, and watched each other's children grow up. Today, the group stays in touch through weekly Zooms and meets up at least once a year.
In 2016, the group returned to their old stomping grounds for a day out at Newton Park, this time with their respective partners.
Reflecting on decades of friendship, Lesley said:
“What a huge blessing. Next year we must have a party. 1966 - 2026.”
David Jones, known as Dai, also attended Bath Teacher Training College. Between 1965 and 1969, Dai immersed himself in college life, setting up the first Union bar, becoming an integral part of college sports teams, rowing a boat on the lake, and meeting his future wife. He describes his college experience as the best years of his life.
“I was attracted to the sports on offer and played for the rugby, hockey and cricket teams while also enjoying badminton and table tennis. It was during our first week playing table tennis that I first met the person who was to become my wife. This means that we’ve known each other for over sixty years."
While playing for the rugby, hockey and cricket teams, Dai met two people who would become firm future friends and whose friendship has stood the test of time.
“We became friends throughout our four college years and have stayed in touch ever since. All three of us met our future wives during our time in Newton Park.
“Our group of friends enjoyed simple walks around the grounds when we wanted quiet, relaxing strolls. Regularly, some of us would row a boat on the upper lake below Main House."
Dai and his friends have taken holidays together and regularly talk on the phone, while his cohort has held several reunions over the years. Reflecting on these meet ups, Dai said:
“Talking to each other, the years just faded away. It was as if we had been in regular contact since leaving. It seems as if we haven’t changed; we carried on where we left off. Most of us agree that our school days were not the best years of our lives; our college years were.”
Clive Adams attended the Bath Academy of Art at Corsham Court, completing a foundation year between 1966 - 1967, and following, a three-year Visual Communication course.
Clive reflected on his life at the Academy and the profound impact his tutors had on his work and future career.
“Two tutors were to have a big influence on my future career. The artist Michael Craig-Martin was impressed with a photo-lithograph I made, and he gave me one of his own drawings in an exchange. Jeremy Rees, founder director of Arnolfini in Bristol, taught me typesetting and letterpress printing and one day phoned to invite me to consider the post of gallery co-ordinator at Arnolfini.”
While in his first year of study, Clive lived at Beechfield House, and described the light-hearted relationship between him and his housemates in an interview for the BSU archive from 2013:
“I had one housemate who was always up to mischief. He was out very late one night, and it was snowing, so the other students decided to remove his bed and put it in the middle of the field behind Beechfield. When he came back, he simply climbed into bed in the middle of the field and was covered by snow.”
Between 2018 - 2020, Clive supported the exhibition and publication of former lecturer, John and Astrid Furnival’s, 'Lost for Words'. The exhibition was shown in Stroud, Venice, and at BSU’s Locksbrook campus.
Recently, one of Clive’s classmates suggested that he join the Bath Academy of Art alumni page, where graduates regularly post photos and reminiscences.
Whether you graduated last year or a few decades ago, our alumni are part of a diverse international community. To find out how to keep in touch with BSU after graduation, explore our dedicated Alumni page.