Geography Society - October 1st

Date: Wednesday 1 October 2008

A new School year, and a very different Geography Department as Mr Mighell retired to be replaced by Mr Ian Urey as Head of Department, and Alasdair McMaster tookover the reins as secretary to the Geography Society.

A very full Drawing Room, including most of the 'Geogos' plus staff old and new, were entertained by Mr Urey's account of his time working for international organisations promoting 'Food Aid' to countries like Bangladesh. Mr Urey had been involved in investigating changing food patterns amongst the different social classes in cities like Dhaka, and rural centres like Rangpur. In simple terms, the poor get poorer, and find it hard to obtain nutritious foodstuffs, relying on traditional rice, and ersatz western-style biscuits and coca-cola. The rich simply get fat when they can purchase some fish and vegetables to supplement traditional diet. A fascinating insight into one of the poorest nations in the world, annually at the mercy of the seasons, the rivers, and the sea.

After a refreshment break - 'real' biscuits and fizzy drinks! - the second half concentrated on a resume of the Welsh fieldwork from the holidays. Arnie Dunning, supported by Harry Callaway, presented a clear and straightforward analysis of our findings from Day 1, the rivers' day; Harry Smith described the difficulties which beset Day 2, dunes' day, as well as the findings of the flawed survey of the Morfa Harlech coastline; Remy Bertlin illustrated, with some confusing OHP slides from Day 3, the comparison between four towns in terms of 'cloneness', concluding that Tywyn was THE clone town of the region; and, Ben Clarke identified that the group found Harlech the most attractive of the four towns on Day 4, and that Porthmadog displayed the highest level of 'Welshness'.

It was good to learn something new - Bangladesh - and to relive the week in Wales. What stood out was the confidence of all the speakers, and their obvious enjoyment of the very different experiences. And next time? It should be good given the style and enthusiasm of this year's Sixth Form geographers.