I blame that Stephen 'awkins

Today when I went into Winchester at lunchtime I bumped into a vast flock of folk dressed in Uni of Winchester gowns and mortar-boards (square hats to you and me).  Many of them were well past middle-aged and sporting some alarming face fuzz.  They were lining up to go into the cathedral. 

Being me, of course I found a young student/steward to ask about proceedings.  I was told, at high speed and rather breathlessly, that this was an alumni graduation.  The institution only got it's  university status in the 1980s.  Before that it had been King Alfred's College (teacher training) and it was some of these ex-teacher training students who were being given their degrees today.  I wondered why.  

On the University's website it says, and I quote: The University of Winchester celebrates 175 years since it was founded in 1840...
I thought it was the 1980s?

Thus time, an elastic commodity... 

Enjoy your evening, lovely people  xx