Link to the past at university

DESCENDANTS of two men who opened the first building of what later became Huddersfield University, have repeated history.

The Duke of Somerset and Sir John Ramsden attended the original opening of the Ramsden Building, in 1883.

And their descendants were in attendance at the newly refurbished Ramsden Building on Queensgate.

Over the past year, approximately £1.5m has been spent on upgrading the facilities.

The current Duke of Somerset and the 9th Baronet of Ramsden, Sir John Ramsden, officially opened the newly-restored building yesterday.

The structure was opened 126 years ago by the then Duke of Somerset who was father-in-law to the then Sir John Ramsden.

The building has been home to education for 125 years and is now the university’s department of podiatry, physiotherapy and occupational health.

The Duke of Somerset and Sir John were welcomed by university vice chancellor Bob Cryan. He said: “I am pleased to welcome the Duke of Somerset and Sir John Ramsden to the university to see how much their ancestors did for Huddersfield.

“Many local people have received an education here, I myself had my first lecture of my educational career in this very building.”

The foundation stone of the building was laid in 1881 and a donation of £2,000 from the Clothworkers’ Foundation Grants Committee helped to finance it.

The building, designed by Edward Hughes, was first home to the Huddersfield Technical School and Mechanics Institute in 1883. It opened on July 7 1883.

The Duke of Somerset said it was a great honour to be invited to celebrate 125 years of education in a building his ancestor was connected to.

He said: “The reason why I am here is because my forebear’s daughter married into the Ramsden family.

“That connection continued for many years and I am pleased to keep it going by being here.”

Sir John Ramsden said he was honoured the university would continue to remember the family connection.

He added: “I congratulate the university for its magnificent achievements.

“From this one building has grown a truly impressive university.

“When our successors meet in another 125 years there will be a similar story of great achievements I am sure.”

Still to be completed is the upgrading of the podiatry clinic, physiotherapy area and teaching rooms, which will be complete by the end of the year at a cost around £180,000.