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Welcome to  Bedford Physical Education Old Students' Association 

 
Sad News 
 
We are very sad to inform you that one of our Vice Presidents, Thelma Denton (Hamblin) (1950/1953) died peacefully on 2nd November 2024. As many of you will know, Thelma was a member of staff at the PE College and an enthusiastic and loyal supporter of our Association. She served as a committee member for many years before being invited to be a Vice President, a role that she accepted with great humility. She will be greatly missed. 
 
Thelma is pictured here at Old Students Day in 2023 and below at the first Honorary Degree ceremony in 2022. 

Welcome to  Bedford Physical Education Old Students' Association 

  Second Honorary Degree Ceremony  Saturday 7th September 2024    A wonderful ceremony took place at the University of Bedfordshire, Bedford campus yesterday Sept 7th, when over 150 old students received their honorary awards witnessed by almost 300 guests, the online live stream had 140 visitors.  Photographs of the day will be available soon in the members area of the website.   Click here to read some national publicity on the BBC website about the ceremony.  

 
 
First Ceremony 
 
 
The awarding of the B. A. Honorary Degree by the University of Bedfordshire took place on 10th September 2022. Over 450 former Bedford students plus guests attended the day. 
 
Pictured here are: 
Val Pollard (nee Middleton) (1960/63) 
Thelma Denton (nee Hamblin) (1950/53)  
and Jean Cameron (nee Harvey) (1960/63).) 
 
 
Pat Bowen West Fund 
Following the sad news of Pat Bowen-West, Members of the Association celebrated her long and distinguished life and career on Old Students’ Day 14th May 2022. Pat was a student at Bedford (1943-1946), Principal of Bedford College of Physical Education (1971 - 1976), and Deputy Director of Bedford College of Higher Education (1976 - 1986), remaining until her retirement. 
 
In parallel to her work at College, Pat succeeded Eileen Alexander (former Principal) as President of the Old Students’ Association in 1971. A role she held for 34 years. During her tenure as President she led the Association Centenary celebrations in 2003, before handing over the tenure to Professor Margaret Whitehead in 2005. 
 
Education, Physical Education and significantly Physical Education at Bedford, owe a great deal to Pat Bowen-West. As a group of Old Students, we remember her with the greatest respect, affection and gratitude. 
 
Pat’s family most generously suggested a Fund in Pat’s memory to be held by the Association. 'One of the BPEOSA Working Groups entitled 'Pat Bowen-West Fund' (which includes Felicity, Pat's daughter who is a Honorary Member of the Association, and accompanied her Mother to Old Students' Day for many years) are working on the foci for the Fund. 
 
Members who knew Pat, either as a student or as Principal, are encouraged, if they wish, to donate to the Fund. For details on how to make a donations in Pat's memory please click here.  
 
 
 
 
 
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