GREY Friars and the many purposes the historic building has served is the focus of today’s nostalgia feature.

Located at the top of East Hill, Colchester, today it is a hotel but began life as a Franciscan friary, was then a range of elegant Georgian homes, various schools and for 40 years a college for adults.

In its time, the college had only four principals, Allin Coleman, Ken Bushell, Enid Bishop and Alan Skinner.

Mr Skinner has shared a selection of photos of the college and its people from the era that touched the lives of thousands of Colchester families.

The college first faced closure in the 1980s when Essex County Council wanted to sell the premises, and again in 1991, due to Government changes to education funding.

The college survived and prospered until 2005 when its college status was removed and remaining resources were relocated to the Wilson Marriage Centre in Barrack Street.

Grey Friars had offered more than 1,000 courses, as well as support services and outreach projects.

It was one of the first to achieve the national Investors in People Award.

Volunteers assisted on many courses and contributed widely throughout the college, including on community-based projects using the travelling classroom.

The Members’ Association Committee was a valuable community link, looking after students’ interests and providing voluntary support for major events.

Many of the major public events were connected with the arts and crafts, and regular exhibitions showcased the talents of the college’s students, all part-time.

The Grey Friars ethos was to collaborate with other providers to widen opportunities for adults.

After Grey Friars closed, one of its community groups formed the charity, Learning Never Stops which vowed to keep supporting access to adult learning in the town. One of their activities was publishing and four books explored the history of the site and its educational institutions.

View a documentary at www.Bit.ly/GreyFriars or for more history go to www.greyfriarscolchester.org.uk.