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’s siast u h t An En l’s peria m i o t guide ies ivalr r g n lo
★ Boanerges ★ Version II
first mascot
‘20
★ SPANNER ★ Version II
first mascot
‘37
Past incarnations: Bo’ I was a 1908 Rover purchased in 1920 CURRENT: Bo’ II is a 1902 James and Browne purchased in 1934 for £40 Owner: City & Guilds College Union Status: Inviolate
Past incarnations: Spanner I (1937), Spanner II (1964) CURRENT: Spanner II is a 4ft long brass hand tool weighing in at 64lbs (33kg) that fits neatly around the bolts of Tower Bridge owner: City & Guilds College Union Status: Violate
➼ In 1924 Bo’ I was left at No. 10 Downing
➼ Spanner III was cast in the Bessemer Lab
I
mperial has an age-old tradition of mascotry, symbolising its spirit and character. Mascots are either ‘inviolate’ (they can’t be stolen) or ‘violate’ (they can be swiped and then held for ransom). The kidnapping of mascots is a game of skill, cunning and opportunity played by the various students’ unions to raise money for well-deserving, student-run charities (RAG). Imperial College Union President 2011–12, Scott Heath, described it as an “adults’ game of hide and seek”. Those caught attempting to steal have faced retaliation, such as being covered in motor oil, wood chips and a can of lasagne, before being set free. Don’t say you weren’t warned.
Boanerges means ‘sons of thunder’
➼ Share your mascot memories and
see photos of our collection online at: www.imperial.ac.uk/mascots
★ THETA ★ Version IV
Street – its gearbox filled with gravel and carrying a lifesize effigy of the Prime Minister holding a giant biscuit, either in protest against the knighthood of a biscuit maker or due to a gift of a Rolls-Royce to the PM by a lord.
first mascot
‘58
★ DAV Y ★ Version I
in 1961 unbeknownst to the RSM Union. The first Spanner was lost to King’s, and the second broke when sat on by a Guildsman after being recovered from being buried in the Putney towpath. Spanner – the largest tool available – is wielded in defence of Bo’
first mascot
‘58
★ Bolt ★ Version I
first mascot
‘68
Past incarnations: Theta I (1958), Theta II (1964), Theta III (1970) CURRENT: Theta IV (1975) is a 7ft long thermometer, weighing over 100lbs (45kg) owner: Royal College of Science Union Status: Violate
Past incarnations: Mitch the Michelin Man (1958), Davy I (1965) CURRENT: Davy II (1975) is a 3ft high, 132lb (60kg) brass and aluminium mining lamp Owner: Royal School of Mines Status: Inviolate
Past incarnations: None CURRENT: Bolt is a steel shackle with a chrome bolt passing through it, mounted on concrete and weighing 68lb (30kg) owner: City & Guilds College Union Status: Violate
➼ Theta can be dismantled into four separate
➼ A ransom demand for Davy II included
➼ Bolt has been kidnapped with his faithful
pieces and hidden in separate locations around campus. Once completely violated, tradition states that the Theta must be completely reassembled before being tossed into the Round Pond in Kensington Gardens. The original Theta was made from a ballcock stuck onto a broom handle
at least two complete rugby teams spending the night in front of Big Ben. Photos were to be taken every hour with the clock in the background, showing them holding the student newspaper Felix and The NewStandard. Rumour has it Davy once was buried under the Queen’s Lawn
companion Spanner on a number of occasions through the years, resulting in various ransom demands. An outrageous one was for £1,320 – 10 times the combined weight of Bolt (68lbs) and Spanner (64lbs). Bolt fits into the other end of Spanner – a match made in heaven
✷ DISCLAIMER: Stringent attempts were made to verify the facts and we did our best, honest. But it proved harder than finding a black cat in a coal cellar as over 70 years of Felix
facts were embellished, and truths were half-baked — but we stand by the motto of never letting the truth get in the way of a good story for this one, folks. So feel free to share