I was the first General Manager-Principal of Bailbrook College - appointed in 1977.
Bailbrook House was purchased by International Aeradio Ltd (IAL) in1976/7
and after 2,000,000 GBP refurbishment commenced training with the provision of courses for IAL & BA staff and overseas organisations in avionics, meteorology and ATC ,with the movement of IAL ATC training from Kidlington Airport, Oxford. The college was formally opened by Norman (now Lord) Tebbitt - then Minister for Civil Aviation.
The college was the only private sector establishment authorised by CAA to issue ATC licenses.
English Language training was also introduced later. A 120-bed dormitory and
recreation area (bar!) was added. The college moved into a 150,000 GBP profit in 1980.
Bailbrook House was built in 1790 by a surgeon employed in HM Overseas Colonial Service with an illegal appropriation of funds. It started life as a psychiatric nursing home. Rich patients, placed by families, lived upstairs with paupers chained in its cellars.
I left in 1981.
Squadron Leader Roy Handley RAF Ret'd
MBA C.Eng FIEE
(Ex-55th Cranwell)