LevelItem
Ref NoRMB/48
TitleOral history interview with Mr Paul Rogers on 14 January 2016
Date14 January 2016
Extent2 wav files and 1 transcript
Name of CreatorUniversity of Surrey, Alumni and Development Department
Inwood, Jacqueline
Rogers, Paul
DescriptionInterview conducted by Jacqueline Inwood.

Part One
00:00-01:48: Introduction

01:48-06:19: Why Battersea College? describes aims of Robbins Report; heard Electricity Generating Board sponsored sandwich courses at Battersea College; remembers excitement to move to London; recalls grant from Electricity Generating Board

06:19-10:11: Impressions of Battersea College: seven month industrial placement at power station before starting at Battersea College; remembers no interview; mentions halls of residence; remembers introduction by Jim Moore, senior lecturer; mentions social life

10:11-14:05: Accommodation: describes Clapham Common Northside halls of residence; mentions Italian staff; recalls increase in West Indian population of London; mentions Polish lecturers; recalls gender segregation, mentions Hotel and Catering course students

14:05-18:42: Memorable students: shared room in halls of residence with two others; five metallurgy students sponsored by Electricity Generating Board, three in halls, two renting accommodation; Ron Cole, mature student; recalls sharing room with Dave Smith and John Blizzard; room next door John Griffin, Terry Garside, Johnny Page; strong group of six friends

18:42-22:25: Female students: remembers rule of no girls in halls of residence after 10pm; recalls rooms for guests could be hired for weekend; describes The Green Café

22:25-24:56: Course Structure: Term started in August as an apprentice, academic work began in January until July, then next two term at Battersea, before summer term as apprentice; course lasted five years; industrial training alongside academic training

24:56-32:16: 1950s and 1960s: growth of steel industry; construction of nuclear power stations and oil rigs; Mr Derry, head of metallurgy; Polish lecturers, European Jewish lecturers; explains how British industry needed to be re-built after World War Two; Peter Miodownik, brilliant metallurgist; recalls appeal from students for more modern teaching

32:16-41:04: Academic Writing: big centres of steel manufacturing in United Kingdom; important journals for students to read; Institute of Iron and Steel, British Iron and Steel Research Association, Institute of Materials; metions Edwin Tate Library; Martin Bolton, year above, aluminium alloys; Dr Leggett, principal of Battersea, ambitions for move

41:04-48:01: Technology: Computers; introduced to photocopiers; publications are more reliable than internet; welding; Shaw process of casting; Dave Peacock

48:01-54:32: Staff: Joe Macoviak [Mackowiak], physical chemistry lecturer; Peter Miodownik, methodical; David Stocks, Ben Eltham; Dr Ernest Littauer, wore morning suit, preferred research to lecturing; Lloyd Douglas, lecturer and politician, took students on cultural weekends, Moor Park

54:32-55:23: Public Houses: two regularly used by students; Victoria Arms; Green café; recalls teaching was not all lecture based, discussion groups

55:23-59:24: Technical colleges: disparaging view of technical colleges, actually cutting edge; describes role as STEMNET (Science Technology Engineer and Mathematics Network) ambassador

59:24-01:12:28: Students' Union: Music, beginning of rock and roll, no discos at college; Young Conservatives' Ball, Young Farmers' Ball, Red Cross Dance; string quartet, Victor Silvester; describes department socials; Richard Shaw; describes role as Entertainments Chairman of Students' Union; organised jazz band to play at Battersea, very successful; Kenny Ball in Great Hall; raised money for students' union; Johnny Dankworth; money for Christian Aid; Going Down Ball; jazz concerts during art week, Ronnie Scott, Tubby Hayes; final of university jazz band competition

01:12:28-01:14:20: Film recording: Pathé News, Day in the Life of a Student, filmed Going Down ball, Look at Life

01:14:20-01:21:28: International Evening: musical performances from students of different nationalities at Battersea College; David Peacock organised English performance and wrote spoof song with Steve Partridge; recalls assassination of President Kennedy

01:21:28-01:28:47: Socialising: Treasure hunts; rally car driving round Surrey countryside; Martin Bolton, great pianist

01:28:47-01:31:40: Student magazine: BatChat; published weekly, reported news around campus and updates on move to Guildford; created by Students' Union; part-time secretary employed to type and print magazine, no copying machines; secretary also produced programmes for evening events

01:31:40-01:35:01: Student Union: hut in quadrangle; common room for students; coffee bar; campus closed at 9pm, night watchmen with Great Dane

01:35:01-01:43:43: Fashion: describes development of personal style; recalls different fashions in London, Cavalry Twill trousers, sweaters, duffle coats; smarter clothes included sports jackets, shooting sticks and flat caps; usually wore waistcoats and ties, young farmer; no denim jeans; more facial hair; hitchhiking

01:43:43-01:46:44: Move to Guildford: Dr Leggett requested feedback from Students' Union about move; began to use the word 'campus'; left Battersea in 1964 before move

01:46:44-01:50:51: Graduation: No graduation ceremony; diploma of technology awarded by National Council for Academic Awards, certificate sent in post; honorary degrees, Guildford Cathedral

01:50:51-01:56:22: After Studies: Rotary International, peace scholars

01:56:22-02:04:06: Skills gained from Battersea: taught value of communication and interaction; introduced to new technologies; great opportunities to work within industry; led onto automation in factories, welding machines; Peter and Mark Miodownik

02:04:13 - End

Part Two - No transcript was made of this recording.
00:00-03:40: Metallurgy Research Topics: mentions graphene; mentions employment on oil rig and visit to factory in Italy, recalls development of technology at Battersea

03:40-06:18: Tutors: describes value of good tutor; mentions Peter Miodownik, Joe Mackowiak, Dennis Marter; mentions Electricity Generating Board; describes confidence gained through role in Students' Union; mentions Robbins Report

06:18-09:28: Summary: praised industrial experience and wide spread of academic learning; recalled value of social interaction with other students; describes good health; mentions Richard Shaw, David Peacock and cooperation

09:28 -End
Administrative HistoryMr Paul Rogers was a student at Battersea College of Technology from 1958-1963. gaining a first degree and an MSc. - Metallurgy.
LanguageEnglish
CopyrightCopyright of the University of Surrey
FormatAudio
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