A proud day

Wednesday was a very proud day for us, as Issy graduated from the University of Southampton.  Harriet and I were joined by James, Issy's fiancé, and Frances (pictures of whose graduation can be found here), making it a wonderful family occasion. 

What are sisters for if not to ruin one's graduation pictures?

My "womenfolk", all together, with Frances carrying the next generation (due at the end of November).

Issy decided to use a professional photographer for this particular shot...

Harriet and Frances putting the world to rights.

Issy, in full regalia, ready for the ceremony.

Now officially a graduate rather than a graduand.

Issy received a prize, which was presented after the ceremony in a sweltering hot marquee.

All over bar the shouting, so time for a silly picture or two.

Finally, that (apparently) essential piece of modern life, a graduation bear.

Graduation Day

Yesterday was Frances's graduation in Manchester.  A moment for Harriet and me to be proud parents, and for Izzi to wonder what on earth was going on.  It was all rather different to a Cambridge ceremony, but I was pleased to see that the robes were made by Ede & Ravenscroft.

Once the robes had been collected, there remained one important thing to do before graduation itself: namely, choosing a bear.  It was never like that in my day...

It was a short walk across the road to the Whitworth Hall, but being Manchester it was raining - naturally.  The hall itself is large Victorian edifice, and is absolutely stunning with a huge organ at one end.

After the ceremony, it was back across the road again for a reception and buffet lunch.  Admission was "strictly by ticket only" with only two tickets per student, but since there was nobody on the door to collect the aforementioned tickets (strictly or otherwise) we all joined Frances for something to eat.

Before handing the robes back, there was the obligatory "I wonder what I'd look like with that silly hat on" experimentation.  Izzi soon got the idea, but it seems that the Cambridge graduate doesn't quite know which way is up...  

Of course, the true graduate knew exactly how to wear it on the day.