The Stocks
The history of the Stocks is largely an oral one. When they were introduced is unclear but Dr Phil McCrea (1970-74) recalls that “The stocks were there in the very early days, at least in 1970”. Bill Barwick (1971-75) recalls “They were a constant visual reminder of where you might end up if you did something stupid or annoyed another group.” They remained in the middle of the courtyard more or less continuously until 2001 (largely unused from 1996), when they were removed by the Master Dr Allan Beavis. John Quinn (1996-2002) suggests that “the last person ever ‘stocked’ was Andrew Lansdown (1997-1998) though rumour has it that there were contraband stockings after their official closure.”
There were brief periods of absence when other colleges (principally Warrane and the Kensington colleges) managed to remove or partially remove them, burn them and so on. No-one is sure how many versions there were of the stocks but former Dean Dr Ian Walker (1994-2002) estimates 5 or 6. The marks of one Warrane raid can still be seen on the stocks if you look closely.
Stephen Hodgkinson (1977-78) recalls one famous raid. “In September 1977, the stocks were stolen. Search parties soon located the stocks mounted in a freshly poured block of concrete set into the Baxter College courtyard. A commando style retrieval mission was planned.” The first attempt on the 2nd October 1977 failed due to some well-aimed Baxter fire hoses and a nasty injury to one of the New College raiders that landed him in RPA. But several weeks later a successful mission returned the stocks to their home.
There were many reasons for placing people in the stocks. People were ‘stocked’ in O’Week, on Foundation Day and April Fools night, on their birthdays, when they lost a debate, claimed they’d never been stocked, or when groups simply decided it was about time!
Ian Walker recalls that they were “A place of celebration and intimidation. Ben Stonehouse (1997-2000) one O’Week asked me if I would be a surprise last speaker on their ‘fresher’ team for the Oldies vs Fresher debate. The topic was that ‘Freshers should be Stocked’. We lost (of course) - and I was stocked!!” ‘Stocking mix’ was used - at one time prepared in bins in the kitchen from left-overs etc. We got it down to water only, and then – I think in 1995/96, following concerns expressed by Allan & me, and John Niland (VC) via the Registrar - a meeting was held in the common room of all residents to decide that the stocks should not be used, but remain as a symbol/icon of the past. They all sat around in a circle, with a small model of the stocks in the centre of the Common Room!”
As current Master I’m glad that the Stocks are no longer in use, but I appreciate that they are an icon of the College, and were a source of great fun and camaraderie for almost 30 years. It was for these reasons that I persuaded Ben Waterhouse (1996, 1997 & 2000) and James Waterhouse (2002-04) to return them from their back yard to their rightful home where they can now be looked at and their history recalled, but never again used!
Trevor Cairney
Master
circa 28th August 2004