Frenchay | Alumni blog

^{Val Rumbol (née Bishop) and Pat Field (née Millar), 1976}

From 1974 to 2024 – a trip back in time

When Pat reached out to organise a 50^th reunion for a group of UWE Bristol alumni, I knew we were about to witness something special. This group of friends has stayed connected since their student days, studying HND Business Studies (International Marketing and Languages) from 1974-1976 at Bristol Polytechnic.

Vintage marketing brochures — Pat’s original HND Business Studies (International Marketing and Languages) leaflets from 1970s

Their gathering was a celebration of enduring friendship, personal growth, and shared memories.

Walking through the bustling Frenchay Campus on an autumnal Friday morning, they marvelled not only at the expanded facilities but at the vibrant energy that seemed to mirror their own student days. This was the first time they had stepped foot on site since graduating in 1976. Finding what may have been their old lecture theatre was a true highlight—bringing back flashes of memories of long-ago classes and youthful ambition.

Vintage photo of large new building with a field in foreground — Frenchay campus, 1976

“We knew there would be lots of changes and developments to the buildings and the educational opportunities, but we were really blown away by what we saw, especially the Business and Law School. It was so impressive! The quality of materials used, and the thoughtful design have resulted in a fantastic place to study. Lucky students of today!”

Patricia Field, UWE Bristol alumni and reunion organiser.

Lifelong friendships

We reminisced about their student years, looking through some old photos at bars and various meet ups spanning the past 50 years.

Vintage photo of city street, looking up a hill. — Park Street 1975

They recalled their first year at Unity Street – now a block of flats in the centre of Bristol – and how much has changed. Pat and her husband, Ian, recalled those days fondly. As a lifelong friend of the group, Ian proudly claims an unofficial ‘honorary alum’ status.

Vintage photo of urban street with tall red brock building — Unity Street Polytechnic building, where they studied in their first year

Despite their busy schedule, the group even fitted in a group zoom call with a course member in America, Martyn Holland.

Successful careers

The course led them all to careers in global companies using both the international marketing and the modern language elements of the course. They all went on to work with major brands in marketing, advertising, marketing research, computing, retailing, the travel industry and publishing.

It was great to hear how their time at UWE Bristol prepared them for their working lives, with real-life experience incorporated into their learning– reflecting the university’s long-standing commitment to applied learning and career readiness.

As we said our goodbyes, it was clear that while the buildings and times may change, the bond these friends share remains as strong as ever. It’s a reminder of how formative those university years can be and how friendships forged in lecture halls and student bars often last a lifetime.

Photo of a group of women facing camera in front of university building — Alumni Gail Davies, Valerie Rumbol (neé Bishop), Patricia Field (neé Millar), Rose Adderley (Alumni Engagement Manager), Jane Wood, Jennie Emmerson (neé Lane) on Business and Law School forecourt.

“Thank you so much for making our 50th reunion visit to UWE Bristol such a wonderful occasion. We all thoroughly enjoyed our opportunity to reminisce about our lives at the Poly so many years ago.” – Patricia

Reunion attendees:

Patricia Field (neé Millar)
Gail Davies
Jennie Emmerson (neé Lane)
Valerie Rumbol (neé Bishop)
Jane Wood

The group would welcome contact from other members of their 1974 cohort. Please get in touch via alumni@uwe.ac.uk

Blog written by Rose Adderley – Alumni Engagement Manager

^{Planting trees at Coldharbour Lane (Dr Bolland in the hat) 1973}

Dr Robert Bolland was the first director of Bristol Polytechnic (1969-1974). Fifty years after his death, the values he built our institution on still endure. We look back at the life of Chemist and Educationalist Dr Bolland and find out more about how he influenced the early days of what was to become UWE Bristol.

Dr Bolland

Widening participation

“Throughout the years since Polytechnics came into being Dr Bolland made many contributions to the development of their educational philosophy…These contributions were characterised by a deep concern for social justice”

Bristol Polytechnic News, June 1974

Students who had to overcome obstacles to study were of particular concern for Dr Bolland. Under his leadership, opportunities were created at the new Polytechnic for people from all social backgrounds to access education.

The building of Bristol Polytechnic at Frenchay, 1972

These deeply felt convictions were born out of his own experiences. His career spanned diverse educational settings, and he cultivated an inclusive perspective. From his involvement in the Scout movement to his role as Lecturer at Makerere University College in Kampala Uganda, his horizons were broad. He also worked as a chemist whilst he studied for his first degree, giving him an appreciation of a hands-on approach.

Dr Bolland was passionate about opening-up alternative routes to qualifications and committed to offering part-time courses, and sandwich courses that integrated academic study with work. These principles of widening participation and practice led courses set the tone for the ethos of Bristol Polytechnic.

His ongoing gift

Dr Bolland’s inclusive approach continues to underpin our strategy. Today our equality, diversity and inclusivity vision drives UWE Bristol’s work to remove barriers to education.

We offer placements, internships, live case studies and consultancy projects to provide practical learning experiences for our students. Our ambitious apprenticeship programme combines on-the-job training with academic study, echoing our vocational roots as a Polytechnic.

But the legacy of Dr Bolland can be felt throughout the University, not just in our approach, but physically too. Dr Bolland donated money in his will to support the progression of Bristol Polytechnic.

His gift supported the development of the Bolland Library on Frenchay campus, and is remembered through a bust, sculpted by Ernest Pascoe, Head of Fine Art at Bristol Polytechnic, Bower Ashton School of Art.

Dr Bolland bust, by Ernest Pascoe, sited in Frenchay’s Bolland Library

Bolland Library, 1970s

The generosity of donors like Dr Bolland continues to impact students now. Donors give funds for capital projects, support student and alumni business ventures and provide funds for valuable grants supporting student led projects or individual hardship grants. Find out more about supporting us through the UWE Bristol Fund.

Dr Bolland and his wife at his farewell in 1969 from the University of Bath

More on Dr Robert Bolland’s life and career…

Robert William Bolland was a chemist and dedicated educationalist whose career qualified him admirably for the post of the first Director of Bristol Polytechnic, a role he held from 1969 to his death in 1974.

Born in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, he was educated at the Rutherford Grammar School and College of Technology. On leaving school he studied part-time while gaining practical experience on the analytical staff of a firm of manufacturing and analytical chemists.

At 28 he had achieved the position of Chief Chemist and had graduated as an external student of London University with a BSc (Special) Honours Degree in Chemistry. His PhD (London) was to follow in 1946. He was elected an Associate of the Royal Institute of Chemistry (RIC) in 1938 and was awarded the Fellowship in 1947. From 1943 – 45 he was employed by the Ministry of Supply undertaking research on ‘Gassing of Aluminised Explosives’ and ‘Sealing Compounds’.

In 1945 he was appointed Lecturer in Inorganic and Physical Chemistry at Leeds College of Technology and two years later to a similar post in Uganda at Makere University College, Kampala. A period of secondment to the Institute of Education, London University and further teaching at Makere was followed by a return to the Rutherford College as a Senior Lecturer.

He moved to the Bristol College of Technology in 1955 where, as Head of a Department of Chemistry and Biology, he showed his ability in administration. Over the following years he played a significant part in the policy and academic decisions which elevated the Bristol College first to a College of Advanced Technology, and later to the University of Bath where he became the first Professor of Chemistry and Head of the School of Chemistry. His return to Bristol in 1969 as Director of the Polytechnic seemed to follow almost naturally.

He entered fully into the professional life of chemists serving on the North East RIC Committee and later at Bristol where he occupied the Chair of the Bristol and West Section. He was elected Member of Council in 1960 and served a two-year period as a Vice-president chairing the Examinations Board and the Publications Committee. He was a founder Governor of the Further Education Staff College at Blagdon and an External Examiner to the new University of Botswana, Lesotho and Swaziland.

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Tag: Frenchay

Half a century of friendship