“This is where I used to play my guitar.”
“From that window I used to watch for you coming out of the library.”
Memories are being shared of 38 years ago – our first year at university. A group of us attended a Durham reunion at the weekend to mark the University’s 175th celebrations. We managed to gain entrance to the room I shared with another undergraduate during my first year at University College which is housed in Durham Castle. Although the room is now the office of the Theolog
y Professor, I’m sure I could still detect a faint smell of Newcastle Brown.The Great Hall is over a 100 feet long and 45 feet high – described as “the finest room in the north of England”. There we ate formal dinner every evening wearing black academic gowns. We sat through a formal Latin Grace at the start. Thirteen seconds was the record speed of recital! You might recognise the Great Hall as it was used for at least one of the Harry Potter films.
Durham itself so inspired Bill Bryson, the writer (and now University Chancellor) that he said: “Go. Go now. Take my car.” We bumped into him later on Saturday night during a dance in the Great Hall. Despite a long day, he cheerfully signed another copy of his book for me and I told him I was listening to him in the car on CD reading A Short History of Nearly Everything. He is a popular, lively and witty individual – great for the promotion of Durham. Though it actually needs no promotion as it is now a World Heritage Site and retains all the charm, magic and mystery it has held for hundreds of years.
During the reunion weekend, like undergraduates, we drank too much coffee (and wine), and swopped stories and memories – but there were no essays to write. Outside in the garden of the English Department, today’s lecturers treated us to poetry readings and sherry in the afternoon sun. It was a privileged time and one now enjoyed by more and more generations of undergraduates coming up soon as freshers at this and other universities across the country.
Tonight, at our Presentation Evening, we will celebrate the success of students who are planning to take up university places in the next few days. University will be a transforming experience – even though I don’t think any of them (this year at least) are going to Durham! 
2 comments:
What fantastic photos! A lovely account that brought Durham, and the weekend, vividly back to life.
You were attending University in Durham - I was 5 years old and attending primary school in Washington, Tyne and Wear (part of County Durham then, of course). It is amazing how the mention of locations, once lived in or visited, can draw people together in nostalgic thought and whimsical "And do you remember...'.
Durham has always been, and will continue to be a favourite place to visit for my family every time I go back home. We visit the Cathedral, the University and the old town. We walk along the river bank and sometimes hire a rowing boat!
As my eldest daughter fills in her UCAS form with options ranging from Plymouth (of course) to Northumbria (too far for my liking), I am aware that, in years to come, she too will be looking back at probably the most exciting time in her life and stating, "I remember the first time we met, on our first day at university."
Best wishes to the current and former students of South Dartmoor Community College.
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