SIXTY years ago saw the completion of the move of the first unit from the old Salisbury and South Wilts College of Further Education in Castle Road to the new college building near the Friary.

In 1962 the building department under Mr George Hobbs, head of department, was in occupation some time before the move of the main college departments (who planned to move in the following year). All sections of the building department were in full swing in their new home where ten full time and twenty part-time staff were teaching. In addition to the day classes, forty-five evening classes had already commenced.

Students to the new building comprised of full-time groups, day-release classes from schools and day-release from industry or commerce.

About 150 students were being catered for in the wood machining, carpentry and joinery section under Mr R Nuttall, and that section like the others was enjoying a newly found freedom of movement in increased floor space. This was a necessary consideration because of the power machinery involved - planning had also allowed for extremely rigid foundations for the heavy circular saws and other machines.

The brickwork section under the teacher of brickwork Mr CE Smith, was already working to the capacity of its floor space with some 100 students working there at various times.

The sheet metal department had 60 students under Mr R Lodder, and the plumbing department under Mr GH Russell had about 70 trainee plumbers all at work on the ground floor which was also the home of building science laboratory. Upstairs was the general building and architecture section.

When the main college eventually moved in the following year (under the Principal Mr SF Trustram), there was no need for house warming, for by that time the building department of the college had been well and truly established.