Jennifer Rudd (Chemistry, Goodricke, 2008) takes a trip into the past to recall her most precious student memories of the University of York.
1. Living in Goodricke D Block
When I applied for York accommodation I asked to be put in a quiet block and Goodricke D was what I got. Unlike all the other Goodricke blocks we had actual ovens, (rather than baby bellings) and a kitchen just large enough for the 16 of us sharing.
Of course I can’t leave out the goose, which had a nest in one corner. None of us could use either front door for weeks on end as the goose would chase us, so we had to enter around the back.
2. My Beautiful Walking route to lectures
Goodricke D and Chemistry were at opposite ends of the campus and so I spent a lot of time trying to find the best route to lectures and crossing a lot of bridges.
3. Days when the campus lake froze
You’d always wanted to walk across it… Always.
4. Christmas in teaching labs
Every year, in the last week of term, Dave Lindsay (who was slightly scary to rest of the year) would put on a Santa hat and play Christmas music on the radio whilst we did our lab experiments.
5. Hanging out at More House
There was always someone at More House to talk to, their kettle was always on for a brew and Father Elias started doing Wednesday Mass and soup. He made the most incredible soup. More House was a safe, calm place just far enough off campus that you could get there on a break between lectures but just far enough away to feel that you’d left Uni behind for an hour.
6. Phone Calls from a worried mother….
…because she’s seen on the news that York is flooding… Again!
7. York G&S Society
I did three shows with the University’s Gilbert and Sullivan society and I was in fits of giggles each year. With singing, dancing, acting, comedy and a pit orchestra there was everything you needed for a good night out.
8. Chaplaincy Trips
For the majority of my time at York the Chaplaincy team were Father Elias, Brother Paul, Father Stephen and Reverend Rory. They made a fantastic ecumenical team (2 Catholics, one Anglican and a Methodist) and they planned a number of trips both near and far.
This included Walsingham, Rome, Ampleforth, Robin Hood’s Bay and a trip to stay with the nuns at Filey. Every trip was special in its own way and the Chaplains were always on hand for pastoral support (and comic value).
9. Almost everybody owning a bike
These days (now we’re “grown up”) almost everyone I know, including me, has a car. I miss those wonderful days where going for a bike ride with someone to the shops or to town or just nowhere in particular was a completely normal thing to do.
10. Living ten minutes away from all my friends
It used to be that I could bike up to my friend’s houses in five to ten minutes. Now we’re spread out across Europe and I find myself dreaming of this fantasy land where all my best friends lived within walking distance…
