Founders' Day, which took place last Thursday, is a celebration of the University's past, present and future and will be held every Spring from now on.

The day began with a talk by Professors Richard Mawditt and Geof Wood on the history of the University followed by a meeting of the members of the University's Court attended by the Chancellor, Lord Tugendhat and the Vice-Chancellor, Professor Breakwell.

This was followed by an inaugural lecture by Nobel laureate Sir Paul Nurse, President of the Royal Society, who spoke about the great ideas of biology. This lecture was held in the new East building.

A drinks reception in the East building foyer followed before a dinner was hosted in the Claverton Rooms for 125 guests including long-serving staff, current and former SU sabbatical officers, and members of the University's Court and Council. Special guests at the dinner were Bath and North East Somerset (BANES) Councillors reflecting the key role of the local authority in the founding of the University of Bath.

The dinner included the annual peppercorn ceremony, where the University pays the BANES Council a peppercorn as rent for the land on which the campus is situated.

This ceremony dates back to the mid 1960s when the local council agreed to allow some of its land to be used as a site for the new University campus.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Glynis Breakwell, said: "It is important to acknowledge the past as you look forward to the future in any great university. Founders' Day will from now on be our annual opportunity to recognise our roots and thank all those who have contributed to our success."