WILMSLOW Guild students are watching the future of their college take shape all around them as work on the new extension gets underway.
The thriving Bourne Street education centre is being extended to provide bigger and better facilities for its 2,600 students.
Erica Millett, of the Guild Flower Club, said: "This is the second week the builders have been on site and everything is proceeding well."
The new side extension will house an enlarged students common room and foyer, new toilets, offices and a wheel chair lift.
John Sprawton, head of centre, said the extension was necessary to bring the centre up to 21st Century standards and to accommodate growing student numbers.
It means the building will have a good recreational area for students to linger after lessons and socialise in comfort.
But a slice of the guild's history will be preserved as builders take care not to disrupt the commemorative Gingko Biloba tree on the grounds of the college.
"It's name means seat of learning in ancient chinese", said Erica Millett. "Mrs Hilda Band, the then chairman, planted it in 1963 to commemorate the opening of the new building."
The guild was formed in the 1930s and was originally housed in the neighbouring Quaker Meeting House, on Water Lane before moving to the new venue.
As a charity, it operates independently of local colleges and education authorities and many classes have a recreational focus without exams or testing.
Increasing popularity meant that some lessons have moved to other venues around the area, such as Dean Row Community Centre, Lindow Church Rooms and Tabley House.
This move proved popular and the lessons will continue at these venues even after the extension is complete.
The guild relies entirely on student fees for income and has only one or two paid members of staff - the rest are volunteers.
However the adult education centre has always proved popular, which Erica Millet claims is due to the unique way it is operated.
Erica Millett said: "Wilmslow Guild is a unique adult learning centre with a wonderful range of courses. I have friends living in different parts of the country who say there is nothing like it where they live."
