Golden Days

In October 2021, alumni from the 1970s and 80s returned to New Cross for a reunion hosted by David Plews (Class of 1976) and Yvette Alcock née Malone (Class of 1986). Alumni guests were greeted in Goldsmiths’ Great Hall with words of welcome from the Warden and a lively speech by David. They embarked on tours of the campus, including new spaces and old haunts, before finally gathering for drinks in the Students’ Union bar and poring over photos from their days at Goldsmiths, with David Bowie and The Clash blaring from the speakers.

The reunion was no small undertaking, but David – who is in training for an Ironman Triathlon – is evidently not one to shy away from a challenge. He had previously hosted a successful first gathering in New Cross in 2018. When the idea of another reunion was floated in a ‘Goldies’ Facebook group for alumni from the 70s and 80s, David reached out to the Goldsmiths alumni team to organise something bigger and better.

Once the news was announced, there was an immediate outpouring of enthusiasm – and 200 tickets were sold. David reflected on the reunion: “People were there who hadn’t seen old College friends for decades. It was a great day.” This seems to have been the prevailing view: one guest told staff, “I shall value my tote bag and badge, and continue to feel proud that I was one of the privileged to have attended Goldsmiths.” For others, returning to New Cross after decades was a surreal experience. Finbarr (Class of 1989) told us: “The emotion I felt coming off that New Cross train was a real surprise – it really hit me.” Vivienne (Class of 1977) recalled: “Lots of things are exactly the same as we remember them, like that wonderful corridor as you first come in – but they have moved the bar!”

Despite changes to the campus, Goldsmiths’ vibrant political culture remains unchanged. Nitin (Class of 1980) noted: “People remember that the 1980s was a hotbed of politics, and Goldsmiths College was one of the most politically motivated.”

Among the reunion attendees there was a group of longstanding friends who campaigned to free Nelson Mandela during their time at Goldsmiths, having met through the African Caribbean Society. Others recalled blocking Westminster Bridge to demonstrate against the introduction of student loans. One attendee recollected seeing Damien Hirst outside a lecture theatre with a rat in a cage inside his motorcycle helmet to protest the College’s Ethics Committee banning his art.

Caroline (Class of 1989) reflected on her time as Vice President of Welfare at Goldsmiths Students’ Union, saying: “I became very politically aware while at Goldsmiths and I think the issues for us were very different. One of the big things that I ran was an AIDS campaign, trying to encourage safer sex practices.”

Beyond the political, is the personal: Goldsmiths was also the starting point for many life-long friendships and partnerships. Sarah (Class of 1991) and Tim (Class of 1990) met at Goldsmiths during her first term and his second year. Thirty-one years later, they are still together. “Goldsmiths has got a very special place in our hearts and [represented] some of the best times of my life”, Sarah told us. Elspeth, Vivienne and Dianne (Class of 1977) are still best friends, dating back to when they enrolled at the Students’ Union and settled into university life during the first week.

The reunion held added poignancy for those for whom it was 50 years – almost to the day – since they started at Goldsmiths. One attendee shared: “It was particularly moving to be in the Great Hall and to remember those who are now gone, and to think that they shared the Goldsmiths experience too. It was a moment of unity.”

David reflected on the event: “The best thing for me has been how everyone held such positive memories and feelings about our time at Goldsmiths all those years ago. So much so that there have been loads of requests for me to organise another one. I reckon we’ll go again in 2023!”

To see video footage from the reunion, scan the code using your smartphone.

explore.gold/goldiesreunion2021

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Editor's note regarding historical images: Every effort has been made to find the photographer and subjects of these images. Please contact alumni@gold.ac.uk if you have information that may help us identify them