School of Computing

The School Hike

The School Hike is an informal social occasion, normally in July, when current and former staff and research students in the School are bussed out to some part of rural Yorkshire. We then stroll a short distance or do a longer hike, according to athleticism, sense of direction, desperation to get to the pub, or some other performance indicator. We meet up again at a local hostelry for the important part of the proceedings - the free lunch. Depending on the quality and quantity of the refreshment, or more significantly where the bus is parked, we might walk some more after lunch.

The hike was instituted by Peter Dew in 1992, the first year of his reign as Head of School and, with two exceptions, has continued annually since. It was intended as a 'team-bonding' exercise (so there was some point in that management course he went on!); it must have been a disappointment to him that on the very first hike there was an immediate split between those who wanted to walk and those who preferred to stay on the coach as much as possible. Still, it achieved its purpose and we are all one happy family - so much so that the professors in the School no longer feel it necessary to come along to reinforce the corporate entity.

Some photos are available on the School of Computing Intranet.