The many lives of Alston Hall, from Victorian glory to adult learning hub

Alston Hall, situated amidst vast acres of woodland, began life as a private dwelling house in 1875 having been built for colliery proprietor John Mercer and all the subsequent occupants left behind both bitter and sweet memories of the place, writes Keith Johnson.

- Keith Johnson.

Recently, the Alston estate, currently owned by the Church Of England commissioners, and covering 800 acres of woodland and farm land along with various dwellings and farm buildings in the vicinity of Alston Hall was placed on the property market for £5m.

Seventy five years ago in September 1950 Alston Hall became a place where public memories would be created in the decades ahead with the Preston Corporation's opening of a 'Day Continuation College' for further education. They had under the guidance of Mr. W. R. Tuson, Chief Education Officer purchased the Alston Hall buildings for £5,250. The clamour for further education was increasing and rayon manufacturers Messrs. Courtaulds Ltd, who had settled in at nearby Red Scar, were an early supporter of the endeavours.

The College opened just a month after the legal necessities were transacted for students who were under eighteen and released one day per week by their employers. Besides Courtauld's trainees there were students from the civil service, local government, health, banking and retail. The curriculum ranged from book keeping to botany, nursing to nature and geography to geometry under the guidance of the first Principal Mr. James Shemilt.