The academic year 1963-64 would have been an important year ior any Traming College Union, but it was especially so for us. Not only did we have to face the problems of establish• ing a Union within a new building and an expanding community. but we also had t face the national issues like the implication of the Robbins Report and the financial assistance given to Unions for the first time by the Ministry. Within this atmosphere of hinted equality with Universities, of talk of a better deal for day students, and of greater wealth, our Union had to develop. And I feel it is appropriate at this point to thank the whole of my executive for the clear guidance given to me on the many matters we had to deal with.
Perhaps the most important force at work in the Union last year was typified by our contributing towards National Education Week. This was not a chance happening but the culmination of a great deal of hard work on the part of the External Affairs Representative, Peter Bridgwater. The Union had ceased to be inward looking and had managed in so doing to hit the headlines in the local press. We had established closer ties with other organisations, closer links with the National Union of Students, and had by this time joined U.L.I.E.S.A. so that we were now able to effectively participate in a National campaign.
National Education Week was to spark off much more than had been expected within the College. Although some students had been actively engaged in hospital before, it was mainly through the confidence gained through National Education Week that a more determined effort was made in social work. No students will forget the sight of the paraplegic children arriving at the Christmas party organised by the Vice-President, Hilary Bollington, and the way they enjoyed themselves that afternoon. Also, many local organisations have been grateful to us for helping with flag days and almost at the end of the year. S.A.G. was formed in an effort to provide more effective charitable work within the city.
Sport and Social Activities played an increasingly important part in the Union programme. Many of our external ties were strengthened by the formal dances arranged bv the Social Representative, Mike Glover. Dignitaries of Church and State as well as representatives of the N.A.S. and N.U.T. were entertained by the Union over the year. Whereas the Social Committee catered for entertainment, Mike Stocker and his committee not only established our name in the local sporting world but aslo provided enjoyment and recreation for many members of the College.
Within College the Union has similarly developed. Emphasis was placed entirely on effective communication-that factor which can so often destroy an organisation such as ours. Raymond Candlish. our Treasurer, placed Union finance on a sound footing and
explained the mathematics in such a way that every student could take an active interest in expenditure. The Union Secretary, Wendy Tully, streamlined letter answering and introduced the present filing system. John Eames fostered the growth of new Societies while the other first year representative, Tony Runham, assisted Raymond with finance. A Union bar, shop, and concession scheme were established and the Union printing department under the control of Arthur Barton also provided invaluable service to members throughout the year.
In retrospect. I would like to say what I consider to be thChristian organisation in an Anglican - ollege we must ensure that no student will leave saying. " If that is a Christian College, I don't want to know." e function or a l I 11 ion generally and then specifically in a Church Training College. such as ours. First. I believe that Unions have an important part to play in English education. What is certain is that wi.: must 1101 be inward looking. We should actively mould the pattern of our lil'e within a College so that we project a view which is attractive to potcntml students and which emphasises the professional nature of a Training College course. Second, as a
P. E. JENKINS. President 1963-64.