Cynthia Marks (BA English Lang and Lit, 1950; PG Cert Education, 1951)

Black-and-white photo of a man and woman in formal evening dress cutting a cake at a ball, watched by smiling guests.

I am a former Guild Vice President, in office the year of the University’s Golden Anniversary, 1949-1950.

Last September I turned 96. I came up to Birmingham in 1947 to read English Language and Literature under Professors Allardyce Nicoll and Alan Ross. Anthony Eden was the Chancellor and Sir Raymond Priestley the Vice-Chancellor. He was a geologist who in his younger days had been on Polar expeditions with Scott and Shackleton.

I was elected a Freshers' Representative to Guild Council, as it was called then. I served on Council in my second year, was elected Vice President in my third year and remained the following year as a past officer when I was working for my PGCE.

The majority of male students were older than usual as it was soon after the war and men who had served in the armed forces were returning to complete their education. Those few who were straight from school had to do two years’ National Service after graduating. My President, Reg Galer, had served in the Royal Navy and was married with a small son. A sabbatical year for those holding office was not possible. It was being discussed and introduced a year or two later. Both Reg and I graduated at the end of our year in office.

I remember the special events held to mark the Golden Jubilee. These centred on an additional Degree Congregation in May when Honorary Degrees were conferred on a number of celebrities: HRH Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone; Mr Lewis Douglas, the American Ambassador; Sir Barry Jackson from the Birmingham Repertory Theatre; and the writer Francis Brett Young were among those honoured.

There was a lunch afterwards in the Debating Hall of the Students Union and later in the week a dinner for over 400 people, including representatives from about 100 Universities at the Grand Hotel in the city. I was privileged to be at both these and other functions.

The University’s 125 celebrations have brought memories of the years spent in Birmingham flooding back. I lived in University House for three years (Winterbourne for the first one) and the friends I made there have lasted all my life; sadly, there are now only three of us left.

Following university I taught for almost 40 years and was deputy head of a girls’ grammar school, continuing in the role after the school became a co-educational comprehensive in 1974. My Birmingham days were an important time in my life and I am grateful. Happy 125th birthday!