He holds the keys to the Senate House and plays a vital part in the smooth running of a historic site at the heart of Cambridge. Launching a new series of features focusing on some of the people that contribute to life at the University, Andre...
There’s a real buzz when I see Cambridge students graduating and celebrating with their families on the Senate House lawn. I look around and think: these are our future leaders, politicians, vets and doctors.
Andre Farrington-Bone, Deputy Facilities Supervisor
I’m the third generation of my family to work for the University. My grandad Geoff got a job with the Cavendish Laboratory when he was 15 and stayed till he retired. He was an instrument maker and could fix anything. When my dad Pete left the Navy he went to work at the Superconductivity Lab and he too became an instrument maker. He worked till he was 70.
The Old Schools — which houses the University’s administrative offices— dates right back to the 14th century and the Senate House was built in the 1720s. As deputy custodian I’m working right at the heart of the University. There’s a real sense of history with all the ceremonies that take place here. Things have been done a certain way for centuries. You can’t change them, only tweak them.
People do ask me about my unusual name. My parents were watching University Challenge around the time I was born and there was a student on it called Andre. They fancied the sound of it. It’s a French name but I’ve only been to France once. It was a day trip to Calais.
Because my parents split up, I was brought up by my grandparents, Geoff and Joan Bone, on an estate in north Cambridge. When my present wife and I married we combined our names because we both already had kids. We became the Farrington-Bone family.
According to my school reports, I was the best dressed of all the boys. At secondary school I didn’t learn a lot but I enjoyed physics. Very little was expected of us. The idea of going to college was never mentioned. We all left as soon as we could and I joined the Youth Training Scheme. I was put in a furniture shop because they thought I’d be able to lift things.
I learnt much more out of school. My grandad had three sheds and when I was ten he gave me a shed of my own. I was in there taking things to bits and putting them back together. Everything was recycled or adapted. My grandad fitted my bike with a citizens’ band radio. I was able to chat to lorry drivers as I rode around. None of the other kids could do that.
When I was 18 I joined the Cavendish Laboratory as a stores technician. I started the week my grandad retired. In the stores we got to know all the scientists including Max Perutz and Sir Neville Mott. I met people from all over the world. It was like a big family. Absolutely everyone went to the Christmas party.
All my family worked hard. For a few years my wife and I ran a cleaning business. I applied for the job as deputy custodian at the Old Schools on a Friday and started ten days later. That was eight years ago: there was a lot to learn about the people and the buildings and how it all works.
I was born in 1968, the year before we put a man on the moon. It was an amazing time of discovery. I go to auctions and car boot sales to collect the technology that transformed the way we live. I’ve got early space invaders and a Sinclair Spectrum computer. I listen to music from the 1980s — I’m a big fan of Toyah Wilcox.
My job at the Old Schools is all about the smooth running of the building and the facilities. Some things are routine and others less so. I supervise two members of staff and I have connections with a wide range of others, including the Registrary and the Constables.
I wanted to go into the police but my BMI was too high. Lots of my mates are policemen and I read true crime books. I’d love to solve the mystery of a famous local murder. I’m interested in why people turn to crime but I don’t believe prison is the answer. It’s more like a master class for being a better criminal and not getting caught.
The school I went to has been knocked down and replaced by an academy. Education is a lot better now — kids are given many more opportunities. There’s a real buzz when I see Cambridge students graduating and celebrating with their families on the Senate House lawn. I look around and think: these are our future leaders, politicians, vets and doctors. They’ve worked hard and they deserve it.
When I’m on an early shift I unlock the front gate with a big key. My role comes with a lot of responsibility but it’s a wonderful place to work. If I’m feeling not quite myself, tired or whatever, I walk into the Senate House. It’s so calm that you feel better immediately. It’s a Grade I Listed building which means it’s protected — this is quite right. We’re looking after it for the future.
Andre Farrington-Bone is Deputy Facilities Supervisor at the Old Schools. This interview launches This Cambridge Life, a series celebrating some of the many people who contribute to the life of the University.