Tough Lessons, Peter Partington

In 1964 I was a foundation year undergraduate at the ‘new’ University of Essex – an old mansion, some shoddy wooden huts and a big, muddy hole. A ‘demob baby’, a Cockney kid, never lived away from home I suddenly found myself rich - in charge of an annual grant of £283 a year. Keen not to have too much term time left over at the end of the money I rapidly became a ‘value-vulture’, developing a powerful portfolio of money saving ideas. Pre-dating The Kinks by at least a year, I became a dedicated follower of fashion when I realised that buying button down collar shirts the year after they were in fashion threw up plentiful clearance bargains. A keen walker, I saved on bus fares and legged it into the University and back most days from my digs with a lovely family in King Stephen Road. Then, what a star find – Tuf shoes – with a one-year guarantee! I couldn’t believe my luck, and, yes – I got that one spot on – free footwear for a year. By the end of 12 months I’d just about worn through the soles. People go to university to learn. I learned you also need to keep the proof of purchase…..