Derwen College are on the hunt for an archivist

As Derwen College make plans to celebrate their 90^th birthday in 2017 they are looking to share the history of the college since its founding in 1927 by Dame Agnes Hunt. The college has a collection of official documents, photographs, letters and memorabilia that they feel should be on display for the public to see for a glimpse into the life of Dame Agnes Hunt who also founded, in partnership with Robert Jones, the orthopaedic hospital in Gobowen before setting up Derwen college.

“We are keen to share our story and make these wonderful records of Agnes’s life and Derwen College available for visitors to see. We have a vacancy for a volunteer archivist to come in and work with us at Derwen to really bring these archive materials to life” said Louise Keevil, Director Charity & Corporate Services, Derwen College.

Anyone interested in volunteering for the archivist post can contact the college’s HR department at caroline.morris@derwen.ac.uk or call 01691 661234 Ext 247 for more details.

Agnes Hunt was honoured as Dame Agnes Hunt 90 years ago in 1926.  A year later In 1927, with the approval of the education authorities, and the financial assistance of the Shropshire Orthopaedic Hospital, a house adjacent to the hospital called ‘The Derwen’ was purchased, along with 35 acres of land.  Here Dame Agnes founded the Derwen Training College where physically disabled young people could learn a trade, suitable to their disability, and become either partially or wholly self-supporting.

The college are also planning on a series of drop in coffee mornings over the next few months at the college and also at the Station Café in Gobowen where they are inviting people to share their memories of the college over the years. These memories will also be added to the story of Derwen College and shared with visitors during the celebration year in 2017. For more information on how to get involved people can emailderwendays@derwen.ac.uk.

James Forster from Halls in Shrewsbury has been in to take a look at the archive materials and was impressed with the collection that Derwen College have and said that it is certainly a story that should be shared.

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