The Farnborough Society Visits Farnborough College of Technology

On Tuesday 20th January the Farnborough Society launched its 2009 programme of events with an interesting and informative evening at Farnborough College.

In addition to the members of the Executive Committee who were involved in the planning and presentation of this event, 36 people attended, which was extremely encouraging for a first event and was, hopefully, a forerunner of the interest we hope to engender in the residents of Farnborough for their Society and what it can offer.

The evening opened with a talk by Christine Davies, Principal of the College who told us about the huge variety of courses available to people of all ages and abilities in and around a radius of approximately nine miles of Farnborough, as well as those coming from elsewhere to follow degree level courses.  Christine was also able to let us know that the college had an open day on Saturday 24th January and this snippet of information has already sounded a positive note for a young person, jobless and homeless until recently arriving at the home of a Farnborough Society member, who was dispatched to the open day and is currently applying to Farnborough College for a place on a degree course beginning in September.  

The second presentation of the evening was given by Jo Gosney, local historian with several published books, and was entitled 'A History of Farnborough'  However this would probably have been more aptly named 'A Rapid Dash through an Incredibly Interesting Place that was Mentioned in the Doomsday Book 'cos I've only got Half an Hour'  Unsurprisingly the Society is planning a series of talks from Jo since, ghastly 1960's shopping centre aside, Farnborough is a fascinating place and Jo's wealth of knowledge together with her extremely interesting style of presentation makes her talks well worth listening to.

Jo also leads walking tours around the Farnborough area which she fills with fascinating facts about interesting buildings and sites along with those which at first may appear not so interesting - until she reveals more.

We are, therefore, very fortunate to have Jo not only as a member of the Farnborough Society but also our membership secretary.

The evening culminated with a tour around the college taking in the Gallery Restaurant which is open to the public and can be booked on 01252 407171 and Concept Hair and Beauty which offers a wide range of services and can be booked, along with finding out about special promotions, by calling Hairdressing on 10252 407272 or Beauty on 010252 407243.

With concerns about making our budget stretch it is well worth considering making use of these training facilities as a means of looking good and eating well.  If you are terrified at the thought of delivering yourself into the hands of students, be assured that they are supervised by qualified tutors so you are likely to come away in one piece.  I've visited lots of times and only ever had one gruesome haircut but it was rectified a few days later.

If reading this write-up has whetted your appetite for what the Farnborough Society can offer on its programme of visits throughout 2009 or any other aspects of our hopes for Farnborough and its residents then come along to another visit or just get involved. We are not exclusive, our only criteria for membership is a genuine interest and enthusiasm.

Diane Fyfe
Executive Committee member