50 Years on
A group of former Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary students reunited 50 years since graduating and first embarking on their veterinary careers.
The eleven 1965 Dick Vet alumni, some travelling from as far afield as Australia, gathered in Edinburgh this sunny September to celebrate half a century since setting off to put their education into practice. It was a return to the office for the reunion organiser, Dan Bardsley, who worked at the Vet School following graduation.
Life at the Dick Vet in 2015
The reunion commenced with an early evening reception at The Salisbury Hotel within the Pollock Halls complex. Guests were welcomed by Professor David Argyle, Head of the Veterinary School, who spoke briefly about what life is like at the Vet School today.
The next morning, the group reconvened at the new Easter Bush Campus. Neil Wilson, Marketing Manager, gave a tour of the new teaching building.
Alumni were then given a tour of the current equine facilities with John Keen, Director of Equine Clinical Services, where Dr Keen explained how they manage as both a hospital referral service and teaching unit. He also outlined exciting plans to modernise it to a state of the art unit that will allow it to remain a globally leading equine care service.
The whole facility has a vibrant, welcoming, encouraging and positive ambiance. This made us appreciate how big an effort is made for today's veterinary students, being supported on a broad front in developing their intellectual, emotional, physical and spiritual wellbeing.
Lasting memories
The opportunity to talk with old friends and share memories, including a rather precarious ride over the North Yorkshire Moors in the snow, was a high point of the weekend. Touchingly, two of the alumni in attendance met as students at the Dick Vet. They went on to be married and have lived and worked as GPs in South Wales for their whole career.
On the final day, lunch was held in the familiar haunts of the old Dick Vet building at Summerhall which revived further memories and brought the reunion to a close.
A lot was achieved in a short time [and] provided a pleasant setting to meet old classmates again.