news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
April 2010
In this issue:
Demolition work begins
New sports arena moves a step closer p.2
Knock out punch
University boxers run rings around the opposition p.7
Stained glass campaign Chapel window to honour nurses p.8
Sunday Times awards University of Worcester Unversity hailed in top places to work list p.4
Paul Owen and Mick Donovan with Sports Studies students Miriam Gee and Russell Boatman
FEATURE
DEMOLITION WORK
begins at new
sports arena site
D
emolition work has begun on the former fruit and vegetable market on Hylton Road as part of plans to create the University’s new sports facility.
The University announced in January that it had bought the site, which has been derelict for many years. Architects have now been appointed and are drawing up plans for a new indoor sports and multi-purpose arena and active leisure centre on the site. This will prove invaluable for students and the Worcester community alike. Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “The University’s acclaimed Learning Through Sport programme and many other community initiatives continue to expand and we are continually working with various sports to develop opportunities for participants of all ages. With the introduction of the new arena, we will be able to meet the needs of the regions
sporting community whilst also providing a venue that will attract a great range of spectator events to the city.” The University has also purchased the neighbouring former car showroom and 110 place car park, which it plans to turn into teaching facilities which will complement the new indoor arena. Decommissioning specialist DSM is carrying out the demolition work at the former market site. The demolition is expected to take around three weeks. Paul Owen, project co-ordinator at DSM, said: “We are delighted to be working with the University of Worcester once again. This site has been derelict for some time now and we are pleased to be involved in the regeneration of this prime Worcester location.” Building work funded by the University is continuing at the former Worcester Royal Infirmary site in Castle Street. The fully
2 / APRIL 2010 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
refurbished historic buildings will open in September 2010 as a vibrant new home for the Worcester Business School, as well as a well-being centre and facilities for parttime mature students on a wide variety of continuing professional development courses. The University also hopes to develop a medical history and discovery centre in partnership with the George Marshall Medical Museum in the former Worcester Royal Infirmary building, where the British Medical Association was founded. Masterplanners are also working on plans to create a University science, environment and enterprise park at the Grove Farm site on the edge of Worcester which the University acquired for long term development a year ago.
COVER STORY wELCOME
welcome W
elcome to the April 2010 issue of News and Views.
With the wider media full of doom and gloom regarding the current economic situation and its many implications, it’s a pleasure to be able to bring you an edition crammed with examples of how the University of Worcester is bucking that trend. The University has long been proud of its ‘community spirit’ – encompassing students and staff alike – so it seems right to celebrate our Sunday Times ‘Best Places to Work’ award on this month’s cover.
There’s further good news with the commencement of demolition work ahead of the construction of the University’s new sports facility on Hylton Road, as well as the launch of the University’s Association for Dementia Studies – addressing a growing issue for modern society. Elsewhere this issue you’ll find plenty of other examples of the good work being undertaken at the University, including student awards, charity fundraising and colleagues’ achievements. As always, we need your news, so please keep us informed via newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
STUDENTS’ UNION PRESIDENT DROPS IN FOR CHARITY Worcester Students’ Union President David Antell has raised more than £600 after overcoming his fear of heights to complete a charity skydive. David pledged during his election campaign to complete the daredevil stunt, which he honoured
on March 17 in aid of the Worcestershire Breast Unit Campaign. David has raised a total of £661.64 for the charity which is the University of Worcester’s Charity of the Year. “I have always wanted to raise money to help people with cancer,” he said. “Everybody knows somebody with cancer.” The 22-year-old geography graduate completed his first skydive six years ago. “Afterwards I promised myself I would never do it again but I put it on my manifesto for the student union elections,” he said. “I have got a fear of heights and the last skydive really freaked me out.”
David Antell, before and during his jump for charity
contents COVER STORY University in Sunday Times Best Places to Work list
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features Demolition work begins at new sports arena site Campaign launched for nursing stained glass
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news Students’ Union President drops in for charity 3 Student grabs top business award 4 Professor Brooker gives Inaugural Professorial Lecture 4 University helps Warriors’ Matt Mullan recover 4 Administrator publishes first book 4 University gains VisitBritain accreditation 6 Continuing fitness development 6 Researching the eighteenth century 6 Boxers deliver the knock out punch 7 Science challenge for visually impaired pupils launched 7 Writer in Residence’s new book 7 Royal unveiling for University of Worcester train 9 University rowers enjoy world record success 9 Drama students prepare for promenade performance 10 Students hand over charity marathon cash 10 Student on path to business success 10 Teresa and 4x4 Response snowed under with calls 11 Lecturer secures scholarship 11 Green designs go on display 11 Jess pedals to silver 12 Unitots bids fond farewell to Sue Rowe 12 Budding photographers awarded in two competitions 12
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / APRIL 2010 / 3
COVER STORY
Student Grabs
Top Business
Award
A student from Hereford has been awarded Worcester Business School’s ‘Most Promising Young Entrepreneur of the Year’ award. The Award is based on student performance in the Small Business Management Module, and was won by Catherine Griffiths who will receive a prize donated by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB). Catherine, 29, undertook the optional module last semester on top of her mandatory workload and received an outstanding distinction grade. The third year student, from Hinton, Hereford, was chosen for the award based upon the high standard of her work plus her participation in entrepreneurial activities within the University, including The University of Worcester Radio Station (UWR Radio) and MAPR, a private management, advertising and PR company she set up, aimed at small businesses. “I’m quite excited,” said Catherine. “It’s really nice to be recognised for a lot of hard work. At times it got really tiring when I’d be at the radio station working until two in the morning.” Mark Richardson, Head of the Business School, said: “Catherine has been an excellent student. This award is in recognition of her hard work, dedication and commitment to her studies. I’m sure she will continue to be a great success in her future business ventures.” For her independent study, Catherine will be investigating the viability and communication possibilities for UWR Radio, which is aiming to be on the air in the coming weeks.
University in Sunday Times’ Best Places to Work List
The University of Worcester has been named in The Sunday Times’ Best Places to Work in the Public Sector Awards, one of only three universities to make it into the top 75.
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he listings described the University of Worcester, which was ranked at 54th, as having “a bright future” and said: “Staff are excited about where it is going, with a 69% positive score ranking it the third best among mid-sized organisations on our list.”
Professor David Green said: “This is a wonderful achievement for the University. This accolade is a tribute to the purposeful, professional and inspirational work of colleagues throughout the University and their ability to create a friendly, inclusive working environment.” Best Companies Ltd, the company behind the awards, surveyed a large number of public sector organisations’ employees and carried out an evaluation of each organisation’s key statistics, processes and policies. Staff were asked to give their views on such things as leadership, wellbeing and ‘giving something back’ – the extent to which employees feel the company has a positive impact on society. The listing said: “Staff believe the University does enough to protect the environment (65%) and say profit and budget concerns are not the only things driving the organisation (58%).” Other factors looked at in the survey included how employees get on with their line managers, training and development opportunities for staff, and pay and other employment benefits.
Mark Richardson and Catherine Griffiths
Professor David Green added “We are not complacent and are focused on becoming an even better place to work and study and making a bigger more dynamic contribution to the region and the city of Worcester.”
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COVER STORY news
Professor Brooker Gives Inaugural Lecture
Dawn Brooker Professor of Dementia Studies
T
he lack of understanding between research and practice in dementia care was the topic of Dawn Brooker’s Inaugural Professorial Lecture in March.
Professor Brooker, who joined the University last year, officially launched the new Association for Dementia Studies during a conference prior to her lecture on Wednesday, March 31. Professor Brooker qualified as a clinical psychologist in 1984 and has worked in a variety of clinical, academic and managerial posts in services for older people for more than 25 years. She has been invited to speak at many international conferences and has provided practitioner workshops world-wide. Her lecture, titled ‘Two worlds divided by a common language: Practice and research in modern dementia care’ drew a parallel in the confusion and lack of understanding that can occur between the worlds of research and practice. “I have spent my professional career in dementia care working at the interface between the worlds of care practice and research,” she said. “I believe that the translation of research findings into practice and ensuring that researchers engage in research that is practice relevant is an important way of ensuring that people living with dementia and their families can live well.” Professor Brooker added: “The Association for Dementia Studies rests on ensuring open communication between theory, research, practice and the lived experience of dementia.” The University of Worcester’s Association for Dementia Studies’ expert practitioners work with people with dementia and their families, professionals, care providers, commissioners and government agencies to provide high quality training and education.
University helps
Warriors’ Matt Mullan to Recover Staff at the University’s Motion and Performance Centre (MPC) will be carefully watching the future career of Worcester Warriors’ Matt Mullan after he turned to them for some innovative treatment.
Staff in the MPC used a Cybex Isokinetic Dynamometer, a specialist piece of equipment, to get measures of Matt’s joint strength, power, fatigue and imbalance. Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science,
Administrator publishes first book
A
n administrator in the Disability & Dyslexia Service is celebrating the publication of her first book.
Petrolhead, a collection of poems written by Jenny Hope, is now on sale at Waterstones in Worcester, including the store at the University, and from publishers Oversteps Books. Having started writing as a child she was delighted to finally see her work in print.
“I have had poems published in magazines before but this is my first book,” said the mother-oftwo. “It’s really strange to see it in print but I’m really proud of what I have achieved.”
Matt, a prop who made his England debut in Rome last month in their 17-12 win against Italy, recently returned from injury. Matt had torn a hamstring during a Warriors game back in October last year.
Professor Dawn Brooker
Matt Mullan at the MPC
said: “Detailed analysis of Matt’s condition provided by the Motion and Performance Centre aided his recovery process. “Our staff are highly experienced and the technology we use is state-of-theart. We were only too happy to help on this occasion.”
Jenny’s poems stem from various subjects including electricity, tarmac and nature, in particular, trees. Petrolhead has endorsements from David Hart and Roz Goddard, both former Birmingham Poet Laureates. For more information on Jenny’s poetry visit her website www.poetrymaker.co.uk or to purchase the book, priced at £8, visit www.overstepsbooks.com or Waterstones on campus.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER / APRIL 2009 2010 / 5
news
Continuing fitness VISITBRITAIN development UNIVERSITY GAINS
ACCREDITATION The University of Worcester has been accredited with a 3 Star Self Catering rating, under the Quality in Tourism Assessment scheme.
The University’s Platinum Plus Accommodation on St John’s Campus, City Campus and at Fern Hall impressed inspectors of the scheme and will now feature on the VisitBritain and enjoyEngland websites. Venue Manager Deborah Naylor said: “The Quality Assessment is an exciting and important development for the University. During the summer months we are able to offer visitors a quality experience in University accommodation and this has now been recognised by Visit England, the national tourism organisation.
Everyone knows that some of best ideas come from those one off comments at lunch or coffee break. During one of those chance encounters, Tracy Lapworth and Jane Perry, both part of the Institute of Health and Society’s CPD lecturing team, decided to complete a half marathon to raise money for St Michael’s Hospice. St Michael’s Hospice provides care for the people of Herefordshire, improving the quality of life for those with life limiting diseases. This is achieved in a variety of ways from nursing and medical care, to manicures and haircuts; whatever it takes to make Tracy Lapworth and Jane Perry a person feel well and valued. These services cost about £10,000 per day and these funds are raised mainly by charitable donations. For more information see: www.st-michaels-hospice.org.uk If you would like to support Jane and Tracy as they embark on this worthy challenge, a sponsor form can be found in EE 2034 with Debbie Sabbato. The marathon takes place on May 16th 2010 at Hereford Leisure Centre.
RESEARCHING THE EIGHTEENTH CENTURY
I “In addition the University has been granted accreditation under the ‘Families Welcome’, ‘Cyclists Welcome’ and ‘Walkers Welcome’ schemes. This will help to promote Worcester and the University as a destination and will encourage visitors to the area to make the most of the wonderful walking and cycling countryside around.”
n January, Dr Andreas Mueller and three research students associated with the University’s Early Modern Research Group – Sharon Young, Erin Peters and Frauke Jung – attended the annual conference of the British Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies (BSECS) at St. Hugh’s College, University of Oxford. Andreas and Sharon delivered well received papers on Daniel Defoe and Mary Leapor respectively, and Andreas was elected to the executive board of BSECS, joining Sharon,
There is a range of University accommodation on offer throughout the summer. There are options to suit everyone from spacious apartments built to the highest specification with en suite rooms, fully fitted kitchens and dining areas, to standard rooms, ideal for those on a limited budget. There are also launderette facilities and secure cycle stores.
who is one of the Postgraduate & Early Career representatives on the board. The annual BSECS meeting, which is the largest annual eighteenth-century studies conference in Europe, offered Erin and Frauke the chance to experience a scholarly event of this kind for the first time. Both researchers are to deliver their own conference papers this year: Frauke accompanied Andreas to the annual meeting of the American Society for Eighteenth-Century Studies in March (Albuquerque, New Mexico) in order to present her first paper there, while Erin is due to speak at the biennial Postgraduate & Early Career Conference of BSECS, which is coming to the University of Worcester on 25 and 26 June 2010.
Frauke Jung, Erin Peters, Sharon Young and Dr Andreas Mueller
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COVER STORY
boxers
deliver the knock out punch Institutes join forces to win cardiac rehabilitation research contract Professor Dominic Upton, Dr Penney Upton (Institute of Health and Society) and Haydn Jarrett (Institute of Sport and Exercise Science) have been awarded £94,000 to provide a research and development programme for Heart of Birmingham Teaching Primary Care Trust. The research programme will investigate the impact of an innovative new cardiac rehabilitation programme being commissioned this year. ‘My Action’, an integrated multidisciplinary, community based and family focussed programme will be compared to the current, more traditional, hospital centred approach. It is intended that this research will provide insight into best practice for cardiac rehabilitation and improve the quality of the patient experience of both acute and chronic health care. It is also hoped that this work will be of benefit to the Worcestershire Cardiac Rehabilitation scene with which the University is involved.
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Worcester boxers: Rhosswen Lloyd, Tom Simpson, Jess Stone and Jack Short
news
Four University of Worcester boxers are celebrating after a successful first competition.
ess Stone, from Church Stretton, Shropshire, took Gold in the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) boxing championships, held in Sheffield in March. Meanwhile, Rhosswen Lloyd, from Wavertree, Liverpool, took silver in the women’s contest, Tom Simpson, from Barnstaple, Devon, also took silver in the men’s open, and Jack Short, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, made it through to the semi finals of the contest in the novice class. Head coach Alan Bray said: “It was the first competition for all, and they did fantastically. I am so proud of them.” Nineteen-year-old Jess, a first year Sports and Exercise Science student, only started boxing six months ago. She fought in the 64kgs category for boxers with less than five fights.
“I joined the University boxing club just as a way to get fit,” she said. “I never imagined that I would compete, let alone win gold in my first competition.”
Writer in Residence’s new book The University of Worcester’s Royal Literary Fund Writer in Residence is launching her 7th published book. Helena Attlee’s latest book The Gardens of Japan documents 28 of Japan’s finest gardens, describing their composition and giving an introductory insight into the cultural and historical influences that have shaped them. The book follows a trip Helena took to Japan in 2008 with photographer and husband Alex Ramsay. Helena, who lives in Presteigne, said: “We planned to be there for the cherry blossom festival which was an extraordinary experience. There were groups of students having Saki parties and women in Kimonos having their photos taken under floodlit cherry trees.” Helena’s role at the University has seen her literary expertise help numerous students from a range of different academic areas and levels. Helena said: “I am impressed by the lengths people will go to learn. Some of the students who come to me have full time jobs and children but still find time to study.” Helena has been writing about garden history for the past 20 years.
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / APRIL 2010 / 7
FEATURE
Professor David Green and Henry Sandon MBE
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Campaign launched for nursing stained glass
A CAMPAIGN HAS BEEN LAUNCHED TO RAISE £15,000 TO INSTALL A COMMEMORATIVE STAINED GLASS WINDOW IN THE FORMER WORCESTER ROYAL INFIRMARY.
he Worcester Royal Infirmary Nurses’ League is hoping to raise the money to put a specially designed window in the Jenny Lind Chapel at the site, now part of the University’s city site.
The Nurses’ League needs to raise £15,000 to pay for the window to be made and installed and has launched a fundraising campaign. It hopes to have the window completed in early 2011, when the League will celebrate its Diamond Jubilee.
The window will commemorate the nurses who worked at the Infirmary in Castle Street over the centuries, in particular members of the Nurses’ League, and has been welcomed by the University.
The Nurses’ League will be holding ‘An evening with Henry Sandon’ on May 15 at 7.30pm in the Graeme Hick Pavilion at Worcestershire County Cricket Club. Tickets will be £15.
Professor David Green said: “This is a hugely important chapel in the history of Worcester and the University has been very keen to ensure its preservation.
Anyone wanting to make a donation to the fund should contact Project Team Chairperson Elizabeth Hill on 01886 821558 or at n.hill08@btinternet.com
“This stained glass window will be a welcome addition and a fitting tribute to all those who worked at the hospital.” Nurses’ League President Muriel Ballinger added: “We felt that some permanent memorial should be created at the site as there is no other trace of the work carried out by nurses in the building. We were delighted that the University was amenable to this and we now hope that the community will help to raise the funds we need. “The hospital was a hugely important place in the City and many people will have either worked, been treated, or visited a loved one there.” The design of the window is currently being discussed with Worcester City Council. 8 / APRIL 2010 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
The Jenny Lind Chapel is named after the ‘Swedish Nightingale’, as she was known, who sang at a concert in College Hall in the 1800s, donating the proceeds to the building fund. The Chapel adjoins the board room where the British Medical Association was formed in 1832. The former hospital is currently being transformed into new teaching and learning space for the University and will house the Worcester Business School from September this year.
news
Royal unveiling for University of Worcester train
Regional train operator First Great Western has named one of its trains ‘The University of Worcester’ to celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Privy Council’s award of full University Title to Worcester. The power car was unveiled by the University’s Chancellor, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, during a special ceremony at Shrub Hill Train Station in Worcester on Wednesday, March 10. Professor David Green said: “The University is delighted that First Great Western has decided to name one of its power cars after the University. This is a further contribution to fulfilling the City of Worcester’s aim to be recognised as one of Britain’s first rank Cathedral and University Cities. That our Chancellor, HRH The Duke of Gloucester, generously agreed to perform the opening ceremony is the icing on the cake.” The unveiling took place in the presence of the
Lord Lieutenant of Worcestershire, the Mayor of Worcester, the Chairman of Worcestershire County Council and Paul West, the Chief Constable of West Mercia Police. Lord Faulkner of Worcester, a Fellow of the University, played a key role in securing the prestigious naming and was also present, along with John Yelland, the President of the University’s College of Fellows, Julian Pallett, Chair of the Board of Governors and senior representatives of First Great Western. Matthew Golton, Projects and Planning Director at First Great Western, said: “We take our commitment to the region very seriously, and we were very keen to honour the University in recognition of its many investments in the region. Over the past five years the University has played a significant role in the City of Worcester, and across the region as a whole. We are delighted to mark the University’s fifth anniversary in this way.”
HRH The Duke of Gloucester unveils the University of Worcester powercar
The power car will be used on High Speed Train routes throughout First Great Western’s network.
University rowers enjoy world record success
Two dedicated teams from the University of Worcester Rowing Club have completed their hugely successful world record attempt in the city’s CrownGate shopping centre.
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fter a gruelling row, the Club now holds the Men’s and the Women’s Small Team Longest Continual Row world records, as well as the Women’s Small Team Million Metres record. The women’s team of Sophie Clarke-Hackston, Fay Sheppard, Chloe Murdoch, Clare Broady, Jossie Rose, Yuping Yu, Hannah Clift, Isy Whitehead, Amy Dobbins and Sam Twamley rowed more than 2 million metres in 176 hours, destroying any previous
mark by more than a million metres. In a row lasting a mammoth 264 hours, the men’s team of Nicky White, Rhys Paul, Will Stafford, Mike Benyon, Oliver Mitchell, Tim Rogers, Ed Johnson, Guy Crane, Tom Trout and Mark Houlden took the non-stop distance record to 3,610km. “Our possession of three world records as a club is second in the sport only to Dartmouth University, USA who hold
a whopping six,” said team coach John Maxwell. “We will look over time to reel them back in and establish the University of Worcester as a leading centre fo rowing on the world stage. For now however, we are content to be delighted by these achievements.” “Tom Trout, who rowed the final leg of the Men’s Team World Record, said: “Although it has been tough, and each of us has suffered through the tiredness and aches and pains, it has been an amazing experience. We have bonded so well as a team and a club, and come to rely on each other without thinking, but we also feel like we’ve bonded with the city and the people, and that is one of the real highlights of doing this.” Both teams were rowing in aid of local charity Worcester Snoezelen, which provides people with sensory and learning disabilities with appropriate relaxation and leisure facilities.
University of Worcester women rowers
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / APRIL 2010 / 9
news
Drama students prepare
for promenade performance Second year Drama and Performance students are currently devising a piece about climate change, called Not Waving…
local environment and they are incorporating the stories of local people into the piece. The performances are on 6, 7, 8 May at 7.45pm and the walk is about one and a half hours long. The performance will be for a limited audience because of the logistics of moving people around a potentially muddy site. If anyone is interested in finding out more or booking a place please contact Anna or Emma on 07969792355. All donations from the performance will go to Friends of the Earth.
The piece will walk its audience around a section of Laugherne Brook and explores how the local flooding of this brook is linked to global concerns. Not Waving… starts and finishes at Coppertops Pub which was badly flooded in 2007 when the Brook burst its banks. The project has provided many opportunities for University Worcester students to engage with their
STUDENTS HAND OVER CHARITY MARATHON CASH University of Worcester students have handed over more than £245 to the County Air Ambulance following a sponsored 24 hour marathon.
The marathon event was organised by Worcester Students’ Union’s badminton and trampolining societies and saw around 70 students take part, batting and bouncing their way through the small hours. Alex Mullen-Jones, chairman of the badminton club, said: “It went really well. It started a little slow but soon picked up and we had about 50-60 people taking part in the badminton marathon. It was very tiring, but everyone did tremendously and we raised just over £245 for the County Air Ambulance.”
Jason Dennis and Alex Mullen Jones
Receiving the cash, Jason Dennis, Corporate Manager for the County Air Ambulance, said: “The County Air Ambulance is entirely funded by the generous support of the public. We receive no money from the Government, NHS or even the National Lottery. Your money raised will go towards our HELP appeal to improve the infrastructure of the region’s landing facilities.”
Student on path to business success A third-year Business Management and Accountancy student has established his own events business, after receiving funding through a university initiative. Peter Marezana has set up Excelsior Events and has already secured a number of lucrative contracts. Peter made an application to the SPEED (Student Placements for Entrepreneurs in Education) programme, which helps students to start their own business, and secured more than £4,000.
Peter Marezana
“I decided to set up my own business after undertaking an internship with a blue chip stock broker firm in London,” he said. “While there I organised a seminar for a firm in Worcester, which generated around £500,000 worth of business. I thought to myself that this is something I could do, and get paid for.”
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Peter, who comes from Hertfordshire, set about establishing Excelsior Events, which has now been trading for two months. “I can organise events for private individuals, such as weddings, or corporate events like awards ceremonies or even Christmas parties,” he said. “I have very good links with a number of local firms and source all of my business from the Worcester area, such as caterers, printers etc.” For more information on Peter’s business visit the website www.excelsiorevents.co.uk
COVER STORY news
Teresa
and 4x4 Response
snowed under with calls For most people, the extreme temperatures and weather warnings of heavy snow during the first few days of 2010 were a good excuse to stay indoors and keep warm.
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owever for Teresa Nahajski, Academic Quality Officer at the University of Worcester, and the rest of a group of 4x4 drivers in Herefordshire, the bad weather meant they were able to make use of their vehicles and do something to help those who couldn’t get out.
Teresa is Secretary of the Herefordshire 4x4 Response Group: a voluntary organisation with around 30 members mainly living across Herefordshire with a handful over the borders into Gloucestershire and Worcestershire. The Group works with Herefordshire Council Emergency Planning Office who take calls on behalf of the emergency services and the Primary Care Trust in an emergency situation. In the first two weeks of January this year, the Group answered over 80 calls for help, mostly to drive key workers and patients to Hereford Hospital. They were also working for Nunwell Surgery in Bromyard, on the days when the snow and ice made it impossible for the district nurses to carry out their daily visits to the outlying areas around the town, such as Pencombe, Bringsty Common and Hatfield.
Teresa Nahajski and friend
GREEN DESIGNS GO ON DISPLAY A local eco-café has showcased a body of work by a group of Worcester Graphic Design students.
Teresa said: “All the members undergo training throughout the year in off road driving, vehicle recovery, basic first aid, navigation skills, etc, and this was our first major call out. It was a great opportunity for us to put all the training into use and we were all happy to be able to use our vehicles to help the nurses and their patients.” For further information on 4x4 Response, contact Teresa on 07912 748751 or through the website on secretary@herefordshire4x4response.org.uk
Lecturer secures
scholarship
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former primary school headteacher, who now lectures at Worcester, is to undertake a research project in Finland. Derval Carey-Jenkins will be comparing initial teacher education in Finland with that in UK.
“Finland has a reputation for having a really good education system,” she said. “Their practice is very much informed by societal values. I want to look at how these values underpin their teacher training and see if there is anything we could learn from them.” Derval, who studied for her Masters degree at Worcester before joining as course leader of the University’s Primary PGCE, has won a travel scholarship from UCET (Universities Council for the Education of Teachers) to make the trip.
Derval Carey-Jenkins
Professor Chris Robertson, Head of the Institute of Education, said: “It is a wonderful achievement that another colleague has secured one of these prestigious scholarships. Our staff are committed to building on the success of our teacher training programme and this is a fantastic opportunity for us to learn from another country and inform our own practice.”
The display, at The Fold eco-café in Bransford, showed off design work by students on the University’s Green Graphic Design module in its Digital Arts Centre. Students were asked to produce a range of information boards and signage for The Fold, constructed from recycled, re-used and sustainable materials. Course Leader, Andy Stevenson, added: “The project took the students out of their comfort zones and produced some interesting and quite thought-provoking work. The Green Graphic Design module is one of only a handful presently running in the UK. With the growth in understanding of environmental issues, it’s important for designers to understand how their graphic design practice can lower their carbon footprint too.”
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER / APRIL2009 2010 // 11 11
Jess Stone in action
news
UNITOTS BIDS fond farewell TO SUE ROWE
Jess pedals to
SILVER A
A first year Sports and Exercise Science student has scooped a silver medal in the BUCS downhill mountain biking championships. Nineteen-year-old Jess Stone from Church Stretton, Shropshire, was just milliseconds away from the gold medal.
She said: “I was only 0.8 seconds off the winner Emily Horridge, who is also an Elite World Cup Rider, so we were battling it out for 1st place.” Jess, who is also a champion boxer, was awarded a £600 scholarship by the University of Worcester’s Scholarship Panel, for competing in downhill mountain biking competitions at an international level.
Sue Rowe with Carmen Warren and Dominic Worrall
nursery nurse, who has looked after children at the University of Worcester for more than 20 years, has retired.
Sue Rowe, who turned 60 last year, is hoping to spend more time with her family, including her 19-month-old grandson. She has worked at the Unitots nursery for 22 years and said she will miss both colleagues and the children she has helped to look after.
“I have really enjoyed working here,” she said. “I’ve had so many happy times and my colleagues are wonderful, we get on so well. “I’m going to miss them all, and of course I will miss being with the children.”
Budding photographers awarded
in two competitions Two lucky students have scooped a host of photography gear after snapping their way to success in a University of Worcester competition.
The competition was judged by University lecturers Paul Hazel and David James and was split into two categories; ‘Fun with Phones’, and ‘Re-Focus’, designed for the more serious photographers. Julia Ognieva, a first year business student from Ukraine, was awarded first prize in the ‘Re-Focus’ category for her photograph ‘Little Life’ which depicts a pregnant woman’s stomach wrapped in beads. Julia said the photo was about “those who are loved so much but don’t know about it yet”. The first prize for the ‘Fun With 12 / APRIL 2010 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Phones’ category went to Susanne Pyhalammi, a first year Business Management student, for her photograph of a university trip to the Malvern Hills. The competition was organised by 21-year-old graduate intern Jemma Powell as a fun way of easing students back into University life after the Christmas break.