I take the boys for a quick session on the park before we drive
over to Warwick for Son’s Graduation. When we arrive, L is rather appalled to
find that our Graduand (a new word we learnt today) has not managed to get to
the barbers or to run a razor across his face. The biggest shock though is his
new suit trousers, which he seems to have washed. We know not why. L manages to
rectify the situation somewhat by borrowing an iron off one of his flatmates
and at least restoring some sort of shape to them.
L has bought him a watch as a graduation present, which I
was deeply sceptical that he would ever use, but he genuinely seems thrilled
with it.
We head up to Stoneleigh Park where there is a park and ride
in operation and soon we deliver a somewhat stressed looking Son to the
university where they kit him out in his robe, hood and mortar board. Then we
have to re-kit him out when we decide that it’s best if he removes his suit jacket,
as he looks like he’s about to melt.
With only two guests allowed in the hall, Daughter has to
watch in the cinema or via a big screen outside. Considering the heat, she opts
for the cinema.
L and I take our places in the hall, which really isn’t big
enough, well in advance and are entertained (broadly speaking) by the
University band/choir. It’s all a bit old hat really and the ceremony probably
hasn’t changed much since the University was formed almost 50 years ago.
Then there’s the speech from the Vice Chancellor, that
probably also hasn’t changed much in 50 years either. It was also very similar,
and as long, as his welcome speech three years ago when he promised that before
too long we wouldn’t recognise our child. We were sceptical of course but he was
proved right eventually. Although I’m not even sure Son would recognise himself at this
moment.
Then the long process of calling up the students one by one
starts. There is a pause for the awarding of an Honorary Degree, a process that
has always confused me. No matter how deserving the person is, and this person
was very deserving, surely there still needs to be a link to the University or the
area? I couldn’t spot one in this case.
Son was close to the end of those being called up and he
managed to not trip or anything, as he picked up his degree. Which was not
rolled up in a scroll, as I thought was tradition. Refund please!
Once over, the band/choir, who must have been knocking the alcohol to get them through the ceremony burst into life and start dancing in aisles. Now if only they'd done that from the start.
Then it’s out into the sun again, where the official photographer
has to organise all the new graduates into some sort of order for a group
photo. This takes some time obviously. It all ends with the traditional
throwing of the hats in the air. No one goes against the safety briefing and attempts
to skim their mortar board across the heads of the assembled crowd, sadly.
Then more photos, both from us and from the official photographers
back inside. Then it’s back to Leamington for a celebratory meal at our regular, the White Horse, actually it’s getting a bit predictable and we might need
to think of somewhere else soon. Perhaps Son’s new place of employment... the
pub where he starts work on Thursday.
(Tuesday 16th July)
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