West Nottinghamshire College was honoured to welcome back a man believed to be its oldest surviving former student-turned-teacher for his 100th birthday.
(Left to right) Andrew Cropley, Louise Knott and Roy Broadley celebrate Roy's 100th birthday in Refined.
Farnsfield resident Roy Broadley – who has an extraordinary 86-year connection with the college – returned to celebrate his landmark birthday, having reached his centenary on 13 February.
The centenarian was treated to a celebratory meal in its restaurant, Refined, where senior leaders including principal and chief executive Andrew Cropley MBE and vice-principal Louise Knott toasted his milestone and paid tribute to his enduring legacy.
Roy’s association with the college began in September 1940 when, as a 14-year-old, he studied at the former Mansfield Technical College on Chesterfield Road, Mansfield. It was there he met his future wife, fellow student Joan.
After working as a junior draughtsman at an engineering firm in Mansfield and serving in the RAF during the Second World War, he later returned to study a Higher National Certificate in Mechanical Engineering. In 1953 Roy began his first teaching job at the college, as a civil engineering lecturer, and helped get the Derby Road campus – still under construction – ready for its very-first students; planning the equipment to go in workshops and labs.
Roy continued teaching engineering at the newly-built campus when it opened in 1954, spending a further five years in the role before relocating to West Sussex.
The college re-connected with Roy in 2014 during preparations for the 60th anniversary of the Derby Road campus, when a call-out for former students and staff uncovered his remarkable story.
He was special guest at the launch of the commemorative book, Celebrating Sixty Years, published by the college to mark the diamond anniversary. The book tells the story of the evolution of the Derby Road campus as seen through the eyes of current and former staff, students and governors, who shared their unique accounts of their time there.
Since then, the college has remained in contact with Roy – who moved back to Nottinghamshire in 2015 – and his vivid memories and warm personality have continued to inspire those who meet him.
At the birthday meal, Roy enjoyed a delicious lunch prepared and served by the restaurant’s hospitality and catering students and staff. He was presented with a bouquet of flowers and a card before being surprised with a magnificent birthday cake baked by chef tutor Jen Hardy, who also runs her own business, Sweet Buns Patisserie and Quality Bakers. The beautifully-decorated buttercream sponge, adorned with roses and a ‘100’ topper, left Roy visibly moved.
Chef tutor Jen Hardy (left) who brought out the cake she baked for Roy Broadley (right).
Roy shared stories spanning his time at the college, including humorous recollections of a problem with the sewerage system that affected steam from a boiler, resulting in “an awful mess” in the toilets, and a memorable Friday afternoon when construction noise disrupted his maths lesson, prompting him to scale a ladder to confront the builders, only to be applauded by his students for his dramatic descent.
He described February as a “fabulous month,” with relatives travelling from across the UK and Canada to celebrate with him. Roy was especially touched to have received more than 60 birthday cards from family, friends and members of St Margaret’s Church, Bilsthorpe, which he still attends weekly. Among them was a card from King Charles and Queen Camilla, delivered on his special day.
Roy also reflected on returning to the college. He said: “It has meant so much because it’s a follow-on from the 60th anniversary. It couldn’t have been better or nicer – the people I was with, the food and the situation were so perfect it beggars belief. I just can’t find the words which describe how I feel about it.”
He added: “I was 14 when I first walked into those college doors and now I’m 100. That’s 86 years since my first connection with the college – and they’re as strong today as they were back then. In a way, they’re stronger, because I’m aware now of what it’s meant. Back then, it was anticipation – now, it’s achievement. And there’s a world of difference between anticipation and achievement.”
Mr Cropley said: “It was an absolute privilege to welcome Roy to Refined to celebrate such a remarkable milestone. Our students were incredibly proud to prepare and serve his birthday lunch, and it was wonderful for them to hear his stories and understand the history and heritage they are now part of.”