Sylvia Pomphrey

There were 20 of us. First-year students were given their rooms in alphabetical order. Four of us shared what had been the Rector’s bedroom, a huge room with a lovely bay window overlooking the garden. Opposite was a large bathroom with a walk-in airing cupboard. A member of the staff lived in. Her rooms were by the front door.

All doors were locked at 10.00pm. Permission had to be obtained to stay out later.

Downstairs there was a large communal room with steps down into the garden, which was great for sunbathing! We had a lovely older lady who cooked and looked after us. There was a large kitchen – a room with big sinks for doing our washing, as well as a dining room.

The day started with a three-course breakfast. We then walked or cycled over the 'dreaded' cattle grid to the main house for lectures. I was fortunate to be on the junior teachers’ course and chose Music as my main subject.

The music room was large, with wonderful views down the gardens. I understand that now it is where official meetings take place.

Mid-morning break was in the main house. It was cocoa and any food left over from dinner the night before. Lectures, and then a two-course lunch. We had to wait until the Principal and staff had walked to the head table.

In the late afternoon, the main entranced hall was transformed with large tables holding bowls of iced water with pats of butter floating on the top, bread, jam, cakes and tea.

Dinner was back at The Old Rectory. Later, a large milk churn was delivered by the local farmer. If you were first, the cream was thick on the top. We could have a mugful each.

Weekends were different, with all food at The Old Rectory and a proper Sunday roast!

In the second year, we could choose our rooms; mine was on the top floor. It would have been a maid’s bedroom.

_{The Alumni Oral Histories project aimed to gather individual voices and views from the University's teaching alumni community and publish these stories in people's own words. Any views or opinions represented in individual posts are personal, belonging solely to the author of that post, and do not represent the views of other Bath Spa staff, or Bath Spa University as an institution.}