Name of walk	Tom's Graduation
Date of walk	2015-07-17

Friday was Tom’s graduation ceremony at Lancaster University. Lancaster is a collegiate university. There are eight colleges. Tom was in Grizedale College and the students graduate by college not by faculty. Tom gained a BA (hons) 2:1 in Philosophy and Politics. Next academic year he has been awarded a full scholarship to do his Masters in Politics. He did his first degree with the aid of a part scholarship. These days every little helps!

We collect Tom from his house in Lancaster, on our way to the university. Typical student tidiness!

Tom collects his hat and gown.

Then we take some photos by the duck pond.

Back a bit....a bit more.....!

In the Great Hall the Academic Procession enters to the sounds of a brass quartet. Pro Chancellor, Lord Liddle, a Cumbria Labour County Councillor gives his short speech. The photo shows Tom just about to get his name called before the walk of embarrassment across the stage.

Tom decides to do his hand shake with Pro Chancellor, Lord Liddle on the move without slowing down, so he is a bit of a blur!

The BA students all stand for the conferment of their degrees by Principal Patrick Montague. Rainier Hersch, award winning comedian, pianist and conductor receives the Alumni Award and gives an amusing speech. Then the rest of the degrees are given out.

The graduates then gather outside for the Grizedale College group photo, which takes an age to sort out. The graduates are filtered by height. Tom is in row c. Then they are preened to perfection. The photo takes longer than the degree ceremony!

Tom in the middle.

Almost ready now, just waiting for the wind to die down.

Say "cheese".

Mexican wave to finish off.

Then back again!

Tom and Alasdair. Tom shared a house with Alasdair in his second year and they are good friends. He is the tallest man in Grizedale College!

We went out for lunch at the White Cross Inn next to the Lancaster Canal. They were doing a 'Graduation Menu'. The desserts were good!

View of the canal from the outside seating.

We visited Brendan's Mum on the way back. Also visiting were Fr. Aidan (Monsignor Canon and former Vicar General) and Jane. I first met Aidan 30 years ago when he was Chaplain at the University, he also baptised Tom when he was parish priest at St. Columba's all those years ago. I have not seen him for a few years, so it was good to catch up. He never looks any older....must have a painting in the attic!

A good day!