Bob celebrates the Constantine connection

On 2 July 1930 huge crowds gathered in Middlesbrough to see the arrival of the Prince of Wales, who would later abdicated as King Edward VIII. The Prince was visiting Middlesbrough to officially open Constantine College on Borough Road. Standing at the front of one section of the crowd was nine-year old Bob Hamlett, eager to see his father who was playing in a band as part of the celebrations.

Constantine College has evolved into the University of Teesside, which celebrated its 75th anniversary this year. Bob Hamlett also has reason to celebrate. At the age of 84 he has achieved a BA (Hons) degree in English Studies from the University and will graduate from Middlesbrough Town Hall in November.

Bob, from Coulby Newham, Middlesbrough, said: “I can still remember the Prince’s visit in 1930; it was absolutely marvellous with bunting and balloons. The crowds were huge as the Prince was a very popular man at the time. My dad Ernest was playing the soprano cornet in the Cargo Fleet works band, so I pushed my way to the front to see him. One thing that really stuck in my mind is that we had fish and chips afterwards!”

Bob enjoyed English at school and wanted to study it further. However, this was not possible during the 1930s depression and he began an engineering apprenticeship. Bob worked as a blast furnace engineer for 19 years, before qualifying as an engineering lecturer. His lecturing qualification was a joint one between Durham University and Constantine College. The Constantine connection continued in the 1960s when Bob briefly lectured at the College.

After retiring in 1986 the grandfather-of-three started to think about studying English. He first completed a short University of Teesside course in regional writing. Then, aged 81, Bob fulfilled his ambition by enrolling on an English Studies degree at the University.

Bob said: “The changes to the University since the days of Constantine College are beyond description, it’s absolutely amazing. I never imagined that Middlesbrough would have such a facility. Without a doubt the University is good for the town.

“I didn’t know what to expect from the degree at first and found the critical theory extremely difficult. But I stuck with it and opted for a full spectrum of subjects, including poetry, medieval and modern drama and feminist literature. I particularly enjoyed my final year dissertation, where I looked at George Bernard Shaw and how his political life affected his plays.”

Bob has a family connection at the University, as his 24-year-old granddaughter Sarah works in the School of Health & Social Care. Bob said: “Sarah’s insisting that she’ll be one of my guests at the graduation. I’m feeling a bit bored now and am definitely going to do something else, perhaps a short course. My advice to anyone my age who’s thinking of studying is be positive and go for it, stretch yourself. The University has a smashing atmosphere. I can’t believe that anybody my age wouldn’t enjoy studying there.”

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