In 1967 the group was known by a different name, Aylesbury Industrial Group Training Centre, reflecting the town's lost reputation as a home for many industrial giants which were a source of employment for a lot of people.

It was originally set up with the help of some of those companies to train their staff.

This photo of the first year's intake shows that then, as now, the centre was based in Gatehouse Close, with the gas works looming large in the background.

Stephen Smyth, head of marketing at ATG, said the centre, which now offers training in areas such as animal care as well as its traditional engineering courses, had changed hugely over the last four decades.
"If you had last year's photo and put it side-by-side with the first one, you would see there was a huge change in what we are offering, and that we now appeal to a much wider group.

"We have a good mix in here now of males and females and different ethnicities. As far as engineering is concerned it's still not hugely appealing to girls, but we still had two or three join this year. It's all indicative of the social change going on."

He added: "We would like to track some of these original apprentices down. We want as many as possible to come and celebrate at the 40th anniversary party."

If you recognise yourself in the photo, e-mail Mr Smyth at s.smyth@atg-training.co.uk or call 01296 468448.