I was asked at very short notice to run a feedback with session with a small set of students. I was therefore very surprised to see the large number gathered when I arrived 20 minutes late in the designated room. When I asked my (supposed) assistant NK about name badges she confessed that she had forgotten all about them. It would be impossible for me to deal with such numbers without knowing everyone’s name, so I set off to find a few sheets of computer labels that we could use to create substitute badges. Each person would just have to write their own name on one of these.

On my way out I noticed another room crammed with students and a couple of staff, including my old boss JK. Apparently these people were also waiting for me to deliver a session. It was now really urgent that I found some labels.

I was assisted in my quest by a couple of young male students, one of whom was recent University Challenge Peterhouse contestant Oscar Powell. We were soon lost in underground corridors of the University and ended up trapped in a basement from which the only means of escape was an electric emergency exit chair designed for the disabled. Oscar gave it a go and almost brained himself. It looked that we would be stuck underground forever with no chance of rescue.