news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
February 2010
In this issue:
Henry Sandon to give public lecture Antique expert to speak at University p.3
University to breathe new life into market University buys derelict site and former car showroom p.2
Security award for new halls Secured by Design status for new residences p.4
Entrepreneurs impress business world 2010 Bizcom event a great success p.4
FEATURE
University to breathe new life into former fruit and veg market
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he University of Worcester is to breathe new life into one of the City’s most notorious derelict sites.
The University has bought the former fruit and vegetable market in Hylton Road. The site has been derelict for many years and has been owned by a succession of property companies. Planning permission will now be sought to develop a new indoor sports and multipurpose arena and active leisure centre on the site. This will prove invaluable for the University’s students and the Worcester community alike. The University is also in the final stages of acquiring the site of the neighbouring former car showroom and 110 place car park. The former showroom will be turned into teaching facilities which will complement the new indoor arena, while the car park, located just metres from Sabrina Bridge, will make a valuable contribution to reducing the pressure on on-street car parking. Professor David Green said: “We are delighted that, at last, we have been able
to purchase the former fruit and vegetable market site at an affordable price. We have long hoped to be able to develop a major indoor sports and multi-purpose arena within walking distance of the University’s other facilities. This is just ideal.
“The fact that we will be able to put the immediately adjacent redundant car showroom into productive use quickly is a real bonus. It comes with a large car park which will be very useful. “This important site, which fronts directly onto the River Severn, has been a derelict eyesore for many years. Our aim is to transform this site to enhance the City landscape, and provide excellent facilities for our students and the community.” Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise
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Science, added: “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 region’s sporting community whilst also providing a venue that will attract a great range of spectator events to the city.”
COVER STORY wELCOME
Henry Sandon to give
archaeology lecture
W
elcome to the February 2010 edition of News and Views. The recent holiday season and adverse weather may mean that there’s a little less to report than usual, but what we lack in quantity we more than make up for in quality. The recent announcement of the University’s purchase of two sites on Hylton Road, ideally situated between the University’s two main sites, is some of the most exciting news of recent months. The former fruit and vegetable market in particular has long been a blot on Worcester’s landscape, and this development is great news not just for the University, but the city as a whole.
One of the antique world’s best loved figures is coming to the University to give a public lecture on archaeology.
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Elsewhere in this issue you’ll find news of exciting guests, new appointments and achievements of students old and new.
enry Sandon MBE is a notable authority on Royal Worcester porcelain and has been a regular expert on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow for more than 30 years.
As always, we need your news, so please keep us informed via newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
The lecture, titled ‘Lying Among the Pots: Worcester Ceramics Above and Below Ground’ will take place on Wednesday, February 10. It will be open to members of the public, as well as University staff and students and will explore some of the many finds uncovered by Mr Sandon during his lengthy career, some of which he will bring along to show guests. Dr Jodie Lewis, Head of Archaeology, said: “We are delighted that Henry has agreed to come and give a lecture at the University. He is one of the country’s leading experts in porcelain and it will be an honour to hear him share some of his vast experience and knowledge.” The lecture will start at 4pm. Only a limited number of spaces are available. To reserve a place please call 01905 542294. Guests will be invited on the night to make a recommended £5 voluntary donation to the University’s Endowment Fund.
University in
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welcome
partnership
he University and the BBC have forged closer ties through a Media Diversity Partnership. The University’s journalism department and BBC Hereford and Worcester will work together to ensure that students from diverse backgrounds have opportunities to gain industry experience. The initiative builds on a scheme already in place for this summer providing three students with one month internships at the BBC radio station.
Claire Wolfe, Subject Leader in Journalism, said: “We are absolutely delighted that our proposal was accepted. It will help us to ensure our students, who come from a wide range of backgrounds, have opportunities to learn from industry experts. This should help them to understand what the media industry requires and improve their prospects of gaining employment in the future.” The link will also see students being involved in news issues and debates in the lead up to the General Election, and guest speakers coming to give specialist talks. There will be tours of broadcasting facilities, work experience opportunities and students will pitch story ideas to a BBC panel in a Dragon’s Den style format.
NEW FACE FOR FUNDRAISING Communications Account Manager at the University of Worcester, Beth Heaney, has been appointed as the new Alumni, Fundraising and Endowment Officer. Beth’s role will focus on making improvements to and extending current communication with alumni, and creating new opportunities to raise money for the fundraising and endowment fund. Commenting on her new role Beth said: “I am looking forward to the challenge of creating an improved understanding of the concept of alumni and fundraising at the University of Worcester. Since I began working here last March as a Communications Account Manager it has been interesting to see the attachment and loyalty current students have to the University. It’s important that this warm relationship is continued after graduation and we start responding to their evolving needs by creating opportunities which benefit their careers. In time, the University may be rewarded by alumni for this valuable support.” If you would like to speak to Beth about ideas about alumni and fundraising please contact her on extension 2273.
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news
Entrepreneurial students S impress business world
tudents were invited to take part in Bizcom, a business ideas competition, which allows aspiring business-minded students to submit and pitch a business proposal to a panel of judges.
Worcester Business School student Jarsoslaw Szymaniak won the Entrepreneurial Worcester students have impressed an £1,000 first prize for Edu-Blossom, a business that offers help to expert panel of judges with a range of innovative ideas. foreign students in gaining admission at UK universities (www.edublossom.edu.pl). Vice Chairman of the Federation of Small Businesses Judi Brazkiewicz, who presented Jaroslaw with the trophy sponsored by FSB Herefordshire & Worcestershire, said: “The FSB is delighted to sponsor the Bizcom event. The standard of the finalists was impressively high and led to a very closely debated result, with the Judges caught between two particularly strong entries. Ultimately all agreed that the final winner was the most likely to benefit from the award to move forward with their business idea.” The University has been running the competition for five years and is delighted that the quality of entries is growing in strength each year.
NEW HALLS RECEIVE TOP SECURITY AWARD The University’s newest halls of residence have been awarded the Police’s prestigious Secured by Design status. The official UK Police flagship initiative supports the principles of ‘designing out crime’.
Dr Martin Doughty, Pro Vice Chancellor (Resources), said: “The flats not only have sophisticated access control systems but all areas are covered by CCTV which is monitored by the security team in the control room. This system complements the people presence of the in-house security staff and the University Community Development Workers (UCDW).” Jerry Reakes-Williams, Chief Inspector responsible for Local Policing across South Worcestershire, added: “The University of Worcester’s commitment to building to the Association of Chief Police Officers led Secured By Design standards is vital in providing a safe and secure environment for students. High quality window and door locks, CCTV and swipe-card access are just some of the measures in place to reduce crime and ensure the students feel safe in their environment.”
Lee scores with Ghana’s BOUNCING AND
young blind footballers Paralympic footballer Lee Greatbatch, a former student of the University of Worcester, has returned from a lifechanging trip to the World Cup qualifying nation of Ghana.
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uring his visit, Lee, who represented Great Britain at the Beijing Paralympic Games in 2008, coached some of Ghana’s young up-andcoming blind footballers, encouraging them in their education and helping them to develop their teambuilding skills.
The trip was organised through international development charity Sightsavers. “My visit to Ghana was a humbling and rewarding experience,” said the 26-year-
old. “I was delighted to coach the students on the skills and adaptations of English blind football, bringing something new to their game. It was obvious that a simple game of football meant a great deal in the enjoyment and pleasure it brought them. If I had the chance to revisit then I would.” Lee now runs his own business called BizAbilityUK, providing disability equality training and inspirational speaking.
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BATTING FOR CASH
Worcester students bounced and batted for 24 hours as part of a recent charity marathon event. The event was organised by Worcester Students’ Union’s badminton and trampolining societies. Alex Mullen-Jones, chairman of the badminton club, said: “I wanted to run a charity event that involves students as well as the local community. The idea came from other 24 hour events I’ve attended.” Abbie McCarthy, treasurer of the trampolining club, added: “We wanted to run an event for the whole community to increase recognition of the club, raise some much needed funds and introduce people to the sport whilst developing their skills.” The money raised will be split between the County Air Ambulance and the trampolining club, which needs new crash mats and a new trampoline.