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Reunion of UCL Geographers after 45 years
Following the return of 1965 graduates to UCL earlier in the week, a second reunion of UCL Geographers took place on 19-21 June, as over twenty of the year of 1970 returned to Swanage, the scene of their first-year field class.
The arrangements, by Mike Bromfield and Mike Rossington, were based in the Purbeck House Hotel - a rather more comfortable venue than the 1968 student hostel, which had been located just across the road. They included a nostalgic Saturday walk along the coastal cliffs and beaches from Shell Bay to Swanage, stopping at Studland for lunch. Evening diversions included a 1960s Music and Trivia Quiz, followed on Sunday morning by a Treasure Hunt, concluding in a pub lunch at Church Knoyle.
A copiously illustrated booklet summarised the life profiles of many year members. Careers had divided broadly between teaching, local authority service, including town planning, and a variety of roles in business, often abroad. Many accounts reflected the geographers’ continuing enthusiasm for travel, both in the UK and across all the continents.
With the renewal of old friendships, the conversation seemed to pick up where it had left off over 40 years ago, remaining animated throughout the weekend. A plan was hatched to arrange a further autumn meeting in London, to include those 1967-70 UCL Geographers who weren’t able to get to Swanage.