| Description | Track 1 [01:19:10] Session one: 21 February 2017] John Sparrow [JS] Born in 1947 in St Albans. JS talks about his early education at St Albans Grammar School and his Economics Master Gavin Thomas. JS describes why he decided to choose Swansea University to study Industrial Economics, includes anecdote about sixth form trip to Bargoed coal mine and Swansea University in the mid 1960s. [00:02:58] JS describes visit to Bargoed coal mine in further detail. [00:04:38] JS describes his first impressions of Swansea,. [00:05:38] JS talks about his journey with fellow students Brian Wilkinson [BW] and John Bromley [JB] from Paddington to Swansea, and arrival at the Commodore Hotel, Mumbles, owned by Mr and Mrs Griffiths JS tells an anecdote about Mr Griffiths and his grandson Glen Griffiths [00:07:18]JS talks his stay at the Commodore Hotel and describes his bedroom, of which he shared with fellow student Jeff/Geoff (sp) Sales (sp). JS describes the Griffiths family. [00:09:30] JS describes what is was like to share a room and talks about his fellow students Jeff Sales and Graham Gordon, whose nickname was Flash. [00:10:25] JS describes living in Mumbles, and the difficulties of going out with limited funds.JS [00:13:34] JS describes hitch hiking from Mumbles to Swansea University.[00:15:51] JS talks about the managed on a University grant of £325, and describes clothing, eating out and book buying. [00:18:45] JS describes living away from home and letters that he wrote home to his parents. Comments on difficulty of being self-disciplined at University in order to balance academic and social life. [00:21:38] JS talks about his parents impression of Swansea and discusses his relationship with parents after leaving home. [00:24:18] JS describes student flat at Glanmor Road in the Uplands, Swansea where he lived with fellow students BW, JB and Colin Brown [CB] in his second year at University. [00:26:18] JS mentions a University reunion that he went to in Autumn 2016. [00:27:50] JS talks visits to the University canteen for lunch and supper. Tells anecdote about Sunday lunches in the student flat and buying semi stale bread. [00:29:30] JS comments on his involvement in the Student Public Relations Committee [SPRC], after being invited by fellow student Peter Hostler. JS describes his creation of the SPRC weekly newssheet [PRO-FILE – Public Relations Officer file]. [00:32:30] JS describes parties at his student flat [00:35:23] JS describes his role in the SPRC. and discusses a burglary at his flat, of which he parodied in the PRO-FILE newssheet, [00:37:22] JS comments on militant nature of students and describes how an accident on Mumbles Road had forced the Students Union to demand Swansea Council to construct a pedestrian bridge over Mumbles Road. [00:40:40] JS comments on ‘town and gown’ and the attempts for University students to establish relationships with the inhabitants of Swansea and the setup of a Students Union shop. [00:42:26] JS describes SPRC meetings and debates with weekly visiting MPs, reference to fellow student Mike Parker and his father John Parker MP. [00:43:27] JS describes his involvement in the aftermath of the colliery spoil tip disaster at Aberfan on 21 October 1966. [00:49:32] JS describes his chosen subjects at University in his first and second year. JS chose Economics and Economic Geography in his second year. [00:50:38] JS talks about his interest in the car industry. [00:53:31] JS describes his lectures at University.[00:57:40] committee not over time consuming, except the handout profile, reference to Judith Williams and Stephanie Thomas Student Union secretaries. Discusses Union life, reference to Les Brook President Red Les’s socialist activity, interviewed Oswald Mosley and George Thomas MP. Comments on debates and sit-ins, part of the culture, social activity Welsh and British involvement, reference to Paddy Lord, VP. Not nationalist but student union versus college authority. Comments Swansea University relatively militant. Comments on problems the union faced, reference to accommodation. [1:05:37] Discusses driving lessons and buying a car. Reference to John Bromley work attitude. [1:09:48] Comments on involvement in basketball and football, and travelling to matches, reference to captain. Description of matches, drinking etc. and kit. Discusses interest in sports, forming football team, Starlights. Remembers drinking in college bar, playing darts. Tells story, reference to Dave Snoswell, concerning price of petrol and beer.
Track 2 [39:17] Discusses social life, second and third year involvement in college entertainment, Saturday hop. Comments that pop groups visited the university, remembers The Zombies, reference to lead singer Colin Blunstone (sp). Discusses the hops very well attended, relationships formed through hop. Discusses girlfriends second and third year. Discusses promiscuity during 1960s. [00:06:28] Describes atmosphere on campus, JS always dressed informally. Remembers using college facilities, showers, food etc. to save money and avoid dark flat. Annotates stories about JS’s car. Describes driving to beaches during summers. Comments on cost of car £100, freedom to get around and give lifts. [15:56] Remembers occasionally visiting Swansea city centre, food and cinema. Remembers living in union rather than going to town. Remembers watching rugby matches at St. Helens and setting up bank account in city centre. Discusses isolation of town and university. Comments on visiting the university in 2016 concerning physical changes and difficulties for modern students. Reflects on motivation for obtaining degree and working for a company compared to difficulties in finding work today. [24:34] Describes feelings toward the Welsh, reference to the Griffiths family and welsh industry visit. [28:30] Discusses political views, reference to family local politics. Comments on interest in Students Union. Reference to sending Les Brook articles etc. JS kept. Discusses good friends made through different social clubs. JS received 2:2, JS doesn’t regret not working hard, more emphasis on role in societies and clubs. Remembers graduation, hiring gown and photograph. Describes feeling sad to finish but relieved to finish exams. [34:51] Describes working for British Leyland, reflects on interviews at Swansea and Birmingham University. Discusses working for various car companies, concerning various roles and travel. Thankful to Gavin Thomas for recommending Swansea. |