The time in office of Redcar and Cleveland’s former Mayor was marked by a special presentation held at Redcar & Cleveland College recently.

During his time as Mayor, Councillor Ray Goddard, who also sits on the college’s Board of Governors, took a keen interest in events at the college including the opening of the new Higher Education and Conference centre last September.

At a special ceremony held at the Higher Education Centre he was presented with a copy of a book called ‘New Lamps for Old’. This chronicles the history of the college from its roots in the Free School founded in 1709 in Kirkleatham by Sir William Turner.

Former college lecturer and trustee of the Sir William Turner Foundation, Peter Chester, who is author of the book was on hand to make the presentation. He said: “During his time as Mayor, Councillor Goddard has witnessed some historic developments within education in the Borough of Redcar and Cleveland, not least the opening of the new HE Centre at the college, which was funded in part by the legacy of Sir William Turner.

“Our presentation of the history book is a small token of the appreciation for the role that he has played throughout these events and an apt mark of the possibility that these events may well be recorded in historical texts in years to come. I know that Councillor Goddard has been as pleased as I have been at the interest in the history of both Cleveland Technical College and the Sir William Turner’s Schools and College that this book has generated.”

Copies of the book ‘New Lamps for Old - a hidden history of Redcar & Cleveland College 1709-2009’ are available directly from Redcar & Cleveland College, tel. 01642 777187 or via the by clicking here.