A HEREFORD college that says it now runs a “fantastic range of first- class facilities” wasn’t always that way.

A picture shared in our We Grew Up In Hereford group on Facebook shows part of Hereford College of Technology’s Folly Lane campus, now Herefordshire and Ludlow College, being torn down.

It is thought the demolition work was part of the £32 million redevelopment of the Folly Lane site, which was finished in 2010.

The college was first established in 1946 at a temporary site in Newtown Road, and was initially opened to meet local demands for qualified blacksmiths, farriers and welders. Fifteen apprentices began their training at that time, according to the college’s website.

By 1950 it had developed from a training centre to a further education establishment, named Hereford College of Further Education, and offered 11 part-time courses and three block-release. It employed just six members of staff.

The college provided technical and commercial education for local firms established, or due to be established, in the Hereford area. Numbers had risen to 736 learners and by 1952/1953 this had soared, with 1,476 learners having enrolled.

The mid-1950s saw the development of the first phase of a permanent site at Folly Lane. As numbers of students increased over the years, so phase 2, 3 and 4 took place and the site expanded.

Hereford Times: Hereford College of Technology, now Herefordshire and Ludlow College, before the rebuild Hereford College of Technology, now Herefordshire and Ludlow College, before the rebuild

Growth has continued, along with investment in resources, and a £32 million campus redevelopment, completed in 2010, transformed the site at Folly Lane, and the website said it “now offers a fantastic range of first class facilities”.

Former students shared their memories of the campus in the We Grew Up In Hereford group. Georgina Lambourne said: “I loved my time at the tech college and also at Newtown Road.

“It was sad to see it go, but I suppose everything has to be modernised eventually and the new buildings do look very smart.”

Jennifer Bates said: “I was at Hereford tech in Newtown Road and they were building the new tech up on Folly Lane.

“Went there for dances in the new hall, also remember going to the dining hall. I took my exams in the new hall. This was from 1960 until 1963.”

Rita Powell said: “I started working there in 2003, so it must be around 2005/06 perhaps that they demolished and rebuilt it.”