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Most memorable/fondest memory of Univ? Very many in fact but I will never forget my first tutorial in The Revd Dr Tom Parker’s study. I was completely dumbstuck by the masses of books, piled high on shelving which was not only all around the room but right down the middle too - plus books heaped up on chairs and side tables. Why did the floor not collapse? And how was he able to find any book he wanted immediately? It was like a scene from a Harry Potter film (and don’t pretend you haven’t seen one!)
Awkward moments at Univ? Turning over the English History II Finals Paper (Tudors and Stuarts) and finding all the questions had a strong economic history bias. We had scarcely touched on the economic side of things and how the paper was approved by the examiners I will never know.
The most important thing I learnt? To become more confident about my capabilities.
Most important thing you wish you had learnt at Oxford? How to handle the politics of the workplace and I mean this more in relation to education than the Civil Service, oddly enough.
Percent satisfaction with Oxford? 70% - The history course could have been more imaginative and made much more use of original sources. The teaching, however, was first-rate and the tutorial system must be preserved. On the extra-curricular side, Oxford was superb - 100%?
Proudest achievement of my career? managing to turn my career around when the omens were bad and join the Civil Service at just about the age ceiling (40) of their mid-career recruitment.
Lowest point in my life? After a holiday in France in 1982, when our car had broken down and then been broken into, I got home to find the college where I worked was being taken over!
Adjective that best describes career? Unexpected - life keeps offering new surprises and opportunties despite the low points.
% of potential achieved? Probably about 65-70% because of the two separate careers - but in fact each was very satisfying.
Most significant unfulfilled ambition? To have done a bit more amateur dramatics. I did a lot at school but spent more time on politics at Univ, which I now somewhat regret. I have taken up acting again in recent years but only occasionally.
Level of optimism about medium-term future of the world? Quite low as far as the world at large is concerned but high as far as the UK is concerned. Whenever I return from abroad, however much I have liked the place I have visited, I always realise that I would not actually want to settle down and live anywhere else long-term.
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Emma, Eric, Hazel, John, Sarah
Ewan is the one with the bib - but who knows - before long!
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