Former colleagues, friends and family gathered at West Nottinghamshire College to celebrate the life and legacy of former principal Don Mackenzie by officially re-naming the college's theatre in his honour.
Jane Mackenzie with Andrew Cropley and guests in the Don Mackenzie Theatre.
The college's Create Theatre at the Derby Road campus was formally unveiled as the Don Mackenzie Theatre during a special ceremony attended by Don's wife, Jane Mackenzie, alongside current and former members of staff, many of whom had not returned to the college for more than 30 years.
Friends, former colleagues and business acquaintances of Don met for refreshments and sharing memories.
Don served as principal of the college from 1974 to 1994, leading it through two decades of significant development while earning a reputation as a committed leader who cared deeply about both staff and students.
Current principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley MBE welcomed guests before joining Jane to unveil a commemorative plaque outside the newly-named theatre.
Principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley gave a speech honouring Don Mackenzie’s life and work.
Principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley said: “I hope that Don would have appreciated this gesture in naming our theatre in his memory. I know well the energy required to be a college principal, and to carry out that role so successfully for 20 years is very worthy of recognition.
“Although Don had long retired by the time I met him, it was clear that he held the purpose of further education close to his heart. The fact that former colleagues from all levels of the college wanted to be at the unveiling shows just how highly-regarded he was by his team.
“I was delighted that Jane was able to share this commemoration with us and I hope that this theatre will remind many thousands of visitors of the contribution Don made to our college, our students and our communities.”
Don’s wife Jane with Andrew Cropley ready to unveil the plaque.
The fitting tribute is revealed outside the newly-named Don Mackenzie Theatre.
The theatre was chosen as a fitting tribute after Jane shared stories of Don's enthusiasm for the college's Christmas pantomimes. Among his best-remembered performances was a singing and dancing duet with the late Sheila Haslam to Anything You Can Do (I Can Do Better) in the 1985 production, a performance fondly remembered by both colleagues and family. Jane has also donated photographs from the productions to the college archives.
Don is pictured with former colleagues Linda Turner and Sheila Haslam in the photographs of The Witch and the Golden Egg production.
Following the unveiling, guests viewed memorabilia including photographs, newspaper cuttings and archive material documenting Don's time as principal while sharing memories over tea and cake.
Guests were interested in reading the press cuttings and stories from the days when Don was principal.
Jane said she was touched by the number of people who attended.
“It's been wonderful to see so many people here to remember Don. Hearing everyone's memories has been incredibly moving, and I can't think of a more fitting tribute than naming the theatre after him because he loved being part of college life, including the pantomimes,” she said.
Jane also paid tribute to Don's first wife, Joan, who died shortly before his retirement after the couple had planned to spend their retirement travelling together.
Jane (right) shows Eileen Matthews, Paul and Christine Bacon and the infamous pantomime photographs.
Former principal's secretary Eileen Matthews worked alongside Don for many years after joining his office in 1974.
Eileen said: “Don was a lovely man and I really enjoyed working for him. He was very fair, and one of the first things he did was introduce a more informal culture where people started using first names. That was a huge change at the time.”
She also recalled Don's close relationship with staff and his family, adding that she had remained in touch with him over many years and sometimes looked after his children when they paid a visit to the college.
Former member of staff Linda Turner remembered encouraging Don to step onto the stage. She said: “The theatre was at the heart of college life and we were always looking for ways to bring staff together. I asked Don if he'd be interested in taking part in the pantomime and he said yes. We had some great fun and those productions created memories that people are still talking about today.”
Don’s vice-principal Mick Brown described him as a determined and respected leader. He said: “He had very fixed ideas and a very strong sense of direction.
“People saw him as quite forceful, but behind that he was actually much more sensitive than many realised. He stamped his authority on the college and I learned a great deal from him.”
Jane Mackenzie (right) speaks to Don’s former vice principal Mick Brown and his wife Liz.
Among those attending were former business representatives from the community, college leaders, lecturers and retired staff, including retired painting and decorating lecturer Barrie Oliver, who remembered Don's support during the merger of departments across the college, and former Clarendon College principal Bob Garland, who recalled working alongside Don on regional further education initiatives.
Everyone gathered for a photograph.
The commemorative plaque outside the Don Mackenzie Theatre recognises his leadership and lasting contribution to the college between 1974 and 1994. It also celebrates his enthusiasm for college life, including his memorable appearances in the annual Christmas pantomimes.
The plaque concludes with words Don wrote in the college’s staff newsletter on his retirement in 1994, expressing how he hoped to be remembered:
“One who did his best for the college collectively and individually, and one who kept his word.”
Don Mackenzie – college principal from 1974 to 1994.
You can see the video of the ceremony at this link: