Annual message from the Co-Chair

The past is a foreign country – they do things differently there.

It is now 45 years since I arrived at Kent Road East and St Anselm Hall and for me that makes it well over half a life time ago. The time presents a contradiction in that there are some vivid memories but also much that is now a vague recollection. What is irrefutable is that this period of three years in hall was an incredibly influential time in shaping the person I became.

Like many of those I have spoken with who spent time in Slems, I found it to be a very positive experience and a common theme in those conversations is that this place and this time was the start of lasting friendships. I was fortunate to meet a wide variety of people, perhaps not diverse in the way the term is used today, but people drawn from different backgrounds with different experiences and different perspectives. This diversity helped to shape personal values that have been very important ever since.

My recollection, from the outset, was that Slems was vibrant and busy. There was always lots going on and everyone seemed to be involved. There was always something happening and participation was very much the norm. The hall catered for a wide array of interests and activities, the hall play, the chapel, the squash league, societies and lots and lots of sports.

What I found initially strange was that the hall was largely self-governing. It was clearly different to school where the boundaries were clearly defined and life ran along very predetermined rails whereas in Slems it was the JCR as a community of residents who decided what they wanted and then made it happen. There was a continuity in that people took responsibility for a role, did their stint and then handed on. Whilst change was happening every year, the transitions were seamless and life in hall went on.

Even at a time when there were several traditional halls there was always the feeling that you were part of something special and unique at Slems. The hall had a distinct character and personality, and the belief was that Slems always punched above its weight. In my final year we won the Stopford Cup, a university wide sports competition, and whilst this was a sporting success, and a notable one for the smallest hall, the victory was celebrated by everyone because it was the hall that had won.

I came back to St Anselm Hall a few years ago to be a part of the Association Committee. My reasons were largely in recognising the value that Slems had given me, I wanted others to benefit in the same way.

Much has changed within the university and, sadly, this has impacted on the student experience however, Slems still retains a strong sense of community and the principle of self- governance runs deep. Students still enjoy their time in hall and recognise that being a part of Slems is a special experience. Long may that continue and as long as the Association wants to support current students I will work to achieve that objective.

In concluding, one further thing I must be grateful to Slems for is that in my capacity as Bar Manager I happened to meet the Social Secretary at Langdale Hall. We married four years after graduating and are now approaching our 40th anniversary. It is very pleasing to say that we are still close to many from Slems, and Langdale, who have shared our journey with us. Lasting friendships.

Jon Boddy

Co-Chair

OA 1980-83