May
A
busy month for Roger’s bowls as club competitions got underway in addition to
the regular league and friendly matches.
Fun days were also held on Sunday 2 and Monday 30.
We
turned out to vote in the local election and the referendum on Thursday 5,
though results show that only a minority of people bothered.
On a
domestic note, we had to have a new dishwasher fitted on Friday 6. The old one had still been doing a reasonable
job, but the nail in the coffin was a broken door latch: as with so many modern appliances, a minor
component which was impossible to repair or replace economically.
The highlight of the month
was Jay’s graduation day. We had waited
several months for this because the traditional venue, the Sheldonian Theatre,
was being refurbished last year, and we thought it was worth waiting until it
became available. Also the ‘big degree
days’ run by the colleges in the autumn are restricted to two guests per
graduand: by waiting a bit we could
include Helen in the party as well.
We arrived at college at about 11.45 am
for a reception and lunch for graduands and guests. The Dean of Degrees explained the forthcoming
proceedings to the graduands, who collected their new gowns and certificates,
after which we walked down to the Sheldonian Theatre for the degree ceremony
which started at 2.30 pm. The
supplicants were presented to the Vice-Chancellor in groups according to the
degree to be bestowed and the presenting college. Following the assent of the assembled deans,
the graduands changed from their undergraduate gowns into the academic dress of
their new degree, and paraded to be congratulated. The proceedings took some 90 minutes, were
conducted in Latin and accompanied by much bowing and doffing of caps. When we emerged from the building, a dull day
had turned to bright sunshine – ideal for the official and unofficial
photographers. Back home in the early
evening, we treated ourselves to a slice of sumptuous cake which Teresa had
ordered as part of the celebration.