Former students who came to Bournemouth in 1966 to take degrees at the then College of Commerce and Technology will be lunching in Christchurch on October 4 with some of their teaching staff from all over the UK and beyond, to celebrate 50 years of their first arrival in the town.

From their college base at the Lansdowne and in former hotels in Knyveton Road, including one which still had bathtubs in some of its lecture rooms, they got their HNDs and degrees, but also revelled in the pubs, clubs, sea, sport and Rag Weeks which Bournemouth offered in the swinging 60s. Many of the students lived in digs in St Paul's Road, now buried under tarmac.

The College Rag Week was very big then with students involved in stunts such as tying together the hands of the college clock at the Lansdowne or hoisting furniture on to the roof. But the Rag Week also raised a lot for charity when students attempted a number of world records such as the longest table tennis game and the world's most handshakes.

There was also a protest march to Bournemouth Town Hall unsuccessfully asking the Education Committee to accept a £1 million government grant to start a polytechnic at Wallisdown, where Bournemouth University is today. Trainee camera crews from Bournemouth Art College filmed the event for Southern Television.

The Student Union booked the top bands of the day for its dances at the Pavilion and Boscombe Ballrooms. Former students include Radio One DJs Andy Peebles and Tony Blackburn.

If anyone living locally who studied for degrees, business or secretarial courses at Knyveton Road between 1966 and 1969 would like to join them for lunch contact Peter White on 01323 897360 or peter@pwhiteseaford.co.uk