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Exhibition The Gospels are HERE Did you know that the Procurement Service helped to prepare for the arrival of the Lindisfarne Gospels by completing 10 tenders worth over £300,000? This was to ensure the exhibition space was designed appropriately and was environmentally sound in order to meet the stringent requirements of the British Library. The Insurance Service has resolved the extremely complex insurance requirements for the transport and display of the artefacts.
Do you travel on official University business? We are in the process of rolling out an online system for current staff and registered students travelling on official business. The system, “Viator” will replace the current system of paper travel forms used to request travel cover, making the process of confirming travel cover much more streamlined, efficient and sustainable. Some departments are already using Viator, but for those that aren’t Claire Robinson will be getting in touch to facilitate the roll out to your department. Viator goes live on 30th September 2013, after which paper travel forms will not be accepted.
The international Boundaries Research Unit (IBRU) and the Geography Department are sponsoring an exhibition at Bowes Museum in Barnard Castle looking at the life of Jeremiah Dixon who, although born to humble beginnings in County Durham, was a renowned surveyor, cartographer and scientist.
Most famously, in 1763 he surveyed the first accurate boundary between Maryland and Pennsylvania which is now more commonly known as the Mason-Dixon Line. This very demanding project took a total of five years and much of the time was spent battling through thick forest with a support team which included Native American Indians. American Surveyors before them had been unable to complete the job but Dixon and his partner Charles Mason were more than up to the task. Back on home soil, Jeremiah Dixon was the surveyor for the Raby Estates and produced exquisite maps of the local Durham area.
This exhibition celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Mason-Dixon Line and includes many items such as model ships, surveying equipment and historic maps. The exhibition ‘Jeremiah Dixon: Scientist, Surveyor and Stargazer’ is on show until Sunday 6th October 2013. The museum is open every day between 10am – 5pm and the admission is £9.50 per adult, £5.00 for students with a valid student card and for children under 16, admission is free.
IMAGES Left: A map cartouche which was on the original map of the Maryland/Pennsylvania border and is reproduced by kind permission of The Lord Barnard TD. Below, left: Map of Auckland Castle in 1772 reproduced by kind permission of Auckland Castle Trust. Below, right: A model made by Martin Saville of the observatory Dixon used in Cape Town to transit Venus on another of Dixon’s expeditions.
acquire implementation Following a review by the consultants Gartner, the roll out of the pilot for the integrated supplier-sourcing and procurement-to-pay software system acquire is now underway. The Procurement Service Help Desk has been providing staff training to support the college go-live and work has commenced with Professional Services. In support of Strategic Sourcing, the latest sourcing component of acquire was successfully implemented in May 2013.
Are you aware of the Procurement Policy? All University staff likely to requisition, order or receive goods or services are required to adhere to this policy which has recently been revised. Go to: www.durham.ac.uk/procurement/ policiesprocedures/procurement_policy
Find out more... about this exhibition and surrounding family events, visit www.thebowesmuseum.org.uk