The University of Cumbria hosted its first exclusive alumni campus open day at Ambleside on Tuesday.

As part of ongoing celebrations of Victorian educational pioneer Charlotte Mason a century on from her death, more than 75 former students of the campus enjoyed a trip down memory lane.

They got to experience tours of the site, meet current staff and students, and share their stories of their time learning in the Lake District. 

Joanne Lusher, Alumni Relations Officer, said: “I am thrilled to see so many of our alumni, this event has been very popular which shows just how much this campus means to those who study here.

"I’ve loved listening to everyone’s stories - each graduate is part of the institution’s history and preserving memories is so important.” 

The Westmorland Gazette: Joanne Lusher speaking at the eventJoanne Lusher speaking at the event (Image: University of Cumbria)

Memorabilia and artefacts of Charlotte Mason and the campus’s history which stretches back to the late 1890s were on display. 

Raising awareness of the Alumni Association, the campus event was organised to encourage ‘lost’ alumni to reconnect to their alma mater. 

Tim Stead, a former student from Oxfordshire, said: “We were here from 2003 to 2006 and from our friendship group who studied here, most of us have gone on to work abroad in places like Shanghai, Africa, Egypt and Vietnam – and that’s down to this place.

"Ambleside has allowed us to travel the world and that means a lot, so it has been nice to come back 20 years after first coming here and starting our studies.”  

The Westmorland Gazette: Current Ambleside outdoor leadership student Aidan Cross shows visiting alumni one of the Charlotte Mason displays Current Ambleside outdoor leadership student Aidan Cross shows visiting alumni one of the Charlotte Mason displays (Image: University of Cumbria)

Cathy Styles was a student at the campus between 1986 and 1990 and has spent the majority of her career working in schools in south Cumbria.

This includes the last 14 years as headteacher of Croftlands Junior School in Ulverston before her retirement in August. 

"I’ve got lots of happy memories of studying here and this has been making me cast my mind back," Ms Styles explained.

"It has been fantastic just walking around - there are so many parts of the college that are the same and then you go to other parts and it is completely different.”