Page 65 of The Examiner

Candidate name: Jonathan Danners

Candidate number: 0883482

Sourcing materials:

What RD8’s regional base in Somerset lacks in size, it makes up for in intrigue. We were struck by its remoteness. The stark, industrial grey block of a building. The lack of a workforce. No one else noticed, but while we were manoeuvring down tiny country lanes, our eyes peeled for signs of civilisation, we passed through a set of steel gates, fully open and strangely blended into the undergrowth. I take it our approach had been seen from miles away and our imminent arrival expected.

There were just three parking spaces in front of the building, two occupied by instantly forgettable cars. Ludya parked in the third, and so began a pleasant visit that would end in chaos.

History in the making:

This is where RD8 not only maintain their own company records and data going back decades, but also curate a private collection of vintage radios and other communications equipment – their own and that of manufacturers from around the world. It’s set up like a museum, one that almost no one visits, despite the curator’s claim.

We were shown into a darkened room. Low lighting protects the old materials from UV degradation, while temperature and humidity are closely controlled and monitored. It’s a level of protection most museums and galleries can only dream of.

We were assured that bags of salvaged materials would be waiting for us to take away. Then we were left alone to explore the museum. In the entire history of twentieth-century communications there cannot be a type of radio or transmitter that RD8 haven’t collected, restored and displayed in that huge room. Stunning.

Conflict and compromise:

From there we found a pub for dinner, where we stayed drinking and chatting until gone 9 p.m. After that, things stopped running smoothly. We arrived at the Travel Inn to find Jem had cancelled our rooms and booked us all into one family room. There were no other hotel rooms for miles around. A couple of us wanted to drive home there and then, but Ludya didn’t, and it’s her car. The rest of us had had too much to drink.

There was a reasonable tide of opinion that Cameron shouldn’t have had any alcohol, knowing he was the relief driver. He explained that he didn’t realise he’d have to drive that night, as the room issue hadn’t yet arisen. Things got very heated. Ludya was crying because she felt pressured into driving home.

In the end, she drove us all to the nearest petrol station. I bought a pack of home breathalyser tests and we all drove back to wait in the family room for one of us to test safe for driving. Finally, at five to midnight, Cameron tested safe. After waiting for a bit longer to account for a potential margin of error in the test, we all got into the people-carrier and he drove back.

To: Gela Nathaniel

From: Mae Blackwell

Date: 18 January 2024

Subject: Somerset

Dear Gela,

I’ve heard from the Thorney Coffin site. Your MA group descended on them as planned. Hopefully the inspiration gained and materials collected will be worth the trip.

I feel you should know – just in case the students don’t tell you themselves – that apparently there was a small scuffle and our staff had to break it up. I’m sure it’s nothing more than fuses running short after a long journey, but some of the exhibits are very delicate, so the students involved were escorted to reception to calm down.

They were both very apologetic afterwards, so we allowed them to continue their visit, but I feel you should be aware, in case the disagreement finds its way back to Royal Hastings.

Thank you again for working with us on our big launch. We can’t wait to see what your class comes up with for the installation!

Yours sincerely,

Mae Blackwell

To: Mae Blackwell

From: Gela Nathaniel

Date: 18 January 2024

Subject: Re: Somerset

Dear Mae,

I am so sorry to hear my students were brawling in the museum – and after you were kind enough to invite them. The news hadn’t reached me. It seems they decided to keep that aspect of the trip under the radar. All I can do is apologise. The group is full of strong personalities with lots of creative ideas, so emotions can run high. I’ll have a word with them and ensure there will be no repeat of such behaviour.