17/06/2026
The University welcomed Tim Astbury, son of former Chester College Principal Canon Stanley Astbury, to campus for a special visit celebrating his family’s longstanding connection to the institution.
Tim is the son of Canon Stanley Astbury, who served as Principal of Chester College from 1935 to 1953. During his visit, Tim, along with family friend Pam, shared personal memories and historic insights into life at the College during an important time in its history.
Born in the Oswald Room of the Principal’s House, now known as Senate House, Tim returned to the very room where he was born. During his tour of the building, he shared fond anecdotes about his time living there - even recalling how he would hide in the dumbwaiter.
Tim also attended the cutting of the first sod ceremony as a young boy in 1939 alongside his mother, Mrs Ida Astbury, marking the beginning of construction of what would later become the Fisher and Astbury accommodation buildings on the Exton Park site.
As part of the visit, Tim brought with him the original spade used by his mother during the 1939 ceremony, now a prized family possession. He generously donated the commemorative plaque from the spade to the University’s archive, ensuring its preservation for future generations.
Read more about his visit here 👉 https://www.chester.ac.uk/about/news/articles/historic-visit-reconnects-former-principals-family-with-university-of-chester-/
