Set XLV (1946-1949)

Green album with 'Set 45 1946-1949' inscribed on cover containing 228 photographs of Bedford Physical Training College students participating in college life. It is likely that the album was presented to the College by the students of Set XLV as a record of their time at the College. Many of the pages have been titled with a 'theme' and most photographs are captioned with students and staff named. At the end of the album are photographs of all students from Set XLV with each individual named.
The images show interior views of College buildings – the Big and Small Lecture Rooms, the gymnasium, library and medical room - and gardens; views of the College in the snow during the exceptionally cold winter of 1947, skating at Longholme, Bedford, and scenes of flooding and damage following the thaw including a felled tree in Dynevor Road; visit by Madame Carlquist and the Sophia Girls Team from Sweden to Bedford Physical Training College in 1947 showing Margaret Stansfeld being presented with a gift and a gymnastics demonstration by the Swedish team; scenes from a visit to Sweden in 1947; students sunbathing in the garden, picnicking and swimming in the river Great Ouse; cricket, hockey, lacrosse and tennis teams; students playing hockey, lacrosse, netball and participating in athletics; rehearsals for gymnastic demonstrations at Bedford athletics meeting (1947) and at Allen Park, Bedfordshire (1948); 2nd-year students dressed for their entertainment Heigh Ho! Come to the Fair and performing a modern dance demonstration; teaching physical education at the Dr. Barnardo's Home, Bedford; coaching swimming at Bedford High School Swimming Pool.
A 'Programme of Dancing for Demonstration Day 1949' is inserted into the album and is accompanied by photographs of the National and Modern dances performed by 3rd-year students along with scenes of the swimming and diving demonstrations at the indoor Bedford Girls Modern School Baths and gymnastics demonstration in the College gymnasium, photographs of the latter are captioned with the name of the position or movement.