news &views THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE
October 2010
In this issue:
City Campus history
Unearthing the past p.4
Honorary fellowship for literary researcher
Dr Denise Inge honoured p.6
Research seminars
Autumn 2010 season unveiled p.7
Low allergen haven on campus Award winning garden’s new campus home p.2
The award winning garden has a new home next to the Charles Darwin building
cover story
CHELSEA MEDAL WINNING
low allergen garden
opened on campus
An award-winning garden, which scooped a Silver gilt at this year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show, has been opened at the University of Worcester.
T
he University of Worcester Garden, designed by Olivia Kirk, of KKE Architects in Worcester, was officially opened on Tuesday (September 28) in a ceremony which also marked the appointment of Professor Roy Kennedy as Director of the University’s National Pollen and Aerobiology Research Unit (NPARU).
The garden features low allergen plants and materials, including low-VOC paint and sustainably sourced timber. It was shown at the Chelsea Flower Show in May, where it was awarded a Silver Gilt medal in the Urban Gardens category. The garden has now been re-planted outside the NPARU for students, staff and visitors to enjoy. The NPARU is a world leader in pollen research and produces all of the UK’s pollen forecasts. More than 15 million people in the UK suffer from hay fever – about 25% of the population, according to researchers at the Unit - rising to over 30% in young adults. Garden designer Olivia Kirk
The Unit’s team of experts is based in the
University’s new Charles Darwin building, a purpose-built, stateof-the-art science facility, which includes high quality teaching laboratories. Vice Chancellor Professor David Green, said: “The University is gaining an excellent reputation for high quality biological and environmental science. We are determined to build on success and are delighted to welcome Professor Roy Kennedy whose expertise and leadership will be invaluable to our students as well as to developing the research from which so many companies in the West Midlands and beyond will benefit. “This new garden, which was so successful at the Chelsea Flower Show, will provide a haven at the University and will help showcase the work of the NPARU which is so important to millions of people suffering from allergies to airborne particulates.”
2 / OCTOBER 2010 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
COVER STORY wELCOME
welcome W
elcome to the October 2010 edition of News & Views, featuring the usual eclectic mix of achievements, launches and milestones from the University of Worcester over the last few weeks. Following on from last month’s piece on the opening of the City Campus, this issue we present a piece on the rich history of the site. Coming bang up to date, our cover story highlights the move to the St John’s Campus of the award winning low-allergen garden. Now situated
between the Charles Darwin and Edward Elgar buildings, the garden, which received a silver gilt medal at this year’s Chelsea Garden Show, is well worth a visit for those yet to see it. With research very much a hot topic following the announcement that the University can now award its own research degrees, we also take the opportunity to highlight the rich and varied programme of research seminars taking place on campus over the next few months. As always we need your news, so please keep us informed via newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
ACADEMIC EXPLORES GREEN ISSUES IN VICTORIAN POETRY Environmental issues encapsulated in the writings of Victorian poet and priest, Gerard Manley Hopkins, are explored in a new book by a Worcester academic. Green Man Hopkins: Poetry and the Victorian Ecological Imagination is a study of the poet’s works, looking specifically at how he writes about nature and his surroundings, both rural and urban. It is written by Media and Cultural studies lecturer John Parham. “One of the arguments I make in the book is that lots of Victorian writers were writing about green issues, although it was not recognised as such at the time,” he said.
He added: “One of Hopkins’ poems is about one of his parishioners dying of tuberculosis. This recalls the terrible conditions of the urban environment in which the man lives and is a further reason for studying the Victorians – that they explore the social environment as well as the natural one.” The book is a culmination of Parham’s PhD study on the writings of Hopkins, and is published by Rodopi. He is now continuing his work, looking at contemporary culture and in particular punk rock.
contents COVER STORY Chelsea medal winning low allergen garden opened on campus
2
feature Unearthing campus history
4
news Academic explores green issues in Victorian poetry Honorary fellowship for literary researcher Darren takes the devil to church Head of Institute’s new basketball guide Looking forward to an exciting season of research seminars Steve at his peak Helena at the Woodstock Literary Festival Charitable feast of cakes for cancer campaign
3 6 6 6 7 8 8 8
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER 2010 / 3
Unearthing Campus History The University of Worcester’s second campus in the heart of the city is a beacon of hope for the future, but, as James Felton, Graduate Intern for Online Communications, writes, its construction allowed a glimpse of its rich history.
4 / OCTOBER 2010 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
FEATURE
T
he infirmary building, now re-named the Charles Hastings building, and the adjacent Mullberry House, which used to house doctors working at the hospital, has undergone a £6m refurbishment to create new facilities for students. It is the new home of the Worcester Business School, along with a new wellbeing centre, teaching spaces and computer suites. During the excavation of the site a number of historical artifacts were uncovered showing the progression of over 250 years of medicine, as well as social changes taking place at the time.
“We have uncovered a fascinating history not just from recording the standing buildings but also from studying them as many are demolished,” said Karl Hulka, who oversaw the historic buildings recording for CgM consulting who documented finds at the site. “Looking at the way in which these buildings are put together gives a real insight into the social and economic circumstances of the time when they were built, as well as providing valuable information on the technological acumen of the designers.”
A long history The former hospital was opened on the 8th of January, 1745. An announcement in a local paper, the Worcester Journal, announced the opening whilst also noting: “No person will be admitted who are judged to be incurable, disorder’d in their senses, big with Child, to have the Venereal Disease, the Small-pox, Itch or other infectious Distemper, or to be under Seven Years of Age, except when an Operation is to be perform’d upon them.” The admission policy reflects both how likely hospital acquired infections were before enough was know about the spread and diseases as well as a much different approach of 18th century society towards the ill and the dying.
Medical advances
The historic former infirmary buildings have been carefully restored
as well as a tunnel leading to a former gaol across the road, used to transport executed prisoners across to the hospital for dissection by medical students at the hospital. At the time the bodies of criminals were the only ones allowed to be examined in this way after death. Though it may seem barbaric to not offer prisoners a choice in the matter as they did with the general population, it was a big step forward for medicine at the time, which led to much better understanding of the body as well as better doctors who knew what to expect when operating on the sick.
Medical Landmark The British Medical Association (BMA) was founded in the boardroom of the Infirmary on the 19th July 1832. Fifty doctors gathered to hear Sir Charles Hastings propose an Association for the sharing of scientific knowledge between doctors. Within ten years its numbers had grown to 1350, well on its way to becoming the first nationwide association of doctors in the world, and had begun publishing the British Medical Journal, which still runs today. The University has commemorated this milestone for medicine by restoring the boardroom to its original condition and opening it to the community.
A Centre for the Community
The Jenny Lind Chapel restored
In over 200 years of Worcester’s history, the Royal Infirmary has been one of the most important buildings. The University hopes to keep it this way.
to its former glory Over the centuries that followed many advances in medicine were made, both in terms of scientific advances and medical practice, which can be seen in the way that the Royal Infirmary itself operated.
Its Edwardian extension will house a Well-being Centre for students and the community, offering a range of diagnostic, treatment and exercise opportunities to local people as well as members of the university.
Finds at the site of the then derelict infirmary include 200 year old bones showing signs of early medical amputations
The restored Infirmary is set to be a focal point for excellent education, a centre for the arts, a resource for businesses. Much of the history uncovered will be documented at the Worcester Library and History Centre, which is being built nearby in a joint project between the County Council and the University of Worcester.
A new view for the University of Worcester
Modern technology in historic settings
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER 2010 / 5
NEWS
Honorary
fellowship for Dr Denise Inge
An eminent literary researcher has become an Honorary Fellow of the University’s Early Modern Research Group.
Darren takes the devil to
church
Dr Darren Oldridge’s talk about the devil in Tudor and Stuart England marked the starting point of the Early Modern Research Group’s new public lecture series based at an eighteenth-century city centre church in Worcester. The inaugural St Swithun’s Lecture proved popular with the city’s people, attracting an audience of thirty and generating several positive comments. The next event in the biannual lecture series is scheduled to take place in late June 2011 and will see Dr Jerome De Groot (University of Manchester) present a lecture entitled Welcome to Babylon: Performing and Screening the English Civil Wars. Dr Darren Oldridge and Dr Andreas Mueller
D
r Denise Inge, wife of the Bishop of Worcester, is a leading authority on Herefordshire poet Thomas Traherne, and announced the discovery of new manuscripts in 2000. She has written three books on Traherne and numerous articles on his work and is at the forefront of getting his unknown manuscripts into the public arena. “I’m very grateful for this wonderful honour,” she said. “The University of Worcester offers high quality education for all and I’m excited to become part of an institution that is making such an impact on people’s lives. “Thomas Traherne (1637-74) was an affable and energetic 17 Century cleric who lived most of his life in rural Herefordshire. He grew up during the Civil War and lived through disturbing times of violence and political upheaval, but ended up writing about happiness.” “I hope that I can help to raise the profile of the University and spread the word about the good work that it does.”
Head of Institute’s
new basketball guide M
ick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, has written a new book that aims to help teachers and coaches to to get the best out of their pupils and players. 101 Youth Basketball Drills is the latest in a series of books published by AC Black Publishers Ltd. Mick, a former school PE teacher, is the founder of British Basketball League side Worcester Wolves, and holds Senior Coach status within England Basketball. “It’s a culmination of all my experience and exercises that have worked for me as a teacher and coach,” he said. “It can be used for beginner coaches who are looking for ideas or by more experienced coaches.”
6 / OCTOBER 2010 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
NEWS
Looking forward to an exciting season of
research seminars
With the University of Worcester now able to award its own research degrees the spotlight has fallen on the research work currently underway. As many already know, the University holds frequent research seminars. The seminars allow staff and students to see the important research being conducted by colleagues and peers, as well as the chance to experience first hand the work of academics at other institutions.
Date
Time
Presenter
Title
Venue
4th October
1.15pm
Dr. Emma Dures, University of the West of England
CBT in the self management of fatigue in rheumatoid arthritis
EE2013
19th October
1.15pm
Professor Francine Tolron, Avignon University
New Zealand: advertising and identity
WB 137
19th October
4.00pm
Dr Edward Sellman, University of Nottingham
Peer mediation services for conflict resolution in schools: what transformations in activity characterise successful implementation?
WB 137
20th October
1.15pm
Dr. Clare Wood, Coventry University
Text messaging and literary skills
EE G162
20th October
5.00pm
Sharon Young, UoW
Restoring the country house: Lucy Hutchinson’s Elegies
WB 137
21st October
1.15pm
Clare Perkins, UoW
Seeking an ethnography of agriculture: from market to farm, label to lab, anthropology to geography
EE1026
October 27th
5.00pm
Dr Mikel Koven, UoW
From Mondo to Flesh Eaters: cannibals and the irresponsible ethnography film
WB137
10th November
5.00pm
Dr. Mehreen Mirza and Dr. Barbara Mitra, UoW
Dilutions of ethnography: ethnography Lite
WB137
11th November
6.00pm
Professor Russell King, University of Sussex
The 59th Lovatt Lecture in geography Geography and migration studies: retrospect and prospect
Urwin Lecture Theatre
18th November
1.15pm
Dr. John Dutton, UoW
Public perception of wild boar in the Forest of Dean: possible implications for future management
EE1026
19th November
1.15pm
Dr Carl Hulston, Brunel University
Nutritional strategies to promote training adaptation in endurance athletes
EE1057
24th November
4.00pm
Masters students’ research
BY1145
24th November
5.00pm
Dr Paola Botham
Spider girls in Santiago and Glasgow
WB137
29th November
1.15pm
Ronnie Meechan, UoW
Using 21st century technology to implement a multi-site research collaborative: a methods study
EE G131
30th November
1.15pm
Bob Ruffle, UoW
Chamber pots and other rubbish from early modern Worcester
EE1026
8th December
9.00am – 12.00
ISES staff-student research summit
EE G135, EE G54, EE G55
8th December
5.00pm
Bat bomb: ‘Japs’, bats, nuts and tiger!
WB 137
Dr Wendy Toon, UoW
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER 2010 / 7
news
Steve at his
helena
PEAK T
AT THE
Woodstock
LITERARY FESTIVAL he University of Worcester’s Academic Writer in Residence, Helena Attlee delivered a talk about her work at The Independent Woodstock Literary Festival.
Helena has been visiting Italian gardens, delving into their history and writing about them for two decades.
Security staff member, Steve Jones, set his sights high when he embarked on an attempt to scale the three highest mountains in Britain. The challenge, which was mounted in aid of St Richard’s Hospice, commenced at 4pm on Saturday 3rd July and Steve and his fellow climbers reached the summit of the first mountain, Ben Nevis, just two and a half hours later. They then moved on to the next mountain reaching the top of a very wet and blustery Scafell Pike at 5.20am on Sunday, July 4th. With the weather becoming increasingly adverse, Steve eventually arrived at Snowdon at 12.30pm on the Sunday. Undeterred by treacherous weather, Steve and the rest of the team bravely set off. After hours of unbearably cold and wet conditions, visibility and temperatures became dangerously low and unfortunately, just 30 minutes from the top of the mountain, the team were forced to abandon the climb. Though grounded, Steve managed to raise over £300 for St Richards Hospice, which provides free, specialist palliative care for patients living with cancer and other life-threatening illnesses. The just giving site is still accepting donations. For more information please visit www.justgiving.com/sjones3peaks
Her travels are the inspiration for Italy’s Private Gardens: An Inside View, a book built around conversations with people intimately associated with some of Italy’s most intriguing private gardens situated in Piedmont, the Veneto, Tuscany, Lazio, Umbria and Sicily. Helena spoke about the owners, the gardeners and the garden designers who make these gardens what they are. In conversation with Victoria Summerley, Executive Weekend Editor of The Helena Attlee Independent, she described some of the extraordinary experiences that she has had over the years. Sponsored by The Independent and The Independent on Sunday, Woodstock has become the UK’s ultimate boutique literary festival - and the first major event of Britain’s autumn literary season.
Charitable feast of cakes
for cancer campaign As has become traditional at this time of year, once again the University’s main reception area was given over to the Macmillan Coffee Morning on Thursday 23 September. As always there was a wonderful array of cakes on display that were soon snapped up by students and staff alike.
Val Gorton and Cicely Harrell
Thanks to the dedication of the many cooks, supporters and helpers a grand total of £407.67 was raised on the day.
8 / OCTOBER 2010 / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk