The Wymondham Emergency Training Colleges

There was a great demand for teachers after World War Two, so the Government set up a number of emergency training schemes. In 1946 the Ministry of Works began the task of converting the vacant USAAF 231st Station Hospital site into two training colleges, but work was slow due to the severe weather conditions in the winter of 1946/7. However, on 23 April 1947 the Wymondham Emergency Training College for Teachers (Men) opened and received the first batch of 252 male students, mostly ex-servicemen. The Principal was Mr A.J. Price. Courses lasted for thirteen months and the third entry left in December 1950. The men were housed, and the lectures took place, in a cluster of nissen huts, to the east of the site, that were referred to as 'Butler Court.' Wilkinson Court (between the present Lincoln and Kett Halls) was used as overspill accommodation.

On 16th May 1947 the Wymondham Emergency Training College for Teachers (Women) opened in 'Tomlinson Court' with 237 students. The Principal was Miss P.H. Whitaker. Most of ladies' dormitories were in the Tomlinson (west) area, but some lived in what later became the boys' and girls' gym and changing room huts (called 'Much Binding in the Marsh' after a popular radio show). The women's college closed after two courses and the men took over the buildings, allowing their third and final course to comprise 400 students.

On 17 June 1947 the two colleges were officially opened by Mr D.R. Hardman, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Education. They were administered jointly by the Ministry of Education and Norfolk Education Committee.

The colleges closed in December 1950 having processed a total of around 1500 future Headmasters, Heads of Department and Education Advisers.

Copies of this 35 page booklet, loaded with photos and facts, are available at a price of £4.75 (including postage) from:

The Women's College badge was designed by Mary Muir (nee Orchard) and comprises two open books on a green field above a gold dragon (the gold of Knowledge). The dragon was the symbol of the ancient inn at Wymondham thought to have been a pilgrims' rest for those visiting the Abbey.

The Men's College badge was designed by Allen Smith and includes:

- a wooden spoon and butter patter from the Wymondham Arms
- the Book of Knowledge
- the Torch of Education
- the Sword (fight against ignorance)

The friendships formed nearly sixty years ago have been sustained, informally by the ladies and more formally by the men through the 'Old Wymondians' Association. The latter has held reunions at the College each year, although further events are now in doubt because of dwindling numbers. Indications are that both sexes will combine for the 2005 reunion.

The Old Wymondians produce a newsletter twice a year. The Officers of the Association are:

Chairman & Reunion Secretary	Newsletter Editor	Treasurer
Alan Cridland 43 Amsbury Road Coxheath MAIDSTONE Kent ME17 4DP 01622 745614	Charles Cudamore 26 Higher Drive Oulton Broad LOWESTOFT Suffolk NR32 3DA 01502 564325	Walter Hares 25 Church Road BURNTWOOD Staffordshire WS7 9EB 01543 676753


Click thumbnails to enlarge