Description | Interview conducted by Abigail Nelson.
00:00-00:31 - Introduction
00:31-01:43: Why Battersea College? recalls holding Ordinary National Certificate from Westminster Technical College; Battersea became College of Advanced Technology, so accepted Ordinary National Certificate for degree courses
01:43-02:50: First Impressions: recalls similarity to Westminster Technical College; describes commuting by scooter; Freshers' week, joined rugby and athletics clubs, dances on Saturday nights
02:50-03:46: Lectures: First lecture, speaker mimed walking into cellar; warning about slippery roads
03:46-05:20: Sport: Rugby Club: Streatham-Croydon Rugby Club; Athletics, sprinting, long jump
05:20-07:49: Lectures: remembers emphasis on mathematics; Mr Farrah, geology; Professor Makowski; good camaraderie with other students, revised together after lectures
07:49-09:07: Industrial Placement: no placement as part of course; had worked with Maldon District Council before starting course and course was sponsored by them; worked at Council during holidays
09:07-09:39: International Students: Asia; Wales; Jamaica
09:39-10:53: Accommodation: First year living with parents in Cheam, Surrey; commuted by scooter or train; second year rented accommodation in Streatham and Putney; final year living with parents
10:53-11:47: Food: mentions Belling range cooker; good chicken curry from café near The Eagle public house
11:47-13:49: Socialising: Rugby matches at weekends; dances at Battersea College; recalls wife worked at Putney Hospital, Bolingbroke Hospital
13:49-16:18: Additional studies: Philosophy of religion module; general studies
16:18-18:32: Romance: recalls balancing relationship with studies; remembers struggling with academic work; mentions field trips
18:32-20:05: Field Trip: residential trip to Isle of Wight to study geology, trip to Wales to practice surveying
20:05-20:37: Events: Protest march
20:37-23:29: Graduation and Examinations: describes waiting for results; failed two subjects; hayfever sufferer, during examinations; Battersea Main Hall; graduation at Westminster Central Hall with Lord Robens, fiancée watched
23:29-25:22: Battersea area: Battersea Park; recalls view of Thames from Putney rented accommodation; Fulham Road, Chelsea; night clubs, Ronnie Scott
25:22-29:23: After Graduation: two years at Kingston Borough Council after graduation; recalls employment as chartered engineer with Institution of Municipal Engineers; consultant engineer; Kent County Council; Transport Research Laboratory; Highways Agency
29:23-40:11: Memories: train through Wandsworth; Professor Makowski, space frame analysis; focus on mathematics; final research project, cable girder analysis; computer analysis of data, large machine; no calculators, used log tables; change from Imperial units to Metric; engineering challenges and jobs
40:12 - End |