The View From The Heritage Room
As I start my second year back on campus after 40 years of having a career, already there is an up-tick in activity. Starting during the summer with a couple of reunion groups, continuing into term time with several donations to our Heritage Room collection, more alumni reunion visits, and helping with the planning of some exciting new initiatives (sorry, can’t disclose details yet,) this promises to be a busy and eventful year.
On a mundane level, I am digitizing the Heritage Room inventory and tagging all the assets. This will improve our access to, and knowledge of what we have, where it is, any donation details, and keep track of items that have been borrowed. So far 360 items have been inventoried, from team photographs, clothing, publications, and trophies, to Canon Lamb’s croquet set and a signed rowing oar blade that has yet to be dated! It’s a real labor of love to continue the collection that John Maw developed over many years, and it’s rare that I don’t become distracted and stop to read about past times, the people who made York St. John great, and the common practices that have long ago been abandoned and that now seem thoroughly dated. (As a student in the early 70’s, I remember the quad being locked at night and having to climb in through the designated window to the rear of Nottingham when returning late – unimaginable today!)
As I mentioned above, we have had a few reunion groups on campus, and three that I’ve been lucky enough to meet and assist with their rediscovery of their Alma Mater. The first group of about 25 who started at St. John’s in the mid-to-late 1970’s, was the first to be the victims of my revised Heritage Trail tour, and we had fun reminiscing and storytelling as we wandered the once-familiar campus. The second group was from the 1960’s, and we spent a spirited couple of hours in the Heritage Room and the quad, before they left for what I’m sure was an equally animated luncheon at the Black Swan. It is always fascinating to hear their stories, see their pictures and try to fill in the gaps using the materials in the Heritage Room. Many books and binders are typically pulled off the shelves and consulted, and of course it’s the height of collaboration – what one may forget, another will remember, and yet another will embellish!
Another initiative that is ongoing is the recognition of notable alumni who have gone on to do remarkable things in their lives after YSJU. These are posted in the Heritage Room and also on the Alumni website. Recent additions are Dr. Simon Timson (Performance Director, UK Sport,) Prof. Diane Crone (Gloucestershire Uni,) Prof. Ivan Reid (YSJU,) Colin Sanctuary (Rugby League Coach,) and Bella Hardy (Folk Singer.) More will be added as time allows – there is no shortage of alumni excellence out there!
From my perspective, it appears to be true that an institution that’s in touch with its history continues to be a vibrant and successful institution as one generation inspires the next.
Peter Monether
Alumni Relations Volunteer
