Oh...the weather

While we shiver and wait for the spring to arrive, here at the archive office Oral History interviews have continued. We always have to apologise for the coolness of the office itself - but it is an archive after all!

Over the past two years, we have heard from around fifty people, who have either told us, or written down their memories. The majority of these people are former students, and about a quarter were staff members.

Visiting schoolchildren investigate the chicks at Corsham Court. A 1950s  spring scene.

So many people have strong memories associated with the weather, and again and again we have been struck by the way that extremes of weather affect people. Consider our recent experience, and the way that this long, cold winter and late spring has affected those around you. At Bath Spa University, it has certainly played its part, and the third year dissertation students seem to be even more stressed than usual. Normally, by now, they would have been able to shed a few layers of clothes, and perhaps enjoyed that freer feeling that comes alongside spring flowers and birdsong. They are, however, still bundled up, struggling against a bitter wind as they trudge up and down the Newton Park driveway. But the life of the student now is a cold one on the whole; by the time the really good weather arrives, term will have finished and the long summer vacation will have begun.

Outdoor sketching at Monk's Park, Corsham, 1950s

For the former students of Newton Park, or Corsham Court, Sion Hill, or any of the other college venues, there are many memories of long summers, of Commemoration performances in the hot June sun, and of sunlit bicycle journeys along country lanes. This puzzled us at first. Was this the rosy glow of youthful pleasure, seen through the lens of reminiscence?

Then we recalled that in the days of teacher training, before university status, terms were similar to school terms, rather like the PGCE course now. So, happy memories of long warm evenings are very real.

Commemoration Day preparations c 1960s

A staff meeting, on the lawn beside Main House, Newton Park 1960s

It seems that the weather in June was always to be good enough for Commemoration Day at Newton Park  to be held outdoors.  At least this is what the photographic evidence tells us. For the first twenty years of the teacher training college, photographs show the women students dancing in short tunics in the Italian Garden.

Commemoration Day 1958. Local schoolchildren playing in the Primary Garden (which was situated next to Castle at Newton Park)

Dancing display at Newton Park, 1957

Details of Commemoration Day at Newton Park, 1960

That's all for now. I hope the weather improves wherever you are. Here at the BSU Archive office in Corsham, the peacocks are getting extremely noisy, which is a good sign that the warmer weather - and the mating season - is approaching. I interviewed a lady last week, who learned to make a peahen call while she was a student here. She could make the peacocks display their glorious feathers whenever she wanted! What a skill! 

More next week...watch this space!

Kate the Archivist

x