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, then a lecturer in Celtic at Oxford and now a Junior Research Fellow at Peterhouse, Cambridge, 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, in October 2006, 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, but I have enjoyed it immensely, and that is the important thing!

I spent a wonderful first year at Oxford but by the end of the summer term 2006 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 was sufficiently well that they agreed to allow me back in October 2009 to complete the course. It was a more difficult second year. I had to work hard to complete the thesis and extended essay on time. Then there was a massive amount of revision to do to prepare for the exams. It seemed strange to dress up in gown and sub-fusc (black skirt and stockings and white shirt) and sit, with all the other students, in the vast Examination Schools writing hard to get as much down as I could remember in three hours, and to do that twice: once for Irish and once for Welsh. But it was worth it. I have the degree! At 65 years of age I have the degree of Master of Philosophy in Celtic Studies. And it feels wonderful!