On 7th January 2008 I embarked upon a life-changing experience – I became a ‘Ransacker’ at Ruskin College, Oxford. The word ‘ Ransacker’ is Norse and means ‘to search or seek’.
There were fifteen of us, meeting the criteria of being fifty-five or over – the oldest being eighty-one – and none of us having been to university, nor having gained a degree.
Each of us had chosen a different topic to research – ranging from Victorian Childhood, Potager Gardening, Cystercian Monasteries, the Birth of Libraries, Friendly Societies, the Island of Rathlin, Anatomy of a Railway Station, Old English and How it Evolved, Euro Peasants of the New Millennium, the Women’s Vote in Democracy; a vicar’s wife wrote about Clergy Wives, a retired camera-man chose the Media, and an ex-carer about Carers, and another studied the use of Euthanasia versus Palliative Care. My project was on Celtic Christianity, about which I knew very little.
Sessions on study skills and undertaking research were provided, and most importantly tuition on using computers. Most of us needed this – two fellow-students had never used a typewriter before. This help was continuous throughout as we set about researching our chosen subject in order to complete a project of between five-thousand and eight-thousand words at the end of almost ten weeks.
It was a roller-coaster of highs and lows – unable to source the perfect quote I had read the day before almost left me in despair – but we all supported and helped each other through these times. We each had a Tutorial once a week – our tutor guiding us and quelling our fears, but also reminding us that the project was ours and we could choose the content.
I had wondered how I might manage living communally, but I found this was not a problem. Although our accommodation was not luxurious, it was adequate for our needs. We each added individual touches to our rooms, like reading lamps, rugs and throws. And most of us invested in a kettle for that all important early morning drink. All our meals were provided and often there was a choice – with fresh fruit always available. There was also a small kitchen available for us to use at any time.
What luxury to be able to devote all my time to studying – well, not quite all my time! In between times of study, I went to an Amnesty Lecture at the Sheldonian Theatre, a piano recital of Gershwin Music in the Holywell Music Room, joined a ‘Detective Morse Tour’ around Oxford, happening by chance to meet up with the author Colin Dexter, who happily spoke to us and pointed out the spot in the college grounds where Morse had collapsed and died in the final episode – it took three attempts to film as the camera kept breaking down – spooky! I also fitted in several trips to the theatre to see plays, musicals, jazz/ballet, and the opera - Don Giovanni at the Sheldonian. I also went to services at Christchurch Cathedral, the Wesleyan Memorial Church, a Taize service and an early-morning Quaker meeting.
At the college itself, I joined the Singing Group on a Monday evening – as someone who enjoys singing but cannot sing, I surprised myself when I even sang one line of a song solo. Tuesday night was Film Night and Wednesday was Scottish Country Dancing, led by Peggy, our 81 year old. Other nights there were quizzes and scrabble games and if you felt so inclined, you could join up with other students from the college to visit the local pubs.
Weekends we were left to our own devices – some people returned home. Those who stayed in Oxford often went together to a restaurant or heated up a meal in the kitchen. Computers were available for us to use day and night. We were able to have visitors to stay overnight for a small charge, subject to accommodation being available, and it was always exciting to receive letters and parcels.
What was the best thing about the Ransackers Course? The camaraderie with fellow students, and the sense of achievement when I handed in my printed and bound project, albeit on the last day. But the most valuable thing I learned about myself was that I that I can be self-reliant.
Ransacker courses take place in other colleges around Britain as well as Oxford, so if you can spare the time and meet the criteria, (there is no fee as the course is funded by the Government), I would urge you to apply – you never know what you might learn about yourself - as well as your chosen subject!
Olivia Riches