| Description | Track 1 [01:04:34] [Session One: 28 September 2017] Dr Viv Phillips [VP], born in Glynneath in September 1934. VP mentions moving to Tonna as a baby. VP talks about his parents and their education. [00:02:36] VP talks about his experiences of World War Two during primary school. VP describes the impact of the 1941 Blitz on Neath and on his family. [00:06:55] VP talks about his time at Neath Grammar School [NGS]. VP describes the entrance exam for the grammar school and its design. VP talks about the high qualifications of teachers at NGS. [00:09:13] VP describes how he gained interest in Electrical Engineering [EE]. VP talks about experiments he did as a child, including magnets and building a motor. [00:11:14] VP talks about applying to universities, including Kings College London [KCL] and Imperial College London. VP describes his experience at Imperial and talks about the lack of social life. VP talks about the prices of digs in London. VP describes his career after his BScEng, including gaining a PhD and working in industry. [00:14:50] VP talks about seeing a job advert for Swansea and describes the application process. VP talks about his knowledge of Swansea and the university before accepting the job. VP describes the state of the university buildings in 1960s. VP describes his experience at the interview, which was chaired by Principal John Parry and Professor Wilfred Fishwick [WF]. [00:21:20] VP describes the EE Department and its small size. VP talks about the location of department and the state of the temporary building. [00:22:50] VP talks about the concept of Fresher’s Essays and its advantages and disadvantages. [00:25:29] VP talks about his teaching in his first year and describes the modules. [00:28:09] VP talks about the reputation and history of the Engineering Department [EngDept]. VP describes the structure of the Engineering Dept and the structure of the Faculty of Science. VP talks about key figures in the EngDept, including Selwyn Caswell. [00:32:06] VP talks about the organisation of Sibley Hall and Lewis Jones Hall [Halls of Residences at Swansea University, now Kilvey and Preseli]. VP talks about his job as a tutor in Lewis Jones Hall and describes living in halls with the students. VP talks about the university’s position of responsibility towards students. [00:41:19] VP talks about the hierarchy and formality at the university, including formal dinners. VP describes incidents at halls, including a virus. [00:44:44] VP talks about his time as warden of Clyne Hall. VP describes the characteristics of Clyne Hall and its history. VP talks about the accommodation for wardens at Clyne and describes his reasons for becoming a hall tutor. [00:47:40] VP talks about feelings of community among staff members. VP talks about the role of the Senior Common Room [SCR] and compares the SCR of Singleton Abbey to the later one at Fulton House. [00:53:37] VP talks about his social life outside of the university, including a walking group. [00:54:50] VP talks about WF and his character. VP talks about other members of the EngDept, including Prof Bernard Neale, Prof Robert Macmillan and Prof O.C. Zienkiewicz. [00:58:16] VP talks about Rag Week and describes student stunts to collect money for charity. [01:01:08] VP talks about the production of an EP record in 1961 to raise money. VP describes the content of the record, including Welsh hymns and interviews with Viscount Tenby, Sir Lewis Jones and Principal Parry. VP talks about the aim to raise student numbers. |