news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
October 2011
Honouring the WRI Nurses Stained glass window takes pride of place in the Jenny Lind Chapel p.4-5
In this issue:
Rock On! Geology Conference p.6
It’s a WRaP Worcester Research and Publications collection records 1000th entry p.6
Let battle commence From the library to the battlefield p.12
FEATURE
University backs calls for more midwives across the country One of the country’s top providers of midwifery training has backed calls by the Royal College of Midwives for an increase in the number of trained staff. The Royal College of Midwives (RCM) says a 22% rise in births over 20 years has led to shortfalls of midwives across England. The RCM wants 4,700 more midwives and says the prime minister has backed away from a pledge to raise numbers. At the University of Worcester the number of midwifery places the University is commissioned to offer has been cut by the Strategic Health Authority over the past two years, from 52 in 2009/10 to 45 for 2011/12. The same reduction has been applied to all West Midlands universities. Despite the Department of Health saying a record number of midwives are being trained, a further cut of 16% had been planned across the West Midlands last year. This was only reversed on the personal order of the Secretary of State Andrew Lansley, following pressure from the Royal College of Midwives, universities and MPs.
Judith Davies, Professional Lead for Midwifery at the University and herself a qualified midwife with 30 years experience, said: “There has been a huge baby boom in recent times and excellent midwifery care is critical to ensure mothers are given the best support at what it supposed to be one of the happiest, but most stressful, times of their lives. It is vital that we are allowed to train more midwives. Midwives provide the backbone of maternity care in Britain and it is essential that there are enough to meet this challenge effectively.” The University of Worcester has more than 35 applicants for every place it is allowed to offer in midwifery. Student midwives complete 2,300 hours in practice and must deliver 40 babies before being eligible to register to practice as well as demonstrating a wide range of practical skills and relevant scientific health care knowledge. In January 2011 the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) rated the University of Worcester’s provision for midwifery training as ‘good’, the best possible grade, in all five areas of its Annual Monitoring Review, particularly
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noting that the University attracts excellent applicants to train in midwifery. Vice Chancellor Professor David Green said: “In partnership with the hospitals, Trusts and health care providers, the University of Worcester is the only educator of midwives in Herefordshire and Worcestershire. Quality is excellent, giving thousands of mothers and their babies the best possible professional help before, during and after childbirth.” He added: “Forty three new midwives a year is not enough for this region. It is essential that we are commissioned to increase the number of midwives we can train.” It is understood that at Worcestershire Royal Hospital, antenatal and postnatal wards are regularly amalgamated and plans for a midwife-led unit at the City’s hospital were put on hold towards the end of last year.
COVER STORY wELCOME
Welcome W
elcome to the October issue of News & Views, featuring a roundup of news, launches and milestones from the past month at the University of Worcester. The cover story this month shows the beautiful stained glass window that has been installed at City Campus. The window is a lasting memorial to all the nurses who worked at the then Worcester Royal Infirmary Hospital. From nurses past to present day nursing we also congratulate the University’s nursing programme which has been ranked seventh in the UK in the latest Sunday Times Good University Guide.
Congratulations have been plentiful over the past few weeks as the Worcester Research and Publications (WRaP) collection recorded its 1,000th entry; the University is nominated for a prestigious green award and several members of staff have become parents. We hope you’ll all enjoy this month’s staff feature as we discover how Library Services Development Manager Roger Fairman spends his time outside of the University library. Don’t forget if you have an interesting story, please contact our Press Officer, Sally Jones at s.jones@worc.ac.uk Please keep sending your news to newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
FINE ART GRADUATES PUT ON EXHIBITION IN MALVERN Art graduates from the University of Worcester have displayed their work at a special exhibition in Malvern. Seven graduates from 2011 were part of a weeklong exhibition at the No4A Gallery. The exhibition was the idea of third year Fine Art student Brian Cook. “The exhibition was an idea that I came up with after I had watched the third years complete their final year and I thought how they may have mixed emotions leaving what had become a family unit,” he said. “I thought what better way could I say
we are proud of their accomplishments than by putting together this exhibition. I approached No4A Gallery and asked the proprietor how she would feel about supporting University of Worcester Fine Art Graduates.” The exhibition will feature the work of Jose Santos Lopez, Lucinda Hodgetts, Rachel Blackwell, Laura Wagstaff, Elliot Robinson, Beckie Payne and Alex Rees.
contents FEATURE Backing calls for more midwives 2
COVER STORY Stained glass window tribute
4
news Fine Art graduates put on exhibition in Malvern 3 Worcester hosts Geology Conference 6 Nursing at the University ranked in the UK’s Top 10 6 In celebration of World Mental Health Day 6 Earn as you learn 7 RLF Writer in Residence 7 Ethical leadership workshop 8 Worcester lecturer to help businesses in Ghana 8 Baby boom 8 Worcester student raises funds for soldier’s charity 9 University short listed for prestigious green awards 9 Police’s Community Safety Accreditation Scheme 10 Leading businesswoman to deliver annual business lecture 10 1,000th entry for WRaP 11 Professor of Sport, Health and Exercise Science to deliver inaugural lecture 11 Sports delegation from China pays visit to Worcester 11 Beeline Festival 12 A swarm of bees 12
sTAFF FEATURE Let battle commence: Roger Fairman
13
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COVER STORY
Commemorative window at City Campus celebrates work of nurses A STAINED GLASS WINDOW DEDICATED TO THE WORK OF NURSES IN WORCESTER HAS BEEN INSTALLED AT THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER’S CITY CAMPUS. Locally, members turned The commemorative their attention to a series window in the Jenny Lind of fundraising events. Chapel harks back to the buildings’ history as the “Although a further £3,000 was former Worcester Royal required for the design to be Infirmary hospital. re-worked, within one year of launching the appeal the total It was paid for by the sum was achieved. A fantastic Worcester Royal Infirmary effort by all. We hope to have Nurses’ League as a lasting an official unveiling ceremony memorial to all the nurses in the coming months.” who worked at the hospital. The Jenny Lind Chapel is Nurses’ League President named after the ‘Swedish Muriel Ballinger said: “We Nightingale’, as she was felt that some permanent known, who sang at a memorial should be created concert in College Hall at the site. The hospital was a in 1849, donating the hugely important place in the city and many people will have proceeds to the building fund. The Chapel adjoins either worked, been treated, the board room where the or visited a loved one there.” British Medical Association The window was designed by was formed in 1832. local artist Nick Upton, who Dr Martin Doughty, Pro has previously carried out a Vice Chancellor (Resources), commission for the Nurses’ said: “This is a hugely League, and was made by important chapel in the Rob Paddock, Director of history of Worcester and the The Art of Glass at Burcott University has been very keen Forge, near Bromsgrove. to ensure its preservation. Elizabeth Hill, Vice Chairman This stained glass window of the Nurses’ League and is a welcome addition and Project Lead, said: “The a fitting tribute to all those projected cost of the window who worked at the hospital.” was £15,000. An appeal The former hospital has was made to both League been sympathetically members and the wider transformed into new community. As a result of teaching and learning local publicity donations spaces for the University. began to be received from all over the country, including former Infirmary staff. Several donations were received in memory of loved ones, often nurses, with one third of the original cost donated in memory of Edna Butler.
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NEWS
Worcester hosts Geology Conference The University hosted a prestigious two-day conference for the Geologists’ Association in early September. The conference, Geoconservation for Science and Society, was attended by a number of high profile guests, discussing the challenges of the 21st Century.
The second day included a day-long trip to the Lickey Hills Champions Project, Dudley Museum and Arts Gallery along with the Wren’s Nest National Nature Reserve.
Geoconservation can be defined as action taken with the intent of conserving and enhancing geological and geomorphological features, processes, sites and specimens.
Dr Cheryl Jones, Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography, said: “I am delighted the University had the opportunity to host this prestigious conference. Since its formation in 1858, the Geologists’ Association has actively promoted the study of geology to all who are interested in the past, present and future of the natural world. Many of the speakers and indeed the delegates have played a pivotal role in protecting, promoting and enhancing our geological heritage.”
The event celebrated 60 years of successful geoconservation and discussions took place on how to ensure our geo-heritage is further valued and protected. The event brought together many respected figures from different institutions where they were given interesting keynote lectures, including members from English Heritage, Natural England and Phil Harding from Channel 4’s Time Team.
Vice Chancellor David Green with David Bridgland (centre), President, and Rory Mortimore, Senior Vice-President
Nursing at the University ranked in the UK’s Top 10 Nursing at the University of Worcester has been ranked seventh in the UK in the latest Sunday Times Good University Guide. Analysis of the league tables has revealed that the University has one of the highest employment rates in nursing, at 100%, and one of the highest rates of First class degrees, at 62.4%, nationally.
“We work very closely with our partners in the NHS to give students the best possible start to their nursing careers and we are proud to be able to educate some of the best nurses entering the profession today.”
Overall the University is ranked at seventh in the UK and top in the West Midlands. The University also topped the West Midlands for nursing in the recent National Student Survey.
Earlier this year the Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) rated the University of Worcester’s training as ‘good’, the best possible grade, in all five areas of its Annual Monitoring Review.
Robert Dudley, Head of Pre-Registration Nursing at the University, said: “This is testament to all the hard work by our staff and students. We strive to ensure that our nursing degree is the best it can be with first class facilities, placements and teaching.
In partnership with the hospitals, Trusts and health care providers, the University of Worcester is the only educator of nurses and midwives in Herefordshire and Worcestershire.
In celebration of World Mental Health Day The University is again supporting World Mental Health Day with our own series of events reflecting this year’s theme from the world federation of mental health -
The Great Push: Investing in Mental Health Taking place on Thursday 6 October from 10am to 3pm, the day’s events will include a stall in main reception, with leaflets, freebie giveaways and a display of art work produced by mental health service users in the Cotswold Gallery and posters designed by mental health student nurses in the Cotswold Suite. Signed photographs of well-known personalities who have pledged their support to the University’s event will be on display on the plasma screen at St John’s main reception. There will be a “smile tree” in reception where staff, students and visitors can write “what makes you smile” on stringed label and tie on the tree, for all to see. Mental Health matters to everyone and we warmly invite you to support the event.
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NEWS
Earn as you learn
– a new initiative
Types of
jobs
Q: What is ‘Earn as you learn’? A: Earn as you learn, (EAYL), is a developing scheme to provide opportunities for students to undertake relevant paid work whilst studying. It is intended to be fully operational for students starting in September 2012. It aims to: •
Provide opportunities for students to equip themselves with the skills necessary to obtain paid employment both during their studies and on graduation
•
Improve the long term employability of students
•
Reduce the level of debt incurred by students through living expenses.
Q: How do we plan to achieve this? A: We have identified three main strands of activity: 1.
Finding external opportunities: We are creating a website and a physical job board within Careers Services to display vacancies and sites to help students find jobs.
2.
Creating internal opportunities for students: Our Access Agreement includes a commitment to substantially increase our outreach work with schools and colleges, and much of this will be delivered by students.
3.
Improving the employability of students.
Information for potential students: We used the EAYL information supplied by the course teams to produce a single booklet that is distributed to potential students at Open Days.
2.
Information for current students: We have created a new booklet that includes information on enhancing employability, finding and applying for work and detailing internal opportunities. New webpages; www.worcester.ac.uk/getwork are also in development. It is intended that this will be a one-stop-shop for all vacancies, opportunities, internships and volunteering positions. It will list full-time and part-time positions and promote both internal and external work opportunities.
camp counsellor
research
assistant
actor
bar work
guide personal trainer
as you
earn lear
n
1.
If you have any students who have worked either within the University or externally during their course who you think would make a good case study, please would you contact Debbie Lambert at d.lambert@worc.ac.uk
nursery
mentor
A: It is really important that we make potential students aware of the EAYL scheme as it differentiates us from many other universities who are also very strong on employability. We need to make current students aware of the opportunities so that they apply for them and therefore employers continue to make vacancies available.
A: No, but we are undertaking to provide them with opportunities to improve their employability and apply for work.
coach
worker
Q: How are we promoting this to students?
Q: Are we guaranteeing to find every student paid employment?
student ambassador
www.worcester .ac.uk
retail
RLF Writer in Residence We are most fortunate to have Helena Attlee, the Royal Literary Fund Academic Writer in Residence, back for another year. Helena supports both staff and students in the development of their writing. This could be for assignments, dissertations, theses, publication, etc. Her work is focused on those who want to improve generally, say students who are getting ‘C’ grades, whereas Student
Services work with students who have particular difficulties. A recommendation on the assignment item report form for a student to see Helena often makes a good deal of difference. Helena will be here on Mondays. Contact: h.attlee@worc.ac.uk
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER 2011 / 7
NEWS
Ethical leadership workshop explores lessons from major enquiries
Worcester lecturer to help businesses in Ghana A lecturer from the University of Worcester will travel to Ghana at the end of this month as part of a project to help small businesses improve their economic development. Nigel Walton, a lecturer in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at Worcester Business School, will represent the University at the week-long training programme providing skills and knowledge from organisations in Worcester. The project, ‘The Commonwealth Local Government Forum Programme for Local Economic Development,’ is sponsored by the Department for International Development (DFID).
L
eaders from a number of high profile organisations got together at the University of Worcester for a workshop on learning lessons from major enquiries. The workshop was hosted by the University’s Centre for Ethical Leadership, which works closely with organisations to support their leaders in making difficult decisions. Ethical Leadership considers how different values are incorporated into decision making and organisational leadership. The workshop was aimed at people who have a responsibility for assessing, assuring and enhancing service quality and encouraged them to explore the ethical issues that have arisen from major enquiries in the health service and child protection. In return, managers and leaders of organisations were able to discuss how organisational values can be developed to avoid the mistakes of the past. The keynote speaker was Elisabeth Buggins CBE DL, Chair of West Midlands Strategic Health Authority and Programme Lead for Board Development of the NHS National Leadership Council, who has a passion for enhancing standards of care and making health services more responsive to patients. Director of the Centre for Ethical Leadership, Rob Sykes, who currently combines his role at the University of Worcester with that of non Executive Director for the Crown Prosecution Service, delivered the seminar with Dr Jan Quallington, the Associate Head of the Institute of Health and Society at the University, who has undertaken substantial research into ethical leadership. Their combined experience enabled them to run the workshop successfully, engaging the leaders to think how to respond when their values and ethics are challenged.
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The project includes the University of Worcester, Worcester City Council, Worcester News and the Federation of Small Businesses (Herefordshire and Worcestershire) in a joint-venture with the Adenta Municipal Authority in Ghana. The exciting new programme will mean the Adenta Municipal Authority will receive assistance of developing its infrastructure and service capability. The trip will also include setting up a branch of the Federation of Small Businesses for Africa and Nigel, who is also a Marketing
Nigel Walton
Director for a start-up company, will be providing an enterprise training programme for small businesses which will provide the branch with a strong foundation in business skills. Last year, Nigel gave a presentation to the Adenta Municipal Authority delegation during a trip to the University of Worcester, which inspired his involvement this year. Worcester City Council will be advising the Adenta Municipal Authority on how they can improve the delivery of local services which will improve their organisational structure for a better economy. Everyone is providing their services free of charge for the innovative new programme which David Tibbutt, Mayor of Worcester, is leading.
Baby boom The Communication & Development Department are delighted to announce the safe arrival of Beth Heaney’s newborn baby, Philllip Edward John. Baby Teddy was born on 20 September weighing 8lbs. Congratulations Beth - we are all looking forward to his first visit to University!
Beth’s boy, Teddy
Congratulations also to Will Norman (Widening Participation) and Catherine Williams (Disability & Dyslexia) who became proud parents to Oscar Billy Norman, also weighing 8lbs.
NEWS
Worcester student raises funds for soldier’s charity A University of Worcester student has organised two fundraising events for the charity, Pilgrim’s Bandits, in aid of her friend, who is the most injured soldier to survive the conflict in Afghanistan. Lucinda Caddick, 34, has arranged a family fun afternoon on Saturday, October 8 at the Fitness First Gym on Stourport Road, Kidderminster, which will feature various events throughout the day. There are lots of events for people to join in with from a spin-a-thon, Zumba-thon to a boot camp style challenge and a bouncy castle.
participation in any events and all donations will go directly to the Pilgrim’s Bandits. Lucinda, a student paediatric nurse, has also arranged a fun entertainment showcase evening at the Gainsborough Hotel, Bewdley Road, Kidderminster on November 3.
Lucinda Caddick and Ben Parkinson
Her friend, Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson of the 7th Parachute Regiment, was told he would never be able to walk or talk again after losing both his legs and having a total of 37 injuries.
From 7.30pm spectators will get the chance to see Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Take That and Michael Buble tribute acts. The night has something for everyone from a 70s glam rock For anyone who is peckish, the Grillstock “Ben is proving the medics wrong on both counts finalists, ‘From the Sauce’, the most innovative group to a soul and reggae band and magician. due to the determination of charities like the team of BBQ chefs in the Midlands, will be on The evening event requires a ticket costing Pilgrim’s Bandits,” says Lucinda. “He is a real hand to provide tasty treats. £3 but there are a number of limited tickets inspiration and has taught me that anything is available. Patrons of the charity will be attending possible if you have self-belief.” from 1pm, which include former solders Ben Lucinda hopes to raise awareness of the For anyone wishing to donate, please visit: Parkinson, Johno Lee and John Sandford Hart charity which supports force amputees and http://www.bmycharity.com/pilgrimskilly01 along with Jamie Hull and Duncan Bannatyne. injured servicemen through these events and also by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro which she The event is free, but there will be a £1 plans to do next year. donation for food and a £3 donation for
University short listed for prestigious green awards
T
he University of Worcester has been short listed in two categories at the Green Gown Awards 2011.
university, and first in the West Midlands, in the People & Planet’s Green League.
The Awards, which are administered by the Environmental Association for Universities and Colleges (EAUC), recognise the exceptional initiatives undertaken by universities and colleges across the UK to become more sustainable.
The Skills Award recognises the achievement in the development of skills relevant to sustainability in apprenticeships, skill-focused courses leading to professional or vocational qualifications or short courses for practitioners.
More than 240 entries were received across the 13 categories. The University of Worcester has been short listed for the Green ICT Award and the Skills Award. Katy Boom, Director of Sustainability at the University, said: “Getting short listed in two very different categories is immensely pleasing. These awards recognise a lot of hard work achieved by both students and staff in very different ways. Developing students’ skills in sustainability is crucial to help us all make the necessary changes to reduce our impact on the environment - after all today’s students will be tomorrow’s leaders.” Earlier this year the University of Worcester was named as Britain’s third greenest
The nomination for the Green ICT Award highlights the University’s recognition of the growing environmental importance of ICT within the educational sector. The University of Worcester has taken steps to minimise energy consumption, carbon emissions, waste generation and other environmental aspects connected with ICT. Ms Boom said: “Getting recognition for the impressive work by IT colleagues in reducing our carbon footprint is timely. It stands us in good stead ready for when we start to operate out of The Hive, our new joint library and history centre, which is an outstanding sustainable building and having acquired
these very sustainable ways of operating our IT functions will help to reduce running costs even further when the building opens in July 2012.’ As sustainability becomes an increasingly important issue on the global agenda, the Green Gown Awards have been established as the most prestigious recognition of sustainability excellence. The standard of entries has increased considerably this year as more universities battled to be short listed. The winners from the short listed entries will be announced by a celebrity host in an awards ceremony which will take place on Thursday, November 3 at the Grand Connaught Rooms in London.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER 2011 / 9
NEWS
University awarded Police’s Community Safety Accreditation Scheme The University of Worcester has completed a rigorous assessment by West Mercia Constabulary to pass its Community Safety Accreditation Scheme.
Chief Constable David Shaw has authorised five members of security staff at the University to be accredited with powers under Sections 40 to 42 of the Police Reform Act 2002. It is planned that a further 12 members of staff will begin training in the New Year. The accreditation allows the University’s security staff to work more closely with the community and the police on and off campus. It gives those staff that complete the relevant training the ability to hand out Fixed Penalty Notices for such things as noise nuisance, graffiti and disorder. Chief Inspector Jerry Reakes-Williams said: “This accreditation benefits both the university and the police. “It is a great way to continue to build on the excellent relationship we have with the university and with the work that already goes on to keep it a safe and enjoyable place to study. “In order to become accredited the University has had to demonstrate a high standard of operation to show that they are a fit and proper employer. “In addition, those employees who will be given the powers have been trained and vetted and will wear clothing which is clearly recognisable and which carries a badge that confirms their accredited status.”
country to achieve the accreditation. Tom Taylor, Head of Security and Campus Services at the University, said: “It has been a very long and rigorous process to achieve this accreditation, as naturally the police are very strict about whom such powers are granted to. “The University is known for its proactive approach to good student/ community relationships and we already work very closely with the local community, Neighbourhood Watch teams and local beat officers. This accreditation will strengthen that work further. “Fixed Penalty Notices will always be a last resort, but we hope that by having our staff trained to this level will enable us to deal with any incidents in a swift and appropriate manner.” The University security staff can now: •
Issue Fixed Penalty Notices for Disorder - for breach of a fireworks curfew or knowingly raising a false fire alarm.
•
Confiscate alcohol from young people.
•
Issue Fixed Penalty Notices for cycling on the pavement, dropping litter, dog fouling, fly posting and graffiti.
•
Require a name and address for a fixed penalty offence or antisocial behaviour.
The University of Worcester is one of only a handful of universities in the
10 / OCTOBER 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Leading businesswoman to deliver annual business lecture at University
A
senior figure in one of the world’s largest petroleum companies is to deliver a talk at the University of Worcester. Emma Emma Fitzgerald Fitzgerald, the Vice President Global Retail Network at Shell International Petroleum Company, and champion for the British Dyslexia Association, is this year’s guest speaker at the Worcester Business School Annual Lecture. Her talk is titled ‘So just how do you manage 10 million customers every day?’ Ms Fitzgerald’s job involves managing 10 million customer transactions, in 60 different countries, in 45,000 petrol stations every day. After graduating from Oxford University and completing an MBA at Manchester University, Ms Fitzgerald moved to Beijing to become General Manager of Shell China where the business quadrupled in size under her leadership. In May 2010 Ms Fitzgerald took on her current role of Vice President of Global Retail Network. During the lecture, Ms Fitzgerald will not only talk about her day job but also about her work as a champion for the British Dyslexia Association and her experiences as a woman in a senior role. The lecture takes place on Wednesday, October 19 from 6pm at the University’s St John’s Campus. Businesses in the local area are welcome to attend and there will be a drinks and canapés reception. Mark Richardson, Head of Worcester Business School, said: “We are delighted to welcome Emma Fitzgerald to our Annual Business School Lecture, which has established itself as an important event in the local business calendar. We are confident that Emma’s wide ranging experience in the business world will provide an informative and enjoyable evening.” For more information or to confirm your attendance to the event please contact Vicki Lancey on 01905 855279 or via email at v.lancey@worc.ac.uk
NEWS
1,000 entry for WRaP th
New Professor of Sport, Health and Exercise Science to deliver inaugural lecture
N
The University of Worcester is celebrating the 1,000th entry in its ever-expanding collection of research papers and creative work online.
ewly appointed Professor of Sport, Health and Exercise Science at the University of Worcester, Derek M Peters, will give his inaugural lecture later this month.
The collection, known as WRaP (Worcester Research and Publications), includes academic research papers and university publications which showcase the University’s contribution to the global understanding of important issues, such as the environment.
The lecture, on Thursday, October 6, will include Professor Peters’ own key research into body composition, physical activity and health evaluations and will also involve studies from across a number of sport science disciplines which are aimed towards enhancing human health and performance.
The 1,000th entry was a book written by lecturers Klaus Oestreicher, Joanne Kuzma and Nigel Walton about the introduction of new and radical technologies that are affecting businesses in the 21st century. The WRaP collection also features many other innovative and exciting research work from the University, such as preventing Type 2 Diabetes, policing drug use in rural settings and enhancing the habitat for butterfly or bee populations. Other examples of research include local elections, teaching children with ADHD and children’s literature. Paul Williams, from the University’s Information and Learning Services, said: “WRaP is a window into the sort of research which the University undertakes on a daily basis. The fact that it’s openly available to anyone demonstrates the University’s commitment to the communities it serves, both globally and locally. “Potential researchers, those studying at universities around the globe, and people who simply have an interest in the subjects covered have an exciting opportunity to access research directly at no cost, and to contact authors who are actively working in the field. It’s an exciting project which we are very proud of.” http://wrap.worc.ac.uk
The lecture, entitled Shaping Health and Performance, will identify ways in which his endeavours have all been aimed at the ‘shaping’ of both human health and performance from his previous findings through to his current and anticipated furture work. Professor Peters joined the University of Worcester in 2001 as a lecturer in the Department of PE and Sports Studies. Over 10 years he has progressed to the pinnacle of academic positions during which time he has been awarded a University of Worcester
Teaching Fellowship, a Senior Teaching Fellowship and a National Teaching Fellowship, acknowledging his services and dedication to teaching nationally and internationally. Professor Peters is a British Association of Sport & Exercise Sciences accredited Sports Scientist, co-founder of the recently launched FIBA Europe Centre for Basketball Research; founding Editorin-Chief of both the Graduate Journal of Sport, Exercise & Physical Education Research and Basketball Research (www.worc.ac.uk/gjseper) and Chair of the local organising committee for the forthcoming World Congress of Performance Analysis of Sport IX (www. worc.ac.uk/wcpas9/) to be held at the University of Worcester in July 2012.
Sports delegation from China pays visit to Worcester A prestigious delegation of sports specialists from China spent a week at the University of Worcester learning about British sport. Members of the delegation, from the General Administration of Sport China, included directors of sport from leading Chinese sports universities and key sports administration leaders. The University of Worcester’s Institute of Sport & Exercise Science delivered a five day workshop with a focus on sports business management and the sociology of sport.
(l-r) Klaus Oestreicher, Professor Ros Foskett, Joanne Kuzma and Nigel Walton
Professor Derek M Peters
There were a range of speakers from both the University of Worcester and distinguished external speakers. The activities throughout the week included intensive teaching blocks, visits to the Worcester Warriors, with
a focus on the management of an elite rugby union club, the history of the Worcestershire County Cricket Club, and the Great British Pub Experience at the Brunswick Arms, where the Chinese delegates engaged in a range of traditional pub games. Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport & Exercise Science, said: “The event was a great success following excellent feedback from the visitors. Discussions will be taking place relating to future partnerships.”
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk /OCTOBER 2011 / 11
NEWS
A swarm of bees The illustrations for the Beeline Festival have been designed by Illustration Course Leader, Piet Grobler.
The Worcester Storytelling Festival for Children Storytellers, writers and artists will descend on Worcester throughout October for a new children’s festival organised by the University of Worcester. The Beeline Festival will see some of the best in the business, such as awardwinning writers Kit Wright and Anne Fine, leading sessions at venues throughout the city. The Festival is an extension of the University’s popular children’s storytelling festival, which has been run over the past two years. This year it is being run in partnership with Worcestershire County Council’s library services, along with other venues around Worcester. The month-long event will include a host of music, puppetry, theatre and workshops aimed at engaging children in stories and literature. Steve Boffy, who works in Arts Development at the University, said: “We have some top storytellers coming to the city, such as Ben Haggerty, who will perform at Worcester Porcelain Museum, former children’s laureate Anne Fine, and Kit Wright, who will be here on National Poetry Day on October 6. Leading children’s poet and writer, Kit Wright, will work with a group of schoolchildren in the morning before a public event at 4pm, at St John’s Library. Tickets are available from the Library.
Kit Wright
On Saturday, October 8 there will be a professional puppet show at the University, which is open to the public. Journey of Turtle will be performed by Lempen Puppet Theatre Company at 2pm. Tickets are available from the University or from St John’s Library.
Anne Fine
On Monday, October 10 former children’s laureate Anne Fine will read and perform a selection of stories. The public event will take place at Huntingdon Hall at 6pm and tickets are available from Huntingdon Hall.
More public events will be announced throughout the month. For further information and box office ticket details, please visit: www.worcester.ac.uk/beeline
www.worcester.ac.uk/beeline 12 / OCTOBER 2011 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Piet designed an entire swarm of possible bee characters leaving a tough decision as to which bees should be the headline act. With so many to choose from - which do you think are the bees knees? Piet is the illustrator of 75 books, of which 14 have been translated into languages as diverse as Frisian and Korean. International recognition for his picture book illustration has included a Golden Apple award at the Biennale for Illustration in Bratislava, Slovakia and a Silver Medal in the Japanese Noma Concours competition. His participation in international events related to picture books has included panel discussions or presentations at the book fairs of Berlin, Gothenburg and London and conferences of the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) in Spain and South Africa. He is a member of the International Research Society for Children’s Literature, IBBY and the University of Worcester’s International Forum for Research in Children’s Literature. Piet’s research interests include post modernist picture book illustration and multiculturalism in picture books and graphic novels.
STAFF COVER FEATURE STORY
This month we discover how Library Services Development Manager Roger Fairman spends his time outside of the University library.
Let battle commence: Screaming at the top of his lungs and brandishing a 16’ pike, wearing heavy military uniform, Roger Fairman knows this would never be tolerated in the library where he works.
have happened at a specific battle,” Roger says. “It’s good that we are able to explain to the public what we do and the idea behind re-enactments is to educate and entertain people.”
Despite spending his working day in a quiet and peaceful environment, it’s a far cry from the atmosphere Roger feels on the battlefield.
As part of the Sealed Knot, Roger has been able to visit some beautiful places as well as socialise with other re-enactors.
Roger travels all over the country as part of the King’s Lifeguard Regiment of Foote re-enacting some of the most famous battles in English history.
“I take part in about six to eight reenactments a year. We get to camp in some really great places, such as National Trust and English Heritage properties,” Roger says. “When we camp I like to camp on the authentic sites, it’s more fun and brings more contact with the public.”
Although Roger has always been interested in history, joining a reenactment group was never something he considered before. “I first got into re-enacting in about 2005 after my son joined the Sealed Knot. I was driving him there regularly and thought I might as well join myself,” he says. Roger mostly re-enacts battles from the English Civil War, which is a period he is most interested in. However, he also belongs to the Worcester ReEnactors which cover all periods.
Although Roger enjoys his participation in re-enacting battles, he stresses how much hard work goes into organising and taking part in these events, campsites, water supplies, fire wood and toilet facilities all have to be arranged.
The group try and replicate the battles as accurately as possible, through the use of props, costume and scripting which give people an insight into how the battles were fought.
“The battles are good fun but very hard work,” he says. “There can be up to 1500 – 2000 people on the battlefield. However, there are many smaller events with around a hundred people. It’s a bit like team sports really and pike engagements are often described as a rugby scrum with 16’ sticks.”
“We use a script so we can follow as closely as possible what is known to
Roger also finds re-enacting can be physically demanding due to the kit
that must be worn during the battles. “The kit does get very heavy and can get rather hot,” Roger says. “When you join, the group does kit you out but most people end up buying their own over time. There is a whole industry that supplies the costume and equipment and while it can get expensive the basic kit will cost less than a decent set of golf clubs. And like all team sports, injuries are no exception. “I have known broken bones, mainly collar bones. I have suffered a fair bit of bruising too,” he says. Although re-enacting may not be for everyone, Roger loves the social side of his hobby and whilst most re-enactors have a strong knowledge of certain historic periods, Roger stresses that anyone can join. “Some people have a really dim view of re-enactors as a beer and bash brigade,” Roger says. “But like all stereotypes while there is some truth in this it is far from the whole picture. Neither do you have to be an avid historian or know everything about history. It’s all about interacting with people and sharing an interest.”
What do you get up to when you leave the Campus? Email Sally Jones with your interesting stories at s.jones@worc.ac.uk
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER 2009 / 13 newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER 2011 / 13