Tricia and I Went to University
During this period, both my older sister, Tricia, and I went to university. We were the first people in our family to do so as neither of our parents had had that opportunity. As Tricia was two years older than me, she went to university in 1976, two years before I did. Alan was at an advanced stage of his application although he only went to university in 1980.
Tricia Prepares to Apply
As early as 1975, Tricia started to attend courses and open days at universities, presumably as part of preparing for applying and going to university towards the end of 1976.
A Course at Nottingham University
For example, in January 1975, Tricia went on a five-day maths course at Nottingham University with five other girls from the High School. I went on a similar course, also in Nottingham, in January 1977.
A Course at University College London
In July 1975, Tricia went to University College in London with her schoolfriend Laura Holman for a free course on physics and astronomy. Although the course itself was free, mum noted that she had to pay £6.30 travel. She gave Tricia £7 to cover this. Following this course, Tricia decided she wanted to read physics and chemistry at university, preferably Cambridge or, failing that, London. Presumably, she changed her mind about London as I don’t think she applied there.
Applying to Cambridge
That same month, in July 1975, Tricia handed in her Cambridge application form. Mum noted that this was separate from her main UCCA application.
Universities Central Council on Admissions (UCCA)
UCCA stood for Universities Central Council on Admissions. It operated from 1961 to 1993 when it merged with the Polytechnics Central Admission System to form the Universities and Colleges Admission Service (UCAS). UCCA produced, and UCAS still produce, a comprehensive handbook to guide prospective students applying to UK universities.
Visiting Hull University
Also in July, on the 14th, Tricia went with Margaret East, Judith and Jane to Hull University. Tricia and Jane went on a physics course while Margaret and Judith went on a chemistry course. I don’t know Judith or Jane’s surnames.
Lecture at City College
In October 1975, Tricia went with a friend Rona to a lecture at City College. I also do not know Rona’s surname nor what this lecture was about.
Cambridge Entrance Exam
As part of her application to Cambridge, Tricia sat the Cambridge entrance exam. However, in October 1975, Tricia upset mum by saying that she would not get into Cambridge so there was no point in working for the exam. I suspect mum would have been stressed and upset by this rather than trying to encourage Tricia to give herself the best chance of getting into Cambridge by working hard.
Receiving Offers
At the end of that month, October 1975, Tricia received an offer of three Cs from Leeds. Southampton asked her to go for an interview on the 11th. On 5 November 1975, Hull invited her for an interview. But, Tricia wrote to them saying she had been on the course and asked them if she needed to go again. She also heard from Cambridge saying that they might want to see her on 15 December and, if they did, she would get very short notice.
On 7 November, Tricia went to look round Leeds University. Mum noted that she enjoyed it. On the 11th, she went to Southampton University. Mum noted that she was given a form to claim back half her fare but that Norwich Station were refusing to pay. I assume this was because there had been some kind of delay but mum does not state this explicitly.
On the 14th, Tricia received an offer from Southampton of two Cs in maths and physics and an E in chemistry. The next day, on the 15th, she received an offer of three Ds from Hull.
Sitting the Cambridge Entrance Exam
On 20 November 1975, Tricia sat the physics entrance exam for Cambridge. She said it was hard. The next day, on the 21st, she sat the chemistry and general papers.
An Offer from Cambridge
On 9 December 1975, Tricia turned down the offer from Leeds. The next day, the 10th, mum noted that Tricia needed to go to Cambridge on Monday. Apparently, Tricia was very pleased. Mum noted “I can hardly dare hope”. On the 15th, Tricia went by bus to Cambridge. On the 19th, Tricia had an offer from Cambridge. Mum described herself as thrilled but she noted that grandma was not really interested. This surprises me. I am not really sure what was going on here!
Natural Sciences at Newenham College
From memory, Tricia’s offer was for natural sciences at Newenham College. It was unconditional based on her performance in the entrance exam and interview. Essentially, this meant she only had to get two Es to be able to take up the offer. Presumably, she then declined all her other offers. In January 1976, Tricia heard from Bristol that they would make her an offer which she would get through UCCA.
Going to Cambridge
By this point, it was pretty much decided that Tricia would go to Cambridge as it was extremely unlikely that she would fail to get at least two Es at A level.
Money Worries
However, mum was anxious about money, in general, and getting a grant for Tricia, in particular. To do the latter, she felt she needed to know dad’s earnings and she felt that it would be difficult to get this information, see Chapter 114.
In April 1976, mum noted that Tricia had her university grant form. Mum spoke to Mike Cook, her lawyer, about this form. He advised her to fill it in with her earnings and what she got from dad, noting that they had lived apart since 1973, see Chapter 114. I suspect this was what mum did and it all went through smoothly as mum did not mention the issue again in her diary.
Practical Preparations
The focus then shifted to practical preparations for going to university and living away from home. At the end of September 1976, Tricia bought some items to take to Cambridge. Mum got her a Swan automatic kettle from Argos for £11.95. I noted that the same kettle was £14 in the Electricity Board and £16 at Jarrolds. I noted that Tricia had bought a lot of stuff as she was leaving on Sunday.
On 2 October 1976, dad came to see Tricia before she left for Cambridge. On the 3rd, mum took her to Newenham College. Mum had told Tricia that she had to choose whether she or dad would take her to Cambridge. Mum noted that she was not sure if she could bear it if Tricia chose dad! Dad and I put her trunk in the car. I noted that it weighed a ton! It seems to have been quite a send-off, presumably because this was a first for our family. I am not sure I got such a send-off when I left for university two years later!!
Keeping in Touch
The main way Tricia kept in touch with us while she was at university was by letter. She and mum especially wrote regularly to each other. I noted that I wrote sometimes, e.g. on 14 November 1976. Tricia also sometimes phoned.
Visiting Cambridge
There were also opportunities to visit Cambridge.
Mum and Grandma
For example, mum and grandma went to visit Tricia in Cambridge at the beginning of November 1976. Mum noted that she and grandma arrived there just after 11. They looked round the college and had lunch there. They left about 2pm and got home about 4pm.
Joseph
Later that month, in November 1976, we went to see Tricia performing in a Methsoc production of “Joseph”. I noted that while the others went to church I read the paper in the car. We then had dinner at church. In the afternoon, I noted that I went to a service to hear Tricia perform Joseph. Mum noted that the morning service was at Wesley and that she went with Alan and Liz. She noted that I stayed in the car. She also noted that after lunch we went to Newenham with Angus. Angus Carrick was Tricia’s boyfriend and future husband. He was the year ahead of Tricia and was at Peterhouse College. Tricia came later. Mum noted that the performance of Joseph was by Methsoc and was very good. We got home about 7pm.
Visiting Alone
In June 1977, I went on my own by train to see Tricia. In the afternoon, we went round various places in Cambridge and I then spent the evening listening to Tricia and her friends chatting.
On the 6th, Tricia and Angus went to a Methsoc meeting in the morning. While they were out, I finished my crossword book which I had bought the previous day. We had lunch at Newenham and then Angus and I went to see Malcolm to get Tricia’s physiology papers which she had left there. While we were out, Tricia did some work. Then, she and I sat in Angus’s room while he went rowing. We both did IQ tests! We then went to a Methsoc barbecue. I was asked to dry up. Although I noted that I did not mind, I thought it had been rude to ask me! We only got back to Tricia’s room about 1am.
The next day, I had a lie in while Tricia worked and Angus went rowing. After lunch, we went for a walk in town with three of Tricia’s friends. They all wore their gowns to honour the Queen’s silver jubilee, see Chapter 129. Tricia, Angus and I then went to the pictures to see “It Shouldn’t Happen to a Vet” and “All Creatures Great and Small” at the Victoria 1 cinema. This finished at about 7pm. We then went to formal hall at Angus’s college, Peterhouse, before I caught a train home.
AMS Study Day
Four months later, in October 1977, mum attended an Association of Medical Secretaries (AMS) study day in Cambridge, see Chapter 121, and called in to see Tricia.
Coeliac Society AGM in London via Cambridge
The following year, in February 1978, mum drove to Cambridge and went from there by train to attend a Coeliac Society meeting in London, see Chapter 116. She stayed overnight with Tricia.
Bringing Things Home
Four months later, mum took the car to Cambridge so that she could bring Angus’s and Tricia’s things home.
Tricia’s 21st Birthday Party
The following year, in May 1979, mum noted going to Cambridge for Tricia’s 21st birthday party. She and Liz went in the morning with Rachel, possibly Rachel Strangleman, and Gary Tidy. Alan came later with Nigel Harris by train.
I don’t think I went. I am not sure if this was the event but I recall missing one family event because of commitments in Newcastle and being severely told off by dad for being selfish and self-centred. On reflection, I think he probably had a point! I was pretty wrapped up in my student life and recall being reluctant to drop things I had planned to do that weekend to go to a family event in Cambridge!
Meeting Angus’s Parents
Later that month, in May 1979, mum, Alan and Liz went to Cambridge to meet Angus’s parents. Tricia went back with them.
Graduation
On 23 June 1979, Liz and mum went to Tricia’s graduation. Mum described it as a lovely day. The next day, on the 24th, Tricia and Angus went back to Cambridge to fetch some things she had forgotten.
Home for Holidays
During the time she was at university, Tricia also came back to Norwich for holidays at Easter, in the summer and at Christmas. Sometimes, she came back on the train and then went back in the car so she was more able to transport her things. Sometimes, she came with friends including Angus.
She did not always spend the whole holidays at home. For example, in summer 1977, she and Angus went youth hostelling in Europe with friends. In the Christmas holidays in 1978, Tricia spent some time with Angus’s family in Basildon. Sometimes, when home for holidays, she had university work to do, for example in December 1976.
Influenced by Tricia
Undoubtedly, I was greatly influenced by Tricia’s experience of university. She seemed to be having a great time and I could not wait until I also got the opportunity to go too.
No doubt, part of this was that I was very keen to leave home but there were also positive pull factors too such as the freedoms and opportunities afforded by university life.
Activities at the University of East Anglia (UEA)
While I was still at school, I attended activities at the University of East Anglia (UEA) including lectures and films, particularly German films.
Lectures
In March 1977, a lot of us went to a lecture at the UEA on silicone and silicates. I described it as very interesting. The next day, I went to “see” the physics lectures at the UEA. I noted that “see” was inappropriate as both were about sound! However, I found them boring compared to the chemistry one the previous day.
Films
In March 1976, I noted that I was thinking of going to a German film at the UEA. My friend Chris Gray was going. We did indeed go to this film with Andrew Sheppard. However, I was “cheesed off” at half-time so I came home. Then, in May 1976, I went to a 1921 film put on by the German society at UEA. The film was silent and all the writing was in English. That same month, I went with Bob (probably Bonwell), Chris Gray and Ian Sherrington to see a German film at the UEA.
A Bit Snobby
To be honest, I was a bit snobby about UEA and other sixties’ universities such as Essex and Keele. In my view, UEA was not helped by its brutalist architecture, in general, and the ziggurats, in particular, which were pretty much universally disliked by people I knew in Norwich! Nevertheless, I did go there for lectures and films and also for social activities, see Chapter 122. For example, in November 1977, I went to a Steve Gibbons concert there although I had been concerned that I might not be able to afford to go.
Lectures at City College
I also attended lectures at City College, for example, in January 1977, a chemistry lecture.
Other Lectures
In October 1977, I went to a lecture entitled “Energy Resources on a Finite Earth”. Although I thought it was interesting, I thought it over long and “not really fascinating”. I did not say where it had been.
Course at Nottingham University
In September 1976, I heard about a course being offered by Nottingham University, in January 1977, focused on providing an introduction to university life. This was, I think, the same course Tricia had attended two years earlier. Mum referred to it as a maths/physics course.
I found the idea of going on such a course extremely attractive. I noted that the fees were £20 and that I would be able to get a grant of £10. So, I applied. In November 1976, I heard I had been accepted on the course. I noted that I would need to see Mr Smith about getting the grant money.
Mr Smith, I believe, refers to one of the deputy heads at Hewett, see Chapter 103. I tried to see him on 19 November 1977 but he was away. Just under a week later, I went to see him but again he was not there! I left a message asking him to contact me which he did. So, I then saw him on the 26th but was disappointed as I thought he was the opposite to how he had been when I had seen him previously. I described him as “reluctant to pay up”. I also got more information from Nottingham about the course that day. At the beginning of December, I went to see Mr Smith to tell him that the cheque he had sent had not arrived. Anyway, it came in that day’s post.
Detailed Description
I was keeping my diary at this point so this course is described in some detail. On 4 January 1977, I travelled to this course by train with Ian Sherrington. His parents dropped us at the station. Ian’s mum travelled part of the way with us as she was going to Leicester. We changed at Ely and then got on a crowded train which was going to Manchester via Nottingham.
We looked around Broadmarsh shopping centre and ate at the Wimpy. I considered the Broadmarsh shopping centre very impressive. However, following Intu’s financial collapse in 2020, the centre has been derelict and has been partially demolished. The Wimpy was in the Broadmarsh centre but closed in 2019.
Settling In
We then got a free bus to the university, registered and found our rooms. I believe I stayed on campus and my diary noted my room as E2. However, I don’t think it is possible to locate this without more information on the building in which the room was located.
An Explosive Lecture
After this, we went to a lecture on explosions which I considered “good and noisy”. My diary noted that “the lecturer blew a stool to bits when he ignited a mixture of acetylene and oxygen!” I recall this lecture including the lecturer telling us that we had probably been told not to heat liquids in sealed containers because, if we did, this is what would happen and there was then a loud bang!!
First Full Day
I commented that the next day had been busy. I noted the lectures I had been to including a boring one on optimal operations, which had been part of linear programming, and another more interesting one on low temperature physics. In the evening we had a lecture on computing. The lecturer played hangman against the computer, which I guess seemed very advanced at the time! Then I watched the end of a film.
Six Lectures
The following day, I went to six lectures in all. The first one had what I considered to be an uninformative title “The Stagecoach Problem”. It ended up being a maths lecture similar to the optimal operations one of the previous day. There were two more maths lectures, one on factorisation and another on probability.
There was also a physics lecture entitled “Nuclear Physics” which was interesting but complicated so it tended to lose people. This resulted in what I described as some interesting paper aeroplane flights! In the evening there were two lectures, an informative one entitled “University Life” and another which consisted more or less of someone’s holiday snapshots from New Guinea!
A Quiet Day and A Dance
The next day, the 7th was pretty quiet. There was a nine o’clock lecture on quantum physics but then we were free until I had a maths tutorial which consisted of problem solving. After tea, I didn’t feel too well. It was, I think, something I ate. I had arranged for Graham, someone I had met from Bury, to come round but, when he came, I was in the middle of being sick and in no fit state to go to the dance! I assume Graham was from Bury in Lancashire as I later referred to Bury St Edmunds in full.
After being sick, I felt much better and went to the dance after all. There I met this very nice girl Penny who came from Bury St Edmunds. I am afraid I don’t recall her and I don’t think we kept in touch.
Going Home
On the final day, we had a humorous lecture on waves and a physics tutorial. After lunch, Ian and I caught a bus to Nottingham in order to catch our train which left at 8 minutes past 5.
There were a lot of police at the station as both Nottingham teams, Forest and County were playing at home versus Bristol Rovers and Arsenal respectively. Forest finished third in the second division that year. They played Bristol Rovers, also a second division team, in the third round of the FA Cup. It was a 1-1 draw as was the first replay but Forest won the second replay 6-0. County were also a second division team, finishing eighth that year. They lost 1-0 in the third round of the FA Cup to first division Arsenal.
I noted that Ian spent the journey complaining about his state of health and the rattly trains! We had to change 3 times at Grantham, Peterborough and Ely.
Keen to Go to University
I really enjoyed the course in Nottingham. It truly whetted my appetite for university life. I could hardly wait to finish school, leave home and go to university. However, I had not even started the application process let alone secured a place!!
Visiting Oxford
That same month, I met with Mr Burns, the head of Upper School, see Chapter 118, at least in part, to discuss a forthcoming trip to Oxford. I also used the meeting to complain about the quality of our physics teachers! That trip happened on 11 February 1977. I went with Mr Burns and two other students, James Jarvis and Suzanne (Suzy) Roessler to visit Wadham College. After the trip mum noted that I was interested in going to Oxford possibly to study chemistry, which had been the focus of the visit. I noted that we looked round various places and that I had learned a lot including how to apply to Oxford.
Oxford, Cambridge or Neither?
However, although I was inspired to apply to Oxford by my visit there, I clearly was undecided as to whether to do so or to apply to Cambridge or neither.
Which Subject to Study?
Linked to this issue was the question of what I should study. While Oxford and Cambridge had unrivalled academic reputations in most subjects, this was less the case in medicine. Cambridge, in particular, was considered to have quite an old-fashioned approach to teaching medicine and some, if not all, of the medical students only did their pre-clinical in Cambridge before completing their clinical training elsewhere.
Chemistry?
Given the subjects I was studying, my aptitude for sciences and my preference for chemistry among the sciences, my natural tendency was to study chemistry and this inclination was strengthened by my visit to Oxford. However, I was also interested in medicine and most people I spoke to were of the opinion, if I recall correctly, that it was really a “no-brainer” if there was a choice between medicine and chemistry.
My chemistry teacher, Mr Simpson, see Chapter 118, who I liked and respected, was particularly influential in this regard. He strongly encouraged me to study medicine or some form of engineering rather than pure chemistry unless I wanted to become a chemistry teacher!
Dithering
As with my earlier decision about which A levels to study, see Chapter 118, I dithered! So, in May 1977, when I went to a meeting about Oxbridge entry, I was told that I better decide whether or not I wanted to apply quickly!
Speaking to Mr Norris
I tried to see Mr Norris the next day but he was only available the following day.
I am not sure why I spoke to Mr Norris or what responsibility he had, if any, for university applications. In November 1977, I noted that Mr Norris gave me back an essay and a précis which I had given him. I commented that the essay was adequate but could do with a bit of polishing but he called the précis excellent. Initially, I thought this related to Latin but I finished that at the end of lower sixth and Mr Norris had only taught me this in earlier years. I wonder if it might have related to university applications.
Applying to Cambridge
Following that meeting with Mr Norris, I noted that we had more or less decided that I would apply and would look into which colleges I should pick. I also noted that I was going to discuss with my sister, Tricia. The implication seems to be that by this point I had decided to apply to Cambridge rather than Oxford.
Discussing with Others
I discussed university applications with a number of people.
Mr Rogers
These included our dentist, Mr Rogers, who I spoke to when I went for a filling, see Chapter 116, in April 1977!
Mr Ashken
In September 1977, mum asked her boss Mr Ashken if I could speak to one of his registrars about applying for medicine. Apparently, I told her that I would rather have spoken to Mr Ashken himself! I did not record this conversation. Mum wasn’t sure what to do then but thought she would speak to Mr Ashken. On the 20th, I spoke to Mr Ashken about working as a doctor. Mum noted this conversation. Apparently, Mr Ashken said he thought I should get in and that I “had the same problem as his son Ian, i.e. that other places had more attractive courses than Oxbridge”
Problems with Cambridge Application
In early September 1977, I noted that I had a few problems with my Cambridge application although I did not specify what these were. I noted that I didn’t think I would get in.
Other Universities
I was of course considering other universities and noted looking through a number of prospectuses. I was not the only one applying. Most of my friends were from my school year and many of them were applying too. We shared prospectuses and UCCA handbooks among us and often discussed who was applying where. For example, in September 1977, I took the UCCA handbook to Gary Wood. The next day, I went with Gary Wood to Sara Humphries’ to take her some prospectuses.
Queens’ College Cambridge
However, just a few days after noting problems with my Cambridge application, I heard from Queens’ College that they wanted me to go for an interview. Unlike when Tricia applied, this interview took place before I had sat the Cambridge exam.
About ten days later, I had a practice interview with Dr Roy Hewett’s headmaster. This was about five days before the actual interview. I went to Cambridge by train and had an interview with the Admissions Tutor and Director of Studies which I thought had not been too bad.
Interview with Mr Nobbs
At the beginning of October 1977, I had an interview with Mr Nobbs, one of the senior teachers at Hewett. It was supposed to have been about my Cambridge application but it ended up being about our form’s assembly the next day, see Chapter 118.
Should Have Applied to Oxford?
A few days later, mum noted that I was worried because Dr Roy kept telling me that I should have applied to Oxford. My suspicion is that this was more mum’s worry and anxiety than mine! Apparently, I told mum that I had not been told to apply to Oxford.
Cambridge Entrance Exam
A couple of days later, I received an acknowledgement from Queens’ College. I clearly was taking the Cambridge entrance exam seriously as, on the 14th, I asked for more private study time and for that to be at the library, presumably the city library, see Chapter 118. To my surprise, my request was granted.
However, I am not sure I got as much support from school and my teachers as I could have! Dr Roy clearly thought I should have applied to Oxford not Cambridge. In October 1977, mum went to my parent teacher evening. She noted that all teachers said I should get A grades but none were keen on the Cambridge entrance exam. I am not sure what they thought I should have done instead!
Friends’ Offers
At the beginning of November 1977, I noted that my friend Gary Wood had received an offer of two Cs from York. I noted that my friends Chris Gray and Andrew Sheppard had received offers from St Andrews and Reading respectively but they did not know what grades they had been offered or did not want to say. Not all my school friends applied to university. I noted that Andrew Ellson had been accepted into the navy. I noted that he had passed the medical even though I considered that he was overweight!
Offer from Newcastle
The very next day after Gary got his offer from York, there was a letter for me from Newcastle upon Tyne University, offering me three Bs. I was very pleased. This was, I think, a fairly typical offer for medicine then but grades required are much higher now.
I had placed Newcastle second after Cambridge. Newcastle’s course attracted me because they introduced clinical medicine very early and they placed a lot of emphasis on a long elective between third and fourth years.
I recall that I had to put Cambridge first because they would not consider anyone who did not do that. Other universities also wanted to be put as first choice but they often excluded Oxbridge applications from those considerations.
I don’t recall where else I applied – Leeds and Southampton, I think and possibly Birmingham. I did not get offers from any of them. Also, I did not have to go for interview except to Cambridge. Newcastle made me an offer without interview.
While it might seem to have been disappointing not to have more interviews and offers, my view was that the fact that I had what I considered to be an achievable offer from somewhere I wanted to go was enough. It certainly made the application and acceptance process easier!
I am not sure mum was convinced by this though particularly given the number of offers Tricia got! In February 1978, mum noted that I received a rejection from Southampton. I hope she realised that applying for medicine and science were different and it was relatively unusual to receive multiple offers for medicine.
Cambridge Rejection
Finally, a few days before Christmas 1977, mum noted that I had heard that Queens’ College in Cambridge were not able to offer me a place. She thought I was very upset and she was too. However, I don’t think I told her this. She “guessed”. I went to Andrew’s for tea came in about 8 and went to bed at 9. Mum tried to talk to me and I told her to go away!
I am not sure mum’s interpretation of this was correct. While I was naturally disappointed that I had “failed” the Cambridge entrance exam, I don’t think I was as upset as mum thought I was or she herself was. Going out and going to bed early were probably just strategies to avoid having to talk to her about it when her upset and disaappointment would be all too evident! I was happy that I already had an offer from Newcastle and, in my mind, it made it clear that I would go there and I would not be faced with having to decide bewteen Cambridge and Newcastle had they both offered me a place.
Visiting Newcastle
Although Newcastle did not require me to go for an interview before making me an offer, I was invited to go for a look round towards the end of March 1978. In my mind, this was far better than going for an interview as it was focused on people who had been offered places to study medicine. So, I met people I would potentially be studying with. In my case, as I only had the one offer, I was very much of the view that this would be where I would be going in a few months. I spent four days there and came back via dad’s in Birmingham.
Studying in Newcastle
So, on 28 September 1978, I went to Newcastle for university to study medicine.
Tricia Took Me
My sister Tricia took me. We left about 7.30am and she got back about 4pm the next day. It is interesting that Tricia took me as mum had really wanted to take Tricia when she went to university and would have been upset if Tricia had asked dad to take her. I am not sure why mum did not feel that way in my case! Perhaps it was because Tricia was the first child to go to university or perhaps that my relationship with mum was different from that between Tricia and mum. Distance may also have been a major factor. Newcastle is about 260 miles from Norwich while Cambridge is just over 60 miles away.
Mainly Memories Only
During this period, I was not keeping a diary. I do have my diaries from 1982. I was coming to the end of my fourth year at this point. So, although those diaries will be most relevant to the early eighties, they do contain information about my time in Newcastle so are relevant as background to this period.
Nevertheless, the only diary available from this time is mum’s. That has very little in it about my time at university because I was away from home so mum knew very little, if anything, about what I was up to! So, the details here are compiled largely from memory supported by other information I have accessed from the Internet, books etc. I have tried to stick pretty strictly to the time period of the late seventies but my time at university spilled over into the early eighties. That latter time included my clinical years and living in rented accommodation outside of halls of residence. I do not cover such things here. I focus mostly on my first academic year but also the first term of my second year fell at the end of 1979.
Student Grant(s)
One thing mum did mention was my grant and that I had written to her in early October saying that I had not yet received it. I vaguely recall this but I don’t think it caused major problems as I think my tuition was paid directly and I simply paid for my board and lodgings once the grant came through.
On reflection, I was privileged to receive a grant for both my tuition and living expenses. I think I may have received the maximum amount as, although parts were means-tested, I think I was assessed on my mother’s income and what she received from dad.
My recollection is that, while the grant was not huge, it was sufficient to live on. I am pretty sure I was not in debt when I finished university. In my first two years, I lived in hall and this meant food and board were covered. So, I only needed my grant for other things, including books, social activities, travel etc. However, it was pretty much the norm to live simply as a student and my recollection is that my friends were doing the same.
This system changed fundamentally in 1990 when student loans largely replaced grants. Part of the issue is that a much higher proportion of people go into higher education now than did then. In 2019, more than half of young adults were going into higher education whereas, in 1980, it was only 15%.
Halls of Residence
As noted above, for my first two years at university, I stayed in halls of residence. This was fairly unusual as most people, particularly those on three-year courses, only spent their first year in halls.
Castle Leazes
I stayed in Castle Leazes which was the largest hall of residence, accommodating over 1,000 students.
These halls opened in 1968 and were the university’s first mixed gender accommodation although, when I attended, the genders were still separated by floor. The halls are currently being redeveloped to create a 2,000-bedded student village. The original halls have been demolished and the new accommodation is expected to be available for the 2028/29 academic year.
Student Accommodation Then and Now
The student accommodation now available at Newcastle University is unrecognisable from when I was there! In addition to Castle Leazes, there were smaller halls located further from the university including Henderson and Ethel Williams. Self-catering accommodation was also available close to the university, in Richardson Road and Leazes Terrace, and further away at Easton. Henderson Hall had originally been men-only. Opened in 1932, it was badly damaged by fire in 2023 after the building had been empty for some years. Ethel Williams Hall opened as a women-only hall in 1950. It was mostly demolished in the late nineties although the older parts were converted back to private residences.
The flats in Richardson “Ricky” Road opened in 1972 as the university’s first self-catered accommodation. They were demolished in 2017 and replaced by Park View Student Village. Leazes Terrace also offered self-catering accommodation close to Newcastle United football ground. The university sold it in 2019 and it was converted into luxury apartments. Easton Hall was Newcastle’s first hall, opening in 1915 and offering accommodation to 39 female students. It was later converted into self-catering flats. In 2018, it was sold to become the private student accommodation City View Jesmond. The university website has a page describing the history of its halls of residence as does an unofficial website documenting the history of the Courier student newspaper.
“Walking” Round Castle Leazes
Google Streetview allows you to “walk” around the outside of the Castle Leazes complex from the main vehicle entrance. As of October 2024, this was a closed construction site but earlier views show what it was like. The walk round dates to March 2021 and shows the main entrance to get inside Castle Leazes. To the right is the main walkway that we used to get to Leazes Moor and the university. This ran past my room in Eustace Percy Hall. Pedestrian access out of Leazes into the park was through a kind of tunnel between two buildings. I also came across a student-shot video from 2015 which shows what it was like to walk through the main entrance to a room in Freeman Hall.
While some things were different in 2015, much was as it was when I was there. It triggered a lot of memories for me. The external entrance and path to the university were pretty much as I remember them. The inside was very different. I recall there was a porter’s lodge on the right. I also believe that paths to the three different halls were shown with coloured lines.
The room (4:35) looks remarkably similar to how I recall my room. I assume all rooms were of a similar design. There was a bed, desk and sink. Toilets, showers and a small kitchen were on the corridor. One thing I recall is that we were not allowed kettles in our rooms because they blew the electrical system! As mentioned, my room overlooked the main walkway to the university.
Close to the University
Castle Leazes was also the closest hall of residence to the university. The self-catered accommodation in Leazes Terrace was closer and the flats in Richardson Road were probably the same distance.
University Precinct or Campus
I recall when I was a student, Newcastle University made a big thing of not having a campus out-of-town but being based on a precinct close to the city centre. However, my wife does not recall this distinction and the university seems to unashamedly talk about its campus now! I have therefore just referred to the university or the university campus.
Spital Tongues
Castle Leazes was located in an area known as Spital Tongues. Apparently, Spital is thought to derive from hospital and Tongues refers to outlying pieces of land. I am pretty sure I did not know this when I was there!
Leazes Moor
The university was accessed by walking across Leazes Moor. Leazes Moor is the area of land that separates the halls of residence from the city of Newcastle including the RVI and Newcastle United football ground. The south-eastern corner is developed as Leazes Park with a lake and bandstand. The whole area of Leazes Park and Moor is sometimes called Leazes Park.
Leazes Park is the oldest park in Newcastle. One of the features of Leazes Moor, and the nearby Town Moor, was that cattle graze on it particularly in the summer months. I had forgotten them but I think they were a feature of walking to and from the university.
Three Halls
Castle Leazes halls consisted of three large individual halls each based around a tower block. They were called Havelock, Freeman and Eustace Percy[3] halls.
Havelock Hall
I am not sure I knew this when I was a student but Havelock hall was named after Thomas Havelock a professor of mathematics. I think one of my best friends, Paul Morris, lived in Havelock.
Freeman Hall
I have struggled to find definitive evidence for the origin of the name for Freeman hall. However, Freeman Hospital was named after a well-known farming family. A number of my closest friends lived in Freeman, Christine Channon, Beverley Squires and I think Christopher Deighton was there too.
Eustace Percy Hall
Eustace Percy was 1st Baron Percy of Newcastle. He had had an earlier hall of residence named after him before the name was transferred to one of the three halls in Castle Leazes. I may well have been told about him when I was a student but I really do not recall. It was not something that interested me at that time! This was the hall I was in. I made friends within my corridor but do not recall many names clearly.
My room for both years was E168 on the first floor. My fees covered accommodation and most meals. I think the meals covered were breakfast and evening meal in term-time and breakfast and lunch at the weekend.
Each hall had a range of facilities including dining room, bar, TV room, table tennis table, pinball machine and pigeon holes for post. My recollection is that these facilities were separate for the three halls but I may not be remembering this correctly. I think there were some facilities shared between the three halls including launderette.
The Medical School
As noted above, my studies were based in the then medical school in the King George VI building. Looking at the building on Google StreetView brings back memories of the metal fire exits and using these to leave the building during fire drills!
I was really only based there for my first two pre-clinical years as, after that, we were increasingly based at different hospitals and our lectures took place in the New Lecture Theatre in the RVI. That part of the RVI, at least from the outside, has changed beyond all recognition! I struggle to identify where it was. From memory, there was a lecture room and a coffee room/café for use by students. I recall it was possible to leave bikes there. It does seem that the New Lecture Theatre may still be in existence but as part of a new Skills Academy.
The medical school moved to the current location, attached to the RVI, in 1984. The new dental school had opened at the same location some years earlier. I never studied at the present medical school but when I taught anatomy from 1984-85, that was based at the current medical school which had only just opened. I was aware of the narrow windy lane that now links the Medical School to the rest of the university. However, I don’t believe that I knew this was called Lovers’ Lane.
Getting Around
I am pretty sure I took my bike to Newcastle from the outset. This is confirmed by my year book entry in which I am remembered as arriving in Newcastle with bike and bike clips! However, I don’t think I used it much during the first two years I was there when I lived in hall. Everywhere I needed to get, for example, from Castle Leazes to the Medical School, I could easily walk. While it was possible to cycle across Leazes Moor, it was not always easy because of the number of students walking to and fro between Castle Leazes and the university. Also, my friends who lived in Castle Leazes also walked so, of course, I tended to walk with them.
My bike came into its own in my clinical years when I was living in Fenham, near the General Hospital, and I used it to cycle to my clinical assignments at different hospitals such as the RVI and Freeman. As an aside, I was living with two friends Steve Haywood and Paul Morris in Hartington Street. It was one of those Tyneside flats with separate upstairs and downstairs. Other friends Beverley Squires and Susan Quayle lived downstairs. It was number 130. It seems that numbers 128 and 130 have been combined and the door to 130 closed off.
Other Places in the University
While I spent most of my time in my first year in the medical school, I do recall other buildings and places in the university from my student days. The university website has a video tour of the campus on it. While many facilities and features are new, I do recall a number of others.
The Old Quadrangle
Located in the oldest part of the university, the quadrangle was a throroughfare for cars until it was laid out as a memorial garden between 1947 and 1949 dedicated to those who lost their lives in two world wars. I am ashamed to say that I don’t think I knew that. It became a popular spot for graduation photos.
The Arches
Constructed in 1911, this pair of arches leads from the quadrangle to King’s Road. Exam results were published here. In 2011, the Museum of Antiquities, was demolished to create more open space, now known as the Forum. The Museum had opened in 1960 and closed in 2008. Its collection was merged into the Great North Museum Hancock.
The Students’ Union
The Students’ Union own their building. Built in 1925, the outside is pretty much as I recall it but the inside is pretty unrecognisable! While I did go in a few times, it was not a place I visited frequently but I did walk past it often and it is one of the most recognisable buildings in the university.
King’s Walk
King’s Walk is the pedestrianised way that goes past the Students’ Union building down some steps and toward the Haymarket.
The Northern Stage Theatre
I recall this theatre but not the name Northern Stage. I vaguely remembered that it was called the Playhouse. Sure enough, opened in 1970 as the University Theatre, it was renamed Newcastle Playhouse in 1978, a name it retained until 2006.
The Armstrong Building
The Armstrong Building is the oldest and perhaps one of the most recognisable university buildings located on Queen Victoria Road opposite the RVI. It opened in 1888 to house the College of Physical Science. It features the Armstrong Tower and its east side forms part of the quadrangle. It is named after William George Armstrong a prominent 19th century engineer and industrialist.
Kings Hall
Kings Hall is described as a grand traditional space within the Armstrong building. It is used for graduations. A video of an example graduation from the School of Medicine from 2023 is available on YouTube.
The Old Library
This was the library when I was a student. It now hosts the school of modern languages. It was replaced by the Philip Robinson library in 1982. I recall spending quite a bit of time there although Jo recalls using the departmental library more. I think I used it as a quiet, central to study rather than a place from which to get books. Mostly, I had my own books. It is of interest, perhaps, that the current university library stocks books for all subjects except law and medicine.
Old Chaplaincy Building
Formally, the Claremont Buildings, located on Eldon Place, this was the chaplaincy building when I was a student. In April 2023, the Farrell Centre opened here as part of the university’s School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape.
Catholic Chaplaincy
There was a separate Catholic Chaplaincy building at 14 Windsor Terrace in Jesmond. Apparently, it was known as Bede House. It appears to have closed. Both 14 and 15 Windsor Terrace were sold and now seem to be flats. The building was essentially part of the extended university campus close to where the library is now. It is linked to the main campus by a covered footbridge which crosses the urban motorway, see below.
Former Claremont Tower
This building, dating from the late sixties, is distinctive as part of it extends as a bridge across Claremont Road. Formerly, the parts of the building were known by different names such as the Claremont Tower, the Claremont Bridge and the Daysh Building but, since 2020, it has been known collectively as the Henry Daysh Building. The School of Geography, Politics and Sociology is based here.
Paternoster Lift
One of the things I most recall about this tower was that it had a paternoster lift. These are now considered dangerous and this particular lift was replaced in 1989.
Close to the City Centre
Given that, unlike many others, the university was not out-of-town but close to the city centre, I got to to know Newcastle reasonably well.
Banking
One of the first thinsg I needed to do was to open a bank account and I did that at what was then Lloyds, but became Lloyds TSB and is now TSB, in the Haymarket.
Although I considered this to be in the Haymarket, not least because it is right next to Haymarket Metro, TSB’s address is 162 Northumberland Street. It is also known as St Mary’s branch as it is on the corner of St Mary’s Place.
Incidentally, the Metro was not there when I first moved to Newcastle. It opened in August 1980. I think the main reason I chose this bank was proximity. I know all the banks were keen to attract students as customers and there may have been some incentives to open an account with them. However, if there was I do not recall what it was!
Northumberland Avenue and Eldon Square
Lloyds Bank marked the start of Northumberland Avenue, one of Newcastle’s main shopping streets. This was also one way to get to Eldon Square shopping centre.
Eldon Square was pretty new when I was a student having opened in 1976. I recall cutting through Eldon Square to get from St Thomas’ Street to Northumberland Avenue and the current entrance up steps by Marks and Spencer is pretty much as I recall it.
Thorne’s
Another place I went to often was Thorne’s bookshop. I am not sure if they were formally the university’s bookshop but they used the name Thorne’s Students’ Bookshop Ltd and were certainly the main supplier of books needed for my medical course.
It seems that they later moved closer to the university to where Blackwell’s are currently. This is 141 Percy Street. There is a good photo of Thorne’s at this location in 1995. However, when I was a student, they were further along, at 63-67 Percy Street, as I recall turning right from St Thomas’s Street to get to them.
Central Station
Another place I got to know pretty well during my student days was Newcastle Central Station. Formally opened by Queen Victoria in August 1850, the station expanded considerably and now has 12 platforms. While trains had originally crossed the river by the High Level Bridge, a separate railway bridge, the King Edward VII Bridge opened in 1906. The station has linked to the Metro system since it opened in 1980. The station is to the south of the university and the city centre, close to the River Tyne.
My recollections are that I mostly travelled to and from Newcastle by train. One thing my mum did comment on in her diary was how I came and went to and from Newcastle. I have already noted that when I first went, in September 1978, my sister Tricia took me in the car. In December 1978, mum did not comment how I came home but I assume it was by train as she dropped me at the station when it came for me to go back in January.
Mum did not record how I came back at Easter in 1979 but, again, I assume it was by train. When I came home for the summer, in June 1979, Tricia picked me up as I presume I had more stuff than when I came home at other times. When I came home for Christmas 1979. Mum noted that I hitched with friend Paul Morris as we had no money! I do not recall this.
Bridges
The bridges over the River Tyne are perhaps some of the most striking and memorable features of the landscape of Newcastle and Gateshead. Essentially, Gateshead is everything to the south of the river and Newcastle everything to the north.
Apparently, there are now seven such bridges although the Metro bridge only opened in 1981, the Redheugh Bridge in 1983 and the pedestrian Millennium Bridge in 2001. The most iconic is the Tyne Bridge. Others include the Swing Bridge, the High Level Bridge and the King Edward VII Railway Bridge.
The Swing Bridge opened in 1876 and, at that time, was the largest swing bridge ever built. The High Level Bridge was built between 1846 and 1849. It has two decks, the lower one for cars and the upper one for railways. Since 2008, the roadway has carried southbound traffic only. the King Edward VII Bridge opened in 1906. It carries four railway lines.
This blog ranks the bridges, although the basis for this ranking is not stated. Anyway, the order is 1. the Swing Bridge; 2. the Tyne Bridge; 3. the High Level Bridge; 4. Millennium Bridge; 5. Metro Bridge; 6. King Edward VII Bridge and 7. Redheugh Bridge.
Civic Centre
Another major and distinctive landmark I recall is Newcastle’s Civic Centre situated close to the university in the Haymarket. It is a fairly modern building having only been opened in 1968. It is used as Newcastle’s city hall.
Grainger Market
Another place I recall from my student days is the Grainger Market but I think this was probably from later in my student years when I was living in self-catering accommodation. I recall this as a covered market from which you could buy fresh produce at reasonable prices but it had, and still has, a wide range of other shops too. Apparently, it dates back to 1835. I recall it as being close to the Central Station but it is probably equidistant to both Monument and Central Station.
Chinatown
Quite close to the Grainger Market is Stowell Street. This is at the heart of what is now called Chinatown but I am pretty sure this was not there when I was a student. As might be expected, the area of Chinatown developed gradually over time. Although the first Chinese restaurant opened in Newcastle in 1949, the first one on Stowell Street only opened in 1978. From 1988, shops were allowed to have signs in Chinese in addition to English. A Chinese arch was erected on St Andrew’s Street, close to the football stadium, in 2004. Chinese-style lanterns replaced the street lights on Stowell Street in 2008.
Eating Out
From memory, we really did not eat out much as students apart from the occasional pizza. I do recall that my first date with Jo was at a Chinese restaurant which I believe was on Northumberland Street. This was in February 1982. The main thing I recall was that I could not pay as I had expected so Jo paid!!
Bigg Market
Another place close to the Grainger Market is Bigg Market which had a reputation for “its drinking culture and disorderly behaviour”. As such, I gave it a wide berth as a student! In my first year, if we wanted to go out, there were plenty of places to go out within the university including within Castle Leazes.
I do recall going into Newcastle with friends soon after arriving in Newcastle. Those friends, I believe, included Chris Deighton and local Paul Finnerty. I was wearing a scarf my mother had knitted. It contained various colours but included red and white! As such, we were challenged as to whether we were Sunderland supporters! We explained that we weren’t and that we were students but this seemed to be worse! I recall that Paul was a bit worse for wear and would have been happy to have engaged in a fight but I think others of us managed to calm the situation and leave!
Central Motorway
One of the features of Newcastle is the central motorway that runs through it. This was a new experience for me coming from a place where there are no motorways! It essentially demarcates the northern border of the university separating it from the Town Moor and the suburb of Jesmond. Initially, I thought this was going to be a major barrier which I would find difficult to cross. Specifically, I remember trying to get across the motorway from Park Terrace which I don’t believe was or is possible! However, there are a number of pedestrian crossing places and it became second nature to use them if going to Town Moor or Jesmond, e.g. to go to Freeman Hospital.
The first of these crossing places that I recall is close to Castle Leazes and allows access from Claremont Road to the Town Moor. Others include the covered bridge that allows access from the main part of the university to the library and Windsor Terrace. Apparently, this is known as Hadrian bridge. It leads to a subway and a bridge which allow access to Jesmond. The bridge which goes to Jesmond Parish Church and Jesmond Metro passes between two parts of the motorway.
Aerial Walkways
One thing I had forgotten was that there were a large number of 1960s walkways in Newcastle. While I did not use these very much, I do recall using them to get from Northumberland Street to CLC, a Christian bookshop that was located in Higham Place.
One University
When I was a student, there was only one university in the city.
Polytechnic Now Northumbria University
There was a polytechnic and that became Northumbria University in 1992. The two universities are very close together with Northumbria University to the east of Newcastle University.
The polytechnic itself was formed in 1969 when three colleges amalgamated. They were Rutherford College of Technology, the College of Art & Industrial Desicn and the Municipal College of Commerce. In 1974, it incorporated the City College of Education and, in 1976, the Northern Counties College of Education. As a result, it became the major regional centre for the training of teachers.
Pre-Clinical Studies
I do recall some elements of my pre-clinical studies.
Challenging Workload
I remember realising quite soon into my time at university that I had moved from a situation at school, where I had been among a small group of top students academically, to one where I was most likely to be an average student. I also understood that there was a lot to learn. Mostly, there were few topics that were particularly conceptually challenging or difficult to understand. But, there was a lot that we were expected to know. As a result, I resolved I would need to work hard. However, that resolve may have weakened over time particularly as I continued to do well academically including in exams!
I would say I worked steadily but I did have other interests including a busy social life! Certainly, I did not work anywhere as near as hard as I did after I qualified and I was working toward my surgical exams. I studied hard then while working challenging rotas.
A Level Biology
One thing that concerned me when I started my course was whether I would struggle, compared to others, because I did not have A level biology. I found this largely not to be the case. The course taught us a lot of the human biology we needed to know which some, who had done A level biology, found repetitive. Some of those people struggled with the maths needed which was not taught on the course to the same extent. So, I think for my pre-clinical studies, I concluded that it was probably good I had done A level maths and not biology.
A Progressive and Modern Course
The course was considered quite progressive and modern at the time.
Very Early Clinical Experience
For example, we were introduced to patients and clinical work from the outset. This involved periodically visiting our clinical tutor who, from memory, was a renal physician based at Freeman Hospital.
Dr Wilkinson
Somewhere deep in the recesses of my memory, I recalled that his name might have been Wilkinson. Sure enough, one of the consultants in renal medicine at that time was Dr Robert Wilkinson. Indeed, he was responsible for the new renal unit at Freeman when it opened in 1979. Completed in 1977, Freeman Hospital is a tertiary referral hospital with 800 beds.
Less Positive Reality
This early clinical exposure was something which had attracted me to Newcastle but I did not find the reality as positive as the ideal had been. We lacked the requisite level of medical knowledge and clinical experience that we probably needed to benefit from the experience.
More Clinical Ineptitude
Mind you, this is not the only time I suffered clinical ineptitude! I recall one of my early clinical assignments, on a medical ward in the RVI. It was usual for us to be allocated a patient from whom we were expected to get a clinical history and to conduct an examination. On one occasion, I was assigned a patient who I found was unable to speak, presumably after a stroke. This really threw me and I went to the doctor who was supervising us. They and their colleagues found this hilarious and explained that I should proceed to examine them.
They had a point. As a doctor, I was likely to often be in that position and I needed to learn how to cope. Personally, I would have preferred to have had more explanation and demonstration rather than just being thrown in at the deep end for the amusement of the qualified staff! However, the approach perhaps worked as, by the time I qualified, I was confident in examining people who were unable to give a history and this was a not uncommon experience particularly when I worked in Accident and Emergency.
Over My Head
Nevertheless, I fear that most of what Dr Wilkinson tried to teach us went right over my head!
Volume of Other Work
In addition, the volume of other work, on which we were to be examined, was huge so taking time out for this seemed, at least to me, to be an unjustifiable luxury. I may be biased but our workload seemed far greater than other courses. We almost always had 9 o’clock lectures whereas these seemed relatively rare on other courses! I managed to make a fine art of getting up just in time to make it from Castle Leazes to the medical school for a nine o’clock start!
Attending All Sessions
However, despite any misgivings I might have had, I am fairly sure that I went to all these clinical sessions. I think this was a carryover for me from school which meant that I attended all formal sessions even if I knew they were not very good. Other students were more discerning and I recall a series of very bad pathology lectures where numbers attending dropped dramatically. I was one of those who continued to attend but I am sure my time could have been used more profitably!
Systemic Approach
Another novel feature of our course was that it followed what was called a systemic or systems approach. This meant that rather than following separate studies in anatomy and physiology, we studied systems, such as the cardiovascular and respiratory systems meaning we would be studying anatomy and physiology of these at the same time.
There were some “systems”, such as upper limb, which I think was the first part of the body we studied in anatomy, that were predominantly one discipline, anatomy in this case, but the general approach of the course was systemic.
Hands-On Approach
We were taught anatomy in what was supposed to be a practical hands-on way. Groups of about eight students were allocated a body/cadaver and were expected to do some dissection of it. In reality, much, if not most, of the dissection was done by anatomy demonstrators, a role I myself took on for a year once I had qualified. I think two years of students may have shared the same cadaver as they were studying different parts of anatomy. Students from other disciplines, e.g. dentistry and physiotherapy may also have been taught on the same bodies.
Alphabetic Groups
Our anatomy groups were assigned alphabetically and we may well have been in the same groups at other times, e.g. for clinical visits. I recall that Nandita DeSouza, Ian Elliott and Lissa Evans were in my group. Nandita went on to be a radiologist, Ian became a GP but died young and Lissa left medicine to work for the BBC.
Textbooks
I do recall a few of the textbooks we had.
Snell’s “Clinical Anatomy for Medical Students“
This book by Richard S Snell is still available under the title “Clinical Anatomy by Regions”. It is in its 11th edition. The book we had was called Clinical Anatomy for Medical Students and I am not sure if the edition count is continuous from those produced under that name or was re-set when the name changed. I think we used the first edition, produced in 1974.
This book, I believe, was used on our course because of its clinical focus and because it was relatively simple and accessible. I know anatomy purists did not like it, not least because of the cartoon-like drawings, preferring more traditional books, such as Last’s or Gray’s Anatomy. I believe I used the former as my main textbook when studying anatomy for the first part of my surgical exams. Also, I did have a copy of Gray’s Anatomy and used it for reference purposes. I think that Snell was unusual in being a paperback when most medical textbooks were hardbacks.
Ganong’s “Review of Medical Physiology“
I think this may have been our main physiology textbook but I also recall a book by Guyton and Hall.
Ganong’s “Review of Medical Physiology” is now in its 26th edition. I am not completely sure this was the physiology book we used. If it was, I think we would have used the 8th or 9th edition as the 9th edition came out in 1979. I confess that the ninth edition looks surprisingly familiar!
Guyton and Hall’s “Textbook of Medical Physiology” is now in its 14th edition. Apparently, a fifth edition was published in 1979. This seems less familiar than the Ganong book.
Leeson and Leeson “Histology“
I think this was our histology book but, from what I can see, it does not appear to still be in print. There seem to have been at least five editions. I seem to recognise the third edition that was published in 1976.
Other Textbooks
I am sure there were other textbooks as my recollection is that we needed a lot of books for the course!
A Skeleton
I recall that, in addition to books, we had to buy a skeleton as part of our studies of anatomy. These skeletons were not the articulated type but rather consisted of a box of one bone of each type. We had to collect them from somewhere, possibly the medical school. We were expected to return them at the end of our pre-clinical studies and I believe there was some kind of refundable deposit. These skeletons were one hallmark of medics’ rooms in our early years. Apparently, medical skeletons these days are largely made from synthetic materials.
MCQs Only
Another distinctive feature of Newcastle’s pre-clinical medicine course was that the exams relied solely on multiple choice questions (MCQs) with no need to write essays. I believe this was a relatively novel and controversial approach. However, I recall being told that the approach was just as effective in discriminating among candidates as other more traditional methods. However, we did write essays for our clinical exams. For example, in May 1982, at the end of my fourth years, I noted writing essays on infectious endocarditis, glaucoma, rubella, ICP (intracranial pressure?), ovulation and occupational causes of cancer. There was an MCQ paper too.
The MCQ system used negative marking to discourage random guessing. It was relatively difficult to generate good MCQs so the university did not release past papers. This made it difficult to practice exam technique but it was possible to buy books of MCQs for different stages of study. I recall trying out different techniques varying from only answering those questions I was sure of to answering all questions. I found that I got highest marks if I quickly answered all the questions I was sure of and then spent time thinking about the others and “guessing” when I had some idea of the answer. This meant I left very flew blank, only those about which I really had no idea!
Revision
I know that students had very different approaches to revision with some doing very little work during term-time and then “cramming” very intensely in the run-up to exams. In my case, I tried to work steadily throughout the year and then focused my revision on things I thought were likely to come up and, within those areas, concentrated on weak areas/things I did not know. As noted above, I also spent quite a bit of time with previous questions practising exam technique.
Exams
I can’t quite remember how many exams we had during this period. I am sure we had end-of-year exams but I think we may also have had exams at the end of the first term. Relatively few people failed and another small number got honours or distinctions. I seem to recall that there may have been oral exams/interviews for those on the cusp of either failing or gaining a distinction. Like most of my year, I simply passed my exams without falling into either of these groups!
Holidays
During my pre-clinical years, first and second year, my holidays were pretty similar to students on other courses. So, we had breaks for Christmas and Easter with a long summer break. This changed dramatically in my clinical years when our terms were much longer and our holidays much shorter. We were often working when others were on holiday. Between our third and fourth year, our elective was scheduled across the summer holidays.
Mostly, I went home for these breaks but I did also sometimes visit friends or they visited me. For example, during the 1978 Christmas holidays, I went to visit Beverley Squires in Lincoln and went back to Newcastle from there. At Easter 1979, Christopher Deighton and Christine Channon came to visit while, during the 1979 Christmas holidays, Paul Morris visited.
Parental Visits
While I don’t think my parents visited me frequently during this period, they did both come. I am reliant on mum’s diary for details so it is possible that there could be underreporting of visits by my dad. However, I do only recall him visiting for specific events.
Mum Visited in November 1978
In November 1978, mum visited by train and recalled meeting some of my friends including Christopher Deighton, Christine Channon and Beverley Squires. I vaguely recall that when they met Bevereley made some comment about how it was typical of me to have pinched something, possibly sugar, from the train. It turned out that it was my mum who had done this!!
Mum also mentioned Dave, John and Dave and that she slept in Ian’s room. I don’t recall specifically who these were but it is likely they were boys on my corridor. There were some guest rooms available in Castle Leazes but I assume these had to be paid for. Presumably, Ian was away so mum was able to use his room. Mum stayed one night.
Mum and Dad Visited in May 1979
Both mum and dad visited me in May 1979 when I was baptised, see Chapter 124. Mum came by train and made her own way to Castle Leazes. I think mum resented having to do this. I don’t know why I did not meet her. It was a Friday and I may well have had university commitments.
Mum only came for the day and left by overnight sleeper. She travelled back to Norwich this way via London. She did not have any commitment in London but rather seemed to want to get back to Norwich for an Association of Medical Secretaries (AMS) Study Day, see Chapter 121.
While I imagine it was her choice to go back the same day, she did note that dad stayed overnight. I may be reading too much into this but I suspect mum resented that dad stayed and she did not. I say this because competition between my parents for attention and affection, particularly from my mother, was something that I had experienced when I lived at home, see Chapter 114, and which continued to some extent once I was at university.
Social Activities
My time at university offered unparalleled opportunities to take part in a range of social and leisure activities.
Freshers’ Week
These started with a packed programme during Freshers’ Week where there were various social events, such as a Freshers’ Ball, and also there were fair-like events where the various societies advertised themselves and their activities. Freshers’ Week remains a thing at Newcastle University although it is now sometimes referred to as Welcome Week. Various students have produced videos of their experiences of Freshers’ Week.
Organising Events for the Christian Union
One year, I was asked, by Paul Morris, the then President of the Christian Union (CU) to organise CU activities for Freshers’ Week. I recall that those activities included concerts by Graham Kendrick and Adrian Snell. I believe this would have been Freshers’ Week 1980.
My recollection is that this was my first real involvement with the CU, see Chapter 124. I had probably attended a few meetings beforehand but this was definitely the first role I had taken on for them. I also recall that this was the first time I met Jo. We both attended some kind of planning meeting. I went in my role of organising things for Freshers’ Week and she was there as hall rep for Ethel Williams.
1978 Freshers’ Ball
I did attend the 1978 Freshers’ Ball but I do not recall that much about it. I believe it was held off campus but I do not remember where! There, I met a girl who was a dental student from Enniskillen but I fear I no longer recall her name. I do recall that she was friendly with a girl who was a medic in my year. I did find a history of Freshers’ Week at Newcastle and that noted that Wilko Johnson entertained freshers at the ball that year. However, I do not remember this.
Bridge Club
Prior to coming to university, I had played a lot of bridge with friends and at school. So, I thought I would try out the university bridge club. I recall going with a girl from my course who I think, from the 1983 yearbook, was Alison Brind.
Alison Brind
The photo of Miss A M Brind is among the “mug shots” of those who started the course. However, she does not have an entry in the yearbook itself presumably because she did a B Med Sci meaning she would have qualified the following year, in 1984. I managed to find a biography of her as she sadly died of pancreatic cancer in 2024. She passed her MRCP in 1987 and specialised in hepatology. From 1997, she worked as a consultant in Stoke. She appears to be co-author of the book “Hepatology at a Glance” and she also wrote the self-published biographical book “I Never Stop”.
Shortlived Involvement
I think we only went to the Bridge Club once or twice. Previously, I was used to playing a pretty relaxed and social form of contract bridge whereas this club played a highly competitive form of duplicate bridge. I think I realised I was not that good at it and this probably led to my dislike of the highly competitive nature of the club!! Whatever the reason, I stopped going.
Fencing
In addition to continuing familiar activities, there were also opportunities to take up new activities and I recall trying out fencing, at least for a short time. From memory, this was held at the bottom of the steps leading to the Haymarket in what is now the Culture Lab. Sure enough, this building was originally the Grand Assembly Rooms. Prior to its current use, it was the university’s PE and Fitness Centre.
Sports Facilities at Castle Leazes
There were also various sporting facilities available at Castle Leazes.
Squash Court
These facilities included a squash court although I don’t think I ever used it as I had learned earlier that I was truly hopeless at squash!
Table Tennis Table
There was also a table tennis table which I think I did use with boys on my corridor. I could play reasonably well although I was by no means the best. My recollection is that our best player was a boy who was on our corridor in my second year. I believe his name was Pete Richter. He was a huge fan of Northern Soul.
Running
I even went running a few times with Pete Richter. We went out onto the Town Moor but I did not keep it up probably because I found it tough and I was a terrible runner!
Friends
School and university were perhaps the places where I had the most friends at any one time.
A Great Place to Make Friends
University, in particular, was a great place to make new friends as a very large group of people of roughly the same age arrived at the same time. Most of them knew no-one. A few people already knew other students at the university. Beverley Squires and Christine Channon were school friends who had come to Newcastle together from Lincoln. A few others were relatively local so already knew people in the area. In my case, I really knew no-one. Mark Chambers, from Hewett, did come to Newcastle at the same time and I may have seen him once or twice. But, we were not close friends, we lived in different halls and were on different courses.
Other Medics Mainly
So, we were all pretty much in the same boat of making new friends. There were various ways of doing this, e.g. through living in the same hall, sharing a common interest and/or being on the same course. In my case, medicine was a large course with an intake of around 120, 131 according to “mug shots“. So, almost all my close friends, at least initially, were other medics.
Closest Friends
My closest friends at this time were Christine Channon, Beverley Squires and Christopher Deighton, all medics in my year. As already mentioned, Christine and Beverley were both from Lincoln and knew each other from school. Christopher was from Huddersfield. I was also friendly with Paul Morris, another medic, from Morpeth. I recall a boy on my corridor, who was also from Morpeth, asking me to keep an eye out for him as he was feeling very homesick. To be honest, I confess that my reaction to this was one of inner incredulity as, for me, university was a wonderful change from being at home with undreamt of freedoms. I never felt homesick for one moment!
Agriculture
Another large course was agriculture with a similarly-sized intake. There was reputed to be quite a rivalry between Newcastle Medics and Agrics but this was not something I experienced personally.
Alan Applied for University
Although my brother Alan did not go to university until 1980, he started the process of applying before that in the late seventies.
Engineering Lecture in Cambridge
As early as September 1977, he was due to go to an engineering lecture in Cambridge but he did not go as he was off school.
Sixth Form Introduction to University in Cambridge
However, in March 1979, he did go to Cambridge for a sixth form introduction to university life. He stayed overnight getting back around 5.15pm the next day.
Looking Round Hull
Four months later, in July 1979, he went to have a look round Hull University. He went by train and travelled as far as Peterborough with mum who was going to an Association of Medicial Secretaries (AMS) conference in Aberdeen, see Chapter 121.
Offers
.At the end of October 1979, Alan received an offer from Reading University. They wanted two Es in physics and maths. Three days later, he received an offer of two Cs from Hull. At the beginning of November, he went to Southampton for the day. He said they were going to offer him a B and a C.
Alan went to university in Southampton in the end. I believe he got three As at A Level so he comfortably achieved the grades he needed.
Mum’s Further Studies
Mum did further studies at City College during this period, see Chapter 121.