Your stories: spring 2025

Murodjon Komilov (MA Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages, 2024)

My journey with the University of Birmingham has been a life-changing experience, shaping both my personal and professional growth. As an online TESOL MA student, I balanced my studies while managing Richmond Education in Uzbekistan, an educational institution that helps students achieve their academic dreams. The knowledge and skills I gained from Birmingham empowered me to foster a thriving learning community, guiding hundreds of students toward their goals. The University's support and academic excellence have been instrumental in making a meaningful impact on my community, and I am proud to be part of this legacy.

Amy Barber (MSc International Development, 2016, MBA Business Administration, 2023)

According to my Grandad, my Great Great Grandfather, Jack Padley, built the wooden staircase in the University’s clock tower.

My Grandad, Stanley James “Jim” Padley (pictured), was born in 1922 and remembers Jack stepping on his fingers by accident with his hobnail boots when playing as a baby! Later, Jack had a chip of wood that blinded him on a job and that was the end of his career.

Grandad was from a long line of family born around the Aston area of Birmingham. He married Connie who was from a long line of family in Small Heath! Many generations worked in the jewellery and gun factories in Birmingham. Grandad himself was an engineer and became a Hurricane pilot at the start of the war aged 18, while Nanan was a Wren and they met at a party. He passed away in November at a respectable age of 102 and loved reading the alumni magazine. It always jogged his memory and I was able to glean a little more about the family each time.

Grandad completed a Bachelor’s degree with the Open University in Life Sciences aged 80! I did a Master’s in Business Administration and an MSc in International Development with University of Birmingham, both online.

Rachel Sargeant (PhD Creative Writing, 2023)

Although I’d been published for several years before I studied for my Creative Writing PhD, the course taught me so much more about writing technique and research. It also expanded my reading choices and abilities, and I benefitted from having a supervisor, Professor Ruth Gilligan, who was a bestselling novelist as well as an experienced academic.

The analytical and creative skills I learnt have enabled me to work confidently not only as a judge but also as a critique writer for the Henshaw Press quarterly international short story competitions, for whom I have critiqued hundreds of stories to date.

Since completing my doctorate, I have returned to full-time fiction writing. I worked with my new literary agent to develop the fiction part of my PhD thesis into a commercial thriller, and this has just gone out on submission. The first novel I wrote post studies was a 1980s black comedy which has secured a publisher and will be developed next year. My current project is a thriller that combines folklore horror with psychological suspense.

Shweta Singh (PGCE Primary Education, 2022)

As C. S. Lewis said, "You are never too old to set a new goal or to dream a new dream". Embarking upon a journey of continuous education through pursuing PGCE iQTS in its pioneer batch (2022-23) at University of Birmingham Dubai Campus has truly been a journey of reimagining, rebuilding and resurrecting personal goals and ambitions after being in HR and Recruitment corporate sector for more than 15 years across Singapore, Dubai and India.

Exploring these new horizons would not have been possible without the constant support and hand-holding from immensely experienced and compassionate faculty Ms Noshaba Anbreen and Ms Sanam Yaqub that helped me align with the industry trends of Global School Education.

The course delivery, school placements and the unending staff cooperation all helped me along the arduous yet rewarding journey. It's been an enriching journey of changing gears from being a successful corporate business leader to becoming a passionate educator wanting to lead the change in Primary School Education and the fuel for this dream came from deciding to pursue PGCE iQTS from University of Birmingham. Upon successful completion of the course, I got an opportunity to join the prestigious British School, New Delhi, in India which gave me wings to take a flight into the vast horizon to explore and build new systems in the Primary Education scene of India.

Foivi Georgiadi (Nursing, 2020)

Although cut short due to the pandemic, I can honestly say that my stay in Birmingham as a PG student in 2019-2020 changed my life. The people I met there, be it other students, members of staff or visitors to the university, have now become my people, and I cherish that more than anything. My best friend, my colleagues and friends, the person that opened up whole new worlds for me in so, so many levels. They have all played such an important part in who I am today, what I do, the opportunities I have, and they are all linked to this (special to me) place.

Along with the fact that I loved who I became in Birmingham (the place that really shaped me, as a friend, a partner, a researcher), they are the reason I will always keep the city and the University in my heart, and I will never forget my time there, the things I did, the things I felt, the help I got for my future, and the people I met that I hope will be with me and by my side for ever, as I will be for them

Miriam Lau (PhD Shakespeare Institute, 2018)

In 2018, I had graduated with a PhD from the Shakespeare Institute with Prof. Michael Dobson and Dr Abigail Rokison-Woodall as my co-supervisors. Six years later in the summer of 2024, I had returned to the Shakespeare Institute (with my daughter, Solanne) as an invited member of the International Shakespeare Conference, and had presented a paper on the Hong Kong adaptations of Shakespeare there.

In 2017, I had co-written my first book with another alumna from the University of Birmingham, Dr Anna Tso. She was my senior who had recommended me to study a PhD at Bham! Our book was titled "Teaching Shakespeare to ESL students: The study of language arts in four major plays" and was published by Springer.

Diane Lowman (MA Shakespeare Studies, 2018)

I left home (Connecticut) at the age of 57 to study toward an MA in Shakespeare Studies at the Shakespeare Institute. A "mature" student. I could not have known how the year in Stratford upon Avon would quite literally change my life. I am forever grateful to the students, staff, and professors who deepened my appreciation for The Bard, for England and its people, and for myself.

Image: Diane Lowman (left) with her friend Hannah Brumby in Stratford upon Avon

Pallavi Mathur (MSc International Business, 2013)

My journey at the University of Birmingham has not only enriched my academic knowledge but also provided me with valuable experiences that have shaped my career.

The University of Birmingham boasts a vibrant and diverse campus. As a student, I was surrounded by beautiful architecture and lush green spaces, making it an inspiring place to study. I had the opportunity to engage in various student societies, cultural events, and networking opportunities, enriching my university experience.

The curriculum for the Master of International Business was rigorous yet rewarding. I engaged in dynamic discussions, collaborated on group projects, and learned from a faculty comprised of experts in the field. The programme emphasised practical skills, enabling me to apply theoretical knowledge to real-world scenarios. Networking opportunities, case studies, and hands-on projects helped me build a robust professional foundation.

Graduation was a momentous occasion, celebrating not only my hard work but also the friendships and connections I made along the way. As I stepped into the professional world, my Master of International Business has equipped me with the skills and insights to thrive in a global market. Embracing the opportunities that lie ahead, leveraging my education and experiences to make a meaningful impact in my chosen field. I completed a second master’s degree in Australia and since then I have been enjoying the perks of extensive International education experience and worked in the marketing and teaching fields.

Angela Cleary (PhD Education, 2017)

Why were some talented Thai post-graduate students not achieving their full potential when studying at UK universities? Unable to find answers elsewhere, I began my own exciting original research journey across uncharted territory, with the great support of the University of Birmingham's School of Education!

It was challenging working full-time, commuting to Birmingham from Surrey as well as researching in relative isolation. However, with the encouragement and support of my amazing supervisor Prof. Adrian Blackledge, my understanding employers and my wonderful husband, Colman, I was thrilled to be awarded my PhD in 2018 :) I would like to thank the University of Birmingham for the great privilege of being able to undertake an original piece of research with practical implications. I hope my research highlights some key cultural and pedagogical challenges experienced by both students and teachers in our multi-cultural Higher Education environment.

Maria Morris (BMBS Medicine, 1998)

We held a 30 year MethSoc reunion at Christmas 2023. Many of us hadn't met up for over 25 years and people came from all over the country and even from the US. We all started in 1993. We studied many different subjects, with courses between 3 and 5 years. For a few years we had lots of trips to Methodist Churches, Greenbelt Christian Festival and met to drink pints of tea and discuss issues of the day! Joe Solway, who now lives in the US, first had the idea for us all to meet up. We met not far from Birmingham and brought families too.

The Methsoc reunion in 2023

Simon Philbin (BSc Chemistry, 1994)

After studying for a BSc (Hons) in Chemistry at Birmingham and graduating in 1994, I have worked across science, engineering and senior management for the last 30 years. Initially employed as a research chemist in the Ministry of Defence, I pivoted from the physical sciences to engineering management. Along the way, I served as the President of the American Society of Engineering Management (ASEM) and I am now Head of the School of Engineering at Kingston University London.

Sohail Saqlain (MSS Health Management for Developing Countries, 1991)

It's a great honour and immense pleasure to share my unforgettable memories of my stay at University of Birmingham and later as Office Bearer/President of Birmingham Alumni Association of Pakistan (BAAP). I can't ever forget the teaching and handholding of honourable faculty of University of Birmingham. I recall Dr Don K White, Head of Overseas Unit, Health Services Management Centre. His great and pleasant personality remained a driving force to remain attentive in the class and also during field visits. I remember, he was kind enough to invite the whole class of Masters and Diploma in Health Management for developing countries to his residence for Christmas Celebrations (25th December 1990). We had incredibly amazing time.

I also remember my last day at the University of Birmingham when Ms Sue Muffet, Advisor in the Student Advice Centre came, along with other students to say goodbye to me. I have so many sweet and unforgettable memories of University of Birmingham that I can write a book on that. What I am today, all is because of my alma mater, University of Birmingham. I extend our heartiest congratulations on the 125th Year Celebrations of the University of Birmingham and to all faculty members as well as other staff, student. and alumni.

Photo: Christmas Day at Dr Don White's residence (from left: Dr White, Dr Saqlain and other postgraduate students)

Andy (AJ) Smith (BA Hispanic Studies, 1989)

The maiden tour of Bunnies Cricket Club (Birmingham University Nomads) was to Jersey in July 1989. For the first decade the annual five-day tour was hosted by clubs in Devon and Surrey. Since the start of the millennium Chipping Norton has been the base for the three-day tour, almost invariably including fixtures against Great Yew and Hook Norton.

All alumni left between 1987 and 1993, including BUCC First XI members Lawson Roll, Neil Ashton (UAU winners 1985), Philip Le Cornu, Adam Freeman, James Grant and David Whitfield. After thirty six tours we still relish sharing in occasional moments of sporting prowess and renewing the camaraderie kindled in Birmingham.

Deborah Lowe BEM (BA Music, Drama and Dance, 1988)

Birmingham University alumna, Deborah Lowe, received a British Empire Medal in the New Year’s Honours 2025 list for her work in the performing arts across the Midlands.

Debs attained her degree in Music, Drama and Dance in 1988 and was one of the founders of the Guild Musical Theatre Group (GMTG). She directed two musicals whilst at the University: “South Pacific” and “Grease” and has continued to direct musicals and pantomimes every year since; firstly, with the Birmingham and Midland Operatic Society (BMOS) Youtheatre and then founding her own Youth Theatre, Youth Onstage, with three of the existing committee members in 2002.

Debs was awarded the Love Midlands Theatre Award for her Outstanding Contribution to West Midlands Theatre in April 2019 and is now even more delighted to have received the BEM. She said: ‘To be rewarded with a medal for something you love doing is simply marvellous. However, I would never be able to achieve the fabulous standard of our performances without the amazing team of people who work with me, including my husband, behind the scenes and, of course, our awesome members.’

Debs returned to the University in 2023 to attend the GMTG 25th Year Reunion, meeting with friends from 1988 but also with people who have performed with GMTG in the 25 years since.

Youth Onstage is always recruiting new members for their musicals and pantomimes, so Debs would be very keen to hear from any young people in the Birmingham area, aged 9-25, who would like to develop their own skills and talents.

Bev Mitchell (BSc Biochemistry, 1987)

Whilst Chair of the Carnival Committee in 1987, we raised £30,000 which was distributed across many and various charities in the area. And we had a huge amount of fun doing so. Carnival was very democratic and brought together students from many different departments, with many different skills. It provided us with the opportunity to hone those skills, and develop new ones, many of which were directly applicable to our careers beyond Birmingham Uni.

I personally learned leadership and motivation skills, planning, problem solving and creativity, as well as understanding the principles of generating a profit. And we were a great team, supporting each other, sharing responsibilities and enjoying each other’s company. The Rag office at the top of one of the many staircases in the Guild was a safe haven for all of us where we had a lot of fun and achieved our goal of being able to support local charities - often by being just being daft and always by having a great time. The importance of such social committees in terms of life lessons and preparation for life after university should not be underestimated and for many of my friends and fellow Carnival participants, we learnt a lot from our experience, from each other, and from the Guild community. Thank you, Birmingham for that opportunity, all those years ago!

Low Sui Pheng (MSc Eng, 1987; DSc Civil Engineering, 2012)

I studied at the University of Birmingham for my MSc (Eng) degree, graduating in 1987. I went on to earn a DSc (Civil Engineering) from the University of Birmingham in 2012. My first paper published in a top tiered academic journal was based on my work completed at Birmingham. I am currently a professor at the National University of Singapore. As an alumnus of Birmingham, I am proud that the University is celebrating its 125th Anniversary in 2025. Let's celebrate this joyous occasion together!

The MSc (Eng) (Construction Management) Class of 1987 having a tea break together in between classes. I am wearing a red jacket.

Ferzana Akram (BSc Chemical Engineering, 1996)

I was selected to be in the Platinum Jubilee Pageant for the UK’s longest reigning monarch, Queen Elizabeth II in 2022. I got to be part of this prestigious event, where I danced behind the military parade as a 1990s Britpopper alongside supermodels Naomi Campbell and Kate moss. The theme was 'Times of our lives' and the 90s was an important one for me – when I was raving to music in the clubs, whilst at the University of Birmingham, studying Chemical Engineering.

The School of Chemical Engineering, as it is known now, is how I got the chance to be part of the Jubilee celebrations. Participants needed to have a connection to the late Queen and mine was from the time I was flown to Scotland for a job placement during the first year of my degree. It was a lovely weekend but not for a teen from the second city used to club life. There was barely any sign of life outside the hotel, where I was put up for a few days.

I applied for the placement after seeing a poster in the department for the Windsor Fellowship, albeit I didn't know who the Windsors were. It was a scheme to give undergraduates experience of various departments within government. My choices included United Kingdom Atomic Energy Authority and Ministry of Defence. Hence, in addition to being flown to the edge of the United Kingdom, I also plenty of other trips during the course and it really was like being James Bond.

Jacqui Lytton (nee Wald) (BA German & Spanish, 1981)

It all started two years ago, when Alan, a friend from my uni days, found my daughter on social media, and asked whether she could put us in touch. We had not spoken for 40 years. In fact I had lost contact with everyone from my student days save for close friend, linguist and fellow London resident, Tania.

Alan’s email brought back happy memories of those long-forgotten times. There were friendships forged, heartbreaks, late night partying; disco music was all the rage and Duran Duran were just starting out at the Rum Runner club. There were no designer shops or glitzy malls in seventies Birmingham - we shopped on the high street at Chelsea Girl and C & A.

I had arrived in autumn 1977 to study German and Spanish. For most of us, it was our first taste of freedom away from the confines of the home. And life was pretty carefree - as long as we kept up with our studies. Our base as linguists was the Muirhead Tower, always the windiest place on campus (though I note it is still standing to date).

Birmingham connection rekindled, Alan and I thought it would be fun to track down other members of the class of 1981, so we set to work. I thought my media background would make it easy, but it was not; clearly not all sexagenarians are as social media savvy as Alan. But then again there was no internet back in our day, and the only immediate contact with friends and family was via pay phone (brick-sized mobiles came into circulation in the UK a decade later).

Our sleuthing did have some success. We found one of our fellow German students had been Head of Modern Languages at the University of Birmingham itself but was now mainly on grandparenting duty. And I was very excited to make contact and actually meet two of my former uni friends - Sharon, now a headmistress in South Africa, and Julie, a teacher a little nearer to home in Norfolk.

Julie, Tania and I had shared a rather salubrious flat above a shop in Birmingham’s Bearwood district in our final year. I can still picture the vibrant orange flecked wallpaper and the dingy backyard entrance with its steep steps up to our front door. It was great to catch up and hear their stories from the past four decades - and to see how, in many ways, they had hardly changed.

Fondness for reminiscing grows as you age - and, having recently become an OAP (Officially Amazing Person), I find myself happily looking back as well as forward. I am still working for a small photo press agency, through which I have had some amazing experiences, and met people such as the late Queen, Busted and Bryan Adams. I still love travelling and use my languages when I can: Spanish came in particularly useful during a recent month-long trip to Colombia. But best of all, I am a relatively new - but very enthusiastic - Granny or 'Glammy,' as my 18-month-old grandson kindly calls me.

So if you studied languages at Birmingham from 1977-1981 and would like to get in touch, we would love to hear your story. Our class of ‘81 does have a WhatsApp group (not bad for a bunch of pensioners…), and tales of those heady times, and what has happened since, are always welcome.

Contact alumnioffice@contacts.bham.ac.uk

Graduation Day Reunion in 2024

Reverend Emeritus Professor James Haire AC (PhD Theology, 1981)

I undertook my PhD under the supervision of Professor Walter Hollenweger in the Department of Theology (PhD, Theology, 1981) on culture and religious theology in Halmahera, in the Molucca Islands, Indonesia. Twenty years later the Indonesian authorities asked me to play a very significant role in the peace and reconciliation process after brutal fighting between Christians and Muslims in the area, and this process turned out to be highly successful.

Later I became a Presidential Friend of Indonesia on the nomination of the President of Indonesia, and I was appointed to Australia's highest civilian decoration (Companion of the Order of Australia - AC). These peace negotiations were highly significant internationally, according to the UN. This all began for me in the excellent supervision of the University of Birmingham's Reverend Professor Walter Hollenweger.

Nitin Lakhani (MB ChB Medicine & Surgery, 1979)

It was 50 years last September that my class of 120 (or 160?) medical students arrived for the freshers’ conference at Birmingham. We arrived from all corners of Britain and some from across the world. All with different backgrounds but all with the same aspirations of qualifying as doctors and wanting to do good for our future patients. So many with varying stories of our own, most hiding our initial feelings of 'imposter syndrome.'

The journey to qualifying was itself an adventure. Few didn't make it but the rest became cemented into a breed of being ex-Brummie doctors. Like seeds we scattered out into the big wide world, often not knowing where we would sculpt our careers or in what specialty, helpless against the larger forces that wafted us in unplanned directions.

Our links as a large class were tenuous for the larger part while we were at Birmingham. As a complete class, it was occasional lectures where we saw everybody in the first two years. Otherwise, we were in smaller groups for tutorials, and later for clinical studies placements. These smaller gatherings often served as mini-support groups and I suspect many may still flourish to this day.

We did not manage regular reunions post-qualifying. I only managed to attend one and I don't think we had more than two or three organised. As the years have rolled past I wondered about where everyone ended up, what achievements they accomplished and how content they felt with the start Birmingham Medical School gave them. As we approached the 50th-year landmark I can remember many faces (but not all!) and connecting them to names has become almost impossible!

I for one am indebted for the precious experience the University gave me, the start of a career and profession that I have thoroughly enjoyed and revere. So many of the lecturers remain vivid in my mind and much said by them, often as chance remarks, has guided me throughout my medical career. I am also indebted to Birmingham for the fact that I met my future wife during Freshers Week. Kamlesh Bahl CBE (BA Law, 1977) shares the same fond memories of Birmingham that I do.

I know many of my contemporaries out there will be thinking along similar lines. At least in that way, we remain tenuously connected to this day. Many like me will have retired and perhaps taken on second careers or found new hobbies and pastimes. Whatever we do now and wherever that is, I suspect our rich experiences from our career that started 50 years ago at Birmingham will have forged our personae, and to be able to look back with fondness and gratitude for the precious start we received.

Picture: Dr Nitin Lakhani retired from the NHS in 2013 and now writes fiction under the name Nitin Nanji

Nick Humby (BCom Accounting, 1978)

As a student from 1975 to 1978 I studied Commerce and Accounting but spent a lot of time with the Stage-Staff team in the Students’ Union staging concerts and events in the main hall as a roadie, follow spot operator or bouncer. Fifty years on as a qualified accountant having worked in TV and sport, I now combine those skills and interests providing services to theatre and film boards as a non-Executive of Wiltshire Creative, the Watermill Newbury, Trafalgar Entertainment and London Film School. The University of Birmingham was the foundation of those skills, combining financial and economic skills to support a creative process to entertain audiences and engage communities.

Geraldine Ratcliffe (nee Brennan) (BSc Joint Honours Physical Education / Geography 1977)

The recent post regarding the 125 year anniversary, prompted me to reminisce about a previous celebration at the University. This was in 1975 when the commemoration was of 100 years since Mason College was established, later becoming the University of Birmingham.

The event was special as the late Queen Elizabeth II was the honoured guest and toured a number of sites on the campus. Her visit happened to coincide with the end of year assessment of the compulsory Dance Module for Year 1 Phys Ed students in the dance room of the Sports Hall. Our assessment was based on a Western theme and would have lasted about 10 minutes. We diligently completed the routine and finished with a flourish, only to be told that Her Majesty would be passing along the corridor above at ‘some point’ in her tour. So, our music was put on loop and we started again. Some time later the group of dignitaries appeared above us and Her Majesty looked over and smiled and waved at us as we were in full flow.

I still have the Mason College (1875) University of Birmingham (1975) Medal. I think that all students received one but ours felt particularly special due to its association with Her Majesty's visit, and yes we did pass the Assessment!

Ray Parsons (MSc Industrial Metallurgy, 1975)

Coming from a "Blast Furnace based" employment, in Australia, it was an eye-opening experience to meet Dr Dennis Milner DSc, in the Department of Industrial Metallurgy, in 1974. His take on the development of metals (and mankind) has never left me. Also Professor Donald Wilson was a wonderful character. His insistence of having all MSc, PhD students and lecturers meet for morning tea was a marvellous way to get to understand different points of view and he held a great Christmas dinner for the MSc students in his home.

Mike Jackson OBE (MSc Conservation & Utilisation of Plant Genetic Resources,1971; PhD, 1975)

My first experience of Birmingham was in the Spring of 1967, when I took my Biology 'A' Level in the first year lab of the School of Biological Sciences. Having graduated from the University of Southampton with a BSc in Botany and Geography in1970, I successfully applied for a place on the newly-launched MSc course on 'Conservation & Utilisation of Plant Genetic Resources' in the Dept of Botany (later to become Plant Biology), under the leadership of Mason Professor of Botany, Professor Jack Hawkes.

I completed the course in September 1971 and began a PhD on potatoes under Hawkes' supervision while waiting for my assignment in Peru at the International Potato Center (CIP) to begin. I moved there in January 1973. In the interim, I met Stephanie Tribble who came to Birmingham from Swansea in 1971 to begin the same MSc course, and we became an item in 1972.

She joined me in Lima, Peru in July 1973 and we were married there in October that year. I spent several months back at Birmingham from May 1975 to complete my PhD, which was conferred on 12 December 1975 by Chancellor Sir Peter Scott. I returned to Lima and moved with Steph to Central America for 5 years working on potatoes.

In April 1981 I was appointed Lecturer in Plant Biology at Birmingham and remained there for a decade, before leaving the university in July 1991 to join the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI) in the Philippines. I retired in 2010, and returned to the UK and we are enjoying retirement in the northeast of England. I was made OBE in the 2012 New Year's Honours in recognition of the agricultural research and development work I had carried out over several decades. And I can trace that success all the way back to having been accepted on the MSc course in 1970. My training at Birmingham was the foundation of a successful career in international agricultural research.

Ivor Ralph Edwards (BMBS Medicine, 1966)

At the end of 2019 I received a surprise. I was granted a DSc. by the University of Benin in Nigeria (the only one they have offered for 6 years!) for my work in Africa for patient safety with medicines. I was humbled by this honour, and I owe much to Birmingham Medical School for my academic training but also the ambiance created by the staff then. They offered their experiences of lives in clinical medicine following two World Wars and including the problems of recovery. Those experiences were tough, broad, varied and complex. It was 1966 when I graduated. Birmingham Medical School was a leader in research in several fields. We had solid training in most of the disciplines in clinical medicine, though this was slanted more towards hospital medicine than general practice.

We were very fortunate to be training at a time when the University of Birmingham was also supporting the development of a medical school in the University of Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe. This was splendid and not only did staff members circulate between the two universities with messages for us students about medicine in Africa, but there were also several African students training with us in Birmingham and with whom I had some close friends.

Jumping on to my career, which I developed in general hospital medicine with an interest in the, then, new discipline of clinical pharmacology. I was also the sub-Dean of Sheffield Medical school and later became a senior lecturer in the new medical school in Leicester University. Its newness naturally brought some unusual situations for academic staffing. I was based for clinical work in an old tuberculosis hospital and because of a lack of an infectious diseases expert I found myself, in the Leicester health care area, responsible for not only infectious diseases, but also I was the area’s University medical representative at meetings in the allied hospitals. It was hard to live up to the challenges, but…!

Main photo: Ralph in his first car, a 1940s ex-army Austin 8 coupé

Photo of Ralph used in his university applications. Ralph says: 'Amazingly it worked with four of them and I chose Birmingham, of course.' Ralph (in striped rugby shirt) and some friends in his first year after completing a race organised by Leicester University. Ralph says: 'It was an inter- university 'Pram Race' in which teams of ten took it in turns to run, pushing the pram in the photo, by jumping off an accompanying bus in turns handing over to the next when exhausted. Due to one person in another team falling under their bus and breaking a leg the race was discontinued as being too dangerous!'

Carole Lewis (BA German and English, 1964)

I was born in 1943, raised on a council estate in Grimsby and given wings by my church, my grammar school following the 11 plus exam and ultimately by my wonderful university. I was the first person ever in my extended family to have the opportunity to go to university. Everyone found it awesome and supported me as a pioneer although we were all nearly broke most of the time!

In the sixth form where I studied German, English and French I read a book by Roy Pascal, a professor of German at that time at Birmingham. I was determined to sit at his feet. I made it and was entranced by what I learned. My horizons were blown apart. I spent several months studying in Germany, penniless but hitch hiking all over and into France, Austria and Switzerland, youth hostelling. Eventually I became a teacher and have enjoyed a fascinating career as well as raising a family, becoming a lay minister and being able to help many people over a long full life. I also joined the university choir singing under the baton of the inspirational Professor Anthony Lewis which led me into a lifetime of choral singing into which I have been able to lead many others. Thank you, Birmingham from the bottom of my heart.

In this photo I am at graduation ball with Clive Turner. He went to Australia after graduation and became a law professor. He married and had a family in Australia as did I here in the UK. In recent years after the advent of the internet we have rediscovered each other and exchange Christmas letters and the occasional email which is lovely. I keep in touch with the university via the alumni association and forward to him mailings I receive from time to time. We are both grandparents now!

Bob Cruthers (MB ChB, 1960)

Jenny Mansfield (MBChB 1959) and I met at the Medical School in 1957 when the Dean of that time (Charlie Smout) had the idea of bringing my year back from Easter Vacation early so that we could start on the wards and learn the ropes" from the year ahead.

This experiment was never repeated but without it we might never have got to know each other as the different years tended not to "socialise" with each other. Jenny became my mentor and gradually we fell in love with mutual interests including tennis and married in 1960, soon after I qualified.

After some GP training we went to New Zealand where I had my own practice and then Australia for three years before returning to the UK and NHS. Jenny brought up our three children before restarting work, ending as Senior Partner in Selsdon. I was a partner in South Croydon for the rest of my career apart from a three-year spell as a Ships Surgeon with the RFA supporting the Royal Navy and a fortuitous trip to the World Cup in Mexico in 1970 as doctor to the England supporters.

When university student fees were introduced we decided to set up a bursary every five years to help someone and this was quite successful before we were asked to use the accumulated funds to refurbish a teaching room at the medical school and 2 e-printers, which was equally worthwhile!

If you have any recollections to share with Bob, pleaseemail us.

Dr Peter Graves (BSc Physical Metallurgy, PhD 1963)

I was an undergraduate and a research student in the Department of Physical Metallurgy, 1956 to 1963. There was also a Department of Industrial Metallurgy based in the Aitcheson building, but there was little interaction between the two departments. The Head of Physical Metallurgy was Professor Geoffrey Raynor, an alloy chemist, and Dr Robert Cahn lectured on crystallography and X-Ray techniques. There were two Dr Pratts, Peter who ran a team studying dislocations in single crystal sodium chloride, and John who was a thermodynamicist. Dr Stan Glover was lecturer in iron and steel, although the Department was heavily biased toward non-ferrous metals. Professor of Research was Alan McQuillan, a world-wide authority on titanium.

After graduating in 1959 I joined Professor McQuillan’s research team to work on the loss of oxygen from rutile (titanium dioxide) at high temperature; the work was funded by UKAEA Dounreay. The team had to design and build equipment to use in their experiments, and McQuillan was a great experimentalist teaching me skills in glass blowing, building high temperature furnaces and vacuum technology that stood me in great stead for my subsequent career in R&D in materials and their processing. Professor McQuillan was also a polymath with interests in art and architecture and gave an open lecture in the Barber Institute on ancient edifices.

In the 1960s, Professor McQuillan was responsible for planning a new building for Metallurgy on Pritchatts Road, and the architectural company Ove Arup was contracted to design the building, which was based on prefabricated concrete modules (photo).

Interestingly, in the 1990s I met socially an architect whose first assignment with Arup was to be part of the building design team and oversee its construction. My time at Birmingham, particularly with McQuillan stood me in good stead for a Post Doc year in Los Angeles and a 34-year career in R&D management in a telecommunications laboratory (STL, Harlow).

Robert Bolt (BA Geography, 1957)

The latest Old Joe mentions Edmund Street as an alternative University location to Edgbaston in 1954-57. At that time I was a student in yet another location: the wooden huts on Bristol Road, in the grounds of King Edward’s School. These huts housed Geography and Music and were just a short walk from the main campus, via the Gun Barrels pub. The photo shows the Geography team, taken in 1958 when Professor Robert Kinvig was in charge. Within that photo are three people who later became professors in their own right: Tony Orme, Pete Larson and John Rayner.

Jeanne Thompson and Marion Jephcott (née Thompson) (both BA General Arts, 1952)

We, identical twins Jeanne Thompson and Marion Jephcott née Thompson, entered the University of Birmingham in October 1949 to read English, French and Spanish, which led to a General Arts Degree.

In those days, the University was divided into two campuses. The Arts Department was in an old rambling building in Edmund Street in the city centre and the Science and Medical Departments were in Edgbaston near the Queen Elizabeth Hospital. Consequently, all our courses took place in Edmund Street. It was also close to the beautiful and excellent Reference Library which we used a great deal for studying.

Our subjects were English with Professor J. R. Allardyce Nicholl, French with Professor Fraser McKenzie and Spanish with Dr and then later Professor Joesph Manson. Our personal tutor was John Hathaway from the French Department. During our second summer, we participated in courses at the University of Santander, Spain and the University of Montpellier, France, all part of our degree course.

Some social events took place at Edmund Street. Clubs and societies were very active there and we remember doing Scottish dancing but all the big social events were held at Edgbaston. The focal point was the Students’ Union. The Saturday night dances, ‘hops’, were always held in the Students’ Union Hall. To attend the hops inevitably meant a lot of travelling for us as we lived in Erdington. We had to take a tram into Birmingham, then walk across town to pick up a tram or bus to Edgbaston. Leaving the hops at 11pm or later, we had to travel back into the city, change to an all-night bus to Erdington, then take a fifteen-minute walk to our house. One great annual celebration was the elegant Guild Ball.

Our main interest was the Guild Theatre Group. We became very involved in all their productions which were held in the Students’ Union Hall, mainly working backstage and especially helping to do stage makeup for the cast. Highlights were the Gilbert and Sullivan operettas. We remember especially The Gondoliers and Iolanthe with Marion being a fairy in the latter.

Another very enjoyable event was the annual Carnival, a week of fundraising for charity culminating in a procession around the city centre with decorated floats and walkers alongside in fancy dress. Collecting money was great fun. We were even allowed on buses and trams with our tins. From the 1960s onwards, this special event changed its name from Carnival to Rag Week.

When we came to University there was very little residential accommodation so many students had to go into approved lodgings. The Lodgings Warden, Miss E M Teverson had her small office behind the stage of the Great Hall and after graduation, Marion joined her for three years as Assistant Lodgings Warden. Jeanne worked for a short while as secretary to Miss Nancy McFarlane, Senior Woman Tutor before going abroad, eventually returning as a postgraduate student to take a course in Child Care under Mrs Shapiro.

Our time at University was a very happy and fulfilling period of our lives.

Philip (Pip) Morris (BSc in Mechanical Engineering, 1945)

Congratulations to alumnus Philip (Pip) Morris who recently celebrated his 100th birthday. Philip arrived at Birmingham in 1943 and graduated two years later with a BSc in Mechanical Engineering.

Life was busy as an undergraduate during the war – and not only completing what would normally be a three-year course in two years. Philip took part in night watch duty, at the top of Old Joe, to look out for fires caused by bombing. He helped out each weekend at Longbridge, as a driver’s mate and he was in one of the university’s Warwickshire Regiment Home Guard platoons. Each platoon was led by a member of the academic staff and Philip’s captain was the Professor of Music and famous composer Victor Hely-Hutchinson. After university Philip was commissioned into REME and posted to the Caribbean, receiving his degree in absentia. His subsequent career was in woodworking machinery, for Leicester-based Wadkin Ltd and then as a consultant to the woodworking industry. He has lived in the Cotswolds for the last 30 years and celebrated his birthday with several generations of relatives!