The main entrance to the college on Sandwich Road, there was a letter-box just inside the gate.
Mrs. Ina Hammond, the widow of Captain Egerton Hammond, put the St. Alban’s Court estate up for sale in late 1937, the estate was divided into more than eighty individual lots to be sold by auction by John D. Wood and Co. of 23, Berkely Square, London, who published a catalogue of the property and land to be sold.
The new St. Alban’s Court house built in the 1870’s plus two “Tudor cottages” that had previously been the old St. Alban’s Court house and some fifty acres of the surrounding land was purchased by the English Gymnastic Society (EGS) for use as both head-quarters and a training centre for women who wished to teach gymnastics. The EGS had been founded by Miss Gladys Wright, who had trained in Denmark and Sweden, and taught a modernized style of gymnastics evolved from the pioneering work in the early 19th century of Per Henrik Ling.
The college which was opened on 23rd July, 1938 by Cosmo Gordon Lang, the then Archbishop of Canterbury, with Miss Wright as Principal and Stena Kreuger, a Swede, as Vice-Principal. The links with Scandinavia were strengthened through the activities of the English and Scandinavian Summer School of Physical Education with Miss Wright visiting Scandinavia before and after the Second World War.
In the June of 1939 the Duke of Kent visited Nonington, Snowdown Colliery and Aylesham. He was shown around Nonington College by the Principal and Vice-Principal and watched some displays by the students.
During the War the establishment was evacuated to Bromsgrove in Worcestershire and the buildings were taken over to aid the war effort. During Miss Wright’s tenure a Swedish Gymnasium, later known as the Swedish Dance Theatre, was built. The theatre is now listed
Miss Wright retired as Principal in 1952, and the college was taken over by the Kent County Council’s (KCC) Education Department with Winnifred Whiting as principal. The college became one of the principle teacher training colleges in the U.K. providing training for students from all over the world to become physical education teachers. Until 1966 the college was a women only establishment and the students were easily recognizable by their blue capes with the college badge embroidered on it. Many of them were “in digs” in Nonington and the surrounding villages and this close relationship with the local population often led to marriage.
The KCC invested a lot of money in the college during Winnifred Whiting’s tenure as Principal and during that of her successor Miss Eleonor Hinks. A new gymnasium was opened in 1959 and a swimming pool was built soon afterwards. Many local children from the schools in the villages surrounding Nonington, including myself and my sisters, learnt to swim here under the guidance of Mr. Rogers.
Old Court House and St. Michael’s in Easole were used as annexes and some small hostel blocks had been built to the east of the main house during the early 1960’s but due to the demand for P.E. teachers in the late 1960’s and early 1970’s the number of students increased and on site and off-site accommodation proved inadequate and additional residential hostels (now converted into privately owned flats). A sports hall; performing arts centre and new kitchen and dining room facilities were also built and another forty plus acres of land adjoining the grounds to the west were purchased to provide additional playing fields.
This demand for PE teachers was short lived, apparently the then falling birth-rate meant that less PE teachers would be needed, and in the late 1970’s teacher training came to an end and the college’s then principal Stanley Beaumont diversified the colleges activities into none teaching qualifications in partnership with Christ Church College. Sadly further cuts in Government spending saw the closure of the college in 1986 (along with the sale at premium prices of many school sports grounds for re-development).
However, to the everlasting shame of KCC, the college estate was left empty for nearly a decade at a time when property and land prices were booming (although for some reason the road lights were still turned on every night) with some occasional use for the training of the police and other services. Various alternative uses for the premises were put forward over the years, some more credible than others (at the time it seemed to the local population that the less credible the scheme, the more credence the KCC gave to it) until it was sold very cheaply to property developers who re-developed the various buildings and sold them for a substantial profit. Some of the old college’s sports facilities were replaced by industrial units, something that the KCC had previously said was not possible. They also frequently stated that the estate was not suitable for housing development, even in part, as the local infrastructure (ie. sewage and water) could not cope with an increase in population, but the 1870’s mansion and other nearby buildings now house two hundred or so people of all ages, with frequent requests to the local authorities for more accommodation to be allowed.
To link up with old student friends, take a walk down memory lane with the photos and share old stories from college days, use this link https://www.facebook.com/groups/53763257820 to join the college Facebook group. It is for all ex students and others with college links, i.e. parents who were lecturers or who worked at the college. It is a private group so you have to explain your connections before being admitted. We know have over 400 members spanning 1938 to 1986. NCPE FB Admin Team. Carolyn Shortland nee Lane 1971-75
I was at Nonington 64-67. We were the largest intake of 64 students. I stayed in May 2 on Middle Corridor during the first year then in digs for years 2 and 3 at White House Farm. The 2nd year we had no games lecturer as Margaret Richardson fell down stairs in the staff cottages and fractured her skull. Made up for it in the 3rd year when the men arrived!
Hi I’m looking to get in touch with anyone from the 1977-78 year–Mark Cowey (Geordie) or Tony hall from Chester. My email is jhawkinsccs@gmail.com Cheers
I would be very interested in any information about the college during the wars years for inclusion on the website.
My mother, Joyce Hunt was at the college during the war and was evacuated to Bromsgrove. She spent VE day in London (she was 19 and is now 94). Is there anyone else out there who remembers those years?
I was at Nonington 1973 to 1977. Great times! Glen Hayes and I still meet up on a regular basis. Would love to hear from anyone who remembers me. Have retired now so have plenty of time on my hands!!!
Loved the complex of the college many good friends. Still meet Donny,Simon H and Simon M 44years later. Paul Y (Irish)
I was at Nonington 1964 to 1967. During my first year I shared a room in the beautiful main building. My second year I was in digs at Old Court House staying in the house of an employee and his wife but have forgotten his name. My 3rd year I spent in one of the hostels.
Thank you for posting this very interesting to read a concise Factual history of an amazing establishment so honoured to have been part of it. Also met my husband there and been married for 35years .A number of Our year group 1975- 1978 still meet up every year and the memories stream back for us all . There are various Facebook friends pages for anyone who is interested .
Gwynne Williams 1972-76. I really enjoyed reading the history. I would love yo hear from anyone that cares to reach out. Living in Virginia, USA now but have great memories of my days at Nonington. I can be reached at: gwynne528@gmail.com
I use to visit your college from 1968 to 1971.I would journey down from London by train or car at the invitation of one of the students attending your college. I attended the many holiday and social events and really enjoyed much of what was going on there. Met and spoke to Ms Hinks at various times. In the winter I mainly arrived by train and walked in the snow to the College area. My friend , Lynette Lee, would show me around and and we attended the various dances etc.
I remember the Woodpeckers bed and Breakfast inn and stayed there many times.
I now live in AZ USA but would like to hear from anyone of that time. Lynette graduated summer 1971. Would also like to hear from her or anyone who knew her. My email address is cukusa@aol.com Cheers Cyril Butler.
The year group 1966-69 are holding a 50-year reunion in September this year. If anyone from this group has not received details about it please email me – Mike Sleap – and I will pass them on. Over 30 from that year attending. thesleaps@hotmail.com
Thank you for this piece, as I sit in a hotel room with 3 former Nonnington students Liz Doole, Angie O’Neill, Lynda Bell and myself Sheila McQuitters we were reminiscing about the wonderful people who taught us at Nonnington College of PE. We have since been back to the site which is now owned by the Brudehof Community, they have bought many of the facilities back to their former glory .
I too was at Nonington 67-70,happy days,loved every minute. I lodged with Mrs Ledner,the Housekeeper,still friends with Trish & Jane from our year.
Hello Shirley, I was not at the College, but I was a Rocker, in the sixtys and have fond memories of the dances we used to go to a the College, I lived in Dover , just thought I would let you know that someone has memories of that great time, Kind Regards Ray Jenkins..
Wendy Kirk. It’s Barbara Stanney (now Sweeney ) hopefully found you. Wondered where you had got too. I’ve been in contact with Faith Robinson and Pat Slater. Hope you receive this. Bx
Hi Helen
Do not know if you remember me. I was at Nonington from 1974-78. I do remember you. I believe you came for Northern Ireland, I came from Wales. I was very friendly with Margaret Thornhill and Susan Jordan.
Hi Wendy. It’s Barbara Stanney Always wondered where you had got to. Met up with Faith Robinson a few years ago. She lives in London Pat Slater and I exchange Christmas cards still need to meet up with her at sometime. ( I m called Sweeney now. ) Hope you and Howard are keeping well Where are you living. Near Doncaster ?? We live near Rochdale just north of Manchester near M62 ( junction 21) My email. Bsw14n@yahoo.co.uk. Hope you get this. Hope we can link up at sometime. Best wishes for the New Year. Bx
Is this book still available?
I remember her very well. We were always called by our formal teaching names, ie Miss/Mr……until she became engaged, when all of a sudden we had first names! That was when we realised that something life changing had happened, and discovered her engagement.
Always in her skirted leotard, she had a tough time with our mixed group. The rugby lads were not the most flexible/artistic….and ‘gathering and scattering’ often left us doubled up with giggles. Very fond memories indeed.