Floella’s Flying Circus

I wonder what they make of Floella Benjamin in the House of Lords? I ask, because although I’m very much in favour of replacing the unelected second chamber with a democratically elected one and so would only criticise the current proposals because they don’t really go far enough, I sincerely hope that whatever reforms eventually take place they don’t mean that we lose the influence of people like her.

I was privileged to attend my eldest daughter’s graduation ceremony at Exeter University last Tuesday. As chancellor of Exeter, Baroness Benjamin was presiding – and with real style too. She spoke about the pride she had in the university and of its impending elevation to the Russell Group, the dedication of its staff and how that the students graduating had the potential to change the world for the better. It was more of a theatrical performance than the typical speech that’s often delivered on such occasions – and the audience loved her for it! We did get a speech – but that was from the Vice Chancellor, Professor Sir Steve Smith, who was quite rightly scathing of those who think that international students should be counted as migrants in the immigration figures.

Floella and Emily – Everyone graduating got a hug – no handshakes here!

As well as the hugs for all of the graduates and the genuine excitement that filled the hall, there’s another part of the day that will make me smile for a long time to come – namely the somewhat eclectic choice of music played both before and after ceremony. One of the pieces played as the new graduates walked out was Sousa’s Liberty Bell March. Somewhere, around about bar 37, many folk of a similar age to me were thinking about the big foot that was going to come and squash us all …