Volume 1 - 1973/74 - NEWSCOT

Preamble

For a reason that I cannot recall, Dennis Rutley saw fit to present to me the copies of the above publications that ran from October 1973 to January 1990.  Having recently come across the boxed files, I wondered if there would be a wider audience than just myself who would be interested in a précis of the contributions that made up the content of the various weekly term-time handouts.

This is not a scholarly exercise.  Each academic year was given a Volume number and each edition numbered consecutively. 

Here goes….

VOLUME 1  -                             October                     1973

The editors, Ginny May and Dennis Rutley, started the process with the following opening paragraph:  ‘This newspaper (sic) will appear weekly, we hope.  It will be complementary to, rather than competitive with SCOT (a publication of Southampton College of Technology) and is intended to serve a different purpose.  We believe the general communications between departments, committees and staff in the college could be improved by NEWSCOT.’  Contributions were asked for about any events etc going on in the college.

(2) Staff members quickly picked up the request.  100 pints of blood were donated on a one day visit from the blood donor organisation.  27 German schoolteachers visited after the college which had been selected as a good example of this type of college. John Sneezum explained about the new car park arrangements where a magnetic key would be required to lift the barrier.  The Art College shared the parking sites and it was hoped that each college would park in their own parts of the campus.  Peggy Souter asked if a separate exit gate could open onto St Andrew’s Road  (The  police objected to entries on to dual-carriageways).

Maurice Cope complained that the clocks were not consistent. He suggested perhaps the use of CCC  (Civic Centre Chimes),   Peter Maggs wanted staff to know that the audio-visual unit was available to all – especially for video-taping.  Bryan Dowding wanted a letter-box in the main entrance hall for postal delivery when the college was shut. (Rejected on security grounds).  Bob Howlett recently married Elaine and was back at work after a honeymoon in Greece.

(3) 45 students and staff went to the World Cup Qualifying match against Poland at Wembley.  A request was made for anyone with a large compass to please forward it to Doc Macey who had great difficulty in finding the coach at both ends of the journey.  Geoff Staples reported on the cycle shed situation.  The first victim was claimed by the New Road exit “dragons’ teeth”.  Lost, one complete exhaust system, bent one tooth.  Humphrey Bott was appointed as Education Liaison Officer.  A female member of staff wondered if the soft toilet paper could be had in the staff ladies toilet ‘as the existing kind is very inadequate’.  Sister Gupta came forward with the idea of a college Weight Watchers club.  Ivan Champion  wrote of an Unholy Alliance being proposed for the federation of local colleges.

(4)  Ray Kemmish gave details of the College Autumn Ramble.  Hugh Adams made a plea for festive decorations for Christmas in the college. A female member of the Building Department asked for a pedestrian entrance to the college near the department in New Road ‘Leaping lightly over the wall may be good for the figure but is death to tights’.  The Chemical Engineers wrote about the difficulties of teaching alongside New Road.  Lee Vaux pointed out that we had to abide by the contracts issued by the Civic Centre ‘these do not allow the purchase of soft toilet paper.’

(5)  More support was given for the problem of teaching in rooms by New Road.  Clive in Reprographics gave some statistics for duplicating which he converted into 45’ of paper.  Dennis Rutley complained about smoking in the dining room.  Geoff Orme asked for The Guardian in the SCR to be left and not purloined daily.

(6)  Dr Ken Everett explained the architectural problems with the New Road classrooms and the ongoing efforts to deal with them.  Danny Bouchard objected to having names on car windscreen permits.  Bob Corlett said that Southampton Corporation’s submission to the DES on the subject of the Federation of Southampton Colleges was available for perusal in the library.

(7)  The Principal announced the date of the Carol Service and Brian Fletcher gave the date for the Children’s party.  College Diploma Certificates are in the process of being redesigned.  A Residential hostel for students was being planned for Townhill Park House.  Jill Parkinson said the Social and Welfare Committee had put forward an idea of an induction course for overseas students. A strong posse of staff had attended the Careers ’74 Exhibition in Birmingham to help on the College stand.  Mike Wareham was congratulated on executing the display designs.  Lee Vaux asked staff to conserve power energy because of the Power Crisis.

(8)  A presentation was to be made to Sister Gupta on her departure.  Peggy Souter reported on the Dramatech production of Antigone – an entry for the National Student Drama Festival.   Richard Complin spelled out the Refectory arrangements starting with Breakfast at 8.00am.  Norman Davies reported receiving an envelope addressed to him at the College of Technology, c/o the Baths Department.

(9)  No new nurse had been appointed to replace Sister Gupta.  Ivan Champion asked if more copies of the proposed Colleges Federation might be had.  LSU staff had each been given a copy.  Mike Wild reported that a female student had fainted because of the stuffy atmosphere of room 315.  Stanley Allen appealed for the retention of at least one shed for motorcycles and scooters.  Ginny May asked staff to forward the name of any student who might be suitable for the proposed college film.

(10) Soft toilet paper was stated to be in use at Kingsland Hall and the Technical College.  The new Student Union President was voted out of office just weeks after being elected.  Ginny May offered  College Seasons Greetings cards to staff to send to college contacts.  Christmas lunches were advertised – cost 45p.  The usual number of Coming Events were advertised (as they had been in each issue).

(11) Nick Whitehead reported that the combined efforts of Newscot and Radio Solent had achieved the impossible – soft toilet paper was on its way.  The General Office was undergoing a repainting.  Olive Bermingham wrote to acknowledge the kind people who had spoken and written to her on the death of her husband – Brum.

(12) The college was exempt from the three day working week occasioned by the fuel crisis. Staff were asked to conserve energy in usage of lights and heating.  A Rota was printed of likely power cut times.  Violet Ford, the College Lodgings Officer would retire in a few weeks time after 16 years in the job.

(13) Rumours abound about the planned Federation and the chance of Early Retirement.  Tony Timbs compared canteen  prices at SCOT with those at the Civic Centre  (eg Meat Dish and 2 Veg 19p in Civic Centre, 27p at SCOT) and wondered why local government officials were subsidised by us.  Frank Wright suggested that every other radiator in the corridors and lavatories be turned off rather than every other one in the Library. The Childrens Party was cancelled because of the power crisis with the hope of a summer outing instead.

(14)  Sister Karen Gupta gave birth to a girl, Sondar.  The car park barrier has been rammed and broken six times.  Clive Welsteed reported that during the previous three months, 358,313 sheets had been produced from 11,139 printing masters and 26,639 photocopies.

(15) John Stanley reported on the College of Technology/School of Art amalgamation. Jill Parkinson reported that Mrs Jackie Smallwood had been appointed as Lodgings Officer.  Hugh Adams asked if anyone knew the whereabouts of two exhibits missing from the foyer.  Dennis Rutley wondered that with money in short supply for educational purposes spending on carpets for offices might be questioned. From the Maths Department – Multiplication Section came the news of the birth of Lucy to Jane and Jonathan Britt.

(16) The start of a debate about a Lichtenstein print hung in the staff refectory.  Jim Hazel objected.  Mr Herbertson asked if an Art Exhibition of works by college staff could be arranged.  Ginny May gave a critical account of the Civic Centre canteen – low standard of food and sordid appearance of the canteen removes any price advantage.

(17)  Margaret Fraser defended the Lichtenstein print’s display along with Hugh Adams.  David Clark asked for new life to be breathed into the Senior Common Room with perhaps a dart board and billiard table.

(18)  Dick Swann entered the Lichtenstein debate.  Mrs Janice Hemmings was announced as the new nurse.   The cost of VIP Room meals for visitors was increased to 75p.  Geoff Orme asked for an increase in the two car spaces reserved for the disabled.

(19) The Chaplaincy situation in the college (three rather occasional chaplains) was to be discussed at an open meeting.  More contrasting opinions about the Lichtenstein were expressed.  Hugh Adams, under Articles For Sale, advertised ‘One second-hand Lichtenstein print – going cheap’.  Dave Barker, Terry Baker and Dave Hewett wanted a ruling about who could use the staff refectory.

(20) Refectory prices will have to increase when Winchester takes over from Southampton as the administrative organisation.  Southampton had subsidised the referctory, but Winchester will not.  John Ghey became a father, Hugh Adams was elected chairman of Southampton Arts council.  Peggy Souter enquired whether there was any interest in forming a staff orchestra/band/ensemble.   Switchboard problems were reported now that it had been moved out of the general office and no one was on duty to take calls in the lunch hour.

(21)  Lee Vaux reported that 139 rooms at various times in the last week had their lights on when not in use.

(22)  The staff rugby team for the match against the students was named.  The Vice-Principal that as a result of a recent Heads of Department meeting it was agreed that Newscot was an ideal publication in which official notices and instructions could be brought to all members of staff – without editorial comment!

(23)  Ivan Champion, Rita Austin, Hugh Adams, Jill Parkinson and others each contributed pieces on why Newscot should not be the organ for staff notices etc.  The editors issued a statement: ‘At another meeting last week it was decided that Newscot will not carry official notices’. 

(24) April 1^st, Hampshire takes over from Southampton administratively.  Roberta Ridge and Alan Munford announce their wedding day.  Lyn Thorn gives birth to a baby girl, Louise.  John Ward praises Newscot, Mr Herbertson suggests its publication be suspended as part of a national effort to save paper.  The staff defeated the students 30 – 17 in the rugby match.  The ‘lavatory’ debate – about the correct word to use – came to a conclusion with an anonymous contribution listing ‘sensitive’ words used from Greek times onward.  It was reported ‘through the grapevine’ that two bomb threats had been received and the ‘powers that be’ had decided that there was no need to evacuate the building.

(25) Another term and this time no fuel crisis.  John Sneezum appealed for waste paper to be collected to raise finances for good causes.  The Admin. Secretaries put in a plea for staff ‘who stray into our office’ not to treat them as suppliers of paper clips, envelopes etc.  The Staff side won the Interdepartmental Rugby Sevens, but admitted to importing a star player to replace the injured Derek Prout.

(26) Lee Vaux reported that traffic must turn left when they leave the New Road exit as directed by the Ministry of Transport sign that had been erected.  Ginny May began her leave of absence.  John Bloodworth appealed for tennis players to attend the courts at Hardmoor.

(27)  Complaints still about the inability to turn right out of the New Road exit, making necessary a long detour for west-bound vehicles.   Terry Murphy brought up-to-date news of the Burnham Salary negotiations.

(28)  The death of  technician A. F. Davies (Mick)  was reported by John Sommerville.  Hugh Adams announced the cessation of exhibitions in the foyer because of difficulties in arranging insurance.

(29)  Marjorie Greenwood (wife of the Art College V.P.) announced that she would talking about village life in Africa as seen by her in a recent visit and holding a collection to help those afflicted by drought etc.   Geoff Staples, Neil Toye and Ken McBride each made ‘critical’ observations about the new paintings in the college.

(30)  Ken Everett wrote a tribute to R. N. Cook who had been a founder member of the college being at that time Head of the Mechanical Engineering Department.  Peggy Souter put out an appeal for someone to take the role of Antonio in Twelfth Night.   Robberies were reported.  Bill Macey and Bob Corlett announced that because of a paucity of news and articles SCOT would not be published this term.  Jill Parkinson bemoaned the staff’s apathy when only five people attended the talk about African village life by Marjorie Greenwood.

(31)  A Cheese and Wine event was arranged for the SCR (85p). Jacky Smallwood wrote about her leaving the college and the difficulties it would impose on trying to find accommodation for new students.  The job is only classified part-time by the new Authority.  Hugh Adams defended the new prints on display, accepting two of the ‘criticisms’ but berated the ill-considered bitterness and petulance of the other.

(32)  Congratulations were given to Ginny and Dr. May on the birth of their baby – Joseph Dominic.  The Editor commented:  ‘Conceived in May, born in June.  Is this a record?’  Dennis Rutley also asked that consideration be given for excluding unwelcome vehicles from the college campus.

(33)  The College Sergeants replied to the query of unidentified vehicles by pointing out several staff had recently changed cars but not renewed their ‘stickers’ whilst increasing spaces for visitors ( 2 staff required 12 spaces recently) meant the possibility of more ‘unidentified’ vehicles.

(34)  Lee Vaux requested that staff refrain from parking next to the NO PARKING signs in the roadway between the workshops.  John Sneezum gave the last of the reports about the staff cricket matches including a penultimate last ball win in the Parks against Krakatoa.  The removal of the Dragon’s Teeth from the cart park exit was reported.

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