On Friday, July 19th, our alumni group gathered at The Orchard for a compelling evening with Rory Cellan-Jones, former BBC Technology Correspondent, as he shared insights from his memoir, Ruskin Park: Sylvia, Me and the BBC. Our talk drew an audience of 65 members guests eager to hear Rory’s reflections on the significance of handwritten letters and their place in modern storytelling.
Rory began by recounting the discovery he made in 1996 while clearing out his late mother’s council flat. Amidst the belongings, he found a treasure trove of letters and documents that spanned from the 1930s to just before her death. These letters chronicled his mother Sylvia’s life and revealed a tumultuous love affair with a younger BBC colleague, who turned out to be Rory’s father, whom Rory only met in adulthood. This archive became the foundation of Ruskin Park, allowing Rory to piece together a personal and historical narrative that would have otherwise remained hidden. Rory eloquently highlighted the contrast between the past and the present, also lamenting the decline of letter writing in the age of digital communication. He posed thought-provoking questions about the future of personal history: What will future generations uncover about us? Will emails and social media posts carry the same depth and intimacy as handwritten letters? These reflections, combined with his journey through his parents’ correspondence, underscored the enduring power of personal letters as historical documents and prompted a lively discussion during the Q&A session that followed.
After the hour-long talk, approximately 30 attendees stayed to enjoy drinks at the bar, which remained open until 10pm, and continued their conversations on the balcony overlooking Hyde Park, Park Lane and South London. The evening was marked by perfect weather and a stunning Waxing Gibbous moon visible from The Orchard’s balcony lighting up the clear night sky. The event showcased the enduring appeal of personal storytelling and the importance of preserving our written heritage. We are very grateful to Rory Cellan-Jones for sharing his remarkable story and to all attendees for making the evening memorable. We look forward to the next instalment of our CamScoTalk series and the continued opportunity to learn and engage with our vibrant community.
Organised by Tim Murphy
