A BOOK launch celebrating the long history of Sparsholt College has reunited current and retired staff after many years apart.

The book, A Place of Transformation, by Dr John Lander, records the college's transition from small farm school to high-status further education college.

Details of the college’s transformation show that it went through some difficult periods but was saved each time by the recognition of the importance of its work.

The school opened in 1899 and trained students for the agricultural industry - something it still does to this day. In 1970, principal Len Norman, began an expansion in student numbers and unique agricultural training.

Under principal Tim Jackson the college merged with Andover College in 2007 to form the Sparsholt College Group, embracing a wider breadth of curriculum and sixth form studies.

The author and his work was praised by Dr Norman, who commended the far-reaching research which had gone into the book.

One retired staff member, Dave Alderson, said: “Many of us have an ingrained part of Sparsholt running through our veins like letters in a stick of rock.”