We recently had the pleasure of welcoming alumnus Barrie Pollard back to campus.
While planning a trip to Southport with his wife, also an Edge Hill alumna, Barrie was keen to fit in a visit to where he spent the ‘best three years of his life’.
During his visit we took a trip down memory lane, also known as Stanley Hall, where Barrie spent all three years of his time at Edge Hill. He is pictured in the entrance to Stanley, next to the fireplace, proudly wearing his Edge Hill tie and scarf. Barrie recalls this area as the location of the pigeonholes, where he and his peers would check for letters from friends and family.
It was a pleasure to hear about Barrie’s time at Edge Hill and the trips he would take beyond campus.
One story he shared was of a group of students borrowing the college minibus to attend a gig in New Brighton, something students were able to do if they provided their own petrol. At the gig, they saw Gerry and the Pacemakers, who were supported by a then lesser-known band, The Beatles.
To round off his visit, Barrie shared a detailed snapshot of student life at Edge Hill between 1962 and 1965. He shared his memories of daily life, Edge Hill traditions and the quirks that made campus life so memorable.
While some aspects may feel familiar, others offer a fascinating glimpse into a very different era at Edge Hill.
Barrie remembers:
Starting out at Edge Hill
- Being welcomed by a ‘College Uncle’ before arriving, offering advice on what to bring and what not to buy.
- Sending belongings ahead by rail to Ormskirk, where returning students collected and delivered trunks to halls.
- A formal welcome in the Main Hall led by Principal Dr Bain, where every student introduced themselves.
- Strict expectations on dress and behaviour, particularly in town, with jackets and ties required for male students.
Life in halls
- Living in Stanley Hall for all three years, with no locks on bedroom doors.
- Tea and coffee served daily by a member of staff who quickly learned everyone’s name and preferences.
- Curfews in place—anyone returning after 10:30pm had to be escorted back in by the caretaker.
- Carefully regulated visiting hours, with written parental permission required for mixed visitors.
Money, meals and student life
- Receiving a termly student grant (£148) to cover books, stationery and personal spending.
- All meals provided during the week, with food available for weekends.
- Occasional formal lunches with staff—collar and tie required.
- A packed social scene including societies, films, dances and student union meetings.
Teaching and campus experience
- Six-week teaching placements each year, sometimes requiring students to stay away during the week.
- Annual exams, with strict academic expectations.
- Access to facilities like the swimming pool, with the rule that at least three people must be present ‘for safety’.
Social life in Ormskirk
- Favourite local spots like Drapers café for coffee and cakes.
- Trips to local cinemas, including one where the screen shook as trains passed behind it.
- Evenings out at The Angel—until students were famously banned.
- Regular visits to the best fish and chip shop on Burscough Street.
And finally…
- The comfort of centrally heated halls, something Barrie hadn’t experienced at home.
- Independence, friendships, sport and a vibrant student community.
Barry said of his time at Edge Hill: “Three meals a day, plenty of sport, money in my pocket, and independence away from home… the best three years of my life.”
Image: A copy of Barrie Pollard’s year group photograph.
May 1, 2026
