March 2017 The the Lampeter Society 1 CONTENTS What Goes Around Comes Around? 3 NEWS REPORTS 18 Editorship of The Link 3 Update: Traws Link Cymru Lampeter Society Annual Report 2016 4 Blessed Beer! Spotlight on Lampeter, with Emma Evans Minutes of the AGM of the Lampeter Society 5 Lampeter Society Annual Reunion, July 2016 7 OBITUARIES 20 Update – The Landscape Project 8 Patrick Ridgewell A Most Generous Gift 9 John Willmington Rev. Fred Secombe YEAR GROUP REUNIONS AND Obituarial Note – ‘Don’ or ‘Donald’ Jones? OTHER SPECIAL EVENTS 10 Professor Charles Thomas CBE DL DLitt FSA FRHistS FBA 1970s Reunion 1990-2000 Reunion NOSTALGIA 22 The Ladies of Shallot The South Atlantic Connection Memorabilia from 1983 Dates For Diaries, 2017 Request for Copy for Future Editions of The Link and Link Misconceptions 12 Extra Conveners wanted! 13 Membership of The Lampeter Society Business Committee Thank You Link Extra, 2016 FEATURES 13 Love at Lampeter (new instalment) LINK EXTRA 23 Lloyd Thomas and the Savage Markers What Goes Around Comes Around 2! REUNION 2017 27 Draft Programme Booking Form Menu Choices FORMS 31 Change Of Address Standing Order Mandate Lampeter Society London Branch – Annual Dinner 2017 The front cover image is reproduced courtesy of Sarah Roberts and the Roderic Bowen Library and Archives, UWTSD. It depicts Conrad Gesner (1516-1565), a Swiss physician, naturalist and philologist, who was arguably the greatest naturalist of his age. Between 1551 and 1558, he published a four-volume masterwork, the Historiae Animalium, now seen as a bridge between ancient, medieval and modern science. It covered quadrupeds, amphibians, birds, and a fourth volume on fish (Fischbuch, Zurick, 1575, PHI 00359) from which this image is taken. The woodcuts were produced by the artist Lucas Schan of Strasbourg. This volume was presented to the College in 1849 by Thomas Phillips. This edition of The Link was designed and printed by the department of Technology Enhanced Learning, UWTSD 2 WHAT GOES AROUND COMES AROUND? Pushka Evans (1974) Is history repeating itself ? Or, alternatively, having once given up the post, returning are we seeing something unique in to it after an interval of several years! Of Lampeter Society history? In the course course, Peter had never been far away, of the Society AGM last year it struck me having stayed on as Vice Chair when that something rather momentous and Rachel became Chair in 2011. unprecedented was happening. His is a pretty impressive record of service: With Rachel Whitty standing down after he joined the Business Committee in 2000; some five years as Chair, our Vice Chair, became Membership Secretary in 2001; Peter Bosley (in the absence, at least became Chair in 2002; and stood down in for the moment, of any other potential Rachel’s favour in 2011, though staying on candidates), very kindly and, in my view, as Vice Chair. And now, I believe a unique positively heroically, agreed to take up the occurrence: he is, at least on a ‘caretaker’ Chairmanship - again! I have copies of basis, Chair once again. all the Link magazines I have edited, from 2001-2016. Hopefully new blood will, in due course, step up to take the Society forward, but, I also have a full set (bar one edition) of meanwhile, it seems to me that the mature Link magazines pre-dating my appointment (possibly vintage?) variety continues to as editor, going back to 1988. I even have a serve it very well. couple of Bulletins (the Link’s predecessor) from the 1970s. Looking through all of these, I can find no record of any Chair, [Note from ed. Well, for this EDITORSHIP OF year, I have undertaken the unenviable task of editing this issue of The Link THE LINK (and this Summer’s Link Extra), attempting to follow in Pushka’s and Mick’s Peter Bosley (1967 and 1977) footsteps. Now though, hopefully, “on our heels a fresh From 2001 to 2016 The Link was guided those attending the Reunion. Pushka and perfection treads” – these to publication by Frances (Pushka) Mick - thank you so much for all of your publications urgently need Evans (1974) and Mick Manson (1976). hard work, dedication and inspiration. a new, younger editorship, Between them they produced editions of completely at home with the a remarkably high standard, and Pushka It must be remembered in addition that use of modern technologies was assiduous in searching out stories and Pushka was a member of the Business and the various social pictures to strengthen our links to Lampeter Committee from 1992 to 2016, and Vice media. Please apply to and to stir our memories. Chair of the Society from 1999 to 2009. Peter (bosleypeter@yahoo. You deserve a rest! co.uk) or myself (adrian_ In addition, of course, to The Link itself, is [email protected]) Link Extra, which is provided as a bonus for without delay!] 3 LAMPETER SOCIETY ANNUAL REPORT 2016 Peter Bosley (1967 and 1977) [Lampeter Society Chair] As I write this, I have in front of me two In the intervening years I have regularly I can happily report that other Reunions previous editions of this Report: 2010 pushed for this to be instigated. I have been and gatherings have taken place through and 2015. The former contains an early told that the expertise for this can be found the year, most notably the London Dinner. reference to the Lampeter Landscape within the University. And where are the Details of these activities will be found in Project, to whit the VC’s appeal to the boards? Still where they were but hidden other parts of The Link. Society at its 2010 AGM to give financial behind the display of the thoughts of HRH backing to it, either collectively as a Society The Prince of Wales. Many of you will remember that at the initiative and/or as individuals. I believe 2016 AGM Rachel Whitty stood down we all responded with enthusiasm and the The Society has continued to give financial as Chair. My Report in 2010 notes that Project is now clearly visible for us all to see support to the Library and the Chapel Rachel became Chair in that year. Rachel and experience [see separate item – ed.]. (£1000 and £500 respectively) as well as has worked tirelessly for the Society and funding the updating of the SU Presidents’ the University during this period, juggling This year, the John Ward Prize for Honours Boards. the demands of a challenging full-time job Ancient History was awarded to Callum with her work for the SU and Alumni. I William Thomas Orr and The Lampeter The Business Committee met regularly can assure you she has already been missed. Society Prize in Archaeology to Steven throughout the year to review our activities The comment has been made, and not Mark Vincent. However, the Society has and to plan for the future, the first time without some justification, that members of discussed and agreed with Dr. Jeremy being on 1 October at the Celtic Manor in the Society are predominantly grey-haired Smith, Dean for the Faculty of Humanities Newport and the most recent on 28 January and that this alienates younger graduates. and the Performing Arts, the redirection near Cheltenham. Certainly, as far as the Society’s Officers are of the prize that used to be offered for concerned, Rachel’s predicament clearly I.T. to “efforts to enhance College life”. Dr. Jeremy Smith has continued with the illustrates the point that one can only rarely The Society is to suggest two or three innovation of his predecessor, Mirjam pursue a career and fulfil a significant role key criteria to enable Jeremy to select Plantinga, of regular meetings between key in a voluntary organisation like the Society. candidates for us to consider. The prize figures in Lampeter and representatives of However, the more young/younger people would be awarded at Degree Day along the Society. Bill Fillery, Andrew Leach and I attend the Reunion, the less visible the with other prizes. had a valuable meeting on 18th November, greybeards will become! 2016, with Jeremy, Kyle Erikson, Sian Poyer Some of you might be wondering where (Finance) and Kelly Williams (Catering and the Society-financed “History Boards” Accommodation). Among other matters, have been placed. In my 2010 Report I this enabled us to firm up most of the mentioned our commitment to refurbish details for the Reunion weekend. and update this pictorial record. MINUTES OF THE ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING OF THE LAMPETER SOCIETY HELD ON SATURDAY, 16 JULY, 2016, IN THE CLIFF TUCKER THEATRE AT 11.30 A.M. PRESENT Adrian Gaunt. John Pascoe, Alston Kennerley, Tricia Hughes, Noel Hughes, Toby Whitty, Andrew Leach, Bill Fillery, Chris Wagstaffe, Carole Boyce, Emma Jones, Alan Fairhurst, Malcolm Foy, Geoffrey Peek, Kevin Gilbride, Owen Jeffrey, Owen Edward Jeffrey, Brendan McSharry, Frances (Pushka) Evans, Mike (Barley) Evans, Ron Lloyd, John Bloomfield, John Ward, Neville Williams, Martine Waltho, Kevin McSharry, Peter Bosley (Vice Chair), Dr. Jeremy Smith (UWTSD), Kyle Smith (UWTSD), Rachel Whitty (Chair), John Morrison-Wells (Minutes secretary) APOLOGIES FOR ABSENCE Anthea Foy, Richard Haslam, Richard Fenwick, John Baker, Bob McCloy, Margaret McCloy. 4 MINUTES OF THE PREVIOUS AGM HELD ON 18 JULY, 2015 (PUBLISHED IN THE LINK, • Separate meetings were held at the Lampeter 3. UWTSD SU ENGAGEMENT MARCH, 2016) The minutes were agreed Campus in October, January and April RACHEL REPORTED ON HER as a true record; proposed by Peter Bosley, • There were updates from Mike Scott CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH seconded by John Ward. and Jeremy Smith on specific campus THE SU initiatives * Successful probationary review of the MATTERS ARISING • Discussions around the Reunion timetable new CEO - Rhys Dart Rachel said that a number of matters would • The Lampeter Landscape Initiative * Chair of Trustee Board and sub- be covered in the Chair’s Remarks.