The 2009 OA 60s event took the form of a Reception and Dinner at the University of Northampton Sunley Management Centre preceded by a guided tour of the Leather Technology Centre at the University on Thursday 8 October 2009. OAs from across the decade joined hosts Terence and Carolyn Libby for a thoroughly enjoyable afternoon tour of the facility followed by a splendid meal in the evening.
During dinner John Bunce (1962) proposed the toast to 'Absent Friends' and those present took a moment to remember one of the regular cohort, John Talbot, who had died a few days previously.
The Leather Technology Centre is a unique facility (there is only one other similar institution in Europe) which is supported by the Leathersellers’ Company in the City of London and serves an international clientele. Visitors can see how various skins are processed into different types of leather, and the methods of decoration to produce quality consumer goods such as handbags, shoes etc. Northampton has been a centre of the leather and shoe industry for hundreds of years, and although most of the manufacture of leather goods has moved overseas the Technology Centre remains an international centre of excellence in training and research.
Any OAs in the area of Northampton are strongly encouraged to visit the Leather Technoogy Centre themselves!
