I was in my final year, having spent 2 years at Battersea followed by a year in industry. In the Autumn of 1968 much of Stag Hill was a building site and we were the first students to use the new buildings.

Richard and I would have met at the Anglican Chaplaincy with the Rev. Roger Symon as Chaplin. (He had been appointed in 1966/7 and made regular trips to Battersea).

Are far as ringing was concerned it seemed that the Cathedral band were nervous of a University Bellringing society and it was suggested that what ringers there were (Richard M, Tim ?? and I) would be better suited down at St. Nic’s. This was indeed the case as Tim and I were Plain Bob and Grandsire Doubles ringers and Malcolm Powell was an excellent tutor and helped us all develop our ringing.

I do recall Richard being interested in starting a society, but we hadn’t really found that many ringers, so it was no surprise to learn that he had eventually started one!

The (ringing) highlight of the year was a summer outing with the St Nic’s ringers. The repertoire of the band was not that great, but at the first tower, Malcolm had decided that if Tim and I travelled around together and learnt Stedman Doubles we could have a go at the end of the day! We did have a go – probably not wonderful – but it was typical of Malcolm’s encouragement.

Just a few thoughts about ringing when the University first moved to Guildford!

Dick

Something Dick did not mention was that Guildford had suffered serious flooding in September and things were fairly chaotic.  Although I had been given a room in what had been built of Battersea Court there were no curtains as you can see here.

Richard Major