LONDON'S second oldest music college has moved to Greenwich from its home of 130 years at a cost of £15.5m.

Last Thursday saw the unveiling of Trinity College of Music at King Charles Court, Old Royal Naval College in Greenwich.

Staff, students and governors met at Westminster Pier near their old home in Marylebone before setting sail down river to Greenwich. The convoy was met by HMS Westminster at Tower Bridge, which was opened for the occasion.

At Greenwich Pier, the fleet was met by the Royal Artillery Band, the Mayor of Greenwich and chairman and director of the Greenwich Foundation, Sir Angus Stirling and Francis Carnwath. The college was formally opened by the Duke of Kent.

In the afternoon, after a concert and parachute display, visitors were taken on tours of the refurbished residence.

The 550 students and 274 members of staff will be sharing the Old Royal Naval College with University of Greenwich students who occupy the other three courts.

Money was raised for the move by private donors, charitable trusts and Government institutions. a total of £1.2m was donated from the Jerwood Foundation, £500,000 from the Michael Peacock Charitable Trust, and £4m came from Higher Education Funding Council for England.

Principle Gavin Henderson said: “We are excited by all manner of potential involvement in this area. It is a really diverse community.”

Leader of Greenwich Council Councillor Chris Roberts said: “It is yet another step in the regeneration of Greenwich.”