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Drawing of the entrance hall at CEM’s 35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields premises.
“The more you put into it, the more you get out of it. It is not just about getting good grades but about expanding the knowledge base, and contacts, that you will rely on throughout your future careers,”
Jan Wilcox
It’s worked well for 100 years so don’t change everything. Some of the good bits are worth keeping.
Jan Wilcox
“I have always had the highest admiration for UCEM students. To undertake a full degree, distant taught, requires a level of self-discipline that I would struggle to muster, particularly when juggling all the other demands in their lives. However, it instils an approach to education current students should foster for life. The next 100 years is only going to change more than ever. An open mind towards education and training will be a valuable tool.”
Andrew Marston
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Following CEM’s temporary relocation to 11 Great George Street following the destruction of 35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields during the Blitz, the ruins of 35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields were adopted by the National Fire Service, who established a ‘Pig Club’. At one point, there were 36 pigs being reared in the ruins, as well as cockerels and rabbits. The firemen were raising and selling the animals to help to supplement wartime rations. This article is from the Picture Post, 03 April 1943. Picture Post was the UK’s equivalent of Life magazine, and in 1943 it had a circulation of nearly 2 million a week.
It is wonderful to see UCEM celebrate it’s centenary, particularly given some of the challenges I know it has gone through, particularly over the past 20 years or so. It is now a very different entity to the one I worked in and is going from strength-to-strength. Wish UCEM, its staff and students, all the best as it begins its second century.
Andrew Marston
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35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields after an incendiary raid during the Blitz. The building was damaged by enemy action in the Autumn of 1940, before being devastated by incendiary bombs in the Spring of 1941. The destroyed building led to CEM being temporarily rehomed at 11 Great George Street for the duration of the war.
Forever young and energetic, UCEM Happy 100th Birthday!
Shing Kwong Eric Cheng
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A copy of the Estates Gazette from 14 April 1923, reporting on CEM’s inaugural ceremony. CEM’s first President and Principal are pictured.
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This British Red Cross replica book parcel is how CEM correspondence courses would have been sent to students in Prisoner of War and internment camps. The red cross emblem is a special protective sign used during armed conflicts, and its use is restricted by law. For further information, please see the emblem page on www.redcross.org.uk or contact the British Red Cross International Law Department at contactus@redcross.org.uk.
Develop a thirst for knowledge and ensure you are always on some course or another – it will never be wasted and is an excellent investment for the future. The internet offers boundless opportunities.
George Demetri
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Irene Barclay, Britain’s first female Chartered Surveyor, who studied for her professional examinations with CEM.
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CEM’s Letters Patent (Royal Charter), 1922.
Happy Birthday UCEM! Even as a distance learner I feel part of a very exclusive family and I am so proud to have been a student.
Sara Kelleher
Anticipation and preparation help make the most of life’s opportunities.
Lawrence Parnell
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Portrait of Colonel S.J. Worsley, who was appointed CEM’s Principal in 1945.
Always look up to meet the challenge. UCEM can lend you a helping hand.
Shing Kwong Eric Cheng
Plan! Make sure you plan your time. I used to use Excel with the dates of exams and assignments on and make sure I gave myself plenty of time! Also make full use of forums. They are there to give you direct access to the experts.
Sara Kelleher
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Wrought iron staircase currently at the V&A Museum, having been bequeathed by CEM in 1921. The staircase was originally in situ at 35 Lincoln’s Inn Fields.
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This article, titled “Careers in Captivity – Seizing the Opportunity for Studying”, was published in the Prisoner of War magazine in May 1942 – a magazine that was published by the Red Cross for families of POW.
Congratulations UCEM, here’s to the next 100 years – by which time the conservationists of tomorrow will be preserving what we build today!
George Demetri
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A selection of photos taken at a cricket match at Hinchley Wood in June 1965.
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An article in the Estates Gazette supplement from 05 March 1910 titled ‘Surveyors in the Making’ about ‘Famous Westminster Coaching Centre’ Parry, Adkin and Parry. This was, of course, the pre-cursor to CEM’s founding in 1919.
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Student register listing WW2 POW students, 1943-44.
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Photo of POWs studying in POW camp, Stalag XXA, located in Poland.
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A collection of photographs of The Cemian student magazine from the 1960s/70s.
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A photograph of the student register, 1921-2. Having acquired funding, premises and staff following its founding in 1919, CEM commenced full tutorial work on 01 April 1921. In the academic year 1921-2, CEM had 11 full time students, 184 evening class students, and 615 postal students.
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CEM Students’ Union Colours Awards, 1940s – 1960s. These awards were for a range of sports, from cricket to rifles, from rowing to rugby (or ‘ruggers’, as it is listed on one of the pages). These Students’ Union Colours Awards illustrate how broad and social life at CEM was across the decades. In addition to sporting activities, the Students’ Union had a Motor Club, Sailing Club, Debating and Literary Society, and Photographic, Gramophone, Jazz and Musical Societies.
Happy birthday UCEM, here’s to another 100 years.
Andy Dodson
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Programme from CEM’s inaugural ceremony, hosted by HRH The Prince of Wales, 10 April 1923.
Stick with it, it’s worth it.
Andy Dodson