Dr Chris Deacy, Reader in Theology and Religious Studies in the Department of Religious Studies, has just released a new episode of his podcast series on ‘Nostalgia’.
In the latest interview, Dr Michael Hughes, Specialist Associate Lecturer in the Department of English Language & Linguistics, talks about how a two-week job turned into one that has lasted 24 years.
Michael knew from the age of 10 that he wanted to be a teacher, and he recounts his working class background, where money was tight, and his experience of being taught at a grammar school in his native Guernsey, in proximity to Nazi bunkers and mines from the Second World War on the beaches near where he lived.
Michael recalls his experience of watching the first episode of Doctor Who back in 1963, and we discuss a shared love of radio – Michael especially remembers Listen With Mother – and Saturday morning ‘cliffhanger’ cinema.
The interview also covers how Michael returned to teach at his old school – which didn’t turn out to be a pleasant experience, and what happened when he then tried to change direction, ultimately leading to his decision to train as an English Language teacher – and the ‘serendipitous’ events that followed.
In the final part of the interview, Chris and Michael discuss the ‘nostalgia-invoking’ power of music, and Michael’s penchant for going around cathedrals and chapels to experience the recording of broadcasts of choral evensong. They discuss the impact of social media, and Michael gives a surprise answer to the question of whether he considers himself to be a looking forward- or a backward-looking type of person.
The podcast is available here:
https://audioboom.com/posts/6940189-michael-hughes