Reminiscing Week One at Uni

written in very late September and early October 1986.

I have seriously edited out the endless lists of people, with their subjects, room numbers, town of parental residence etc. Reading through, I sense an absolute obsession with where people are from. Perhaps a natural reaction to moving away from the only home one has known. I also lost my tenuous grip on the proper use of English

Day one. First impressions! Wonderful. It’s strange, really, this morning my major interest was finding out what happened in Blackpool yesterday (Labour Party Conference). But now – all that seems to matter is being a Willoughbite - a resident of Willoughby Hall. I was really looking forward to arriving at the University of Nottingham. With Daddy I went up to my room C18 which means that I am on the second floor. The first impression was large – but Spartan. But no longer Spartan – it has my property scattered in a homely but not disorganised fashion. The view out of the window is beautiful - at the moment all I can see is a pair of purple curtains, but earlier today – trees. There’s a weeping willow outside the window but un-viewblocking, and the weather was sunny and literally hot – according to Radio Trent it was up to 70F; yet the trees are turning brown, gold and red.

I returned to the car, and guess who should I see coming from the Music Department but Julia L had been in the year above me at school. She’s in the next Hall Cavendish. It was really great that having been here a mere ten minutes than I should see someone who’s quite a close acquaintance.

Mama, Papa and I unloaded the car, and I wanted them to go. I was willing them to go, but they couldn’t because they were going on to Rosamund’s – and she wouldn’t be in until half past four.

So we went for a walk around the campus, which was lovely in the unseasonal autumn sunshine & I showed them the Politics Building and we walked back the short way, which is only about five minutes.

We got back and went for a cup of tea, and I discovered that my hall tutor is someone by the name of Stephen O, who unlike many of the other tutors was not available. I managed to get rid of the parents, & high spiritedly returned to my room to unpack everything save the suitcase; I even stuck some posters on the wall.

I watched the News Headlines, but couldn’t be arsed hanging about to see the “kangaroo court” has expelled Hatton & Mulhearn and friends. I would, though like to know what the majority was: I suspect that a lot of people in this movement are prepared to concede a little on their principles (or see both sides of the issue) in order to give backing to a man increasingly acknowledged as a good leader.

I went to the JCR where we were given a talk about what various people do. I went over to the Sports Hall with various people who were Oxford Rejects. We had a talk from various people. All 2000 freshers assembled for the one and only time to be addressed by the Vice Chancellor, Student Union bods, Community Action, Karnival etc etc and we were allowed to return to Hall. We had a coffee evening given by some second years.

I went downstairs to the bar; chatted to a second year Civil Engineer called Chris who’s from Bridlington. He was in Cripps last year, and is glad to be out because there’s this bloke who only gives money to the Hall if 50% are public school boys – and it’s all male, too.

There’s someone from Tunbridge Wells, who’s been all over Europe but this is her first time North of Watford . How ridiculous. I don’t like her. I found myself in conversation with some second year fellas; one who is a student at Liverpool University, he’s a Geordie. And there’s another bloke, who’s known as Jet, who’s second year Law, from Ealing, and WAS so “friendly” that he was chatting me up. I’m not sure that I like that. Huh, so one of the top five good-looking blokes of my entire University career, and a really nice, sweet person, chats me up on my first night and I turn him down. You can see why the next three years were doomed...

I then met someone who’s younger than me: she’s from Durham and is doing French and German; and she is the only person I've come across who isn’t either a second year or has done a year out although Mary says that Hilary is straight from school.

At the stuff in the Sports Hall there was crap from the Liberals & Tories which I duly tore up but not before noticing that speakers promised this year include Alex Carlyle, Simon Hughes, David Alton & David Owen, as well as Michael Heseltine, Leon Brittan & Enoch Powell (should be MOST interesting!) I may treat you to my Enoch Powell story at some stage. Let's just say it includes Radio Trent, Central TV News and The Sun...

I wondered over to the Portland building with Lisa S, then I looked in the Union Shop, and bought some drawing pins, which are heavily used already! I looked round the Week One Stalls, enquired to URN, put my name down for Impact, and joined Labour Club, Music Club, & NUND. However, I think all these societies are very “what’s in it for Gert” I would like to get involved in Community Action or Conservation or something like that.

I returned to Hall to put up some Labour Club posters. I then went to register, which was hectic, but it at least meant that I met a few people doing Politics. After lunch, when by chance, I got two shy Pharmacists together, I had coffee with a pile of people. I eventually went over to the Health Centre to register there, which was literally painless, although some people eg Anna had to have a tetanus. I didn’t – I last until 1991, hopefully by then that numbing cream that makes injections painless will be on general supply. Er, which numbing cream...?

I walked over to the Orchards (Politics building) with Anna, and a fella called Richard. Over in the Politics building I got talking to a few people. One had been chucked out of English some time ago, and he seemed to know what was what. I enquired as to the reason why I saw a Boddington’s van on campus. Well, the son of the owner of Boddies is in third year, and is in Derby Hall, so they get Boddies for 50p a pint.

We were allocated tutors: I've got David Regan, who seems okay. Also in the group is straight Politics called Katie, who’s a right snobby little cow; and two Law & Politics; Laura who’s one of those really horrid sophisto types, & Mark who’s a bit of a dope but seems quite normal anyway.

After dinner I spent ages searching my room for my pyjama party ticket, but to no avail, so I decided to see if I could buy another; I chose my time to go down, thinking I might anyway see the News. On the radio they said that at the end of his speech Neil had been greeted with a chorus of “Here We Go, here we go, here we go.” I saw the Speech (or a little) on the telly. You don’t really know what the substance is, they just show the really quotable bits, and the news seems more interested in showing Neil and Glenys cuddling, but there you are, that’s the BBC for you.

I returned to my room in order to write some of this, and to find my party ticket, which I did – calloo callay. I got ready to go out and adjourned to Jennie’s for Eastenders (Jennie’s got a broken arm and supports Liverpool). Michelle’s ditched Lofty at the altar because she loves Den. How can she love Den when he’s such a bastard and she hardly knows him anyway.

I then joined everybody in the bar: men in nightshirts, nighties & make-up, women in men’s pyjamas, and the right sex in the right jam jams. I was chatting to loads of people – I have discovered someone from Pendleton called John, and we got a bit more friendly when me and two others went up to his room for coffee. He’s in Irlam o’ th’ Heights CND; and Salford East CLP. He’s a City fan, but could be worse – he could be Liverpool.

The party was a laugh, everyone looked a total pratt, it was great, but eventually I went outside with Mary and another girl. I saw Anna from Politics and I also saw a bloke who I thought showed us round on Open Day, back in February – it was him so that’s okay (Rob). And I went up to John’s room and we had a good laugh. I went down in the lift which refused to go to C. A girl got in; I had her purse, so I was about to give it back to her, but she was wondering where Liz was who had her keys, but I got the wrong Liz, put this girl’s purse back in my bag and got out of the lift on the one occasion it stopped on C. I then realised that I still had her purse so I recalled the lift but the girl (Caroline) wasn’t in, but I found her on B floor, threw her purse at her, & tried to get the lift to C floor, but it wouldn’t stop there and there was drunkard from Lincoln Hall called Nahdi the Medic there who was attempting to make a pass at me but I ignored him – snubbed him, he was ridiculous.

I am KNACKERED. I went to Maths to register this morning: there were HUNDREDS there, nearly all scientists. Throughout the day I've been wondering whether I've been wise to pick Maths, but then I got chatting to a second year called David from Bolton who’s doing Chemistry and did M1B last year. He says it ties in with the JMB Pure Maths A Level course, and EVERYONE struggles.

I also registered for Sociology which was so laid back you didn’t see anybody just put your card in the box. Then I returned to Hall because I hadn’t got my account letter then I returned to the Bank to collect my account. It was really groady. I've got a posy statement file & a posy card holder & a posy cheque book holder. I also changed my personal number and got some money out as well. I also registered for the student union. Guess what, I’m in Willoughby Guild.

After lunch I went to the library for a library tour but the bloke said that although the notice had said 2.00 pm it was supposed to be 11 “but there’s nothing to show anyway”. Only a totally different classification system, & a far fuller library than most perhaps even more complicated than Central Library. We – five of us – investigated for ourselves, but were totally lost so we tagged onto a group of Industrial Economists being showed round, which helped things considerably. We then dossed around in the Portland coffee bar, then made our ways to the Trent Building, & a film, but this was American Studies, and two hours long, so I returned to Hall, and then to Sainsburys in Beeston which is a dead ringer for Sainsburys in Altrincham. I was with Jennie and Tracey. Jennie’s okay, but Tracey is JUST so boring – she never stops talking about her boyfriend Martin, who lives on F floor. He’s harmless enough but Tracey’s enough to put you off Martin for life.

I didn’t have my dinner I really didn’t feel like it but I spent an hour chatting to David from Bolton; then I did a load round my room, including reading the Guardian, a lot of it about Neil’s speech. What I think is really great is that the SDP & Liberals were so split but we’re so united, it’s almost weird.

I was joined by Sally & Lisa S; then we went down to the bar. I had two drinks that just went to my head, because I hadn’t eaten. They went off to a party in Lenton with John and Kev from along the corridor but I went back to my room. I listened to EuroRock live from Liverpool – on Radio Trent (Network). Timmy Mallett was on talking to people on Penny Lane, which was a nice little reminder of home – Timmy Mallett, not Penny Lane, I hasten to add.

I met Ben after breakfast. Ben borrowed my nightshirt on Tuesday – on Tuesday he was an ancient history person; today he returned my nightshirt & today’s he’s Politics. Which is good, because not only is he in my Hall, he’s even on ‘C’ floor. We walked over to Politics together. Dennis Kavanagh told us why we study British Politics. Mega interesting. I went and joined the radio society, whatever. I really fancy a bit of broadcasting, or even chasing up news – but I would MOST like is doing interviews. I would be happy to interview ordinary people but I would be delighted to interview politicians of whatever political complex.

I got chatting to various people and we were joined by Clive. I’ve met Clive a couple of times. He’s second year American Studies, and he’s got minor problems. He was in Cripps last year, and is finding it strange adjusting to being a Willowbite. He feels that Week One is aimed at first years he feels out of it in second year so we helped him settle in. He’d so far not gone into dinner together. David Bn came along to Fiona’s room, and we had a nice chat. I went into dinner with David and Clive, it was good. I think I prefer the second year fellas to a lot of the first year girls. I dunno. I met a nice – canny – first year lad, straight from school, on our corridor, called Paul, who’s French/German and he’s from Durham; he has a lovely accent. I’ll have to talk to him more, as well as the Boltonians (there are another two on my corridor, third years Big Dave and Alex, who are on either side of Neil), and the Welsh, and dare I say it, the Yorkshire. Anyway, I met these three after dinner by evening I had bought Neil’s maths textbook.

In the afternoon I went into Nottingham. I bought a cushion pad for my cushion. It’s lacking in size, but will have to do. I also bought a pair of shoes for two quid in Revel – a real bargain. I also treated myself to something wonderful – Communards by the Communards which I am listening to now, for the second time.

I had a Maths lecture which was a total waste of time, just going over A Level complex numbers. And I couldn’t be bothered doing anything this evening. All these pub crawls are okay but I don’t like that, I like going from one person to another in the bar. I was chatting to a Dutch guy in the telly room, he’s just here visiting a friend. He was okay.

And I have just been in a coffee party in Lisa Ss’ room. Jennie was there briefly, Ben was there, Tim was there (he’s chronic), two Andys and a Dave. I’m rather sick of these southerners. They - many of them – seem to believe that although there is life north of Watford or the Wash or whatever, it is mostly Plebeian, totally dull, and there is no sophistication anywhere that happens to be in 'the North'. And they all and one of them seem so prejudiced, whether it be against blacks, gays, northerners, people who get a full grant, or whatever. It’s just: I thought people at Loreto were small-minded, but this lot take the biscuit.

I went over to the Portland building in order to collect my grant. I didn’t know exactly what room to go to so I asked someone who appeared to know what he was doing. Just my luck: he was from the Conservative Association, imploring me to meet our local Conservative MP, Martin Brandon Bravo, but I wanted to get my grant cheque and pay it into the bank before lecture. He sounded, from a distance, a real jerk. His blurb told one that students are okay financially and nobody is barred from Higher Education through lack of money.

I went to Lisa S’s, where I met Caroline E (who I had met on Tuesday: I looked after her purse), plus Clarence real name, Clare who was at school with Caroline and is doing Geog with Caroline. I then went to see Helen C next door, and then went to dinner with Mary and Jean. Jean went to Kingswood Comprehensive School, Corby which had been on the TV a couple of years previously in a fly-on-the-wall documentary. After dinner we went to the Goose Fair, which was rather exciting, although the only ride I went on was the helter skelter, which was a slight kick. Jean and Mary didn’t want to go on the rides, and there’s no fun in going on the waltzers alone. But I had candy floss and a hot dog, which you’re supposed to do at fairs. Then we walked back to Hall, which was well over 3 miles mainly uphill: no wonder my feet are aching! I went to the bar and spent the ages chatting to one of the many Daves, he’s a third year Physics/Maths person. I then went upstairs and spent ages with MY Dave - Dave Bn; opposite me is Dave Be, from Yorkshire somewhere, and opposite Dave Bn is Dave C, also from Bolton. I really like Dave Bn, he has some great things to say, he’s very pleasant to be with & I must say, yeah, he’s very attractive.

I was just returning to bed when Tracey and Jennie arrived back from the Week One party, knackered. Martin also joined us, he hadn’t gone. I didn’t like Tracey at first, I do now. She’s hassle free, and genuinely friendly, unlike Fiona who I think is determined to dominate and have a good time with a vengeance.

I returned to my room and wrote quite a bit of this then I went to appear on URN who were broadcasting live from Willoughby Hall. I rather blotted my copy book by saying I’m spending Week One getting pissed!

I walked down to Beeston, buying vodka, lime, nailclippers, a cleaning cloth and magicubes. Then I came back and listened to the radio. Forest v United. Would you believe it, but Garry Birtles scored for Forest in the first half. Robbo equalised in the second half, so now I’m waiting for full time, and drinking vodka and lime, which is all rather civilised. United eventually drew, which I’m very pleased about, drawing away to the League leaders. I was kicking myself for not having arranged tickets - my first Saturday in Nottingham and United were playing at the City ground...

I spent the evening with Dave Bn and Clive. We sat around talking, drinking vodka and Clive’s filter coffee; then I was just about to go to bed when the good-time girls rolled back from a barn dance and I ended up in a party in Fiona’s room. God knows why I went to Fiona’s, I’m still not sure. I like Fiona, I think she’s alright on a one-to-one basis, but a bit of an exhibitionist. Fiona was there, so was Liz I from next door to me, Caroline who had my kettle from along the way, Barbie from Cavendish, John from upstairs (he threw Fiona’s rabbit out of the window) and three of his friends from Sheffield Uni. There were four Daves present: Bn, Dave (A) who does Law from Cheltenham (I asked him if I had seen him before, something told me that I had, and he said that he had been on Blockbusters). There was also a Dave who does History, and a rather effeminate Dave (N). Janet (Law) from the North East was there but not Dave Ly (the first time I've seen her without Dave).

I was locked out of there, so went next door to Lisa Sykes’s. There were an extra two Daves there, Dave (Li) who’s big on the Hall committee, although small in stature & wears glasses, and there was David Bl (more of him later). There were also a couple of Richards there.

Anyway I got chatting to Dave Bl, who hearing I was from Manchester got talking about the Smiths so I did my name dropping vis a vis The Smiths, then I discovered he was Cuddly Left was totally kosher, so Lisa chucked us out for talking Politics, which was rather nice, so he came to my room and we discussed fings until half past four. He’s been as much of a dirty stop-in as me. He doesn’t believe, like I don’t believe, in the attitude: students get pissed, I am a student, therefore I must get pissed. David said there’s another Socialist in Willoughby, who’s from South Wales. David’s from Australia, but has spent the last seven years in Hertfordshire, and his parents have just moved to Kent.

I made the acquaintance of the other Socialist in Hall - Mike from Llanelli.

On the way back to Hall I spotted James E-L. Total weird. Polo neck jumper (and I mean polo neck, with a v-neck over it, and brogues. Not that it matters what people wear but on the way down to lunch I noticed that he listens into conversations as if he wants to join in.

I had a fairly depressing evening. I was in my room; how I like it, dimmed lights, music and a good read (New Socialist), then I started drifting around. I made a very daft mistake doing that Liz next door glared at me; then Fiona and her really stupid crowd shut the door in my face. No not in my face cos I was only walking past, but I allowed the wave of self-pity to engulf me and I had a good cry, then attempted to drown it in the equivalent of five vodkas in two minutes. Sally asked me what was wrong; then Tracey seemed very concerned about me. Seems strange that I didn't like Tracey at first. Indeed I spent about an hour socialising with Jennie, Tracy and Martin - that was after Spitting Image.