A Matter of Degree
Colin M. Andrews
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Buy NowWhy I wrote this book
The trigger was probably when I was leading a field study group from my school to South Wales in the early 1980s. I asked our coach driver to meet us as near to the church as possible at a certain village, unaware that he would have to negotiate a steep and narrow lane bordered by dry stone walls. The coach got well and truly stuck on the way down, and I literally had to demolish the wall, stone by stone (as described in ch. 15 of my book) in order to free the vehicle. I recalled a few other odd and bizarre incidents from my student days and early teaching career and thought they could make the basis for a novel. Over a period of several years I sketched some ideas down, drew up an outline plan, and completed a few odd chapters, and the final words of the last chapter. When I took early retirement from teaching in 1995 I planned to finish the novel. However, it wasn’t until about four years ago that I eventually devoted serious time to writing. I realised that what I already had was only a fraction of what was necessary for a full-blown novel. From some early notes – sometimes only a couple of words - whole new chapters developed, while other ideas inspired by incidents covering some forty odd years soon became incorporated in the narrative.
It is rare to find a novel in which folk traditions feature significantly in the story. The novel has broad appeal though people in 45+ age group are more likely to relate directly to to a period before widespread use of mobile phones and the internet. It should also attract the interest of teachers, students and anyone who is involved with the folk music scene.
The reader is likely to appreciate an entertaining book with the humour, drama and nostalgia of real life situations in the seventies, but without the foul language and lurid sexual content of some modern potboilers.
If you enjoy books by James Herriott, Gervase Phinn, Leslie Thomas then you should enjoy this as novel as well.
Synopsis
Colin Andrews has drawn on his long experience as a teacher, folk performer and Morris dancer to produce a highly original novel that will leave readers with a sense of satisfaction - and a warm smile on their face. No mobile phones, no internet, no mixed sex accommodation and definitely no alcohol on Sundays...
A Matter of Degree is set in the early 1970s and follows the comical and dramatic exploits of Robert Kiddecott, a farmer's son from Devon, and Jacob Moses, his folksinging friend, through the three years to graduation at a fictional teacher training college in mid-Wales. Rob's relationships with the fairer sex and Jake's penchant for involving Rob in well-meaning projects lead to bizarre yet utterly believable and amusing scenarios. Will unexpected turns of fate always thwart Rob's amorous inclinations? Why is Jake obsessed with an abandoned observatory? Whatever inspires Jake to get Rob and their fellow students involved in the folk traditions of Mumming and Morris dancing? In what other directions does Jake's persuasive enthusiasm lead his friends? And what key part does Jessica play in their lives?
A Matter of Degree is an entertaining, perhaps nostalgic, snapshot of a time now passed, but it is also touches on controversial issues such a racial prejudice, sexual temptation facing young teachers, religious fanaticism and political correctness in a thought-provoking, sensitive way. Anyone who enjoys Gervase Phinn's tales will enjoy Colin Andrews's fictionalised account of the antics of student teachers in the 1970s.
Reviews
Barry Goodman (President of the Morris Federation).
Colin Andrews’ first novel, A Matter of Degree, cleverly evokes life in a teacher training college in the mid-seventies, from the queues for the one public phone (no mobiles then!) and the highly segregated college accommodation (including some familiar ways to circumvent it) to the petty politics of clubs and societies and the sometimes bizarre experiences encountered on Teaching Practice. If, like me, you trained to be a teacher in those days, much of what Colin writes will cause a wave of nostalgia to flow over you again and again as you read this account of student life. Rob, Jake, Dan, Benji, Sunny, Kissy and the others are very believable characters, and their adventures, often caused by the hare-brained schemes of ring-leader Jake, are well-written and amusing. Colin’s own interest in Morris dancing and the folk arts manifests itself in some of the friends’ activities – the folk club, the mummers’ play and the Border Morris team – the latter of which helps to supplement their bar expenses as well as giving them an opportunity for a camping holiday together. There is plenty here to entertain, and each chapter stands very well on its own, so the book can be read in chunks, rather than as a straight-through narrative, if that’s what you prefer – though I must admit that I was reluctant to put it down until I had reached the satisfactory (for Rob at least!) conclusion. A fine first novel, and one that I shall recommend to my friends.
Steve Thomason (Univ. of Wales graduate, retired teacher, lapsed Morris dancer).
This is a book that puts, and keeps, a smile on your face. It keeps your interest if you like to sit and read books straight through but, with each chapter relating a self-contained incident, it’s also ideal to read a bit at a time. It would make perfect bedtime reading with its gentle humour and well-drawn characters giving you that warm, feel-good factor at the end of a hard day. Whilst the students in this book are a little more civilised and hard-working than those I remember, they make wonderfully likeable characters and keep you feeling nostalgic about the “old days”. If you lived through those days then you must read it. Like me, every chapter will have you saying, “Yes, I remember when …”. If you dance or are involved in folk music it will remind you of the days when folk was fashionable and, if you just want a book that you can sit back and enjoy from cover to cover, then this is one for you. This book has definitely solved my Christmas present list. Go on, read it, I’ll guarantee you’ll do so with a smile on your face and, if you’re of that certain age, with a warm glow of nostalgia.
Trevor Monson (Folk dance caller).
I shared some experiences with Colin at University but he doesn’t mention them - his stories are far more interesting. They weave the threads of what happened to Robert Kiddecott as he worked his way through university and teaching practice, from the day he arrived at University until the day he gained his degree. The stories which are all believable, are written through the eyes of Rob as he is “forced”into co-operating with the unexpected ideas of Jake - a fellow student with whom he shares accommodation.. The incidents include amongst others organising a mumming play to make money for Rag Week, through to starting up a Morris team. His story runs through the holidays - but I won’t mention what happens as I don’t want to spoil the suspense he builds up! And also included are Rob’s liaisons with female students and acquaintances and stories about the inter-college eisteddfod - an event that a student going to a Welsh University college could never forget.
About the Author
Colin Andrews was born in Dunfermline in 1944. He was educated at Worthing High School and Cardiff University. He taught Chemistry in Sussex, Hampshire and, from 1973 until early retiremnt in 1995, in rural North Devon. He is married, with one son. Colin has been a folk singer, folk dance caller, Morris dancer and musician for over 40 years, and currently editor of the national Morris Federation Newsletter.
Book info
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Format
Paperback
464 pages pages
Author
Colin M. Andrews
Publisher
Matador an imprint of Troubador Publishing
Publication date
1st August 2011
Author's Website
ISBN
9781848766952
