July: Student finally graduates after 41 years of waiting | News and features

Now that Jonny Clothier has officially collected his architecture degree, it means that he, his wife and their three children have all graduated from the University of Bristol.

Jonny blames his old flatmate’s parrot for waiting 41 years to graduate.

Left unattended in their shared accommodation at the University, the parrot ran free from the house and destroyed the place.

The students were forced to find alternative accommodation but still had to pay the final rent of £64.80, which Jonny stubbornly refused to pay.

A long-abolished rule meant that students with unpaid accommodation bills were awarded degrees but not allowed to graduate

Jonny said: “I loved my time in architecture at Bristol – I worked really hard but I also played hard. We danced, partied, then got back to work! It was amazing training, but also very good for real life. It’s kind of what I’ve been doing ever since!

“It was really nice to see the kids go through the same things 40 years later and it was amazing to be together for these graduations. My old studio desk was right below my graduation ceremony chair, albeit one floor down. It felt like coming home!

“Today was a lot of fun, but it’s not about me, it’s about them and signing the 20-year project to help children through the whole education cycle. And we’re so proud of them because they’ve all done so well – I’m literally taking my weird new flat hat off!”

In 1981, Jonny met Helen Hill in Bristol, never imagining she would become his wife. She graduated in Russian and French and was immediately approached to work for MI6. He worked a lot in Russia and then made TV documentaries around the world.

Jonny left architecture and also started working in television, moving from researcher to director and executive producer. He was nominated for a BAFTA along the way, but after 25 years he returned to his first love, architecture, and is now completing a net-zero contemporary treehouse in the Forest of Dean.

“A BAFTA nomination and a RIBA (Royal Institute of British Architects) award – that would really be the icing on the cake,” he said.

Their eldest son, Quito, graduated with a degree in music in 2020. He is now an opera tenor in London and works as an art dealer specializing in the work of Banksy. Their daughter Tiger graduated from Law in 2023 and was a ski instructor in Japan before starting a career in marketing.

Their youngest, Carter, now a Biology graduate, has just represented England at Lacrosse in Portugal. His next goal is manta ray conservation in the Maldives and a career in sustainability.

Carter said: “It’s definitely a unique experience graduating with your dad, but it was an amazing day and a beautiful ceremony. It was the perfect way to end three incredible years at Bristol.”

The family celebrated with dinner at a popular bistro restaurant, which in Jonny and Helen’s time was a student hall, where they could get a pasta, beans and chips for £1.

But what ever happened to the unpaid invoice?

“They didn’t mention the money, so I’m keeping quiet,” Jonny laughed. “It hasn’t gone up since 1983, so I see it as an ultra-long-term, interest-free loan!”

Professor Evelyn Welch, Vice-Chancellor and President of the University, presented Jonny with his degree. She said: “After 41 years we thought it was finally time to drop the bill and it was great to see Jonny officially graduate.

“We are so delighted that Jonny, Carter and the rest of the family had such a great day and we wish them every success in the future.”