FIRE performances, choirs, free hot-dogs and some festive fun. Visitors wrapped up warm to celebrate as the University of Salford celebrates its 50th birthday, and of course, for some freebies.
A slideshow of the key moments throughout the event:
The event started at 2pm yesterday throughout the New Adelphi building and Chapman Square, where guests were each given a free food and drink token to spend at any of the stalls. Stalls included a vegan friendly hut, toasty coffee and tea stations and a hearty meat and sausage stand.
Helen Jones, head of the University of Salford’s commutations, said: “I think it’s really important for staff, students and everyone involved with the University of Salford to acknowledge how far we’ve come in the last 50 years, but to also celebrate what we’ve got ahead of us.”
The New Adelphi building hosted craft stalls from independent sellers, ranging from art prints to a Christmas present stall. With festive tunes flowing and a soloist serenading the room, the free hot chocolate stand was also a massive hit with the crowd and sold out in just an hour.
Guests told us their reasons for attending the event and it ranged from: free hot chocolate; a break from studying; a look around for Christmas presents and to spread some Christmas spirit.
The evening entertainment started after 3pm, beginning with a DJ set of the worlds biggest Christmas tunes. Whilst dancing away, guests really were dreaming of a white Christmas- snow began to fall as some enjoyed a few spins on the ice rink. And to warm up the crowd (literally) a fire performance started at the Amphitheatre- making onlookers gasp and clap in excitement.
The evening ended with speeches from Vice-Chancellor Professor Helen Marshall, followed by the end of year show reel and a closing speech from Students’ Union President, Zamzam Ibrahim. Ending with a 50th anniversary poem read by Chancellor, Professor Jackie Kay.
And to top it all off, it wouldn’t be a celebration without some fireworks.
#weare50 #universityofsalford pic.twitter.com/urS9tjbIyL
— Hannah Burchell (@Hannahburchell2) December 13, 2017
The event was hosted to celebrate 50 years since the university began in 1967. Professor Helen Marshall said: “So I was sitting there reflecting on this celebration, this event, this recognition of 50 years of Salford’s achievements and I realised what a privilege it is to be the head of this university.
“Gosh we’ve made some progress in the last three or four years. We’re on a journey, and we’ve really got some momentum behind us.”
Professor Marshall added: “We’ve effected, impacted, improved so many lives in and around Greater Manchester and the Salford region in our 50 year history, and prior to that. But since receiving our royal charter in 1967, we’ve been recognised for our world-renowned research in numerous academic areas.
“We’ve grown from 350 academic staff in 1967, to nearly a thousand academic staff teaching around 20,000 students.”
Here’s to more growth and another 50 years, Salford.
Watch our TV coverage on the event:
https://youtu.be/Cw8XODj0bRo
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