ALUMNI OT Annual Lecture 2018 – Nicholas Jones (OT 1959) Peter Bodkin, David Williams, Nicholas Jones, Danica Perrin, Andrew Wynne Nicholas Jones, author and former BBC political correspondent for the BBC, spoke on his time as a journalist and where his career has taken him. On a night full of intellect, inspiration and valuable information Nicholas Jones gave past and present Tettenhall College students an interesting and honest lecture on his political knowledge. A former Tettenhall College pupil himself, Mr Jones reflected on a career in journalism where he served as labour and industrial correspondent for the BBC and on the parliamentary and political staff for The Times. He returned to his old school to share some of his work, views and top secrets of the industrial disputes of the 1980s and the historically important political changes and events. Mr Jones’ entertaining lecture gave us all a vivid idea of British politics in the eyes of a journalist. He shared impressive insights from his meetings with former Prime Ministers and his role in the leaking of then Prime Minister, John Major’s, private words regarding British soldiers fighting in the Gulf War. He also spoke of his four-hour long car drive from North Wales to London with the mineworkers’ President, Arthur Scargill, and how that shaped his understanding of the man. The evening’s talk progressed onto more presentday politics regarding Brexit, how voters’ fears of immigration were exploited by Brexit, the youth support of Labour versus the Conservative’s older supporter base and Jones’ support for the reduction of the voting age. The talk was an exciting and unforgettable event, especially for the current Tettenhall College students. It was a pleasure to be part of such an excellent evening. Danica Perrin, Year 12 72
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