The ferris wheel, outside Plymouth Guildhall
Uni: A Polytechnic Reunion, Plymouth, Devon - 17th December 2005
Nosher's in Plymouth for a reunion of former Polytechnic or University alumni, in this case for anyone and not based on any particular year, so of course there's absolutely no-one else from any of the years Nosher was there, with the honourable exception of fellow bar worker and one-time SU president Matt "Gimli" Horton. Just before the reunion kicks off, Nosher has a couple of hours to hang around town, after checking in to the Copthorn Hotel. Plymouth is in a constant state of rebuilding and never seems to settle for anything for any period of time, and in the two years since Nosher's last visit the southern end of Armada Way, where it crosses over Royal Parade, has been levelled, the subway removed, and the whole area paved in order to make a large open space. For the timebeing, this space is occupied by a large ferris wheel which spins around slowly giving nice views over the city. Anyway, Plymouth in pre-Christmas mode has plenty of colour, what with the lights 'n' all, and loads of people milling around in a shopping frenzy. Then, it's time for the reunion which, despite the almost-total lack of familiar faces, is still enjoyable, if nothing else for the chance to hang out once again and drink beer in the students' union bar - even though, somewhat apallingly, there's no real ale any more. There's also a chance to poke around and see what's new, and observe the horror that is the destruction of the old bar, and the fact that everything seems to have received a covering of play-school paint.
next album: A Wander Around Hoo Meavy and Burrator, Dartmoor, Devon - 18th December 2005
previous album: Pheasants, Sunsets and The BBs at Bressingham, Norfolk - 11th December 2005
An Anderton and Rowland carousel
A couple of local lads play up for the camera
Looking down New George Street
Market stalls on Armada Way
Looking up Armada Way
Standing on the sundial on New George Street
Dingles is all in pink
Armada Way and the junction with Cornwall Street
New George Street
A smaller ferris wheel on Cornwall Street
Voodoo Lounge, formerly known as Charlie's
The redeveloping of Drakes Circus: the M&S project
A Ferris wheel reflected in the Civic Centre pond
Classic 60s architecture
The link between the Civic Centre and next door
Stark 60s concrete in black and white
The Civic Centre ponds
Derry's Department Store near Derry's Cross
The ABC Cinema, Derry's Cross
Mince pies and fizz on reception
The bar staff wait for the crowds
The lockers on the ramp down to the canteen
The SU pyramid has got some fancy blinds up
The destruction of the old bar is somewhat shocking
The bar has been turned into a fake nightclub
The PPSU games room
In memory of Wee Jimmy
The 'Never Open Especially When It's Busy' bar
In the Glorious Revolution bar
Alumni hang around in the SU
Guests arrive in the SU
The steps down to the Students' Union
Stick-game action in the games room
The passage towards the TV room and the bogs
Mingling guests at the little bar
Co-organiser Helen Pearson, with Matt 'Gimli' Horton
Comedian Shappi Khorsandi performs in the SU
The reunion crowds
Shappi Khorsandi
The Class of 1971
A double-act featuring Brian Damage
Brian Damage on guitar
The bar is getting crowded like it used to be
More stick game
In the PPSU games room
Covers band guitar action
A good covers band does its thing
A session of snakebite and black
The SU
The band does its thing a bit more
Back in the bar
The least-changed part of the SU - the bogs
Organiser Rebecca Liddington
A view to the bogs
more reunion attendees
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The ferris wheel, outside Plymouth Guildhall
The ferris wheel, outside Plymouth Guildhall
An Anderton and Rowland carousel
A couple of local lads play up for the camera
Looking down New George Street
Market stalls on Armada Way
Looking up Armada Way
Standing on the sundial on New George Street
Dingles is all in pink
Armada Way and the junction with Cornwall Street
New George Street
A smaller ferris wheel on Cornwall Street
Voodoo Lounge, formerly known as Charlie's
The redeveloping of Drakes Circus: the M&S project
A Ferris wheel reflected in the Civic Centre pond
Classic 60s architecture
The link between the Civic Centre and next door
Stark 60s concrete in black and white
The Civic Centre ponds
Derry's Department Store near Derry's Cross
The ABC Cinema, Derry's Cross
Mince pies and fizz on reception
The bar staff wait for the crowds
The lockers on the ramp down to the canteen
The SU pyramid has got some fancy blinds up
The destruction of the old bar is somewhat shocking
The bar has been turned into a fake nightclub
The PPSU games room
In memory of Wee Jimmy
The 'Never Open Especially When It's Busy' bar
In the Glorious Revolution bar
Alumni hang around in the SU
Guests arrive in the SU
The steps down to the Students' Union
Stick-game action in the games room
The passage towards the TV room and the bogs
Mingling guests at the little bar
Co-organiser Helen Pearson, with Matt 'Gimli' Horton
Comedian Shappi Khorsandi performs in the SU
The reunion crowds
Shappi Khorsandi
The Class of 1971
A double-act featuring Brian Damage
Brian Damage on guitar
The bar is getting crowded like it used to be
More stick game
In the PPSU games room
Covers band guitar action
A good covers band does its thing
A session of snakebite and black
The SU
The band does its thing a bit more
Back in the bar
The least-changed part of the SU - the bogs
Organiser Rebecca Liddington
A view to the bogs
more reunion attendees