Celtic Studies

It's sometimes very strange how things work out. Some time in 2004 a young friend of mine, who was then reading for a MPhil in Anthropology at Oxford, knowing my interest, suggested I attend the Celtic Graduate Seminars at Jesus College. I sneaked in the first one and then asked permission of the Professor of Celtic, Thomas Charles-Edwards if I might attend them on a regular basis. He readily agreed, for which I will always be in his debt. Through attending those seminars I became friends with Mark Williams, a lecturer in Celtic at Oxford, and early in 2006 he offered to teach me Middle Welsh. I jumped at the chance, which created a second debt that will be hard to repay. At some point during the year, probably around May, I asked what was involved in reading for a Masters Degree at Oxford. Mark was a little economical with the truth (if he had given me the full story I would never have attempted it!). So I put together an application to read for a two year MPhil in Celtic Studies at Jesus College. In doing so I do believe I considered it more as an intellectual exercise, wondering at what stage they would throw it out. I mean, people like me didn't go to Oxford! So when the letter offering me a place finally dropped through the letter box no one was more surprised than I was! Oh, my! I couldn't say 'no', could I? So the next stage was working through the practicalities so I could actually get there. I don't believe it was until I was in the Sheldonian Theatre at Matriculation and heard the Vice-Chancellor utter the magic Latin formula that made me, and all those with me, members of the University, that I really realised that I'd done it. Of course, then the work really started, and it's by no means over. But hey, I'm enjoying it, and that's the important thing!

Update July 2009: The above was written early in October 2006. I spent a wonderful first year at Oxford but by the end of the summer term it was clear I was less than well. By Michaelmas Term 2007 I had worsened enough that the University allowed me a year out to recover. At the end of September 2008 I was greatly recovered but too late to restart that year. However, I am now sufficiently well that they have agreed to allow me back in October 2009 to complete the course. This I am looking forward to very much.