Goldlink 22

Goldlink The magazine of the Goldsmiths Society

Issue 22

Keeping you in touch with Goldsmiths

Saatchi Event

Goldsmiths in Space

January 2004

Mediate Project

2

Welcome from the Warden

Welcome from the Chairman

Dear Alumni

Dear Friends

I hope you have had an interesting and productive year, and have noticed some of the recent events and successes at Goldsmiths that have surfaced in the press.

Welcome to this issue of Goldlink.

The major undertaking is Phase I of the new Arts Complex, designed by Will Alsop of Alsop Architects and the most ambitious building project the College has ever embarked on. We received planning permission in July, and work on the site began shortly afterwards. At the end of November, the ‘piling‘ stage of the operation was completed a day ahead of schedule. ‘Topping out‘ of the seven storey structure is scheduled for Spring 2004; completion of the project – which will include the ground-breaking Centre for Cognition, Computation and Culture – for December.

Meanwhile on 27 November, the College held a successful Reception at the Saatchi Gallery, to help raise our external profile amongst potential and existing supporters.

The evening featured speeches by the Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP (Secretary of State for Education and Skills) and Antony Gormley, OBE (sculptor, alumnus and Honorary Fellow); showreels of work from the Visual Arts, Design, Psychology and Media and Communications Departments; performances by the Music department, and a display

by Alsop Architects of the new Arts Complex being built at Goldsmiths. Surrounded by the Gallery exhibits, many by Goldsmiths‘ artists, it was a vivid and exciting occasion.

The event heralded the ‘Year of Goldsmiths‘ – 2004 is the centenary of Goldsmiths‘ membership of the University of London.

The 2003 Dean Lecture was delivered on 20 November 2003 by Professor Paul Hunter, University of Chicago, under the title ‘Reasons for Rhyme‘. The lecture was a fascinating look at the way that rhyme has, over the years, contributed to the meaning of poetry, and both grown and declined in popularity over the past few hundred years. A number of former students were able to attend and the event was a great success.

The Goldsmiths Society was once again able to sponsor students, as part of the College‘s Student Awards Scheme, a full report can be found on page 12.

The Society is also helping to arrange a music reunion at the College in July for music graduates and Music Society members from 30 years ago (page 6) and hope to begin setting up overseas alumni networks in Japan, Korea, Taiwan and Malaysia in the new year.

The College has introduced a special discount on tuition fees for all former students who have studied and successfully completed an undergraduate degree, DipHE or postgraduate taught programme at the College, and who now wish to progress to a different postgraduate taught or postgraduate research degree. If you would like to return to Goldsmiths to do more than reminisce – this is the opportunity! More information on how to apply can be found on page 7.

All good wishes for the year ahead.

Professor Ben Pimlott

The Society is now able to sell items of Goldsmiths merchandise, (and in time will offer Goldsmiths Society branded clothing), through our partnership with Campus Clothing. We get a percentage of the value of each item sold, and all funds received go to the Loring Memorial Student Hardship Fund.

This issue of Goldlink reports numerous interesting developments in the life of the College, but we especially welcome your articles. They can contain memories of the past, or details of what you are doing now. So please feel free to contact us with your enquiries and your news.

The Reverend Doctor Peter Galloway Chair 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

3

Contents

News

Features

Retired Academics Scheme

7

Alumni Services

7

Companions of Honour

10

Is it really good to talk?

10

International Students Welcome

10

Mirror, Mirror

10

Honorary Fellowships 2003

12

College awards and prizes

12

Music Concerts 2004

13

Inaugural Lectures 2004

13

New Research Centres and Units

16

Terry Mann

16

Saatchi Event

4

Arts Complex report

4

The Mediate Project

5

Noticeboard

Open Book

5

Obituaries

14

Goldsmiths in Space

5

Class notes

14

Monkey Nut

5

Music Students‘ Reunion

6

Elizabeth (Betty) Barnard

8

In touch

9

Page 10 Page 4

Page 6 Page 5

Page 9

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 Printing Company Thanks for all their help to Heidi Seetzen, Jenny Gault, 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.

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.

The Goldsmiths Society: www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/alumni/index.html

4

feature

Saatchi Event On 27 November, the College hosted a reception at the Saatchi Gallery which was attended by, amongst others, the Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP (Secretary of State for Education and Skills). The event aimed to anticipate ‘The Year of Goldsmiths‘ (2004 marks the centenary of the College becoming part of the University of London), and officially launched the College‘s plans for the immediate future to a selected audience of staff, current and potential friends, supporters and partners.

In his speech, the Warden, Professor Ben Pimlott, explained that it was a fitting time to celebrate the College‘s past and future achievements. He added “Goldsmiths is a unique institution, in a special part of London. It boasts the best Sociology and Media departments in the country, and its creativity crashes through barriers and boundaries.“Describing the new Arts Complex as the “most ambitious building project in the College‘s history“, the Warden explained that it was a curtain-raiser for a further phase of the project.

Surrounded by works such as Damien Hirst‘s The Physical Impossibility of Death in the Mind of Someone Living, and Tracey Emin‘s Everyone I Have Ever Slept With 1963-95, Marcus Harvey‘s Myra, Sarah Lucas‘ Au Natural, plasma screens in the Gallery ran showreels of a selection of work taking place within the College. They included the Psychology Department‘s ‘Mediate Project‘, and work from the Visual Arts, Design, Electronic Music Studios and Media and Communications Departments.

Live music was provided by Ensemble Bakhtar (led by Professor John Baily), Conor Doherty and Dr Stephen Cottrell. A further screen presentation was contributed

by Alsop Architects, which accompanied a model of the Arts Complex building.

Rt Hon Charles Clarke MP

Charles Clarke opened the proceedings with a speech that praised the College for its commitment to producing first-rate creative graduates and postgraduates, and their contribution to the creative industries. Referring to the Government‘s Education Bill, included in the previous day‘s Queen‘s speech to Parliament, he said that amongst the controversy it would inevitably arouse, he hoped that one thing would be particularly welcomed: the proposal to transform the AHRB into a full research council.

Also present was Antony Gormley RA OBE (alumnus and Honorary Fellow of the College). In his speech, he said that he had benefited enormously from his time at Goldsmiths, referring particularly to the inspiration he‘d received from being taught by Michael Craig Martin, along with the artists whose works were now exhibited in the Gallery where he was standing. “There‘s a club called The Venue opposite the College, I never went in there when I was a student, but it always held a promise, and I feel Goldsmiths can take that on, with the new arts building, and hopefully with the second phase building, which can be a gateway, to encourage local people to come in and get involved.“Explaining that he had recently visited China, Gormley said that people he‘d met there had heard about Goldsmiths – “your little bit of South East London is known globally“.

The event was designed to raise the College‘s profile to a cross-section of people.

Sir Charles Saatchi donated free use of the Saatchi Gallery, and generous benefactors underwrote a substantial part of the costs.

Antony Gormley RA OBE

Will Alsop

Arts Complex report Goldsmiths has begun work on the first phase (Inner Teaching Block) of a two-phase Arts Complex, designed to develop 11,000sqm of currently under-utilised space on the St James‘ car park.

Goldsmiths rapid expansion over the last two decades has produced a major problem of overcrowding.

This project is about housing expansion and enhancing our international reputation – particularly in the arts, but also within 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 Inner Teaching Block will cover 3,600sqm and will house teaching and studio facilities for the Visual Arts Department, digital media laboratories and a major new research unit, called the Centre for Cognition, Computation and Culture.The majority of funding comes through grants from the Higher Education Funding Council with the balance being met from College capital reserves, specifically the proceeds

from asset sales that we must plough back into the College‘s estate.

Design The construction of Phase I is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2004. The vacated space within the College will then be refurbished and utilised by other departments, enabling expansion all round.

The building is being designed by Alsop Architects, who have a reputation for creating distinctive public buildings which bring merit to their locations.

The building will be a seven storey box with an industrial feel to reflect the tough studio space within. The materials have been carefully chosen to complement those of existing buildings in the vicinity, and to create a low-energy, sustainable building. The northwest facing side of the building will be fully glazed with floor to ceiling windows to allow maximum daylight.

The building has been designed to yield the best working environment, whilst minimising energy consumption and reducing emissions. Building materials have been selected that require minimum energy resources to extract and utilise them. Wherever possible, natural ventilation has been incorporated into the building design and recycled materials will be used, including recycled steel. The aluminium cladding is fully recyclable and during the lifetime of the building will be low maintenance as it has a self-finish. The glass components can be re-used and recycled.

Future Looking beyond 2004, it is hoped that Phase II (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.

feature

5

The Mediate Project The Mediate Project aims to help children with autism, many of whom have difficulties with communication, by providing them with a fun, expressive medium with which to interact.

Dr Pam Heaton from the Psychology Department has been working on the project with two research associates, Sandy Sachse and Omar Cummins, and with staff from Portsmouth University, the Project‘s main partner. Also involved are artists, designers, musicians, and computer programmers based in the Netherlands, Spain and the United Kingdom.

A range of stimulating visual, auditory and tactile installations are contained in an asymmetric hexagon within which children are encouraged to play. The environment responds uniquely to each child, to encourage them to try out new things, enhance their sense of cause and effect, and reduce repetitive behaviour. If the child‘s behaviour becomes repetitive, the output from the environment fades; if the child is passive, the environment will ‘tease‘ or prompt them to interact.

Using video monitoring, Dr Heaton‘s team observed and recorded the behaviour of around thirty children while the Mediate environment was based at Goldsmiths. “Whilst many special schools have multi-sensory environments,“ says Pam Heaton, “Mediate is unique in the degree of control it gives the child. We‘re hoping that we‘ll achieve a valuable insight into the world of the non-verbal child with autism.“ The Mediate multi-sensory environment has moved from Goldsmiths, but further information is available at www.port.ac.uk/mediate/ The acronym ‘Mediate‘ stands for Multisensory Environment Design for an Interface between Autistic and Typical Expressiveness

Open Book Open Book, is a new scheme to encourage ex-offenders, those who have had alcohol, drug or mental health problems, and other hard-to reach-groups to re-enter education.

In collaboration with Goldsmiths‘ Students‘ Union and a range of organisations that work with offenders and addiction, Open Book will use practical solutions to tackle psychological factors such as low self-esteem, misunderstanding and fear that can act as deterrents to Higher Education. Methods include facilitating university tours, lecture visits, meeting students from similar backgrounds and one-to-one sessions with tutors. Sessions on student finance and study skills, taster courses and a 24-hour help-line will help to provide students with the support they need.

Joe Baden, the co-ordinator of Open Book at Goldsmiths, comments, “As the title suggests, Open Book aims to make Higher Education a real and welcoming option to those deterred first time around.“

Goldsmiths in Space

Monkey Nut

Who said that art and science do not mesh? Earlier this summer a space rocket carried a painting by former Goldsmiths student, Damien Hirst, into space. Also on board the spacecraft was a track by Britpop band Blur, whose members Alex James and Graham Coxon also came to Goldsmiths.

Mark McGowan, an MA student rolled a monkey nut using his nose for seven miles along some of London‘s busiest roads from outside Goldsmiths to 10 Downing Street.

The artworks are attached to the British Mars Lander, Beagle 2 – launched as part of the European Space Agency‘s Mars Express mission – and are due to reach the Red Planet on Christmas Day. Assembled at the Open University at Milton Keynes, Beagle 2 is going to Mars to investigate whether there is, or ever was, life on the planet. According to BBC reports, Hirst said that if martians were indeed a reality they would be very impressed with his work. “If they‘ve got eyes, they‘ll love it“.

However, the tape and the painting fulfil more than just a cultural function. The tune – written by band members Alex James and Dave Rowntree – is based on a mathematical sequence and will signal back to earth once Beagle 2 has landed safely. Hirst‘s painting comprises rows of different coloured spots and will be used as a calibration chart, so scientists back on Earth can check for damage in the instruments.

Mark began his journey on 1 September and finished the trip on 12 September with the aim of raising the profile of student poverty.

Mr McGowan also wrote to Tony Blair and the Secretary of State for Education and Skills, Charles Clarke asking them to cancel his debts if he pulls off the feat.

6

feature

30 YEARS ON! Still crazy after all these years?

MUSIC STUDENTS‘ REUNION Saturday 3 July 2004 Raymont Formal. Left to right, back row: Gerald Hindes, Cath Jordan, Keith Berrett, Jackie Nicholls, David O‘Neale, Marilyn Bennett, Steve Devine.

Front row: Gillian Ainscow, Mike Pipe, Lynne Wilson, Graham French.

If none of the following mean anything to you, don‘t read on: Hylas is weak but, King Arthur‘s in candlelight, City of Desolation, Les Noces, Saul, Samson, Christmas Oratorio and Trial by Jury on Horniman Gardens‘ bandstand!

This reunion is for those music students who started at Goldsmiths 30 years ago, in 1973, and for the music students who overlapped with them (i.e. those who started at College between 1971 and 1975). In addition, any other students from other disciplines who were regularly involved in music society concerts are most welcome to join us, as are the partners of any of the above.

We are still planning the order of events, but the following are likely to occur: ■ Gather in the Staff Lounge, Main Building at 11.30am for refreshments.

■ Display of photos, programmes, memorabilia and sound archives.

Please contact me if you have any contributions or you can send scanned photos to the Goldsmiths Society Office.

■ Buffet lunch at a cost of around £15 per head.

■ Guided tour of the College buildings (old and new) with particular emphasis on the music department.

■ Informal cabaret of items from the assembled company – volunteers only – any offers? Any chance of Vernon Mound reprising his rendition of I want to sing in opera, I‘ve got that kind of voice?

■ Visits to those halls of residence still in use after 30 years (Warmington Tower is now office space and Pentland Hall, Aberdeen Hall and the original Loring Hall have all been sold).

■ Depart to a ‘select‘ local hostelry (Rosemary Branch, Marquis of Granby, New Cross Tavern or perhaps something in the Greenwich/Blackheath area) at around 4.00pm.

We want to trace as many past students as possible. The Goldsmiths Society has details of about 50 of those who were there between 1973 and 1976. They may have more on their lists, but they can‘t always identify female members who have given their married name or CertEd students who are listed under education rather than music. It is likely that, between us, we know how to contact another 50 at least.

For the moment, please contact the Goldsmiths Society directly if you would like to attend the reunion and/or you know of the whereabouts of music students or ‘musical‘ students from those days that we can contact.

If you would like to discuss the reunion itself, possible cabaret items and memorabilia issues, please contact me directly.

Just to whet your appetite, here are a few names not thought to be on the Goldsmiths Society list that we would like to contact.

Yesteryear, here we come: Akinola Akinyele, Gillian Alford, Laura AllenRowlandson, Elizabeth Anderson, Peter Appleby, Jane Backhouse, Marilyn Bennett, Mike Berridge, Reuben Berrill, Alison Best, Michael Bond, Yvonne Bonifas, Jane Bonner, Clive Britcher, Phil Brownrigg, David Burnand, Philip Caine, Andrew Callard, Martin Connolly, Jan Cordell, Martin Cordell, Rosalie Crimp, Peter Cudmore, Richard Berkeley Dennis, Andrew Denyer, Kate Dollimore, Andrew Downing (Jaemus), Celia Duffy, Terri Duffy, Amanda Eglin, Phil Ellis, Helen Evans, Jean-Marc Evans, James Fawcett, Paul Foster, Ruth Gibbons, Patrick Gillam, Barbara Gunyon, Richard Guy, Alison Hart, Ann Hoceij, Sue Honor, Chris Hughes, Judy Jacobs, Sarah James, Graham Jenkins, Alan Jolly, Trevor Jones, Laurence Juber, Philip Keywood, Barry Laing, Louise Lane, Mike Lucas, Mary MacFarlane, Matilda McDermott, Paul McLaughlin, Alan Meyer, Jane Miller, Corinne Mitchell, Vernon Mound, Stella Page, Alistair Parkin, Annette Pawelitzki, Heather Peattie, Catherine Phipps, Linda Pullen, John Pullin, Christopher Roberts, Maureen Robinson, Valerie Rolfe, Catherine Rollo, Mark Russell, Jeremy Ryder, Gary Seiling, Chris Sennett, Stella Short, Valerie Short, Andrew Simpson, Liz Strahan, Eve Turner, Valerie Watson, Susan Whelan, Yvonne Williamson, Anne Wilson, John Wilson, Lynne Wilson, and Andrew Wright (who left in 1973, but involved many of us in his concerts).

We will contact everyone who expresses an interest in attending the reunion around February/March time, with a finalised order of events and details of the cost and travel arrangements.

For as one line of the College song has it: ‘Smiths are we, ‘Smiths are we, Jolly good fellows as you may see!

David O‘Neale Music 1973-77 david@onealed.freeserve.co.uk

news

7

Retired Academics Scheme A new scheme aimed at tackling recruitment difficulties at Commonwealth universities is being launched by the Association of Commonwealth Universities (ACU). The Retired Academics Database (RAD) will comprise a register of retired academics from around the world who are willing to undertake short-term contracts at overseas universities, mainly in the African and Asian regions.

Many universities find it hard to fill posts in key areas such as Business and Accounting, Mathematics, Computing, Medicine, and the sciences, as well as at senior administrative levels. RAD would place retired academics in these posts for a period of between three months and two years, allowing the universities time to find suitable permanent candidates. Remuneration would vary, depending on the institution, but typically candidates would receive local salary rates and return airfares for themselves and even their spouses.

The scheme is primarily aimed at retired academics, although the ACU is also interested in hearing from academics at earlier stages in their careers (with at

least two years‘ teaching experience) who would be interested in undertaking such assignments. It should be stressed these posts will be allocated on a short-term contract rather than on a permanent basis.

The scheme has the potential to make a real difference in universities that urgently need to fill key posts. At the same time, the scheme offers academics a unique opportunity to continue teaching and to experience different countries and cultures.

Interested academics can find more information on applying to RAD, and subject areas where academics are required, via ACU Advertising‘s website www.acu.ac.uk/adverts/rad For more information please contact: Jocelyn Law, Marketing, Association of Commonwealth Universities, 36 Gordon Square, London WC1H 0PF, tel: 020 7380 6707, fax: 020 7383 0368, e-mail: rad@acu.ac.uk

Alumni Discount Scheme The College has introduced a special discount on tuition fees for all former students who have successfully completed an undergraduate degree, DipHE or postgraduate taught programme at Goldsmiths, and who now wish to progress to a different postgraduate taught or postgraduate research degree.

In order to apply for the reduced tuition fee, you will need to have been accepted on to 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 will involve the following discount on the appropriate tuition fee levied on the first year of attendance of the programme (and not any subsequent or repeat year): ■ Students who pay the Home or EU fee: a reduction of £250 for full-time or £125 for part-time attendance.

■ Students who pay the overseas fee: a reduction of £500 for full-time or £250 for part-time attendance (regardless of whether the fee for the programme is a ‘high‘ or ‘low‘ cost fee).

We regret that this new scheme cannot be used in conjunction with other sponsorship, scholarship or bursary schemes such as Research Council scholarships, Overseas Agency or Government scholarships, ORS scholarships, or by students supported by their employer for professional development

Careers Advice The Careers Service would like to hear from any former students who have vacancies to fill in their own working environment or those who can join the Careers Network and spare some time to talk to current students about their own jobs.

If you can help in any way please contact the Careers Service.

For more information please visit the Careers Service website at www.gold.ac.uk/careers/graduate.html or write to Careers Service, Goldsmiths College, 32 Lewisham Way, New Cross, London SE14 6NW, tel 020 7919 7137 or e-mail careers@gold.ac.uk

Finding Lost Alumni We would love to hear from any former students not already in contact with the Society.

Leave a message for lost friends on the alumni

programmes, or by students intending to pursue a PGCE, or by students in receipt of any other discount or scholarship scheme offered by the College.

The discount can only be applied to the tuition fees and cannot be used to cover any other programme-related expenses (eg residential costs, materials or membership fees).

How do you claim your discount?

If you wish to claim the alumni discount on tuition fees, you will be required to show your eligibility at enrolment, by presenting the original certificate confirming your successful completion of an undergraduate degree, DipHE or postgraduate taught award at Goldsmiths and by asking for the discount on your fees. We will reduce your invoice for tuition fees by the appropriate amount on the spot.

The small print!

If you withdraw from the postgraduate programme after you have claimed a reduced tuition fee under the Alumni Discount Scheme, and you seek to claim a proportional refund of tuition fees, you will only be eligible for a refund on the portion of the fee that you have paid.

For more information on the Alumni Discount Scheme, please contact Steven Edwards, Fees and Awards, Room 123 Main Building, tel 020 7919 7524 or e-mail s.edwards@gold.ac.uk

Message Board on our website. You can also pass on your letters to fellow members through the Alumni Office.

So if you keep in touch with other former Goldsmiths students, please check if they receive Goldlink and are members of the Goldsmiths Society. If not, ask them to call 020 7919 7265 and register.

Library Access Alumni can gain access to the College‘s library, and are allowed reference use of the books and periodicals.

The library will normally issue a one-day ticket, repeated up to three times a term, or you can use the library for a more sustained period. Please put your request in writing to the Development and Alumni Office, who will endorse it and then forward it to the library for consideration.

Society Web Pages www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/alumni/ Join the Society or update your details online, e-mail us contributions for Goldlink at the touch of a button, or leave messages on the Message Board for other alumni to read.

You can also find out how to buy merchandise, get news of forthcoming events, information about library access, old Goldlinks, and old photos of College life.

Transcripts If you have lost your certificate or require transcripts or official verification of your qualifications, please e-mail examinations@gold.ac.uk

8

feature

The academic staff of the College in 1954 showing Betty Barnard, front row, second from left, Dr Chesterman (Warden), front row, centre and Leslie Orrey, back row, first on the right, who later succeeded Betty as Head of Music.

The Goldsmiths Music Group in the mid-1930’s featuring Betty Barnard, front row centre.

Elizabeth (Betty) Barnard The love and affection felt by so many for Elizabeth Barnard was most obvious in the number of letters of condolence, appreciation and fond memories received not only from all parts of the UK, but also from abroad.

Reminiscences came in from a wide range of people – colleagues, students, and even those who had experienced Goldsmiths‘ students teaching them at primary school at the time when all music training and teaching at Goldsmiths was under the control and direction of Betty Barnard. Danielle Perrett, now a renowned harpist, remembers being taught music by Goldsmiths‘ students when at St James‘ Primary School, adjacent to Goldsmiths. Betty would often go into the school herself and teach music in the school hall – 120 children at a time.

School staff would sit around the edge of the hall in case any of the pupils misbehaved…but children never did under Betty!

Elizabeth Barnard was always referred to by students as ‘Betty B‘ although John Sellers and Barbara Gower, who met as students during the early 1960‘s and later married, recalled that she was also known as Bissie Barnard, an affectionate reference to Betty‘s great energy and enthusiasm. Both now retired head teachers, they still run two choirs in Cornwall and wrote that they owed much of their professional and personal development to Betty. Barbara B. Price (née Rendell), at Goldsmiths between 1956 and 1959, also wrote saying that she owed her success as Senior Lecturer in the Music Department of a college of education to the example set by Betty. Yvonne Lauton (née Pallot), a student during the evacuation to Nottingham between 1941 and 1943, confessed that, like many others, she still had Betty‘s method notes for teaching the basics, which are considered as relevant today, and that these had formed the background of her own forty years of teaching. Peter T. Cook, another student from the 1940‘s, stated that he owed her more than he could possibly say.

For many, it was Betty‘s shining example and wonderful smile which especially seems to have made life as a Goldsmiths‘ music student bearable during those austere war years and in the post-war era. Gwen Rabinowitz (née Dunkley) remembered the cold, cheerless building with its dark corridors and stairways between 1949 and 1952, but the Music Department, with Betty Barnard‘s presence, was a revelation.

Betty Barnard‘s long professional career meant that her influence touched more than one generation. Gladys Paisley (née Shoemaker), another of the students evacuated to Nottingham, remembered Betty‘s exhilarating musical direction and the high quality of the performance of choral music. Betty was still a member of staff when Mrs Paisley‘s daughter became a Goldsmiths music student.

Genuine personal interest, warmth, sparkle, kindness, great charisma, inspired and inspiring – these were the most frequently and fondly remembered features of this remarkable woman whose incredible energy and enthusiasm were not diminished by age. Peter Waller, for example, remembered how BB would make her journey to Goldsmiths on the 36 bus all the way from Maida Vale, even in her late 80‘s, to attend a tree-planting in her honour. Brian Astell, another of Betty‘s ex-students who owed his successful teaching career to Betty, remembered that she was always punctual despite this journey across London by public transport.

I have my own special memory of Betty. As a first year undergraduate in 1973, she taught me singing – at 9.00am! In her zeal and enthusiasm she would frequently grab both of my hands, saying ‘Go on, feel MY diaphragm.

Don‘t be coy!‘ Michael Pipe, 1973-77

All of the many tributes to Betty that were received will be handed over to Sacha Shaw, Deputy Librarian, for future reference and will be held in the College archive.

feature

9

In 1996, Betty, at the age of nearly 90, is pictured with former Chairman of the Goldsmiths Society, Professor Stanley Glasser (left) and former Music student Patricia Boynton, (right) at an event to witness the planting of a tree in her honour.

Obituary The passing of a major contributor to the high reputation Goldsmiths College retains in the field of music.

In the world of academe, any subject relies on a large number of factors for its progress – two of which are those who teach the subject and those who are taught it.

Over the decades music has been singularly fortunate to have had a rich supply of gifted lecturers and students – so much so that the Music Department currently retains the largest number of postgraduate students in the College.

Perhaps the most important pre-war contributor to this felicitous state of affairs was Elizabeth Barnard. After Datchelor School, the Royal Academy of Music and teacher training, she had a spell of teaching at James Allen‘s Girls‘ School (where, before her, both Vaughan Williams and Gustav Holst had taught music and where a Goldsmiths graduate, Rupert Bond, was a highly successful Director of Music for more than sixteen years).

Then began a lifelong career on the staff of the College – from 1933 to 1976 – during which she produced a mighty legion of music graduates distinguishing themselves in teaching, conducting, composing and arts administration. In 1982 she received the College‘s Kathleen Gurner award and in 1996, at the age of nearly 90, she attended a ceremony in the St James‘s student residence to witness the planting of a tree in her honour.

She married rather late, to a Spanish composer, Manuel Lazareno, a refugee from the Spanish Civil War. It was a lifelong love affair until his early death in 1964.

Their son, Sebastian, is a distinguished pharamacologist based at the Medical Research Council at Mill Hill, London.

Elizabeth Barnard, 1906-2003, aged 96, will be sadly missed by everyone who knew her.

Professor Stanley Glasser

In touch If you would like us to help you to make contact with lost friends, we can help by passing on your letters or e-mail address to fellow members of the Society.

If they are not already a member, your search can be featured in future editions of Goldlink or on the website Message Board, to see if others know of their whereabouts.

the fun I had with the people I met there and wish I could repeat those moments. I welcome messages from anyone who remembers me before the memories completely fade away!

Still looking to get in touch with Abdul Aziz (studied Maths and Computing from 1994-99 and lived at Rachel McMillan Hall), and maybe also with Ida Groundwater (Psychology 1994 onwards), Michael Young and Rosa Lane (Sociology 1994 onwards). I stayed at Goldsmiths College as an exchange student in 1994-95.

Dan Stokes-Gipson – I am trying to get in touch with Alex Washington-Smith, who did English Literature or Language. I was rooting through some old stuff and found a few of her things, but can‘t find any letters with her contact details.

E-mail jens.gonser@student.uni-tuebingen.de

Geraldine Murray – I am trying to contact Sandra Kirk who studied Linguistics under me during the 1980‘s. She is married to Denis and has two children.

In 2000 and 2001 she sent me a Christmas card with no address.

Is anyone still in touch with Jacquie Miller? Nicholas Hockley is trying to contact her. She studied teacher training and would have left Goldsmiths circa 1972.

Please contact Margaret on linamisun@aol.com

Please contact Dan on dan@stoskegipson.co.uk

Please contact Geraldine on mandgm@compuserve.com If you have any information please contact Nicholas on mail@nicholashockley.com My name is Margaret Alexandra Lee (also known as Gretchen and Mi Sun), and I was an international visiting student at Goldsmiths 1997-98. I have many fond memories of meeting people from everywhere. I lived in Surrey House and often visited Miss Leeding‘s house for ISCS meetings on Friday nights. I miss all

Derek Everitt is trying to trace Peter Guy (1945-47) who took a Diploma in Education. He lived in Shepperton, Middlesex, and may have worked in Yorkshire in the early 1960‘s. If you have any information relating to his whereabouts please contact the Alumni Office.

10

news

Companions of Honour

Is it really good to talk?

Companions of Honour is the latest in a series of monographs by Dr Peter Galloway, who has written the definitive histories of the Order of St Patrick, the Order of the British Empire, the Royal Victorian Order and the Order of St Michael and St George, and is recognised as the United Kingdom‘s foremost authority on the history of its Orders of Chivalry.

At least 50% of couples that go for relationship counselling end up separating.

Researchers at Goldsmiths are now undertaking what could be the biggest study into relationships of its kind, to find out why.

The Order of the Companions of Honour (CH) is a little-known part of the honours system. Founded in 1917 to recognise ‘conspicuous service of national importance,‘ the CH matured to become an exclusive and high-ranking honour that has included very distinguished individuals in its ranks. Among scientists for example, a Nobel Prize is generally thought to be a benchmark that will lead to the CH. The book starts with a message from the Queen, and then continues with an account of the events that led to the foundation of the Order (principally a belief that the Order of the British Empire alone was not enough, and a new high honour without accompanying knighthood was also needed). It then details a succession of biographies of the 311 Companions of Honour appointed from 1917 to 2002. Some names are instantly recognisable; most have been relegated to total obscurity.

The study will examine whether improving communications with your partner creates a happier relationship, or whether it simply helps those with incompatible personalities to better articulate their dislike for one another.

Dr Blumberg from the Psychology Department is leading the research and said, “Our theory is that relationship counselling focuses primarily on communications skills at the expense of the couple‘s individual personality influences. If our hypothesis is correct, then teaching personality incompatible couples to communicate does not necessarily help the underlying problems. It also means that communication focused books like Men are from Mars, Women are from Venus should be supplemented with books on how to assess and manage personality issues.“ The researchers will study around 300 couples over a period of five months. Their personalities and changes in conflict levels will be measured in order to find out if either of these factors can be used to pre-determine the success of a relationship.

International Students Welcome What do international students at our institution do if they are longing for a break, and home is thousands of miles away? How can students from overseas gain an insight into the British way of life outside the College?

HOST is a charity founded in 1987 and backed by the British Council. The aim is to give international students at university here the opportunity to spend a weekend, or Christmas, in private homes with volunteer hosts.

The scheme has grown into a network of nearly 2,000 hosts throughout Britain, with about 2,500 visits arranged in the last academic year. Such visits are a brilliant opportunity to get actively involved in British family life and to directly observe traditional customs. Visits contribute a great deal towards mutual understanding and friendship.

Would you consider inviting an international guest to your home for one or two weekends a year? HOST will endeavour to match your academic or leisure interests to those of the student, and to send you a guest from a part of the world which interests you.

For more information, please visit www.hostuk.org call 020 7254 3039 or write to HOST, 1 Ardleigh Road, London N1 4HS.

Mirror, mirror Judith Whyte, a former undergraduate Design student, has challenged the status quo when it comes to accepted changing room wisdom – she has created a device that makes women look and feel great when they step in front of a changing room mirror.

The innovative design comes in two variations, and so impressed Selfridges that they installed them both in their lingerie changing rooms as part of their Body Craze event.

The first incorporates three mirrors, which are placed around the body. The user stands in front of the mirrors in two movable floor wedges, which elongate the body in the same way as a pair of high heels, making the user feel as confident as possible whilst trying on underwear or other clothing.

The second design uses a rotating mirror which faces the user‘s rear, one side magnifying and one side shrinking the reflection. The installation is designed to allow women to relax about their body image, to control and enjoy their reflections.

Because the mirrors move they suspend reality, so because women can‘t see which reflection is true, they can relax and enjoy their reflections.

Important dates in 2004 Open Day Wednesday 18 February 1.00pm – 5.00pm

Arts Festival and Open Day Saturday 19 June 10.00am – 4.00pm

12

news

Honorary Fellowships 2003 Honorary Fellowships Baroness McIntosh of Hudnall, a leading figure in arts management and UK theatre, has worked for the Royal Shakespeare Company, the National Theatre and the Royal Opera House and was made a life peer in 1999.

Professor Jon Thompson has had a prolific career in the visual arts, as an artist, author, curator and teacher, teaching Fine Art at Goldsmiths during the 1970‘s and 80‘s, where he contributed towards the establishment of Goldsmiths‘ excellent international reputation in the visual arts.

Mr Yinka Shonibare, an internationally renowned artist and alumnus of Goldsmiths, has had his work exhibited all over the world, including Tate Britain, the Victoria and Albert Museum and the Andy Warhol Museum. He also took part in the notorious Sensation exhibition at the Royal Academy.

At the 2003 ceremonies just over 1,200 students graduated and the following Former alumnus of Goldsmiths‘ Honorary Fellowships and Honorary Degrees were awarded.

Sociology Department, Mr Linton Kwesi Johnson is one of the bestselling reggae artists worldwide and the world‘s first reggae poet. To date, he has released 12 albums and published five volumes of poetry, most recently, Mi Revalueshanary Fren, a selection of poems spanning his writing career.

Mr Robert Pepper is also an alumnus of Goldsmiths, has been the director and conductor of the English Schools‘ Orchestra since its inception in 1993, and has devoted his life to young people‘s orchestras.

Mr Yinka Shonibare

Baroness McIntosh with Mr Graham Swift

Mr John Thompson

Mr Linton Kwesi Johnson

Honorary Degree of the University of London Mr Graham Swift is among the most original and critically acclaimed British novelists of his generation. Born in Forest Hill in 1949, several of his novels have South London settings. Now a Booker Prize-winner for his novel Last Orders, his work has appeared in thirty languages worldwide.

Mr Robert Pepper

Student Awards Scheme Reception

Turner Prize 2003

The Student Awards Scheme reception took place on 30 October. The Scheme was set up in 1996 to provide a top-up award for particularly deserving students. Each department within Goldsmiths is asked to nominate students they feel are deserving of an award, and every department was represented.

Goldsmiths graduate, Anya Gallaccio was shortlisted for the 2003 Turner Prize, continuing the College‘s long association with the annual arts prize. Anya is best known for her sculptures which decay over time, and utilise materials such as flowers, fruit and grass.

This year 27 student awards were given out and the recipients had the opportunity to meet the various sponsors which included The Goldsmiths Society, Jarvis plc, Scolarest Catering, NatWest, Jamal Butt, Knox Cropper, and The Colour Works Printing Company.

Winners of the Corinne Burton Award Art Therapy students, Michaela Arndt (1st year) and Jacqui Balloqui (2nd year) are the recipients of the 2003-4 Corinne Burton Art Psychotherapy Studentships.

The Corinne Burton Memorial Trust was set up in memory of Corinne Burton, a talented artist who died of cancer in 1992. The trust funds are spent in order to further the work of art therapy in the cancer field.

Sanchia Gosztonyi Award Irene Brown-Martin has been chosen as the 2003 winner of the Sanchia Gosztonyi Award by the Sociology Department.

The award was set up in the memory of Sanchia, a former student of the Department, who had a passion for helping people.

The memorial studentships are awarded to applicants for the Postgraduate Diploma in Art Psychotherapy.

It covers the tuition fees for the duration of the programme and provides funding for a further two years if the award winner works in a hospital or hospice with cancer patients after graduation.

Experts for every occasion

Peake Teaching Awards Dr Ben Cosh, Computing, Dr Jill Halstead, Music, and Dr James Martin, Politics, have each received a Peake Award for innovation and excellence in teaching.

David Peake, an external member of Goldsmiths Council who generously sponsors the awards, and the Warden, Professor Ben Pimlott, presented the three with cheques for £200 each at a small ceremony.

Do you work in the media? Do you need experts?

Our new Experts Guide, updated for 2004, can help you find Goldsmiths academics.

If you would like a copy of the current edition, please write to the Communications and Publicity Office or e-mail ext-comms@gold.ac.uk

news

13

Music Concerts 2004 Wednesday 21 January, 1.05pm, Council Chamber, Deptford Town Hall Lunchtime Recital: Kate Romano (Clarinet) and Elliott Schwartz (Piano) Programme to include the music of Elliott Schwartz Admission: Free

Tuesday 23 March, 6.00pm, Council Chamber, Deptford Town Hall Sergei Slonimsky and metamorphosis of his style – talk by Maria Winter (St Petersburg)

Tuesday 3 February, 6.00pm, Council Chamber, Deptford Town Hall Russians and Mao – talk by Dr Paul Wingrove (University of Greenwich)

Tuesday 23 March, 7.30pm, Council Chamber, Deptford Town Hall The Tippett Quartet – string quartet Admission: Free

Tuesday 3 February, 7.30pm, Council Chamber, Deptford Town Hall Veronika Ilchenko – Brussels, piano Tchaikovsky – Extracts from the Seasons Mussorgsky – Pictures at an Exhibition Ustvolskaya – Sonate no 5 Admission: Free

Tuesday 4 May 6.00pm, Council Chamber, Deptford Town Hall Xenia Ensemble (Italy) Post-Soviet Russian Music – workshop and recital Admission: Free

Friday 6 February, 7.00pm, Great Hall Composers‘ Forum – compositions written by students at Goldsmiths Director: Roger Redgate Admission: Free

Wednesday 5 May, 7.30pm, Recital Room New Noise, ensemble-in-residence – programme to include student compositions Admission: Free MUSIC WEEK II

Monday 7 June – Friday 11 June

Friday 13 February, 7.30pm, Council Chamber, Deptford Town Hall Ethnomusicology presents ‘Ensemble Bakhtar‘ Director: John Bailey Admission: Free

Wednesday 9 June, 7.00pm, Great Hall Composers‘ Forum – compositions written by students at Goldsmiths Director: Roger Redgate Admission: Free

Friday 20 February, 7.30pm, Southwark Cathedral Goldsmiths Sinfonia and Chorus – programme to include Brahms Requiem Conductor: Tim Hooper Admission: £8 (£5 concessions)

Friday 11 June, 7.30pm, Great Hall Goldsmiths Sinfonia and Chorus in collaboration with the Drama and Visual Arts Department Ives – Washington‘s Birthday Schnittke – Yellow Sound (after Vassily Kandinsky) for pantomime, chorus and orchestra (UK premiere) Stravinsky – Symphony of Psalms Conductor: Alexander Ivashkin Admission: £8 (£5 concessions)

Friday 5 March, 7.30pm, Recital Room Contemporary Music Ensemble Director: Roger Redgate

Admission: Free

Tuesday 9 March, 6.00pm, Council Chamber, Deptford Town Hall Music of Nikolai Medtner – talk by Francis Pott (Thames Valley University)

TICKETS Available on the door

Tuesday 9 March, 7.30pm, Council Chamber, Deptford Town Hall Piano recital: Medtner – Skazki op. 8 no2, Sonata op22 played by Chisato Kusunoki Admission: Free

Music Department Office: 020 7919 7640, musicinfo@gold.ac.uk

Wednesday 10 March, 1.05pm, Council Chamber, Deptford Town Hall Lunchtime Recital: Goldsmiths Brass Ensemble Conductor: Les Lake Admission: Free

Inaugural Lectures 2004

Wednesday 17 March, 1.05pm, Council Chamber, Deptford Town Hall Lunchtime Recital: Goldsmiths Chamber Choir Conductor: Noëlle Mann Admission: Free Friday 19 March, 7.30pm, Council Chamber, Deptford Town Hall Goldsmiths Chamber Orchestra Mozart – Piano Concerto No.20 in D minor Wagner – Träume (Wesendonck Lieder) Weber – Clarinet No.2 in Eb major Soloists: Kyung-Mee Lee, Samantha Houston and Daisuke Aizawa Conductor: Alexander Ivashkin Admission: £8 (£5 concessions)

Each inaugural lecture will take place at 5.30pm in the Ian Gulland Lecture Theatre, Whitehead Building.

Professor Professor Professor Professor Professor Professor

Chris French Max Velmans Celia Lury Bart Moore-Gilbert Jane Powell Nirmala Rao

Psychology 13 January Psychology 27 January Sociology 10 February English and Comparative Literature 2 March Psychology 16 March Politics 27 April

Admission FREE. For more information on a specific lecture please contact Edna Pellett on 020 7919 7901.

14

noticeboard

Obituaries Jack Brymer Jack Brymer OBE, an Honorary Fellow of the College, died on 15 September 2003 at the age of 88. “... a living legend and inspiration for several generations of musicians ...“ Born in South Shields in 1915, Jack Brymer came to Goldsmiths in 1933 to study as a teacher.

“Ironically later to become a centre for orchestral studies, but in the 1930‘s an institution churning out teachers,“ as The Independent‘s obituary describes the College. Whilst at Goldsmiths, he performed with the College orchestra, and it was here that he met Joan Richardson, a violinist and viola player, whom he married in 1939.

At the Presentation Ceremony in September 1991, during which he was awarded his Honorary Fellowship by the College, Jack Brymer was introduced by Professor Peter Dickinson (the then Head of Music). This is an extract from Professor Dickinson‘s speech: “Jack Brymer has occupied a unique position as one of the leading international clarinettists ever since he was telephoned by Sir Thomas Beecham in 1947 and asked to audition for the post of principal clarinet in the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.”

“He has always been so modest that he and his wife Joan, who answered the telephone, thought it might have been a hoax. Luckily it wasn‘t and the appointment with the RPO, and later similar ones with the BBC Symphony Orchestra and the LSO, confirmed Jack Brymer‘s pre-eminence in the orchestral field as well as in concertos and chamber music.”

Professor Dickinson concluded his speech, “Jack Brymer combines modesty, professionalism and a special sense of humour with his formidable but

For a girl from a small Lincolnshire village, winning a place at Goldsmiths was very prestigious. In common with other students from such backgrounds she was self-funded and worked for many years afterwards to repay the money her parents had borrowed. She was very proud to have been a Goldsmiths student, and the education she received stood her in good stead for the rest of her life.

Dr Duncan Robertson (Son)

From left to right: Jack Brymer, Dr Edwin Kerr CBE, and the late Professor Andrew Rutherford (Warden) – photograph taken in 1991.

lightly-worn expertise.“ Roger Wibberley, current Head of Music says “Jack Brymer has been a legend and inspiration for several generations of musicians, and the Department is particularly proud to have been associated with him. He will be missed as much for his charm and friendly personality as for his profound musicianship.”

Joan Elizabeth Robertson Joan Robertson (née Tutty) was a Goldsmiths student during the war, and as part of the wartime evacuation measures, was taught at the Nottingham University campus.

After leaving Goldsmiths, she became an infant teacher and her speciality was teaching music. As a person she was lively and forthright, and believed strongly in sexual equality before it was fashionable to do so.

Kathleen Gibbs Kathleen Gibbs (née Down), also known as Kay, died on 2 November 2002. She was a Kent student based at Springhill Hostel and trained in the English group for the Teaching Certificate in 1936-38. She was also a keen member of the Choral Society and Assembly Choir.

Her first teaching post was at Horsmonden near Tunbridge Wells. During the War she moved to the Ashford area and taught at Kennington and Willesborough School. Following her marriage to Arthur Gibbs, a local government officer, they moved to Leicester, and later Derbyshire. When their two children reached school age, she taught at Swadlincote, then in the Chesterfield area – chiefly at Eyre Street, Hasland.

A life-long Methodist, she used her gifts as a singer and pianist in the service of her church and local choral groups. She is much missed by many friends and by her family – son and daughter and four grandchildren.

We met at Springhill in 1936 (I was in the Advanced Handwork group) and remained close friends ever since.

Joyce Whitehead

Class notes We welcome your contributions to Class notes or In touch. Submit your material online using our contributions form, which can be found on our website www.goldsmiths.ac.uk/alumni or by post to the Development and Alumni Office.

Goldsmiths alumnae, Mark Vallance (1965-69) was elected President of the British Mountaineering Council in April last year. The British Mountaineering Council is the representative body that exists to protect the freedoms and promote the interests of climbers, hillwalkers and mountaineers, including ski-mountaineers.

Hazel Semple, Goldsmiths alumna, has won the Best Still Life, Flowers or Gardens category in the Artist and Young Artist of the Year 2003 competition (Society for All Artists category). Hazel‘s painting was on display to visitors at the Islington Business Design Centre and at the Pierrepoint Gallery in Nottinghamshire.

Hazel is also a freelance website designer. Since graduating from Goldsmiths she and her partner Chris Storey have launched an art website (www.minigallery.co.uk) which offers artists the opportunity to showcase their art online.

James Bacchi-Andreoli – Fine Art 2000. Together with a fellow artist from St Martins College he recently established Albury Arts, a non-profit-making organisation to promote contemporary visual arts in rural areas. The project has been very successful in securing grants and support from organisations such as the Arts Council and the Surrey Institute.

Albury Arts is also supported by a number of well-known artists including Phyllida Barlow, Head of Sculpture at the Slade school of Art, and Mary Branson. For more information, see www.alburyarts.co.uk or contact him on j.bacchiandreoli@btopenworld.com Fiona Veira – Media and Communications 1996.

Fiona is looking for artists that may be keen to display their work. She has set up a club night for artists and performers called Creative Swing. The club provides an opportunity to show work, get and give feedback, get to know other creative people and maybe start fruitfully collaborative projects. Please contact her on creativeswing@yahoo.co.uk

Dr Jill Jameson – having graduated from Goldsmiths with an MA in Language and Literature in Education, Jill went on to do an MA in Computers in Education at King‘s College London and then a PhD in hypermedia. She very much enjoyed her time at Goldsmiths and felt it provided an excellent basis for future research in educational media and related fields. She still remembers with much affection Jo Kelly, her supervisor, who sadly died some years ago.

1954-59 Reunion The date of the next reunion has been provisionally arranged for Saturday 16 October 2004.

In view of the fact that not all of the students from the mid-1950‘s were on two-year courses, it has been decided to include people who entered Goldsmiths in 1954. This suggestion came from Madelaine Robinson.

An application form containing specific details about the reunion will appear in the next edition of Goldlink in June.

Al Barclay, 1956-68

noticeboard

Christine Risley

Christine Risley Christine Risley, much loved and respected teacher and author of three books on machine embroidery, one of which is still used as the definitive reference for the sewing machine, died on 16 August 2003 at her home in Blackheath, London.

The Christine that we all knew was a charming, understanding and consistently elegant lady, who always had time to listen and was always interested in the kinds of problems her students and friends brought to her.

These ranged from difficulty with a piece of embroidery to how to deal with a problem in their personal lives.

She always made each individual feel special, worth listening to and cared for.

Christine rarely appeared ruffled, always giving the impression of coolness and elegance. Few people realise that Christine Risley had a long and distinguished career and achieved a great deal during her lifetime.

Born in Richmond in 1926, she moved to Lewisham in 1935. Her first contact with textiles was through her family, especially her mother and grandmother who taught her to sew.

She made her own dolls clothes, graduating in a short time to her own clothes and developing what was to be a life-long passion for fashion and textiles.

Christine stayed in London throughout the war and in 1944 started attending Goldsmiths College where she took the National Diploma in Design in Painting. Whilst studying for an Art Teacher‘s Certificate course, Christine saw a small exhibition of fabric pictures and met Constance Howard. Christine was Constance‘s first student at Goldsmiths and this initial meeting was to be the beginning of a lifetime‘s relationship.

Next Christine was offered and took a job at St Martins School of Art. In

1952 she attended a four-day course with Dorothy Benson at Singers.

Christine so enjoyed the precision and speed of the sewing machine that she went on to Bromley College for further instruction on trade sewing machines.

By 1954, embroidery had become very popular, Christine was exhibiting her work and it was selling rapidly.

She said ‘It was a pleasure to be able to express my own individual ideas in a decorative manner and to arrange simple shapes and lines of colour as I wished, freed at last of the suffocating rigidity of ‘reality‘ imposed by the NDD in Painting.‘ Christine taught machine embroidery to fashion students at St Martins from about 1955 but few people are aware that she also worked as a commercial artist, designing wallpapers, fabrics, illustrations and advertising for which she was made a Member of the Society of Industrial Artists and Designers in 1976.

By 1967, Constance had appointed Christine as Head of Machine Embroidery at Goldsmiths. She set herself the task of developing the machine area into one of the most exciting and adventurous of the period.

To assist in this she wrote three books: Machine Embroidery, (1961) Creative Embroidery (1969) and Machine embroidery: A Complete Guide first published in 1973. This last book set the seal on her as an authority on the sewing machine. To research it she worked long hours in libraries and museums, travelling to France and Switzerland for information, and spoke to people who had worked on machine embroidery in industrial and trade situations. The publication of the book resulted in her being asked to lecture at home and abroad on the subject.

Christine‘s commitment to Goldsmiths increased after the Department broadened out to become Visual Arts – Textiles and this meant that she was unable to find time for her own stitched textiles.

In 1990 Christine Risley retired from Goldsmiths having started at the very beginning of the course and finished as Head of the Textiles Department. She had seen many changes over the years, including a physical move of the department from New Cross to the Millard Building at Camberwell and back to New Cross. She continued to support the department in her retirement, especially of late; she gave her research, slides and some of her work, to the Constance Howard Resource and

Research Centre in Textiles. She gave her last interview in June 2003 to NEVAC and the Centre.

We have all lost someone who brought glamour to a subject area that had been associated in the past with the unnoticed and with it the perception and intelligence of the best of human beings. We have lost a great teacher, a wonderful artist and a great friend whose contribution to the world of textiles has yet to be measured.

Margaret Hall-Townley Ray Watkinson Ray Watkinson was a member of staff of the School of Art at Goldsmiths from 1972-79 (latterly as Deputy Dean).

He died aged 89 in Brighton on 13 January 2003. Although he had been incapacitated by various physical conditions associated largely with getting older, he remained acutely active, both physically and mentally, until the end, and it was not until his body refused to work anymore that he was taken into hospital, where he died peacefully after only a week‘s stay.

Ray was a man of many parts: scholar, teacher, author, critic, collector, bibliophile, and reluctant but effective administrator. One of a large Methodist working class Lancashire family, he made it to Stretford Grammar School and thence to Manchester School of Art before beginning his career as a teacher.

A Marxist from an early age, he was a faithful, but not uncritical, member of the Communist Party of Great Britain, and for some time was Art Critic for the Daily Worker. His capacity for friendship was great, and his circle wide, including many with beliefs differing from his own.

His learning was both deep and wide. As a founder member of the William Morris Society and one of its Past Presidents, he was especially knowledgeable in matters Morrisian, and widely known and respected in this field, with two books and numerous articles to his credit. He was for years a Trustee of the William Morris Gallery in Morris‘s hometown of Walthamstow and a valued consultant and contributor to the Gallery‘s collection. His scholarly writings included works on Hogarth, Thomas Bewick and the Pre-Raphaelites.

But he was not the type of expert who “knows more and more about less and less“. His ability to engage in conversation or correspondence about matters literary, musical, philosophical, historical, linguistic or political was truly impressive. Acute of mind, and penetrating in argument or analysis,

15

he always conducted discussion with wit, good humour and deep knowledge of the subject.

Throughout his life he collected – and devoured – books. For the last 30 or so years he lived in a tall, narrow terraced house near Brighton railway station, which was bare in every respect except books and pictures. Ray hoped to leave his library to Brighton University, a research member of whose staff (nicknamed “Jane Laptopaire“ by Ray) spent months cataloguing the vast and varied collection, each book neatly and meticulously bound in Ray‘s brown paper. He not only collected books: he had read every one, and would produce the appropriate volume, however recondite the subject matter, to illustrate a point or clinch an argument. Ray‘s correspondents remember witty and erudite letters punched out on an obsolescent typewriter with a truculent “O“ which produced holes in the flimsy paper and had a unique spelling system.

But the content was always pungent and relevant. In his penultimate letter to me he wrote: “Books seem to come here regardless, the latest of which is to me a hitherto unknown U.S. publication of Dante“ and there followed a learned comparison of this and various other translations.

One former colleague remembers Ray as “a man who knew how to tell the truth“ – true, but he was also steadfast, courageous, humorous and a delightful companion. Overall, Ray was most generous of his time, of his friendship, of possessions, and in his dealings with others.

Peter Baynes Doris West Doris West was a member of staff from 1949-72 in what was the PE Department under Bill Williams and later Mark James.

George Lachlan Brown George died on 10 June 2003 in Toronto, Canada aged 43 years.

He was a former PhD student at Goldsmiths, a writer, editor, lecturer and researcher of the electronic world.

Janet Waugh Michael Grater Michael Grater worked in what was the Design and Technology department from 1965 until 1984.

New Research Centres and Units Several new centres and units have been established at Goldsmiths recently.

They include the Pinter Centre for Research in Performance; the Research Unit in Governance and Democracy; the Centre for the Study of Invention and Social Process; and the Centre on the Body and Performance.

Harold Pinter, who agreed to be the Centre‘s Honorary President, and his wife, Lady Antonia Fraser, joined a capacity audience in the George Wood Theatre for the formal launch of the Pinter Centre for Research in Performance. The evening began with a short programme of Afghan-Greek music, and also included a performance of Game? a play written and directed by Adrian Page, a graduate of the Drama Department Professor Pimlott, the Warden, said that the Centre would both inspire young dramatists, and be a focus for the sort of ground-breaking and rigorous research for which Goldsmiths is known.

The Research Unit in Governance and Democracy, Politics Department, is headed

by Dr Adrian Little and Dr James Martin.

The Unit has a broad remit, covering new developments in political ideas and institutions, as they relate to actual and/or prospective contexts of governance and democracy, at national, sub-national and international levels. In particular, the Unit will focus on the interconnection between normative ideas of democracy and institutional arrangements.

The Centre for the Study of Invention and Social Process, Sociology Department, is headed by Dr Andrew Barry.

The Centre is broadly concerned with the study of technology, knowledge, innovation and creativity, and involves staff not just from Sociology, but also a number of other Departments including History, Media and Communications, Anthropology, and Design.

Current research projects include studies of gene therapy, assessments of the impact of technological developments on human rights, branding, Prozac and mobile communications.

Research in the Centre is currently funded by the ESRC, the Wellcome Trust, and the Humboldt Foundation. Forthcoming events include workshops and conferences on global economies, human rights, and the philosophies of science of Gaston Bachelard and AN Whitehead.

Harold Pinter, Honorary President, and Professor Vera Gottlieb, Head of the Centre, at the formal launch.

The Centre on the Body and Performance, Sociology Department, headed by Professor Helen Thomas, seeks to cut across the imaginary divide between the humanities and the arts on the one hand, and the social sciences on the other.

The Centre, which is in the process of being set up, aims to provide a focal point for the coherent development of key areas of performance research.

Terry Mann For most people, September 2001 will be remembered for the terrorist destruction of the World Trade Centre in New York; I will always remember it as the month I was diagnosed with cancer. Leukaemia, to be precise: a disease that affects the bone marrow (where all the blood is manufactured) and, unless it responds to some fairly drastic treatment, is always fatal. I was eleven days away from my 38th birthday and looking forward to a three-month Arts Council England – sponsored residency as a composer at the Banff Centre for the Arts in Canada.

If, like me, you were an arts student at Goldsmiths‘, a detailed description of my treatment would be meaningless. All you need to know is that after five months hospitalisation and heavy-duty chemotherapy, my rare form of Leukaemia showed itself to be stronger than the drugs used to treat it. I was told that my only chance of survival would be to have a bone marrow transplant.

What does this involve? Basically the hospital had to find somebody who had bone marrow that matched mine as closely as possible so that my body would accept it. Sometimes family members are close matches, but in my case I had to rely on finding somebody on one of the lists of volunteer donors either here in England, or from one of the international databases.

I was lucky to find a very good match, and had my transplant in March 2002.

After all the months of hospitalisation, chemotherapy and full body radiotherapy treatment, it was a welcome anticlimax to discover that the actual transplant consisted of a small bag of stem cells in blood, transfused in the normal way.

It took only fifteen minutes. I understand that the donor goes through a similar experience – his or her own blood is taken, filtered and given back again.

Those fifteen minutes and that anonymous donor saved my life. I‘m now rebuilding my strength and have restarted my burgeoning career as a composer.

I had two large commissions in early 2003, and wrote a short piece for the international concert pianist Joanna MacGregor, which she performed in Italy this August. I have just been informed that my residency in Banff has been held open for me for Autumn next year, and I have been nominated for a six-week composition residency in Italy next summer. I got married this September and re-enrolled at Goldsmiths to get to grips with finishing my PhD, and all because of one anonymous donation of bone marrow stem cells.

Terry Mann at his wedding last September with family and friends.

But some people are not so lucky and never find a suitable donor…

Treatments for diseases like mine rely on the goodwill of people like my donor, and charities like the Anthony Nolan Trust where new donors are always needed.

There is a particular shortage of black and Asian donors; ethnicity being allimportant in finding a good match.

If you would consider becoming a bone marrow donor, you could find yourself in the incredible situation of being able to offer somebody like me the only possible chance of life. If you would like more information about becoming a donor, please contact the Anthony Nolan Trust on 0901 88 22 234 and www.anthonynolan.org.uk/ndonors/joining.html or the British Bone Marrow Registry on 0845 7711 711 and www.blood.co.uk/pages/marrow_info.html