Venta 5 - University of Winchester

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Class of 1980 reunion The class of 1980 met last September in Alfie’s Castle, organised by Deborah Carter (nee Robertson), BA History and Archaeology. Deborah writes: The event was attended by 80 graduates who studied at College between 1980 – 1984 with a few impostors of previous years included and two "old" lecturers – Utrick Casebourne and Michael Hicks. 30 stayed the night in Alwyn Hall – like old times! Names and addresses were swapped so that people can be involved in my 40th Birthday celebrations. (Left to Right): Caroline Coomber, Claire Barrett, Teresa Whitton, Vicki Adler, Alison Daone, Paul Trimble, Sue Yeend-Curd, Deborah Robertson. A disco was held playing eighties music and a two-course meal was enjoyed in the Dining Hall. Also, over Please call me on 01255 553811 if you too would like to be included! I remember when ... Would you like to take a trip down memory lane and have a look around campus to see how things have changed? Simply get in touch with the alumni office to arrange! (Un) forgotten treasures Barbara Yorke was recently awarded the title of "Professor of Early Medieval History" in recognition of her national and international research profile and of the professional leadership she has shown both within the College and the wider community. Here she reminisces on an Archaeology dig from days gone by, in response to a photo sent in by Mark Housby (Archaeology 1979 - 1982). I remember the field trip very well, and I think that I am still using some of the slides I took while we were there, but I don't remember this photograph being taken. If a similar photo were taken today it would be rather more packed with people because numbers have risen substantially in recent years, and a class this size is almost an unknown luxury. There would also be a much greater variation in ages represented as mature students are now a major element of the student body. The tentative steps taken then to introduce Archaeology into KAC have led to two popular Single Honours courses in Archaeological Practice and Archaeology. It’s still possible to do Combined Honours in Archaeology and History, but it’s not so popular though since Single Honours History has taken off. There is also a MA in Field Archaeology and another in Regional and Local History and Archaeology. Please let us know if you are interested! Both Archaeology and History are based in Medecroft now, and those who remember it will be delighted to hear it has had a bit of a facelift - it even has carpets on the floors! Of course, there have been many staff changes though a few old favourites are still hanging on - Michael Hicks, Tom James and Roger Richardson, for instance, and Alan French is due to retire at the end of the summer. Archaeology has seen most changes as several new staff have been appointed over the years, and it is now under the direction of Tony King. I don't do so much teaching in Archaeology, but I am still very interested in the interface of Archaeology and History and like to have a foot in both camps. I have been publishing quite a lot in recent years, mostly on Anglo-Saxon history, but I always try to incorporate some archaeological material as well if I can. One of my recent publications is a general book on "The Anglo-Saxons" for the Sutton Pocket History (all those introductory I lectures made it relatively easy to write!) and I am just The photo was taken in 1980 in a car park in Dorchester, whilst the History & Archaeology group were on a course trip. This group were the 1979 intake of Archaeologists, who were only the second year of Archaeology students at KAC. There is however one interloper from the 1978 intake in the photo, namely Andy Simpson, but also one 1979 student missing, who refused to have his picture taken - Pete Crotty. Barbara Yorke is also in the photo, together with the Archaeology tutor, Annie Robinson. Alex Turner is of course still working at KAC in the Archaeology Department. The occupants of the photo are: Front row (left to right): Mark Housby; Nick Riall; Betty Hansell; Alex Turner; Tina Lowesby; Jill Oseman and Rob Collins. Middle row: Claire Blackman. Back row (left to right): Yvonne Thyer: Andy Simpson; Barbara Yorke; Annie Robinson; Neil Maylen; Gina George; Cathy Johnson; Nick Hurst, Charlie Cracknell and Aen Bennent. completing a much more detailed and history he has had success study on "Nunneries and the Anglo- recently with a book based on his Saxon Royal Houses". grandfather's journals of the Boer War. I was delighted to meet Tina and Andy One of the good things about the again when they came to a lecture I smaller classes in days gone by is that gave in Bradford on Avon last year. I one got to know everyone, so the am also still in touch with Annie who names and faces in the photo are all is married with a young daughter and familiar to me. I have seen quite a living just outside Bristol. number of people more recently as well - not so difficult in some cases as It’s always a great pleasure to see they are still in Winchester (Alex, Gina, former students, so do come and look Mark). Nick Riall lived in Hampshire us up if you are visiting Winchester. until recently when he retreated to Wales; as well as publishing various pieces on Hampshire's archaeology 4 Venta - King Alfred’s Alumni Magazine
Down memory lane ... Howard Horstead attended King Alfred’s between 1953 and 1955. Then the College was an all-male bastion of less than 200 students. Here is just a brief snapshot of King Alfred’s nearly half a century ago. • The Principal, W. P. Dickinson, personally interviewed all men applying. Most men had served at least two years of National Service. • Everyone studied "Education" in their first year, dividing into primary and secondary groups in year two. We chose two main subjects from English, Mathematics, History, Geography, Physical Education, Craft, Biology, French, General Science, Divinity and Horticulture. • Each year some ten mature students from abroad were admitted onto a one year course to learn about English education. There was also a small cohort of men taking a one year course in Handicraft - they were informally known as ‘the wood and iron men’. Boys will be boys… In my second year, there was a General Election – we postered all over Winchester for the spoof candidate "Alfred King - Communist" - including a banner on the prison stating "Vote for King and get your freedom!" The Principal informed us that a Detective Sergeant and a Detective Constable wished to interview those involved. There were less than a dozen culprits but 143 (out of 178 students) turned up for questioning! No action was taken! • Nearly all students received free education, full board and lodging. I received one of the largest grants: £40 per year from the London County Council. Many of us undertook vacation work – such as in the Post Office at Christmas which included a Christmas morning delivery! • Virtually all students lived on site in St. James’. St. Grimbald’s, St. Swithun’s and Main Building, with West Hayes (just off the Romsey Road) as the fifth hostel. A room with a wash basin was a luxury! • Students enjoyed three cooked meals a day in the Dining Hall. Staff who wished to attend sat at the top table. Luncheon and Supper were formal meals where one stood as staff entered and "bowed out" if you wished to leave before staff.. On another occasion we dug a very large question mark on St. Catherine’s Hill. Photographs and news stories appeared in many local and national papers – all blaming the boys from Winchester College. Howard Horstead with his friend Troy proudly displaying the Christmas Tree they "borrowed" to donate to the children’s ward at Winchester hospital. The origins of the tree remain lost in the murky mists of time! This sporting life Despite its size the College had a wide extra-curricular programme. Soccer, rugger, hockey, tennis, cricket, badminton, cross-country and athletics could all muster two or three teams according to season. In addition, there were other activities such as debating, drama and film. On Ascension Day all lectures were cancelled and clubs and societies organised the day’s programme. There was no Student Union. Top marks for King Alfred’s! Quality Assessors have descended on the College over the past year and have given the thumbs up to three subject areas. The specialist subject reviewers deemed the College’s provision as excellent, with Education Studies achieving the maximum possible score, 24 out of 24! A final visit to Archaeology will take place in October 2001 … we look forward to another excellent result! Business and Management: 22/24 Theology and Religious Studies: 23/24 Education Studies: 24/24 Issue 5 - Summer 2001 5
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