The Woodside College

The opening plaque

The South Essex College has been a skyline feature in Woodside, (close to Chadwell-St-Mary), for well over 55 years or more, and is coming to the end of its life this year (2014) – to be replaced with a new Thurrock College campus in New Road, Grays.

The Woodside College was built in 1955 and was opened shortly after. It was not until 1960 it was offically opened by the Duke of Edinburgh. The first name it had was Thurrock Technical College. It then went on to be called Thurrock and Basildon College up to 2009-2010 and from there on the South Essex College (Woodside Campus), which stands today (2014). There have been many changes from when it was first built, exterior and interior, The grounds of the college are now slowly becoming a new housing estate, for many people and their families which is a time of change.

Although it’s in Woodside, and a stone’s throw from Chadwell, I have decided to put it on the Tilbury and Chadwell memories so it does not get forgotten in the future. For students, and people who have used it over the past years for evening or daytime learning skilled courses e.t.c. or just people who have passed the skyline landmark getting to their destination.

I would like to thank the staff at the college for all the many photos they allowed me to take inside and out.

A gallery of additional photographs.

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  • The fire was on 15th July 2015. There are two pictures rom Essex Fire Service here – https://www.tilburyandchadwellmemories.org.uk/content/places/fire_at_the_college
    It was due for demolition following the college’s move to a new site. The old site is now a housing estate. There are pictures from the demolition here – https://www.tilburyandchadwellmemories.org.uk/content/people/tilbury_and_chadwell_schools_and_colleges/woodside/the-demolition-of-the-tech

    By rjm (07/01/2024)
  • I was a lecturer at Thurrock Tech 1966-1968. Like many others was shocked to learn of the fire and subsequent demolition. Does anyone know the exact date of the fire? Why was the college already derelict? It wasn’t that old. Strange. Reminds me of other sad demolitions, Palmer’s Boys school, the old Grays public library for example. Any explanations, anyone? Paul Durrant

    By Paul durrant (05/01/2024)
  • I attended TTC from 1966 to 1968 doing a full time OND in Business Studies. Great memories and great friends as 6 of us classmates meet in London every 6 months for a very convivial lunch. A great springboard too as I went on to live and work in Asia and all over Africa.

    By Christopher M. Doggett (15/06/2023)
  • I was there in 1990-1991 doing NC of BTEC program. Nice memories of being around. Still remember some events and some teachers who already passed away. Just came to know it has been demolished, I was hoping to drop by but unfortunately missed the opportunity.

    By Mohammed (02/11/2022)
  • ———————————
    Hello John
    I do remember you at Thurrock during my Pre Dip Science days, I often wondered where you ran off too ..Hi
    I am still in touch with some other guys who we knew during that period .

    Melvin used to take us pot holing down the Dane holes near to the college , before going rock climbing at Harrisons Rocks or a very wet place in Wales !
    I do remember his Lotus 7 and helping him out one weekend at an event in Kent working on the back of a trailer towed behind his mini van, there was another guy from south Benfleet who also helped out but I cannot remember his name.
    Where you with us at Busy Bit, I vaguely remember you joining us at the old quarries one lunch beak?

    I have a couple of group photos somewhere ill try to dig them out if you are interested?

    ———————-

    By Steve Taylor (06/10/2022)
  • I was here from about 1966 to late 1968 I did a booster O level course for awhile .Then I was accepted for a commission in the RAF and left joining up on the 6 Jan 69 and stayed in the RAF until 2004 reaching senior rank.
    I remember Melvyn Coon the tech drawing teacher he had a silver lotus 7.I had a 1936 MG !! I think the moody blues played there on Friday evening !
    I remember the lunch tickets cheap meals

    By Chris Parkhurst (05/07/2022)
  • I was at TTC in 19771979
    I have some photos. If anyone else has some photos to share please comment below.

    Hal Sumerakin.

    By Hal (10/02/2022)

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