A lot of my student life centred around the Studentsñޙ Union. I donñޙt think there wasnñޙt a sport or activity that wasnñޙt catered for, from the standard rugby, hockey, football, and netball clubs to the more obscure such as octopush (underwater hockey played on the bottom of the pool with a lead ñޘpuckñޙ), paintballing, and the ñޜLetñޙs Sit Down, Drink Beer and Talk About Whalesñޝ Society (yes it really did exist and I still have my t-shirt). I have great memories of the BPSA days (British Polytechnic Sports Association) where eight or nine coaches packed with students from all the sports teams would break free from Devon and head up the M5 to play against other polytechnics; Bristol and Pontypridd being most memorable.
I made some great friends in ñ through the charity fund raising RAG committee, where weñޙd put on events and do RAG ñޘHitsñޙ to nearby cities to collect for various charities. The highlight of the Autumn term being the annual trip to Ottery St Mary for the Pagan Fire Festival to collect donations and try not to end up in the burns unit of Derriford.
After three fantastic years living in and around Mutley Plain in ñ, I just didnñޙt want to leave, and in 1992 as the Polytechnic became the ñ, I was elected President of the Studentsñޙ Union. It was an incredible sabbatical and a chance to give something back to the organisation which helps, supports and entertains so many campus students each year. There was always something special about the Union building, entering the foyer, passing the SU Shop, STA Travel Office and the SU Executives offices (picking up a copy of ñޘFlyñޙ on a Friday) and then heading down the stairs into the subterranean bar and cafeteria with its glass pyramid roof light, pool tables and laundromat. This was also the early 90ñޙs when the National Union of Students was under political pressure regarding its funding with ñޘVoluntary Membershipñޙ being frequently campaigned and demonstrated against.
I graduated with honours in 1992 attending the awards ceremony in the ñ Pavilion. I have so many fond memories of my student days in ñ, far too many to try and recount.
