FARNHAM Sixth Form College marked the 90th birthday of Queen Elizabeth II with an afternoon of celebrations.

The event was presented by a combination of the Old Farnhamians’ Association, Old Grammar School Girl’s Association, Farnham Educational Foundation and Farnham Sixth Form College with invitations open to former pupils of the old Farnham Grammar Schools.

The original buildings which are now home to Farnham Sixth Form College in Morley Road were opened by the Archbishop of Canterbury in 1906 and this year celebrates its 110th birthday.

Over the years the site has paid host to many special occasions, including a visit and lecture by Field Marshal Montgomery just after the Second World War, the opening of new classrooms by the Duchess of Gloucester and a visit by Mike Hawthorn, who was world champion racing car driver at the time.

And now the Queen’s 90th birthday, which saw close to 150 people in attendance with pupils traveling in especially from Thailand, Switzerland and America.

The event was organised by a committee chaired by old boy, Cyril Trust, who has been responsible for many events in the town over the years. Everyone worked hard to prepare the dining areas, which included the college dining room and two marquees supplied and erected by The Hedgehogs.

A giant birthday cake, baked by the daughter-in-law of a former teacher at the school, was cut by the chief executive of Tindle Newspapers, Wendy Craig.

Dr. Jason Jones, director of the college, welcomed all the guests to the event. With so many old classmates and friends meeting under one roof, the atmosphere of nostalgia took over and the marquees rang out to the chatter and laughter of the guests. It was very much an occasion of ‘Do you remember when?’

As the lunch came to an end the college director asked all guests to stand and drink a toast to the Queen, In Accord, a local choir band, then gave a performance. For the occasion leader Sue Lampard had arranged a programme made up of a song from each of the decades of the Queen’s life.

Thanks to the efforts of the students the raffle raised over £300 in total. Dr Jones closed the afternoon and thanked everybody for supporting the event.

For some former pupils guided tours of the college had been arranged and some present had not entered a classroom for many years.

A few weeks after the event a special presentation of the proceeds will be arranged for Disability Challengers, with the college students again getting involved.

Following that on September 25 the college is host to the Farnham Lecture, with the speaker being Dickie Arbiter, long-term press secretary to the Queen. The title of his talk will be ‘The Monarchy-Past, Present & Future’.

Tickets are available at £7.50 each from Brian Williams, who can be contacted on 01252 715430, or be email at [email protected].