Former student teachers are planning to "go out with a bang" as they stage their last ever reunion in Clacton to mark the end of an era.

The event is being put on at St Osyth Training College - known better as Toosie College - which is now the Clacton campus of the Colchester Institute.

The former students launched a campaign to try to save some of the buildings which have been sold off for development by the institute.

Chris Hillyer said about 250 of them signed a petition, but he felt they were probably too late.

"We should have seen this coming for some time, and I think plans were too far forward to be halted," he said.

"At least we managed to get the main building listed, which was an achievement in itself. It has been a shame to see the old gym, library and part of the Towers get knocked down for flats."

Mr Hillyer said the reunion planned for May 5 and 6 would probably be the last ever, and it would be a sad time in many ways.

"It will be the end of an era," he added. "The college is part of the town's history, and while the buildings were there it was still there, but that is being lost.

"We are expecting about 100 people there next month and we will definitely be going out with a bang and will make the most of it."

Mr Hillyer said the weekend was being organised by the 1970-73 year group. They will meet up in the college bar and there will be a group photograph taken on the college steps followed by a disco.

It will be back to the bar the next day for more events followed by a Chinese meal in the evening.

The college opened in 1949 and closed in 1979. At its peak it employed 200 staff and was training 850 student teachers each year.

Mr Hillyer can be contacted on 01329 662557 or 0793 1737507.

By Nigel Brown

Reporter's e-mail: nigel_brown@thisisessex.co.uk

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