Degree awards for Ely couple

AN Ely husband and wife team were rewarded for six years of hard work at Ely Cathedral on Saturday, when they were both awarded degrees at the same ceremony. David and Maggie Durrant have been working towards degrees with the Open University from separate

AN Ely husband and wife team were rewarded for six years of hard work at Ely Cathedral on Saturday, when they were both awarded degrees at the same ceremony.

David and Maggie Durrant have been working towards degrees with the Open University from separate rooms at their Lansdowne Close home, and were presented with their certificates at the cathedral on Saturday afternoon.

"It was great," Mrs Durrant said.

"I wanted to do it because both of my children have degrees," she said, "and David thought it would be easier for me to study if he was studying too."

Mr Durrant graduated with a Bsc (hons) in natural sciences and chemistry and Mrs Durrant earned a degree in social sciences with politics and economics.

Mrs Durrant said her husband decided on his degree because it would help him in his work as technical manager at Ely Chemicals, while she made her choice because of her interest in the subjects.

"I thoroughly enjoyed studying towards my degree and I shall miss it," she said.

n Other graduates from the district include Ely mother Clare Haward, who managed to simultaneously complete a science course while she took care of three children.

Mrs Haward, 32, had given birth to twin daughters five months before she started the course, but said she wanted "to keep my brain active".

"It was feasible to study while the children were very young," she said, "but in the last year when I had two year olds tearing around it got more difficult."

"My family, my close friends and my husband were really supportive - I would recommend the OU to anyone.