Memorial for Max in Newcastle

On Wednesday 11 October Newcastle University held an event in memory of Max. It was good to see so many people there, friends who are still studying there, others who have already graduated, friends from other universities who Max met in Cadiz, friends from London, and members of staff from the School of Modern Languages.

Dr Elizabeth Andersen, Head of the School, introduced the speakers. Four of Max's fellow Spanish students paid very warm tributes to him. They were Charlotte China, Laura Taggart, Tim Wynn-Jones, and Steff Doudo from Northumbria University and Cadiz. One of his teachers, Dr Vanessa Knights, spoke about Max and read a very moving Spanish poem by an author he had studied, already on this blog. Seamus also spoke about Max's experience at the University, and thanked the staff and students for their friendship and support. Prof. Máire Cross then announced a new prize which the school will award in Max's name each year, for a piece of writing about the year abroad. Music was played on the harp as we came in and during the ceremony, by Eleanor Rutherford, a language and music student.

At the end we walked past the lime tree which has been dedicated to Max. It stands just outside the language department. It is a pretty, healthy-looking tree which will flourish for a long time to come. The inscription gives Max's name and dates and describes him as "language student and footballer, a good friend, missed by many". We then had tea in the refectory and enjoyed being able to talk to so many of Max's friends.

As Seamus said in his speech, we are so grateful for all the time and thought that Dr Andersen, the Year Abroad team, and staff of the school have put into remembering Max at the University, and to Max's fellow students for being such good friends to him.

Victoria

If you click on the photo you should be able to read the plaque