College Record 2017

JS: Ian knew every nook and cranny of the College building as he’d been here since
the very beginning.
SH: When David retired in 2000, Jon Stallworthy became Acting President for a
term while we waited for the arrival of Gareth Roberts. During that term, while
Gareth was still Vice-Chancellor at Sheffield, he invited Jon, Alan Gordon (Bursar)
and me to the university ‘to show us how it was done in Sheffield.’ We had lunch at
his residence ‘The Croft’, which involved the waiting staff wearing white gloves!
Needless to say it wasn’t a tradition he was able to introduce to Wolfson. However,
he did bring his love of party games to dinners at the Lodgings.
JS: Yes, you spent quite a bit of your time working out anagrams for him and typing
up the question sheets. It was during Gareth’s time that Chris had his major stroke,
so it was very difficult for you coping with that and continuing to work full-time. I
don’t know how you did it.
SH: You just had to do it.
JS: In fact we shouldn’t forget that during the twenty-five years we’ve worked
together we’ve supported each other through many challenges – our children
growing up, taking exams, going to university, leaving home, and the death of both
our mothers. Life-changing events.
SH: Yes. And it was sad when Gareth Roberts was diagnosed with terminal cancer.
Jon Stallworthy returned as Acting President and to oversee the election of his
successor.
JS: Yes, that was a difficult time in many ways and Jon was wonderfully supportive
and guided the College through this very rough patch. We had a special dinner in
Hall when his term of office ended – Richard Sorabji played the guitar and sang, and
Louise Calder, you and I performed some songs in Maori in his honour (as Jon was
a Kiwi).
SH: One of Jon’s best moves was persuading Hermione Lee to apply for the
Presidency – and the rest is history. Working with Hermione has been a privilege
and a delight and she has achieved so much for Wolfson. We will miss her.
JS: Yes, we certainly will.
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