Lucky Me!

Apart from a break of a few years some time ago, there has been a TV quiz programme showing since I was a kid, called University Challenge.

Back then, there were the old universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge,whose individual colleges were entered as separate untities, and the newer so-called redbrick universities, like Bristol, Reading and the University of London colleges.

By the time I went to university in 1971, there was a whole new bunch of campuses, known as the plateglass universities. I went to one of these, Lancaster (now constantly in the UK top 10), and when they were entering the competition during my time there, I went to the initial meeting where team members began to be chosen. It was run by the students' union, and everyone in the lecture theatre could fill in a sheet with the answers to questions dictated by the student representatives. I treated it as a joke, but it gave me insight into how the team members were chosen.

Not all teams chose any female students back then, though there were some all-female colleges as Oxbridge, and at places like Durham. So women were regularly represented in the show.

I'm not a fan of single-sex education, so I wasn't sorry when the colleges all became mixed. Some folks said it would mean that female students would lose out, but I didn't see why (oh naive child that I was).

Well, the current series has been woefully lacking in female team members from universities old, new and middle-aged. After two weeks with no female contestants at all, I wrote a letter to Radio Times, the BBC's listings magazine, suggesting they amend the rules of entry so that universities have to have a team representative of the gender make-up of their institution.

I just received my copy for next week, and apart from seeing that Channel 5 is premiering Season 8 from next Wednesday, they printed my letter.

Not only printed it, but chose it as their Letter of the Week, which means I have won the following treasure from the company Pure:

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Oasis Flow

Rechargeable Weatherproof Digital, FM and Internet Radio

Roam free with Oasis Flow, a rechargeable internet-connected radio that can withstand the rigours of outdoor life thanks to its rugged weatherproof case, cast aluminium framework and rubber seals.

Like all our products with Flow technology, Oasis Flow combines digital radio and FM reception with a Wi-Fi connection, to provide you with a world of listening. Enjoy internet radio, listen again programmes, podcasts, PURE Sounds and music streaming when you’re in range of your wireless network, and digital and FM radio wherever you are.

Whether you’re listening to the game in the park, news in the garden or music in the bath, Oasis provides hours of portable listening from its built-in ChargePAK battery. More than a radio, Oasis also has an input for your iPod/MP3 player making it a great-sounding outdoor speaker for barbecues and picnics.
•Digital, FM and internet radio
•Flow technology for internet radio, listen again programmes, podcasts, PURE Sounds, and media streaming from a Wi-Fi-enabled computer
•FlowSongs service enables you to buy music direct from your radio
•Weatherproof and splash resistant
•Rugged design and build quality
•Rechargeable for up to 9 hours portable listening. (Based on DAB listening. Other functions may vary.)
•Connect an iPod/MP3 player
•30 digital radio presets, 10 FM presets and unlimited internet favourites
•3.5mm stereo headphone socket
•Upgradable via Wi-Fi or USB

And here's my prize (which costs £150!):I never usually win anything!