Freddie Williams with his grandfather Handel at Bay Campus.
When it came to picking where to study, there was only ever one choice for Freddie Williams. He is following in the footsteps of both his grandfathers and enjoying life at Swansea University.
Not only is he at the same institution but has also just started on the same course as his very proud grandad Handel Williams who graduated with a degree in mechanical engineering 61 years ago.
Handel, now 83, was delighted to see Freddie in his new surroundings when he returned to Swansea for a reunion with fellow former students. Besides having a chance to reminisce, the alumni were also treated to a tour of both campuses.
“Things have changed so much – it is like chalk and cheese to when I was a student. Back then we were in nissen huts on Singleton campus. Now Freddie is so lucky to be able to benefit from the wonderful facilities.
“It always was a very well-regarded university but the set-up at Bay Campus - everything from the labs and equipment to the students’ accommodation - is exceptional.”
After leaving school Handel, originally from Ystalyfera and now living in Bangor-on-Dee near Wrexham, won a National Coal Board scholarship to study mechanical engineering.
“I chose Swansea University as it was my home university and it had a very good reputation for engineering and metallurgy.”
While still at Swansea, Handel was recruited by oil company Shell: “Swansea had given me a solid grounding in the theory of mechanical engineering and when I got my job as a graduate trainee engineer at Stanlow refinery in Ellesmere Port, it was up to me to put that into practice.”
He went on to have a successful 34-year career with the firm, working in the UK and Europe, including time as head of engineering at Ceska Refinerska, the largest oil business in the Czech Republic.
While working at Stanlow he met fellow Swansea graduate Brian Payne from Byfleet in Surrey who had studied chemical engineering at exactly the same time as Handel. Coincidentally Handel’s son and Brian’s daughter went on to marry and have two children, Freddie and his younger sister Ailish.
“It does mean that Freddie already had a real connection to Swansea before he even enrolled at the university and I am over the moon that he is studying there now.”
Freddie, aged 19, has long shared his grandfather’s interest in all things engineering and has a passion for motorbikes and cars, studying for an NVQ in motor mechanics during his gap year before university.
Freddie said: “I am particularly enjoying the subject of aerodynamics. I have joined the aerodynamics team associated with Formula Student and am enjoying studying forces on wings. I am now looking forward to studying thermofluids after Christmas.
“I have found Swansea to be a very welcoming university, and this has enabled me to settle down quickly and to enjoy university life.”
Handel added: “I have been fortunate to have a wonderful career in engineering and that was all made possible by my time at Swansea. “
“I am so pleased that Freddie will now get a chance to have the same opportunities that I enjoyed.”
Find out more about the Swansea Alumni Network