A CELEBRATORY dinner was recently held to mark 40 years of Borders College.

More than 40 guests – including business partners, stakeholders, student representatives, former principals, honorary fellows, and staff – joined the evening dinner to celebrate the college and its relationship with the local community.

Opening its doors in 1984, Borders College was the result of the amalgamation of Galashiels Technical College, Henderson Technical College in Hawick, Duns Agricultural Centre and the Agricultural Centre at Newtown St Boswells.

Pete Smith, principal of Borders College, said: “I am honoured to be at the helm, as Principal and CEO, of Borders College as we celebrate this major milestone of 40 years as Borders College.

“It was wonderful to be able to host so many friends of the College at our celebratory dinner in our own restaurant, where our students served and prepared the food.

"This dinner is one of several activities that we are holding to mark our 40th anniversary, and there could be no better place or reason to showcase our students’ catering and hospitality skills.

“Our students and staff are our most important assets, and I want to thank our two assistant principals, Lynne Gilchrist and Davie Lowe, along with Katharine Mathison, director of our Department of Enterprise and Business Innovation, for their presentations, which shone a light on the invaluable work and contribution to the economic prosperity of our community that the college has and continues to make.

“Here’s to the next 40 years!”

Since its founding, the college has had five principals:

  • Robert Campbell Pearson – 1980-1997
  • Dr Robert Boyd Murray – 1997-2006
  • Elizabeth Anne McIntyre – 2006-2016
  • Angela Cox – 2017-2022
  • Pete Smith – 2022-present

Continuing its 40th anniversary celebrations, Borders College will be hosting a Community Summer Fete on Saturday, June 22, running from 10am to 2.30pm at the Borders campus.

For more information, visit: www.borderscollege.ac.uk/40