David Seddon, 76, lives in Bury St Edmunds. He moved from Lincolnshire to Suffolk in the mid-eighties to start work as an engineering lecturer for West Suffolk College. He loved the role so much he ended up working for the college for almost 30 years and describes his time their as ‘the best job I ever had’. This year – the educational establishment is celebrating their centenary. As part of that, college staff are talking to 100 people to get their memories of an institution that was first set up in 1925. This is David’s story.
“I started at West Suffolk College in September of 1985 as a Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering. Prior to that I worked in industry. I was originally from Scunthorpe.
“I’m very supportive of colleges such as the WSC because one of those colleges was so important to me in my career.
“Growing up, I failed the eleven-plus – went to a secondary school and left with only a few qualifications. ‘Despite that, I was able to get an Engineering Apprenticeship at the local steelworks. During my apprenticeship, I was sent to the North Lindsey Technical College and after five years I got an Ordinary National Certificate (ONC). I was also able to get a Higher National Certificate (HNC) and I then went on to do a degree and a Masters. I also got some professional engineering qualifications and all of that was down to the college that I went to. It gave me a second academic chance to achieve something. That’s why I believe that colleges have such an important role in our society.
‘I was able to sustain a great career at the steelworks. Sadly however, the steelworks experienced financial difficulties, and I was made redundant. However, I eventually managed to get a temporary role as an Engineering Lecturer at the very college in Scunthorpe that I used to attend as a student.
“I found to my amazement that I loved that job. I did two years of that but then the contract ended – I then saw that there was an opportunity to work in Bury St Edmunds at the West Suffolk College as an Engineering lecturer. I applied for it and got the job. We moved from Scunthorpe to Bury. The college found me a council house in Haverhill for six months, then we looked at houses and bought one in Bury. My son was born three weeks after moving here. The college were very good. I was only a few weeks into the role but they said go back and look after your wife and child. So that is what I did for a couple of weeks.
“That was forty years ago and my son came to West Suffolk College and did an engineering course. My daughter and son-in-law were also students at the West Suffolk College – so the family connection runs deep.
“Looking back, the highlight was always about helping students achieve. I taught subjects that people are often cautious about – maths particularly. So, to get students to feel comfortable tackling these subjects and to see them gain confidence was very rewarding.
“Also rewarding were the occasions I assisted John Chambers (a lecturer colleague) with his yearly engineering field trips in which we took a group of engineering students off in minibuses to Keighley, West Yorkshire, for a week to visit steelworks, coal mines, electronics companies, foundries and so on – to see actual engineering in action. Added value for the students – for all of us in fact – was that we stayed in self-catering hostel accommodation where all the usual housekeeping tasks (cooking, washing up, cleaning etc) were shared by everyone (lecturers included).
“I also assisted another lecturer colleague – Dick Scruby – in his annual exchange scheme with the Ferdinand Von Steinbeis Schule in Reutlingen, South West Germany (a college very similar to the West Suffolk). Transportation was again by minibus. The exchange gave our students the opportunity to visit German engineering companies and see how they operated. The German students would visit West Suffolk College the following year to experience similar opportunities with British engineering companies.
“I think that the field trip and German exchange were highly rewarding for our students. Highly rewarding for us lecturers too – I still have a regular contact with Engineers I met in Germany during those visits.
‘I was also very lucky to be able to work alongside a talented and enthusiastic team of lecturers – I knew that because of all the lesson observations I did for the department – and motivated students who were keen to do well in their studies. That was a highlight – as was the annual award ceremonies. To see the students get certificates at the end of the course was a big plus. (Back in the eighties they (the awards) were held in the Corn Exchange. It was a big grand occasion).
“In total, I was at West Suffolk College for 29 years. It was a huge chunk of my working life – and certainly the best chunk. It was the best job I ever had. ‘I was totally committed to the College – I even used to go to the Hairdressing training salon for haircuts and beard trims so the students had something to practice on. I still see some of the lecturers who used to work here at the same time as me. And we always have a good chin wag. Everyone thinks back on the college with affection.”
In terms of his revisiting the West Suffolk College, David – who enjoys his continuing interest in space research, structural engineering, holidays, local travel and writing poetry and prose in his free time – continues: ‘I was invited back to the College to view the changes to it over the years by Michael Nelson: Group Head of Faculty for Engineering, Automotive and Motorsport. And I’ve thoroughly enjoyed seeing the college today. It is completely different. ‘There are some bits I remember and it’s been wonderful to return – if I was years younger, I’d be asking for a job.
“I’d describe the college today as being buoyant, vibrant and successful. ‘And my advice to young people about going to West Suffolk College is – Do it! Work hard! Enjoy it! Stick at it. And trust me – I was in your shoes once and I was able to make the most of my college experiences to get a good, enjoyable job and career! And you can do the same.”
And finally, in terms of West Suffolk College celebrating 100 years, David added: “I’m staggered the college has reached that landmark. All credit to it – 100 years is an amazing thing. I’d say to the college keep going and keep doing the good work.”
