Dear Cardiff University,

I was a student at the Centre for Journalism Studies of University College, Cardiff, in the academic year 1976-77. Having done well throughout the course and been considered one of those likely to succeed, I applied unsuccessfully for a number of openings, and had interviews, sometimes more than one, for Reuters (3), the Times (2), the BBC News Trainee Scheme (2) and the Mirror Group training scheme in Plymouth. I turned to my then Personal Tutor, whose name now escapes me (I may have blocked it!), but whose first name was Val(entine), for guidance. In terms, he told me his reference began with the words "This man is a Communist. But..." and, to counter my protests, told me the Centre couldn't be seen to be "selling a pup". I had, in fact, previously been a member of the CPGB while at Sussex, but was no longer active.

As you can imagine, this whole experience affected my career - certainly at the start - and I would therefore like to see the aforementioned reference, if it still exists. There were only three permanent faculty at the Centre in those days, so establishing the correct name of the tutor concerned should not present too much difficulty.

I went on to make a perfectly good career in television and PR, but the experience has always niggled at me and - if possible - I'd like to deal with it once and for all!

Yours faithfully.

Pete Carlton, PGDip (Cardiff) 1977