Church Street memories: Margaret’s lifelong link to learning

Barnsley College University Centre has had many lives throughout its history – and some people, like former Councillor Margaret Bruff, have returned throughout many stages of their own lives.

In 1961, Margaret walked through the doors of the campus on Church Street at the age of 15 to study Typing and Office Practice, having left school with no qualifications.

“I left school with nothing and came straight here,” she recalled. “We learned to touch-type without letters on the keyboard – you had to memorise where every key was.

“Eventually, when we could start putting words together, they’d put on the William Tell Overture and we’d have to type along to it. We loved it and we laughed a lot. It was great fun.

“I couldn’t manage shorthand because I’m a Barnsley lass and it’s all about the sounds of words – so while I could write and interpret it, my teacher couldn’t understand me. For example, she said ‘book’ and I said ‘buk’. I passed all my typing exams, but not my shorthand.”

Margaret returned to the Church Street building in the 1970s as a cleaner – a temporary job offered by a neighbour.

“I cleaned a lecture room that was supposed to be haunted by a ghost,” she added.

“And once, in one of the science rooms, I climbed onto a bench to clean a window, and when I got down, the bottom of my overalls was in tatters. Something must have been spilled on the workbench!”

Going back to office work as her children grew up, Margaret began mentoring young people on the Youth Training Scheme (YTS) – a national initiative that aimed to give school-leavers a bridge into work.

Hundreds of young people attended what was then the Barnsley College of Technology for off-the-job training under the YTS.

“I used to take on YTS students for work experience,” Margaret says. “The man in charge came round one day to ask how they were getting on – and told me there was a job going and I ought to apply for it. So I did.”

That step marked the start of her long public service career. She began working for the local authority in 1988, before returning to the University Centre yet again – this time as a student. Over the following years, she completed a Cert Ed in Teaching, a BEd, and later a Master’s degree.

Margaret went on to work full-time as a trade union officer and served as a local councillor from 2006 to 2022, becoming a well-known and respected figure across Barnsley as Cabinet Spokesperson for Children’s Services.

Her love of learning and drive to promote education has never dulled – as recently as 2024, she completed a Level 2 Counselling course and has even picked up painting for the first time.

“From the town’s point of view, the new University Centre can only do good,” she added. “We’re already on the map, but this building is one more thing on the map.

“It’s been interesting watching the building change. The new alterations are amazing. The facilities they’ve got now – it’s incredible.

“Young people are so excited about what’s here, and how it’s going to help them. It’s great to see that enthusiasm to learn and to teach others.”

Want to see the new University Centre for yourself? We are now hosting monthly drop-in sessions where you can chat to staff, tour the facilities and find out about the cutting-edge courses on offer.