Goldlink 21

Goldlink The magazine of the Goldsmiths Society

Issue 21

Keeping you in touch with Goldsmiths

Science and Art collaboration

Bubblegum shoes

June 2003

Arts Complex

2

Welcome from the Warden

Welcome from the Chairman

Dear Alumni

Dear Friends

This is a critical moment for universities – especially ones with the size, composition and subject mix of Goldsmiths.

The Government’s White Paper ‘The Future of Education’ highlights the importance of universities and marks a coming of age, by focussing on the social benefits of a university education and on the economic benefits of research. It offers a fuller recognition than in previous years, that higher education is not icing on the cake, but very much part of the political mainstream. The public debate on the fees issue has underlined this large social change.

Goldsmiths greatly welcomes the White Paper’s aim of increasing the number of poorer students, and students from minority groups.

It welcomes the specific proposal to re-introduce targeted maintenance support, the abolition of up-front tuition fees, and the stress on the funding of research – fundamental elements of the whole package.

The biggest concern is the debt burden the proposed fee arrangement from 2006 will impose on many students, and the disincentive provided both by the fact of the debt and the perception of it, to lower-income potential recruits of precisely the kind universities need to attract. There is certainly a danger that it may pull in the opposite direction from the Government’s commitment to widening participation, and deter some would-be students from seeking a university education.

The debate continues. Meanwhile, I hope many of you will be able to come to the annual Goldsmiths Festival of Arts and Innovation on Saturday 21 June. The event is a showcase of innovation and wideranging talent from Goldsmiths and the programme offers some outstanding exhibitions and performances from departments and artists from the local area. The event also helps the Open Day to inform those students who seek, or might seek, to study here, by showing the College at its creative and pioneering best.

Welcome to the twenty-first issue of Goldlink.

Thirty years since I arrived at Goldsmiths College as an undergraduate in 1973 have led me to muse on the changing face of higher education in London during that time.

In 1973 there were just three universities in London: Brunel University, City University, and the University of London; the last being a complex federation of eighteen institutions. Thirty years later the capital city is now home to eleven universities: the three existing universities have been joined by the University of East London, the University of Greenwich, Kingston University, London Metropolitan University, Middlesex University, South Bank University, Thames Valley University, and the University of Westminster. Until last year there were twelve, but a merger between the University of North London and London Guildhall University – born of financial necessity – produced the new London Metropolitan University. Even the University of London itself has seen much change over he past thirty years.

A perusal of the list of colleges in 1973 reveals that many have ceased to exist: Bedford College, Chelsea College, New College, Queen Elizabeth College, the School of Slavonic and East European Studies, Westfield College and Wye College have been closed or amalgamated with larger colleges within the University. New additions to the federation have included the Courtauld Institute of Art and the Royal Academy of Music, and of course Goldsmiths itself in 1988. The University of London continues to evolve and has become an increasingly decentralised organisation in which devolution and autonomy have become guiding principles.

Funding remains a constant worry in the world of higher education. All governments – of whatever political hue – seem to be united in their policy towards higher education – namely that it should be under-funded.

In the midst of this flux and change, Goldsmiths continues to survive and thrive, principally because of its unique nature and its high reputation. No other institution does quite what we do to the standard that we do it, and that remains a source of constant pride to those of us who have passed through its portals and its courses.

This issue of Goldlink reports numerous interesting developments in the life of the College and I commend it to you. As always we especially welcome articles for Goldlink and they need not only contain memories of the past. We are interested in news of what you are doing now.

Further information about both events can be found in this issue.

Best wishes All good wishes Professor Ben Pimlott FBA Warden of the College and President of the Goldsmiths Society

The Reverend Doctor Peter Galloway OBE JP PhD Chairman of the Goldsmiths Society

The Goldsmiths Society, Goldsmiths College, University of London, New Cross, London SE14 6NW UK tel 020 7919 7265 fax 020 7919 7903 e-mail goldsoc@gold.ac.uk

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Contents News

Feature Arts Complex – progress report

4

Unit for Journalism and Media Ethics

5

Bubblegum shoes

5

Occupational psychology hits the news

5

Lecturer wins weirdest bet

5

Auschwitz: could it ever happen again?

5

South London universities united

7

Frank Dobbins retires

7

Script writing scholarships

7

Alumni Discounts Scheme

8

SciArt

9

Noticeboard

FeedBack: Curating laid bare

9

Class notes

10

Race equality policy set standards

9

In touch

10

Obituaries

11

page 4

page 9 page 5

page 7

Compiled and edited by Stephen Clarke, Development and Alumni Office, telephone 020 7919 7265 Designed by Elizabeth Flynn, Reprographic Unit Printed by The Colour Works Thanks for their help to Heidi Seetzen, Janet Aikman, Mary Price and Vicky Annand.

Contributions are welcomed and any editorial material should be addressed to the Development and Alumni Office. Please enclose a stamped addressed envelope if you would like your material returned.

No responsibility can be taken for any loss or damage.

4

feature

Top left, south elevation, top right, front elevation, below, relief.

Pictures courtesy of Alsop Architects.

Arts Complex – progress report

The Arts Complex, when complete, will develop 11,000sqm of currently underutilised space on the St James‘ car park. The project is both about housing expansion and benchmarking Goldsmiths as a global university.

Rapid expansion over the last two decades has produced a serious problem of overcrowding. Goldsmiths has an international reputation – particularly in the arts, but also in the humanities and social sciences. To retain this status the College needs to develop, improve and expand its capabilities and it cannot do this without additional space.

The first building, Phase One – the Inner Teaching Block, will cover 3,600sqm and comprise teaching and studio facilities for the Visual Arts Department (who currently occupy accommodation spread over several locations, very little of which is ‘fit for purpose‘), digital media laboratories and a major new research unit, called the Centre for Cognition, Culture and Computation.

This building is budgeted to cost £8.2m and will be funded through grants from the Higher Education Funding Council with the balance being met from College capital reserves, specifically the proceeds from asset sales.

Alsop Architects have been chosen to design the building in an open competition. They have an international profile and a track record of designing distinctive public buildings, such as the award-winning Peckham Library.

Alsop buildings are noted for adding merit to their location and the enjoyment they give to their users. The company has extensive experience of working on urban regeneration and arts projects and is already active in the London Borough of Lewisham, working with the Council and the local community to develop a clear vision for the New Cross Gate area.

Subject to planning permission and site preparation, the construction of Phase One will commence this summer and will be completed by the end of 2004. The vacated space will then be refurbished to a high standard and utilised by other departments within the College, facilitating expansion all round.

A project manager has been appointed from Buro4, (a firm of consultants who have wide experience of project managing building projects in HE and the Arts sectors) and he has been charged with steering the College Project Team through the building programme.

The Inner Teaching Block will house arts studios, digital media laboratories and scientific laboratories spilling into the media labs of a new multi-disciplinary research and postgraduate teaching centre: Goldsmiths Digital Studios. The Digital Studios will enable and develop opportunities for cross-fertilisation between visual arts practice, design, computing, media and cultural theory.

This development is one of the key components in Goldsmiths‘ academic future, ensuring that the College remains a leading innovator in higher education in Europe with an inter-disciplinary vision, and that Goldsmiths‘ research continues to grow in international stature.

The new Centre for Cognition, Culture and Computation will bring together multi-disciplinary research on the computational, biological and neural bases of cognition, and the study of cultural and sociological aspects of human cognition.

A new laboratory will allow the electrical activity of the brain to be recorded from the scalp of participants. This approach will be used to investigate how people learn and remember information. The research will inform our ability to design environments and programmes that maximise the effectiveness of teaching and learning. New research laboratories for biopsychology (including basic genomic research) and psychopharmacology will contribute to our understanding of genetic, personality and social factors in addiction to drugs, alcohol and smoking.

There will also be new computer laboratory that will be used to simulate aspects of human cognition in order to explore the computational processes that underlie everyday processes such as understanding language or recognising familiar objects. Work in cognitive anthropology will investigate the influence of culture and language on visual perception.

Looking beyond 2004, it is hoped that Phase Two – the Gateway Building, will complement these facilities by creating academic spaces and acting as a cultural resource for the local area, linking the College more closely to the community and the Deptford creative cluster, through the provision of incubator units for local businesses and gallery space accessible to the public.

news

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Unit for Journalism and Media Ethics Professor Robert Pinker, Acting Chairman of the Press Complaints Commission and Honorary Fellow of Goldsmiths, pictured left, has launched the new Unit for Journalism and Media Ethics, the first of its kind in the UK. Journalism plays a fundamental part in informing our democracy, establishing public issues and structuring our thinking.

There are many issues surrounding the use of this power that give cause for concern and this Unit has been set up as a forum to promote the discussion and academic study of journalism, its involvement in the public sphere and its influences upon culture.

Professor Angela McRobbie, Head of the Media and Communications Department, said, ‘the Unit for Journalism and Ethics will hopefully attract the interest of journalists from across the world, aware of the need for focus, direction and wider debate on ethics, international human rights, regulation, and codes of practice in a rapidly changing media environment.‘

Bubblegum shoes Finding a piece of gum on the sole of your shoe is fairly disgusting, but Sean Hall, artist and lecturer, has a different point of view.

In conjunction with fellow lecturer Terry Rosenburg, they have created a piece of art out of bubblegum and a pair of Dr Martens.

Two flavours of bubblegum were used to create a vibrant, solid appliqué of gum over the entire upper of the shoes, reversing the usual relationship of gum to shoe – an irritation on the sole. The variation in colour is a result of the differing lengths of time spent chewing by those that assisted in embellishing the uppers.

The piece inevitably produces dual reactions, at first drawing the viewer in with its vivid colour combination of orange and pink, and then causing reflex revulsion upon the realisation that the work is made from chewed gum.

Occupational psychology hits the news The Conservative Party recently employed Jo Silvester, Professor of Occupational Psychology at Goldsmiths, to overhaul the Party‘s selection procedure for new MPs. Their aim is to encourage applications from women and minority groups and thereby reduce discrimination, by analysing the psychological factors that contribute towards selection.

Professor Silvester said that, ‘there is an urgent need to address the under-representation of women in Parliament, and this project presented a tremendous opportunity to demonstrate the practical relevance of occupational psychology research. Although common place in industry, this type of approach has never been applied to political selection and we have provided the first objective data to demonstrate that women perform as well as men when assessed for political roles.‘ Her work with the Conservative Party reflects an increased awareness in organisations of staff selection, equal opportunities, training, and health issues. Over 70% of major UK companies now use psychological assessment methods, and Government departments, local, health and education authorities are also making greater use of these techniques.

For graduates interested in pursuing this career growth area, Goldsmiths offers an MSc in Occupational Psychology, which provides a thorough grounding in the skills needed to be an occupational psychologist.

Lecturer wins weirdest bet Voted ‘Third Weirdest Bet‘ of 2002 by William Hill, one of the eternal questions, ‘what is art?‘, has been challenged by lecturer and artist Sean Hall, with a bet he placed last year.

He wagered that art collector, Charles Saatchi would buy the betting slip for £10,000 before December 2005. The slip says simply: ‘Charles Saatchi, the renowned contemporary art collector, will purchase the original of this betting slip for £10,000 or more on or before 31 December 2005.‘ William Hill set the odds of Charles Saatchi buying the betting slip at 1/2.

Sean said, ‘this piece comments on the role that patrons like Charles Saatchi play in determining what is and is not accorded the status of "art", and the value that is then placed on the objects deemed art. This is an alternative viewpoint to the one which says art is art because the artist says it is, as suggested by the works of people like Tracey Emin.‘ Sean Hall has been a lecturer at Goldsmiths College since 1999 and has been involved in over 40 exhibitions, including shows at the Whitechapel Gallery, Royal Academy and the Victoria & Albert Museum.

Auschwitz: could it ever happen again?

Interrupting Auschwitz, is a new book on the Holocaust by Josh Cohen, lecturer in English and Comparative Literature, and it offers a bold and original interpretation of the Nazi genocide, arguing that we cannot be assured that Auschwitz will never happen again.

Theodore Adorno wrote that Hitler imposed ‘a new categorical imperative on humankind...to arrange thoughts and actions so that Auschwitz will not repeat itself’, however since Auschwitz, history has repeatedly confirmed the opposite.

Examining the Holocaust and its implications through art and religion from a continental philosophical perspective, Interrupting Auschwitz reasons that it is the impossibility of this assurance that defines ethical and political thought today.

Thought is placed in a state of perpetual ‘incompletion‘; our responsibility never at an end, redemption eternally ‘interrupted‘. Cohen suggests that, rather than being cause for despair, this offers us a greater understanding of the tasks at hand.

Goldsmiths f e s t i v a l inflatables children‘s theatre face painting entertainers

of arts and innovation

music and dance art psychotherapy exhibition

demonstrations

screenings

drama performances undergraduate visual arts shows

design exhibits talks and debate

Saturday 21 June 2003 10.00am to 4.00pm at Goldsmiths College University of London New Cross London SE14 6NW

www.goldsmiths.ac.uk Information 020 7919 7265 Goldsmiths aims to be pre-eminent in the study and practice of creative, cognitive, cultural and social processes

news

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South London universities united A collaborative project, involving Goldsmiths and five other universities based in South London, has resulted in a report entitled "The demand for higher education in South London, and the engagement of higher education institutions with the business community" written by KPMG‘s Education Advisory Team.

The aim of the study was to investigate current participation in higher education among the 12 boroughs of South London, and to identify any barriers that exist to this participation. The study also considered current levels of outreach to business and community by the six universities, and consultations with businesses and companies.

The results show that compared to North London, fewer people from South London go on to higher education. There is also a perception within local communities that university is too hard to get into, too expensive, and that universities (not just those located in South London) are unapproachable.

The other institutions involved in the study were the University of Greenwich, Kingston University, South Bank University, St George‘s Hospital Medical School, University of Surrey and Roehampton.

Frank Dobbins retires Dr Frank Dobbins has retired from his post as Reader in the Music Department after 29 years at the College.

A specialist in 16th and 17th-century music in France and Italy (chanson, air, mass, motet, psalm, instrumental music, poetry, theatre and publishing), Dr Dobbins has published widely in this field as author, reviewer and editor. He contributed over 100 articles to the New Grove I and II, while his edition of The Oxford Book of French Chansons won the 1990 Malin Memorial Award from the Music Publishers Association, USA. Dr Dobbins gave a lecture on his two new volumes in the edition of Monteverdi‘s complete works, currently being published by the Fondazione Claudio Monteverdi. The lecture included live performances of selected pieces by staff and students in the Music Department. Professor Rafaello Monterosso, the chief editor of the new edition and a former visiting professor in the Department, introduced the evening‘s events.

The lecture and performance was followed by a reception to mark both the launch and Dr Dobbins‘ retirement. Current staff and students, as well as graduates and former colleagues, came along to congratulate Dr Dobbins, front right, on his achievements, and to say goodbye.

Script writing scholarships To encourage under-represented groups into the film industry, Goldsmiths is offering a number of one-year bursaries for students who apply, and are accepted, onto our MA in Script Writing.

The bursaries, provided by Granada TV and The Film Council, will cover the fees of three students. With the Granada bursary, student mentors will be provided as well as a minimum three-month placement on completion of the course. The Film Council will provide two bursaries, open to all students, whilst the Granada scholarship is specifically for black and Asian students.

The Script Writing MA focuses on the creative and analytical aspects of script writing in contemporary film, television and radio. Ideal for those who wish to develop professional skills, the programme will help equip students with the knowledge and skills for employment in writing and script development within the commercial media.

Candidates for the scholarship will be selected from those who have applied, and interviewed by Granada and The Film Council.

To apply, or get further information contact the Admissions Office, tel 020 7919 7060 or e-mail admissions@gold.ac.uk

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news

Alumni Discounts Scheme From September 2003 entry, Goldsmiths is introducing a discount on tuition fees for those who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree, DipHE or postgraduate taught programme at the College and now wish to study for a different postgraduate taught or research degree at Goldsmiths.

You will need to be accepted onto your intended programme of study and to satisfy all the normal academic admissions criteria as well as all the conditions of enrolment and registration set down by the College. The Scheme offers the following reduction of tuition fees in the first year of your programme only: Home/EU students: a reduction of £250 for full-time or £125 for part-time attendance (pro rata for fees paid on a modular basis).

Overseas (non-EU) students: a reduction of £500 for full-time or £250 for part-time attendance (regardless of whether the fee for the programme is ‘high‘ or ‘low‘ cost).

We regret that the scheme cannot be used in conjunction with any other sponsorship, discount, scholarship or bursary scheme or by students supported by their employer for professional development programmes or those intending to study for a PGCE. The discount can only be applied to tuition fees and cannot be used to cover any other programme-related expenses.

When you enrol, present the original certificate confirming your successful completion of an undergraduate degree, DipHE or postgraduate taught award at Goldsmiths, and your invoice for fees will be reduced by the appropriate amount.

If you withdraw from the postgraduate programme after you have claimed a reduced fee under the scheme, you will only be eligible for a refund on the portion of the fee paid.

For more information on the scheme, please contact John Smith, Fees and Awards Officer, Room 117 Main Building or e-mail j.smith@gold.ac.uk

saturday 21 June

open.day

2003

Goldsmiths.The UK‘s leading creative university.

Find out about undergraduate, postgraduate and adult education study in the arts, humanities, education, social sciences, and behavioural and computing sciences. talks tours exhibitions performances design exhibitions visual arts degree shows.

Experience Goldsmiths‘ Arts Festival.

10am-4pm Booking is essential book online at www.goldsmiths.ac.uk call 020 7919 7040 e-mail open-day@gold.ac.uk Goldsmiths College, University of London New Cross, London SE14 6NW

Goldsmiths aims to be pre-eminent in the study and practice of creative, cognitive, cultural and social processes.

news

9

SciArt Dr Simon Cohn, Lecturer in the Anthropology Department, has recently been appointed as resident anthropologist on a unique Science and Art collaboration taking place at the Radiology and Physics Unit, based at the Institute of Child Health and funded by the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation and the Wellcome Trust.

Artist Marion Kalmus, an ex-Goldsmiths student, will be working alongside Mark Lythgoe, a neuroscientist in the Radiology and Physics Unit at the Institute of Child Health, for the next twelve months, where they are developing state-of-theart medical imaging techniques. The collaboration aims to investigate both how art benefits from science, and also how science benefits from art. It hopes to result in a work that is both a significant artwork and a novel product of scientific research. It sets out to rethink attitudes and to position artistic and scientific practices at the cutting edge of social debate.

Cohn will be participating in a three-way interaction to provoke and introduce a number of potential social perspectives to the project, while a web designer will be documenting the engagement over the year. Simon has an active interest in brain imaging and is already investigating some of the cultural dimensions around ideas of the brain and neuroscience as they are being developed on an ESRCfunded project as part of the Innovative Health Technologies Programme.

His research is currently investigating how visualisation technology is likely to have consequences not only for how the brain is conceived and represented, but also for the much broader understandings people have of mind and body, normality and illness.

Simon will closely follow the progress of the artist in order to contribute to the web documentary. He will also report on the non-expert understandings and interpretations of science, and the many non-scientific perspectives of scientists themselves. In parallel with this SciArt initiative, Simon will also continue with his own investigation into the role of technology and scientific innovation on the many cultural aspects that are tied to clinical applications. It is hoped that this mutually inclusive approach will provide a new framework from which science, art and understanding may develop. Anyone interested in collaborating with Simon to further such initiatives should contact him directly via e-mail at s.cohn@gold.ac.uk, or 0207 919 7807.

Just two of the images from the Science and Art collaboration.

FeedBack: Curating laid bare Art exhibitions are usually delivered as a fait accompli, but how does an exhibition take form; what choices contribute to the final presentation of the work; and how does the presentation affect the spectator‘s experience? FeedBack is the brainchild of three independent curators, Jacqueline Cooke, Elpida Karaba and Nayia Yiakoumaki, all studying for a MPhil/PhD in Fine Art at Goldsmiths.

The pilot project kicked off with an exhibition by Christina Iglesias at the Whitechapel Gallery. Visitors were encouraged to comment through FeedBack leaflets available at the Whitechapel Gallery or on their website.

Each subsequent FeedBack event will look at a different aspect of exhibition delivery. By instigating debate and discussions about the presentation of art, FeedBack aims to encourage audiences to think critically about what messages and meanings they offer, whilst allowing curators to gain a deeper understanding of the way that people view exhibitions.

Race equality policy sets standards Goldsmiths has been given ‘Exemplar‘ status for its race relations policy by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE).

Out of 130 universities in the UK, 37 achieved Exemplar status. In their report on Goldsmiths‘ Race Equality Policy, HEFCE wrote: ‘This is an impressive policy, and it benefits from the fact that for very many years Goldsmiths has been taking initiatives to promote race equality and cultural diversity and to respond to the challenges and demands of a rapidly changing, multi-ethnic area and a vibrant and creative body of students.‘

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noticeboard

Class notes We welcome your contributions to Class notes or In touch. Submit your material online

her sketch pads. Wynn remembers a history lecturer because he marked one of her

using our contributions form, which can be found on our website,

essays with a B- and the comment ‘good use of the Encyclopaedia Britannica‘! Her first

www.goldsmiths.ac.uk or by post to the Development and Alumni Office.

teaching practice school was in Deptford which then had a reputation for being ‘a rough place‘ where ‘jellied eels were sold and men played shove ha‘penny‘. Women students

Professor David Killingray, Historical and Cultural Studies Department, recently met Miss Wynn Ellis, who is 104 years old. Miss Ellis was at Goldsmiths from 1922-24.

were advised not to go to the area unaccompanied.

Her first post as a trained infant teacher was in Tunbridge Wells where her salary

She was born in 1898 and continues to live alone in Weald, a village south of

was £13 a month. Thereafter she taught at two village primary schools in Leigh and

Sevenoaks, where her parents were tenant farmers. Her earliest memory is celebrating

Weald, and finally in Sevenoaks (at one time with a class of 53) from where she retired

King Edward VII‘s coronation on Weald village green in 1902. W H Davies, author of

in the mid-1960s. Until she was 96 she regularly played the organ at Weald Methodist

The Autobiography of a Super-Tramp (1926), lived in Weald before the First World War.

chapel which her grandmother had helped start in 1839. Wynn said ‘it has been a happy

Wynn often took him milk although her mother forbade her to accept the pennies that

and fulfilling life.‘

he offered for the errand; instead he gave her sweets. During the First World War she became an uncertificated teacher in the village school that she had once attended.

Stephan Collishaw (English and History 1989-92) has worked as a teacher in various

Lessons were sometimes taken on the village green, and when the wind blew from the

countries, including Lithuania and Spain, and is publishing his first novel, ‘The Last Girl‘,

southeast, the rumble of the guns on the Western Front could be heard.

which they term: ‘a powerful and moving story of unrequited passion and dark secrets,

A visiting school inspector suggested that Wynn study for a teaching certificate but the fees were beyond her parents‘ means. However, she came to Goldsmiths in 1922 on

set in Eastern Europe and reminiscent of Rachel Seiffert and Sebastian Faulks.‘ The novel is set in Vilnius, Lithuania. Its protagonist is a Lithuanian poet looking back

a County Scholarship to train as an infant school teacher. Students then wore a uniform,

on his life and the terrible events leading up to the outbreak of the Second World War

women in blouses and the College tie with its blue and gold stripes, men in blazers with

and, later, the collapse of Communism.

the badge on the breast pocket. Wynn recalls that in those days the library was on the top floor at the front of the main building. She lived at Granville Park, the hostel in

Hilda Grace Smith who trained to be a teacher at Goldsmiths from 1921-23 celebrated

Blackheath provided by Kent County Council for its 40 or so students.

her 100th birthday on 14 March 2003. She remembers affectionately her days at

The Student Handbook from that time notes ‘unless permission to the contrary has

Goldsmiths, which she chose because she was very fond of art and games. She went on

been given by the Warden, a student is expected to attend Assembly at 9.30am‘.

to become Headmistress of an infant school in Southend. Happy Birthday from her niece

Male and female students had to use separate entrances and corridors, as the Student

Jane Rayner and from everyone at the Goldsmiths Society.

Handbook explains ‘the entrance for men students is by the right hand (western) door and that for women by the left hand (or eastern) door. Except for necessary crossings to

Ian Mitchell (Music 1975-78) has been appointed University Director of Music at Exeter

classrooms, or to the Dining Hall, the eastern corridor is used by women only and the

University, where he continues as Lecturer in Performance in the Department of Music.

western corridor by men only.‘

Ian recently commissioned Professor Stanley Glasser to write a work for clarinet and

In the early 1920s, the two year course for primary teachers consisted of a broad

piano for him to play at the symposium ‘Africa and Diaspora‘ organised by Professor

curriculum which provided a good general education; in her first year Wynn Ellis studied

Akin Euba of Pittsburgh University to be held at Churchill College, Cambridge in early

English, Maths, Craft Work, History, Music, Geography, Scripture – all aimed to produce

August. The recital programme will also include a new work for bass clarinet and

the all-round teacher. Wynn still has some of her lesson note books and also drawings in

percussion written by Simon Allen (Music 1984-88).

In touch If you would like us to help you make

alumnus, please contact Dave Ferguson

They were studying Drama and Theatre

there do get in touch and catch up

contact with lost friends, we can help by

on dj_ferguson@btopenworld.com.

Arts and Art respectively. Please contact

before the memory goes completely!

Guy Croft on aeromedic1@amserve.com

Contact: e.bankes-jones@foxdale.sch.im

passing on your letters or e-mail address to fellow members of the Society.

Claire Willerton (English 1992-96)

If they are not already a member, your

I‘ve been really useless and have lost

Michael Turgeon (Social Policy and

Phil Erith (French 1962-65)

search can be featured in future editions

touch with some great people: Kate

Politics 1994-95)

After 35 years in EFL mostly overseas,

of Goldlink or on the website Message

Sharpe, my house buddy. Josie Pia,

Trying to locate a fellow student I played

now teaching part-time in Colchester.

Board, to see if others know of their

my mad Norwegian pal who used our

rugby with at Goldsmiths. If anyone is

I would love to hear from anyone on

whereabouts.

phone to talk ‘hurdy gurdy‘ for years.

still in contact with Paul, the Skipper of

the French course in those days, or Tours

Gioia Wagner. Ben Stills, I hope that‘s

the rugby team in 1994-95, please

1963, or Raymont Hall. Contact:

Dave Ferguson (Anthropology

right or you‘ll never respond. John

contact Michael Turgeon at

philerith@hotmail.com

1975-78) is looking for Wyn Jones

Salmon, I still have your autograph!

mbt@onebox.com

and Graeme Smith, both from the

Claire Wedgwood, are you in Sussex

1975-78 era.

yet? So many other names. Please get in

Sue Bankes-Jones nee Broadway

(Teacher Training Course 1951-53)

Wyn Jones started at Goldsmiths

touch, it‘s been such a long time!

(BA Ed Art Education 1980-83)

Took teacher training course and moved

studying English and later switched to

Contact: claire@flat86a.fsnet.co.uk

Were you in Dean Hall or Stannard Hall

to Canada in 1956. Planning a trip to

20 years ago? What is everyone up to

England soon and would like to find

PE teaching. He also played Rugby for

Beryl Goodall nee Smith,

the College and London Welsh.

Guy Croft (French and German 1991-94)

nowadays? Kate, Jane, Paula, Julie,

Marjorie Peacock, Barbara Walls, Jean

Graeme Smith also studied PE teaching.

I am looking for Linda Kahr and

Cathy, Carol (or anyone else who

and Rita. Contact: bgoodall@shaw.ca

If anyone is still in touch with either

Ian Taylor from Raymont Hall.

remembers back that far) if you‘re out

noticeboard

11

Obituaries John Bavin

Indeed, this energy, enthusiasm and witty

Third Age (U3A). He and his wife, Barbara,

John was a student at Goldsmiths from

geniality characterised everything he

were regularly to be seen about the

1954-56 and died on 24 January 2003

undertook, not only at school, but also

premises as members of several groups,

aged 69.

within his church, the wider community

at conferences and for other activities

and his family.

generally. Together they enjoyed a long

After service with the BFES in Germany, John ended his teaching career as

Eventually, The Wenman became part

retirement in pursuit of their lifelong

Headteacher of Durrington Junior School

of Thame‘s comprehensive system and was

commitments to the arts, to issues of

on Salisbury Plain. He was a keen member

renamed Lord Williams‘s Lower School,

general concern and to sport, blissfully

of the Drama Society whilst at College and

where Geoff remained as Head until his

freed from the stresses of School, Faculty

took part in a number of College

retirement in 1977.

or Departmental matters and concerns.

productions when a student. He was also

As a family man he was a dearly loved

Charles Ellis was a warm-hearted and

involved in the Christian Union and his

husband, father, grandfather and great-

generous man with a kindly sense of

strong Christian faith showed itself in many

grandfather, and there was always much

humour and a genuine devotion to his

ways during his life, not least when he and

fun, tennis playing and music making at

his wife were hosts to children from Belarus

home, interspersed with studying and

who were suffering from the ill effects of

memorable holidays abroad. Geoff was

the Chernobyl disaster. John knew some

very proud of his two children and five

Social Studies, Art, Education, Humanities

Russian from his army days and this was

grandchildren, particularly when three of

and Performing Arts, and Science and

put to good use in this kind act.

them became teachers and most of them

Mathematics – and placed five deans in

talented musicians. Later, when three

charge of them.

John was a local ‘boy‘ having lived with

family and friends. His passing will be a

Charles Ellis

source of great sorrow to all those who where privileged to know him well and to work with him.

Professor Vic Kelly Lillian Searle (nee Howe)

his parents and older brother, in

delightful great grandsons arrived on the

Southampton Way SE5 and he leaves a

family scene, Geoff was sadly, too ill to

have been chosen to be the first Dean of

Her family moved South during the

wife Anthea, three married daughters and

appreciate them.

Science and that was Charles Ellis, till then

depression, and Lillian joined Goldsmiths

Head of the Department of Chemistry.

in 1930 to train as a teacher.

his brother, Harry.

In retirement he continued to be as David Chatterton 1954-56

There was only one person who could

Lillian was born in South Shields in 1911.

busy as ever, playing a leading role in many

In this new capacity, as well as joining the

activities such as the Citizens Advice

other four Deans and the Warden and

she he taught at Merton, Leatherhead,

Geoffrey Arthur Chaplin

Bureau, Christian Aid organisation, and

Deputy Warden in advising on the running

Egham Boys School and St Judes Mixed

My husband, Geoffrey Chaplin, died on 10

of course his own local church. He was

of the College as a whole, he played a

School in Englefield Green, where she was

December 2002. Geoff studied Pure and

particularly involved as organist,

leading role in what was to be a highly

deputy head until she retired in 1972.

Applied Mathematics at Goldsmiths from

accompanist, conductor of choirs and a

turbulent period for the sciences at

She and her husband Fred were

1935-38 where he obtained a BSc degree

bass-baritone soloist in a wide variety of

Goldsmiths which began with the

happily married for over 50 years before

and a Teaching Certificate.

musical events. He continued to teach

migration to the Rachel McMillan building

he passed away in 1994. They did not

maths at evening classes and patiently

in Deptford and which was to end, at the

have children.

that time, Geoff‘s career was interrupted by

coached students who found the

strict behest of London University, with the

the Second World War. He served with

subject difficult.

departure of all science to Thames

highly successful all-round athlete, gaining

Polytechnic, later to become the University

full colours for netball.

Together with those of most men of

REME, developing coastal radar equipment,

He will long be remembered with love,

which challenged his considerable gifts as a

affection and respect by his family, friends,

mathematician.

colleagues and many pupils for his

In 1942 he married Amy-Ruth

of Greenwich.

His task was thus the most difficult one

After completing her finals in 1932

As a young woman Lillian was a

She was connected with many organisations of social and educational

remarkable kindness, enthusiasm, good

of reconciling the best interests of the

interest and was past president of the

Kingsford (also at Goldsmiths 1936-38) and

humour, ready with and generous sharing

College with those of the science

Thames Valley NUT Association.

eventually in 1946 started his successful

of his time and talents. A good example of

departments within it. This was a problem

teaching career. His first appointment in

a real "Old Smith" I think.

that faced every Dean, but it was certainly

Folkestone, Kent, teaching Maths and

Amy Chaplin 1936-38

Science and lasting for nearly six years, was

Mrs LP Nicholls (Niece)

more complex for the Dean of Science in

Betty Barnard

the circumstances which then prevailed.

Many of you will be sad to learn of the

followed by a move to Glinton,

Charles Ellis

He succeeded in avoiding schizophrenia but

death of Elizabeth Barnard de Lazareno,

Peterborough with his wife and two

Charles Ellis died peacefully at home in his

not always in concealing his proper concern

affectionately known as Betty Barnard,

children Elizabeth and Tony. His time in that

sleep on 24 January 2003. He retired in

for his science colleagues. On several

who died on Sunday 26 January 2003.

small community as Deputy Head of Arthur

1984 after 25 years on the teaching staff,

occasions, the Warden of that time, Richard

Mellowes Village College was short but

having joined the Science Department of

Hoggart, was heard to remind him at

Music Department from 1933-76 and was

inspirational.

the College in 1959.

meetings of the Warden‘s Advisory Group

Head of Music for many years.

In 1955 the family moved to Thame,

Until the mid-1970s Goldsmiths

(appropriately known as WAG) that he was

Betty was a member of staff in the

If any of you have personal memories

where Geoff became Headmaster of the

College consisted of three major

there to advise him and not to forward the

of Betty and would be prepared to share

Secondary Modern School. As pupil

departments which operated largely

parochial interests of the Faculty of Science.

those reminiscences, please send them

numbers increased, a much need new

independently of each other – the School

In spite of all, however, Charles retained a

direct to the Development and Alumni

school, named The Wenman, was built,

of Art, the Department of Adult Studies

dignity and a sense of duty, which were

Office. The Society will be devoting an

with Geoff presiding over the inevitable

(DAS) and the Department of Arts, Science

quite remarkable in light of the task that

article to Betty‘s life in the next issue of

upheaval in both curriculum and buildings.

and Education (DASE). When the College

faced him.

Goldlink (December 2003) and would

He approached these tasks with relish and

decided that all of these should be brought

enthusiasm. John Pilger once described him

more closely together, it created five

with the College was maintained through

as ‘genial and fairly bursting with ideas‘.

Schools (later Faculties) – of Adult and

his involvement with The University of the

After his retirement, Charles‘ contact

welcome contributions from those who knew her.

Professor Stanley Glasser

The Goldsmiths Society Development and Alumni Office, Goldsmiths College, University of London, New Cross, London SE14 6NW, UK. Telephone 020 7919 7265, fax 020 7919 7903, e-mail goldsoc@gold.ac.uk www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/alumni/index.html