York University: Past and present

I felt a strange mixture of emotions as I returned to Central Hall in March to watch my daughter dancing in the Fusion show. As a York alumnus (Chemistry, Langwith 1980) the University and Central Hall played a major role in my development and in the formation of my character.

I was proud that my daughter had chosen to go to this university, pleased she had been accepted by the university and delighted that she had thrown herself into all the various opportunities available at York. (Well, not delighted about quite all the opportunities that she has thrown herself into – but that is part of the joy of being a father.)

Walking to Central Hall I felt that many things haven’t changed over 30 years. Central Hall and Vanbrugh College look exactly the same, there is still extensive building work taking place, and as for the students – now that felt really weird.

Queuing to enter the show felt like the 1970ss all over again. OK, the students' clothes looked different and everyone had a cell phone but the atmosphere was just as I remembered. Vibrant and lively with young people all talking vivaciously, exploring ideas and having a great time with their friends. I sometimes felt that I had gone back in time until small things, like being treated with respect by the students and not remembering the whereabouts of the toilets in Central Hall, brought me back to my (now more aged) self.

I have strong and mixed memories of Central Hall from my days at university. On the positive side, some major bands gave great concerts in Central Hall. I’m sure that many alumni share my memories of Judy Tzuke, the Selector and the infamous Alice Cooper concert. On the other hand, Central Hall was also the location for the dreaded Final Exams, where we hoped that we had learnt enough about our subject, or were lucky enough with the questions, to get a good degree hopefully leading to a decent job…

When the show started I felt that Fusion knew I was coming and had choreographed the performance just to make me feel at home. The show kicked off with some punk fashion, straight from the 1970s. There were a few small differences between the punk I remembered and the Fusion punk. At the punk concerts in Alcuin the key item of clothing was the strategically ripped black bin liner and if you had a piercing then it should still be dripping with fresh blood to demonstrate authenticity.

This got me thinking about how different the world is today compared to the late 70s.

Back then, the UK was in a major economic crisis with rapidly rising unemployment and high levels of debt. There was the 'winter of discontent' when the dead went unburied and the rubbish went uncollected. How different from today where we have "no more boom and bust”, weekly rubbish collections and of course rapidly rising unemployment and high levels of debt. The fundamental difference seems to be who gets the popular blame - in the 70s it was the unions, in the 00s it is the bankers (or is that spelt with a W).

There were also crises around the world. In the Middle East there was the change of leadership in Iran, the American hostage crisis in Tehran and the Iraq/Iran war. In Afghanistan guerrilla forces were heroically resisting the Soviet occupation. How everything has changed.

Back to 2009 and Fusion. What an exciting and professional show. There was great singing, dancing, modelling, drumming and acting, providing a wonderful showcase of the range of cultures and talents of the York students as well as a fun evening out.

After the show we visited the newly opened Langwith College bar. I have very fond memories of time spent in the friendly old bar that used to be down some stairs. I have now added some memories of the new bar with outdoor communal seating and a lively atmosphere. However, I think that students must have become much more dangerous since my time as the ratio of security guards to drinkers seemed remarkably high.

It was a memorable trip back. I had a fusion of emotions remembering my time at the university, watching my daughter dance as a rat (not quite the role I had envisaged at her birth) and seeing many students demonstrate their multiple talents and enjoy themselves.

I loved my time as a student at York. The university was my springboard into the world and opened up opportunities for me to work, live and love. Coming back I saw that it is doing the same for the students maturing, developing and studying here today.

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