Like many of my companions at Dundee in 1967, I got there via the clearing scheme, having crashed and burned at my History A level. As it was Dundee's first year as an independent university it was not well known. In my case, the first few pages of my buff-coloured UCCA handbook had fallen off and been lost, so I was only aware of Universities from E to Z. These days the clearing system requires students to call up universities and negotiate their way in. In my day, one got a letter. In my case, it said "You are going to Dundee." In those days, one did what one was told and was grateful for what one was given. (Yes, even in 1967.)
One of the most important things that ever happened to me occurred on the train-ride up, on 02.10.1967. I was seated opposite a guy called Gerard Lohan. We swapped guitars and talked and by the time we got to the Border, had resolved to form a band. Prior to this I had never thought of such a possibility. The band was called 'Childhood's End' (Gerard was a Sci-Fi buff and this was title of a 1953 Arthur C Clarke book - recently televised!) which seemed appropriate.
As well as the band, I also got involved in the Drama Soc. and played a very quarrelsome servant who started all the trouble in the Autumn 1967 production of Romeo and Juliet - Juliet played by a wonderful first year student, Lynne Cumming, and Romeo by a very tall equally excellent guy, Robin Herford, who went on to be a theatre director. I'm afraid my life at Dundee was somewhat dominated by the band and other projects of a dramatic or journalistic nature. I wrote something for 'Annasach' on the introduction of the Breathalyzer and tried very unsuccessfully to start a magazine. (My people skills were at that point woeful.)
I think the incredible frequency of exams, at that time called, appropriately enough, 'Terminals' meant that one's entire academic life consisted of mugging up for the next exam rather than sinking into the subject and trying to gain a proper understanding of it. That's my excuse, anyway.
I had wanted to study a new-fangled subject, Sociology, but news of Sociology had not reached the Social Studies Faculty at Dundee, so I ended up with a degree in English and Philosophy. This was enjoyable enough and I got a degree, but have always had a mild regret that I was not studying something I could get passionate about.
However, Dundee as a city and the beautiful Perthshire countryside around it were absolutely wonderful and an amazing and very positive 'culture shock' to me. I came up from that doughnut ring that surrounded London - 30 miles out in all directions, ticky-tacky housing as far as the eye could see and no sense of place whatever - and arrived in a Scottish Industrial Seaport. The architecture, the River Tay, the weather and the food (Onion Bridies! Mock Chop Suppers!) assaulted my senses (in a very good way.) Several thousand young people the same age as myself! I joined everything at the Societies’ Fair. So much to do, so many people to meet and learn about and from. My first digs were with a young man from Glasgow who intended to become a Church of Scotland vicar – pretty sure he did so – and a young man from Sierra Leone who later worked in social work and housing for the homeless. People from all social strata, so many different attitudes and opinions.
I was hearing the Beatles' 'Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' and The Incredible String Band's '5000 Spirits Or The Layers Of The Onion'. Gerard was introducing me to Yes, Cream and Moby Grape/West Coast music. There was an 'Arts Lab' where we danced around bathed in a psychedelic light show. All this in a wonderful city with beautiful stone tenements and all that Hawkhill had to offer, from Greasy Pete's through the Tiger's Head to the All-Night Bakery. I sat in Simon Fuller's flat (Peddie Street?) and we listened to Mahler's 5th Symphony together, a complete revelation. So many first experiences in such a stimulating setting. So many wonderful young people (including me!)
The Students Union Bar and cafe were in a large basement adorned with murals of life-sized Breughel-esque figures. I was aghast when they were replaced by something flashy and abstract, but maybe I was by then a 20 year old fuddy-duddy. I was even more aghast in 2006 to find, when I dropped in to Dundee by chance, that my beloved Union Building was now The Accountancy Department. Imagine!
I had the very good fortune to live for 2nd Year in a flat in Castle Street, bang in the middle of the city, with a life-long friend, Eric Clyne. Dundonian born and bred, Eric gave me an different kind of education – cultural and political. I was equally blessed to live in Third Year out in the Perthshire Hills, near Abernyte, at a place called Wellbank Farm, with Gerard, Nick Liddell (bass player in Childhood's End, with who I went on to be in a band for a couple of years after University) and a number of other excellent young men. One of the most beautiful places i have ever had the good fortune to live. Final Year was tricky. I lived on my own for the first half, but it did not suit me so I finished sharing a flat with some other great people including Dave Pilkington and Dave Stewart.
I saw, among others, The Who, at The Caird Hall, one of the best live gigs I ever experienced. I bounced up and down to the music (over two hours, no break) to the extent that my seat collapsed - no malice intended. Also saw Free ('Alright Now') and a very early version of Status Quo ('Pictures Of Matchstick Men') in the new Union, then known as New Dines. I saw 'Easy Rider' at The Tivoli Cinema - a little terrified when about 80 Hells Angels arrived to watch it with us, but they were lovely chaps. Dundee was such a great city.
In Easter 1971 I was involved in a Charities Review which we put on at the Dundee Repertory Theatre. It was based on a day's television - lots of programmes including the test card, Noddy & Big Ears, Crossroads, Nationwide, and Late Night Line Up (hosted by a wonderful young woman called Alison who was the spitting image of Joan Bakewell). Can't remember what we called it, but it was enormous fun and very long. (Drama Soc did an 'Intervention' and strong-armed me into shortening it for 2nd and 3rd nights. I've always thought that was a mistake, not least because it cost me a few friendships!)
Despite all my best efforts to fail, and endless 'Resits', I got a degree and left Dundee to try my luck in the world. The first two+ years in a band, Fat Grapple (don’t ask) with Nick Liddell and his old school friends. After a couple more years of exploration I surrendered and became a social worker. Retired in 2012. Very happy now in Deal, Kent. Back in a band.
I look back very fondly on my time at Dundee. I have been pretty lucky in life, especially compared to some of my old friends. Life can be very unfair.
I have been particularly thrilled to see Dundee University go from strength to strength and recently become best in Scotland, the UK and even the World, in a number of specialist subjects. I know that many landmarks from my time there have gone, including the Hawkhill, but will always have in my mind's eye, the old city, the black rainy nights, street lights reflecting off the pavement, the East Wind coming in from Russia and all that possibility.
Thanks, Dundee. I'll never forget you.
Phil Welton
1967 - 1971
