We all have a small collection of photographs which are very personal.
And this is one of mine, because for three years it was here that I studied History, Government and English.
The building is the College of Commerce, or as we tended to call it the College of Knowledge, and for those that are a little sad, it was ColCom.
In 1969 when the picture was taken it had just become part of Manchester Polytechnic which went onto become the MMU.
I have yet to get an exact date for the picture, but if it were taken in late September or even later in that year, then the chances are that I was there somewhere on the 10th or 11th floor which is lost to the picture.
For many the college is more notable as the place where on Saturdays in term time you could watch some of the best groups as varied as Pink Floyd, the Moody Blues, Barclay James Harvest, Fleetwood Mac, Roy Harper, Canned Heat and the Edgar Broughton Band.
What I hadn’t realized when I signed up for this hallowed place of learning, was that we were but a few minutes’ walk from the city centre, which in turn meant that rather than go to the library between lectures, I was off exploring town, and my education was so much the better for that.
Alas like everyone of the schools and colleges, I attended or taught in, this one closed long ago and is currently being developed, but that is another story.
Suffice to say I have nothing left of my time there, save the degree certificate, although looking back I wish I had bought into the College scarf, which was dark blue with white stripes.
Even the book shop, whose sign is just in the picture, is no more. It was Haigh and Hockland with a much larger branch by the University.
Location; the old College of Commerce
Picture; the College of Commerce, 1969, Courtesy of Manchester Archives+ Town Hall Photographers' Collection, https://www.flickr.com/photos/manchesterarchiveplus/albums/72157684413651581?
The building is the College of Commerce, or as we tended to call it the College of Knowledge, and for those that are a little sad, it was ColCom.
In 1969 when the picture was taken it had just become part of Manchester Polytechnic which went onto become the MMU.
I have yet to get an exact date for the picture, but if it were taken in late September or even later in that year, then the chances are that I was there somewhere on the 10th or 11th floor which is lost to the picture.
For many the college is more notable as the place where on Saturdays in term time you could watch some of the best groups as varied as Pink Floyd, the Moody Blues, Barclay James Harvest, Fleetwood Mac, Roy Harper, Canned Heat and the Edgar Broughton Band.
Alas like everyone of the schools and colleges, I attended or taught in, this one closed long ago and is currently being developed, but that is another story.
Suffice to say I have nothing left of my time there, save the degree certificate, although looking back I wish I had bought into the College scarf, which was dark blue with white stripes.
Even the book shop, whose sign is just in the picture, is no more. It was Haigh and Hockland with a much larger branch by the University.
Location; the old College of Commerce
Picture; the College of Commerce, 1969, Courtesy of Manchester Archives+ Town Hall Photographers' Collection, https://www.flickr.com/photos/manchesterarchiveplus/albums/72157684413651581?
Aaaah, memories, sweet memories!
ReplyDeleteA few years later in 1973 The Edgar Broughton Band and Canned Heat appeared at The Buxton Festival.
ReplyDeleteAfter Chuck Berry finished his headline appearance a band called 'Brewers Droop' came on as everybody was leaving, featuring then unknown guitarist Marc Knopfler