| Description | Track 1 [01:06:54] [Session one:9 March 2017] Cara Sandys [CS]. Born in Southampton in 1959, Description of growing up in Southampton and growing up near football stadium. Anecdote about parrot. Description of parents’ jobs and educational backgrounds in Art colleges. Description of CS’ mother’s role as a housewife while CS’ father worked as a computer programmer. Description of CS’ pre-university education.[00:02:44] CS describes visiting a friend living on campus during a gap year, recalls that Swansea’s position as a coastal city appealed to her. Remarks about Swansea’s status as ‘Graveyard of Ambition’. Description of Swansea’s natural beauty. Description of changes to Swansea in recent years. [00:07:02] Discussion of A Levels. Describes process of applying to Oxbridge and not getting an interview, describes feeling of easier time of Swansea allowing for more involvement in extracurricular activities [00:09:55] Discussion of first year studies. Recalls initially applying to study a joint English and Geography degree but choosing to study English and American Studies instead. Remarks about interest in American race issues. Discusses preference for cultural geography rather than physical geography. Recollection of lack of year abroad in her studies. [00:13:22 ] Description of differences in departments. Remarks on old fashioned nature of English department. Description of lecturer that had an obsession with William Blake. Contrast with more modern American Studies department. Describes lack of interest in history and historical elements of English. Description of English lecturers as Dickensian characters. Recollection of both lectures and tutorials. Description of Psychology Lab Work, lack of interest in Psychology. Description of grounded nature of Geography lecturers. Description of close relationship with Dr Edwards post graduation [00:20:07] Discussion that CS felt no different as a straight A student from other students. Discussion of academic standards. Description of high grades. Discussion on whether personal rapport with lecturers influenced marking. Description of social distractions from academic work. [00:23:40] Discussion of boyfriends. Description of life in Clyne Halls of Residence. Anecdote about making up lunches from leftover halls food. Description of preferring social activities in halls to Student Union. Description of feeling of superiority among students in the Hall of Residence. Description of lavish food provided in Clyne. Discussion of flexible eating arrangements and meals as a time to socialize. Discussion of formal nature of mealtimes. Anecdote about the privileges of the High table. Recollection of food fights. [00:33:45] Comparison of Clyne with other university accommodation . Discussion of changes in Clyne before closure. Description of competitive nature to get into Clyne. [00:36:21] Discussion of work balance. Description of library use for study and as a social space. Anecdote about library poetry book Physical description of Clyne. Discussion about number of residents. [00:40:16] Description of how CS stayed all 3 years in Clyne. Anecdote about restless in autumn terms. Discussion about students lived. Discussion about student activity in the Mumbles. Discussion about pubs and student drinking. Recollection of The Mumbles Mile. Description of student hitchhiking. Description of pubs frequented by locals. [00:49:00] Description of CS’ visits into town for theatrical, musical activities and the cinema. Discussion of nightclubs in town frequented by students. Anecdote about the Kingsway being densely populated by nightclubs. Contrast to Wind Street which was mostly offices and banks. Discussion about Fresher’s Week. Description of activities with the Rag Society and Rag mag. Recollection of CS’ enthusiasm for Rag week and entrepreneurial spirit in selling Rag Mags. Discussion of CS’ ascension to the Committee of the Rag Society. Discussion about float parades and Rag Ball. Anecdotes about the Sponsored Getaways. [00:59:00] Description of CL’s Sponsored Getaway. Anecdote about hitchhiking with the 7th Earl of Craven (Thomas Craven) and continued friendship. [End of Track]
Track 2 [01:21:40] [Session Two:14th March 2017] Discussion about changing natures of friendships from term to term. Description of befriending Audrey and visit to Guernsey. Discussion of CS’s birthday party in the first year of University in the halls of residence [00:05:08] Description of organising events in the hall of residence. Remarks about self containment of Clyne hall of residence. Description of equipment available. Discussion of CS’ role on the Hall of Residence Committee . Discussion of Bands booked for summer ball including Slade. Discussions of meetings and organising such events. [00:09:06] Description of CS’ role as presenter of a show on the university radio station. Mentions local Swansea DJ Plastic Sam and Jubbly. Description of getting a job at CJ’s restaurant in Mumbles as a DJ. Recollection of bike being thrown over the seawall in Mumbles [00:15:42] Description of old fashioned practices at halls of residence such as porters, no overnight guests. Discussion of relationships at university [00:19:24] Description of choice and opportunity offered by university life. Discussion of social life and friendships during university [00:21:53] Description of CS’ involvement in sports and church on Sunday. Description of sports and exercise participated in. Description of going to church. Discussion of student religious groups. Anecdote about trip to Kenya and stopping going to church. Description of CS delivering papers on Sunday. Further recollections of Sunday activities such as baking and watching television. [00:29:23] Further discussion of students watching television in CS’ room. Description of CS’ work schedule. Further description of socialising and friendships. Anecdote about trip to Switzerland. Anecdote about New Year’s Eve in London. [00:34:26] Description of lack of ethnic diversity on campus. Discussion about Derek Wong, a student from Trinidad [00:35:35] Description of CS’ involvement in committees. Anecdote about Simon Lane. [0:39:29] Discussion about student activism. CS’ involvement in activism after university. Description of Socialist activism and Red Wedge on Campus. [00:41:36] Description of lack of contact and socialization with course mates [00:42:29] Description of graduation. Discussion of CS’ graduating a year later. Description of contrast between academic years. Further discussion of CS’ relationship after graduation and socialising with university friends. [00:47:35] Description of atmosphere around Finals. Further discussion of post university life in Swansea. Recollection of a series of small business ideas. Description of setting up a wholefoods shop and baking. Description of going travelling. Description about university being the easiest time to make friends. [Section closed 00:53:19-00:55:04]. Discussion of differences between university community then and now [00:59:17] Discussion of Swansea University’s Welshness. Description of introduction of Welsh medium education. [01:01:36] Description of trip to Australia. Discussion of job in Aborigine liaison office. Return to Swansea and job in Ice cream parlour. Description of getting teacher training, return to Australia and further travelling. Description of ‘diaspora’ of Swansea people in Fremantle, Australia. [01:10:51] Description of how university shaped CS’ character and life. Discussion of lifelong friendships. Discussion of differences between CS’ university life and modern university life. [01:13:59] Further discussion of food fights. Discussion of pranks played by students. Discussions of promiscuity and fun, opportunities offered by university life. Discussion about oral history project. [End of Track]
|