At the University of Exeter, friendships aren’t just for three or four years – they’re for life. To mark World Friendship Day on Wednesday 30 July, we’re celebrating the incredible connections that began on our campuses and have stood the test of time, from freshers’ trips and shared lectures to reunions decades later.
Memories from Steve Ashby (Geography, 1976):
For a group of Exeter alumni, the bonds forged in the 1970s within the Out of Doors Society (OODS) have carried them across decades and countless miles of countryside.
Steve shares: “A group of ex-members of OODS meet up every year for a walking weekend – some 50 years after we graduated or got PhDs. We’re still great friends after all these years.”
The tradition of annual reunions began in 1999, at the instigation of Peter Knight (Mathematics, 1974), who has since sadly passed away, and Kathy Lowde (Chemistry, 1995). A few of the current members of the group remember this to be a walk in the snow on Dartmoor, from Belstone to Lydford. As more joined, the gatherings grew, with trips taking place from Exmoor and Lulworth in the south to Glencoe in the north.
Reminiscing about his time in the society, Steve recalls: “The Freshers’ trips to Dartmoor were always memorable. Helping people onto the tip of Haytor, for example. There was also an annual night walk across half or the whole of Dartmoor, and on one occasion the group interrupted a training exercise by soldiers from Okehampton Camp. There are too many trips to count, but those early adventures made lasting memories.”
This year’s meet-up in Selworthy, Exmoor, brought the group together again – a testament to the friendships that began at Exeter and that continue on every year.
The group pictured above consists of Avril Sinclair (nee Whittle) (Geography, 1975), Dr Tony Smith (BSc Chemical Engineering, 1973 & PhD Chemical Engineering, 1982), Suzanne Le Miere (Geography, 1976), Janet Edwards (nee O’Neill) (Geography, 1975), Julia Hodgson (nee Hawkins) (LLB Law, 1974), Jan Buncle (nee Farmer), Rob Blakemore (LLB Law, 1976), Dr Stuart Mucklejohn (BSc Chemistry, 1973 & PhD Chemistry 1977), Sandie Brunnen (nee Blizard) (Philosophy, 1976), Andy Pike (History & Archaeology, 1976), Dr Stephen Senn (BA Economics & Statistics, 1974 & MSc Information Processing, 1977), Edward Pratt (History, 1976), Rosie Booth (nee Forde) (PGCE Biological Sciences, 1976), Dr Martin Booth (BSc Chemistry, 1976 & PhD Chemistry, 1979), Tom Buncle (Sociology & Law, 1975), Victoria Senn (nee Bown) (French & Italian, 1976), Jane Smith (née Belcher), John Vernon (Spanish & French, 1975), and photographed by Paul Greenwood (Mathematics, 1975).
Memories from Marion Hume (English, 1984):
For Marion and her circle of Exeter friends, their shared time at the University created a network that has lasted more than four decades.
Marion’s close-knit group includes Rebecca Rowe (née Tipper) (Politics, 1984), Jill Roberts (French and Linguistics, 1985), Annette Fettes (French and Italian, 1985), Frances Beves (English and Philosophy, 1984), Tricia Stevenson (History, 1984), Matt Davies (English, 1984), and Frank Hawkins (Zoology, 1984).
In a testament to their enduring bond, the group recently celebrated a 41-year reunion last month. Reflecting on the significance of their friendship, Marion shared:
“For every high school student hoping that exam results might lead to university, I wish you the gift that has kept on giving for us – friendship. It’s 41 years since we graduated and we STILL can’t see enough of each other…”
Tricia, described by Marion as “the organiser” of the group both back at Exeter and now, keeps the friendships alive by arranging their get-togethers and keeping everyone connected. Their friendship extends beyond just themselves and their group get-togethers has expanded to partners now as well.
Memories from Tricia Stevenson (History, 1984):
Similarly, Tricia formed friendships at Exeter with fellow History students Tracey Jennings (née Atkins) (Ancient History and Archaeology, 1984), Juliet Taylor (History, 1984), and Clare Peel (née Stainton) (History, 1984).
“We met either on our courses or in halls of residence during our first year,” Tricia says.
These friendships have remained a constant, with the group reuniting every few years in London to reminisce about their time at Exeter and catch up on each other’s lives.
“I made a lot of really good friends and had a great time,” Tricia says. “I still keep in touch with many of them.”
We look forward to hearing more about how Exeter endures in your friendships for years to come and how they continue to shape and support your lives after graduating.
If you’re interested in walking down memory lane with a campus visit, looking for help promoting a class reunion or keen to find a fellow alumni you’ve lost touch with please do take a look on our website or get in touch with us via email at alumni@exeter.ac.uk
Do you have a friendship story to share? We’d love to hear about the friendships you made at Exeter – whether you’re still in touch with your flatmates, society friends, or coursemates. Our DMs are always open on Instagram, LinkedIn, and Facebook, or you can email us at alumni@exeter.ac.uk