IN 1987 the Standard celebrated 20 years of the National Star Centre for Disabled Youth.

The beautiful rambling stone mansion on the outskirts of Birdlip had originally been taken over by two Cheltenham women with Thalidomide victims in mind. 

Yet they found the vacuum that most needed filling was opportunities for people with special needs seeking further education. 

 “It is an immense challenge, but when you consider the help we give to hundreds of disabled youngsters to improve their future, it is a challenge we all face with optimism,” development officer Colonel Greville said in 1987.

Even by then, the college had outgrown its original building and had begun to spread into the large campus that exists in Ullenwood today, complete with accommodation, therapy centre and a bar. 

Now known as the Ofsted-outstanding National Star College, the centre celebrated its 50th anniversary this year.