Historic thesis to return.
Byline: By Neil McKayA university thesis written almost 70 years ago is to return to its rightful owner.
Connie Ayre, 91, is to present her study of Upper Weardale, written for a BSc geography degree, to the Friends of Killhope Museum in Weardale, County Durham, for them to keep in their archive.
Connie, who lives in Stanhope, studied at Armstrong College ( later to become Newcastle University ( in the 1930s when few women graduated from university.
The School of Geography, Politics and Sociology at Newcastle University discovered last year that it still held her thesis, which looked at geology, geography and the development of the dale and its industries, such as lead mining.
Connie, with her daughter Elizabeth Budgeon, will present the work to the Friends of Killhope at the North of England Lead Mining Museum on Monday.
Shelagh Bridges, a committee member of Friends of Killhope, said: "We're especially pleased to acquire the thesis for our archive and delighted that Connie will be presenting it to us herself.
"Given all the changes that have taken place over the years at the university, we're amazed that it has survived." Connie was put back in touch with the university last year when Mrs Budgeon told academics that her mother ( one of their oldest graduates ( was to celebrate her 90th birthday.
University vice-chancellor Professor Christopher Edwards sent her a birthday card, and her thesis was later discovered.
Ms Bridges said: "Connie's thesis is a very interesting piece of work, which looks at all aspects of life in Upper Weardale and will greatly enhance our archive collection."
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| Publication: | The Journal (Newcastle, England) |
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| Date: | Jul 21, 2004 |
| Words: | 264 |
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