Retrospect Journal
Societies
Terror & Tranquillity
02
Arts & Heritage Volunteer Group Lauren Letch - Publicity Manager
Semester 1 has been busy for all of us at the Arts and Heritage Volunteer Group. Following our relaunch, we kicked off the year with a successful stand at the EUSA Volunteers Fair in Fresher’s Week with many new sign ups. We followed this up with a Fresher’s Scavenger Hunt, which gave our new members a chance to explore the heritage sites of Edinburgh. We also hosted our open committee meeting to welcome everyone who wanted to get involved in the team. We quickly got to work on our first trip of the year – a visit to the University’s Anatomy Museum on Wednesday 21 October. Following on from a similar successful visit last year, we had exclusive access to the museum, including the opportunity to sign up as a volunteer. The trip was once again a great triumph. The anatomy theme continued this semester as in November we visited the newly refurbished Surgeon’s Hall. The doors of the museum have been closed for almost two years and the Hall had had a £4million revamp. Our working relationship with the Surgeon’s Hall also has exciting potential as they have begun looking into volunteering roles for students for the very first time. Looking forward into the New Year, we have several career-based events in store to get students ready for upcoming summer applications in the arts and heritage sector.
Late Antique and Medieval Postgraduate Society Morgan Boharski & Bianca Maggs - Events Secretary & General Member
LAMPS aims to promote the academic study of the Late Antique and Medieval periods at the University of Edinburgh, whilst also encouraging interdisciplinary connections between students. We host weekly academic seminars on Monday evenings where our members have an opportunity to present their current research and works in progress. In the past year, LAMPS has travelled to various heritage sites in Scotland that pertain to the themes of our seminars. For the Autumn 2015 theme, Borders and Boundaries, trips were organised to the Border Abbeys and Hadrian’s Wall. In May 2015, LAMPS led a coach trip to many historical sites where the TV series Outlander was filmed. We visited Blackness and Doune Castles exploring the impact of popular culture on Scottish heritage. In addition to travelling throughout Scotland, LAMPS visits heritage sites in and around Edinburgh, such as Craigmillar Castle, Linlithgow Palace, and Rosslyn Chapel. We have also forged a relationship with the Society of Antiquaries of Scotland, providing new and exciting opportunities for our members. Additionally, LAMPS hosts various social events outside of academia, such as pub nights and seasonal celebrations including summer barbecues, Halloween costume contests, and Christmas festivities! Upcoming Events: 5 December 2015: Christmas Lunch at Edinburgh Castle 7 June – 10 June 2016: Summer Trip to Iona For more information please visit our Facebook page, follow us on Twitter, or email us at lampsedinburgh@gmail.com.
Archaeology Outreach Project
Medieval Re-enactment
EAOP is a student run volunteer group which aims to provide children in Edinburgh and the wider community with an insight into archaeology. We hope that through our range of hands-on activities (including examining animal bones, making pots, dig pits and artefact drawings) we will ignite an interest in local heritage, history and archaeology. This semester we have held over 12 sessions in different primary schools around Edinburgh and the surrounding area. Alongside our regular sessions, we have also had volunteers working with outside organisations at events such as DigIt!2015’s Explorathon and helping at the National Mining Museum’s Activity Day. This was a great way for the children to see how bigger institutes work and gain valuable experience. We welcome people from all degree levels/subject backgrounds to join, as it is a great way to get involved out with your studies. There are no mandatory time commitments and it is a chance to practice and develop important skills. If you don’t study archaeology it is a way to learn something new and if you do, it gives you the chance to share your knowledge and get you involved with the growing public outreach sector. If you would like to become part of EAOP, send us an email at eaoproject@gmail. com. For more details of past activities and updates throughout the year, you can check out our website or our Facebook page.
The Edinburgh Medieval Society attempts to recreate various aspects of life between the years 600 and 1600CE. There are weekly talks and workshops on topics as diverse as fletching, medieval medicine and Anglo Saxon poetry. There are two feasts a year, one of which was held on 14 November. The feast consisted of eight courses of food cooked to authentic recipes. Examples include Almond Greens, a vegetable dish made with almond milk, and Twisted Entrails, a sweet dish made from fruit and designed to look like a savoury meat dish. Between each course there was great entertainment, including medieval music, dancing and games. The main entertainment for the evening was the performance of a mummers’ play, George and the Dragon. This is a comedic play, which during medieval times was traditionally performed at Christmas by a troupe of mummers – low-born actors. The Dragon itself was made by one of the society’s members for a previous feast at which a play adaptation of Beowulf was performed. If you are interested in coming along, our meetings are every Wednesday at 7.00pm in the Pleasance. We also have a medieval martial arts lesson on Sundays at 1.30pm in the Meadows, opposite the Edinburgh Bicycle Coop. If you wish to receive emails about events, including future feasts, please email the secretary at edinburghmedieval@gmail.com
Rachel Nicolson - Group Leader
Deana Davis - Secretary