OFFICIAL OPENING OF BÖU ARCHIVE

The BÖU Archive has moved! Formerly located in Kingsfield House, the BÖU Archive has moved to spacious rooms in another building at North West Kent College. The Archive rooms were officially opened during the BÖU Reunion on Saturday 7th September 2013.  

Robbie Brightwell, Ann Allen, Avtar Sandhu, Ann Brightwell, Anne Stuart

Press release:

 

Saturday 7th September was an exciting day for the ex-students and staff of Dartford's Physical Education College,
which was located at Kingsfield House on Oakfield Lane between 1895 and 1986. At the Annual Reunion this year, the new Bergman Österberg Union Archive was officially opened by former student and 1964 Olympic Athletics Gold Medal winner, Ann Brightwell née Packer, MBE, alongside the Deputy Mayor of Dartford, Councillor Avtar Sandhu, MBE, Councillor Ann Allen and Councillor Jennifer Rickwood.  Councillor Ann Allen spoke on behalf of the Dartford Borough Council. The archive moved into their new premises in March this year, from the old Kingsfield House. Before the reunion lunch, attended by over fifty ex-students and staff, along with other guests, there was the opportunity to look around the new archive, an experience that was fascinating for all attendees as memories were brought back and shared.

After lunch, Ann Brightwell and her husband, Robbie Brightwell, MBE, gave a talk about her success at the 1964 Tokyo games, and spoke motivationally.  The Deputy Mayor, Councillor Avtar Sandhu  MBE, also spoke to guests.  The annual toast to Madame Österberg, the pioneer of Women's Physical Education, was proposed by the Bergman Österberg Union Chairman, Anne Stuart. Later in the day, Anne Stuart also rededicated a memorial stone to Madame, which is located in the grounds of Kingsfield House.

 

The Bergman Österberg Union Physical Education Award 2013 was presented to Michelle Knopp, who achieved a first class degree from the University of Greenwich.

The Bergman Österberg Union is delighted to announce that Ann Brightwell has agreed to be its new Patron.

The Bergman Österberg Union Archive provides information on an exceptional woman, her famous College, which was the first of its kind, and the achievements of the young women who were educated there. This collection relates specifically to The Bergman Österberg Physical Training College (later known as Dartford College of Physical Education), from its foundation in 1885 to its closure as a specialist college in 1986. There are books, manuscripts, registers, certificates, badges, trophies, many photographs, letters, newspaper cuttings, uniform, magazines, clothing lists, details of royal visits, portraits of international sportswomen etc., covering one hundred years of exceptional change for women and for women's education. The archive is open to members of the public who are interested in researching the College, on Wednesdays between 10am and 4pm.  If you would like to visit the archive please do not hesitate to contact Rosemary Moon at:

Bergman Österberg Union Archive, North West Kent College, Oakfield Lane, Dartford, DA1 2JT.

Or by email at rosemarymoon@nwkcollege.ac.uk

Press Release written by  Emma Cooper