News and Views June 2012

news & views

THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE June 2012

Learning through Sport 2012

Another successful year p.4-5 In this issue:

Testing Olympic ParkStudent takes part in BUCS Championship p.6

First Class HonoursA green university p.15

Ringing the ChangesBell-ringer Mark Regan p.17

2 / JUNE 2012 / [email protected]

FEATURE

Lighting the WayWORCESTER SPORTS STUDENT CARRIES OLYMPIC TORCH ON DAY ONE OF RELAYA first year sports student at the University of Worcester was one of the first people to carry the Olympic Torch as it travelled the length and breadth of Great Britain.Mark Stevens was selected as a Torch Bearer on Day 1 of the relay, on May 19th, carrying the flame in his home county of Cornwall.Mark, who is studying Sport Development and Coaching, said: “It took a while for the news to sink in. I’m really excited to have been selected. It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity.”A double amputee, 20-year-old Mark has always lived life to the full, being involved in sport including surfing, wheelchair basketball and CycleAbility.

“I’m passionate about sport and my ambition is to become an elite coach or a sport development officer,” he said. “The 2012 Games are going to be amazing and I’m hoping to get to see some of the Paralympics.”

Mark is a Student Representative for CycleAbility, Cornwall’s ‘all inclusive cycle club’ which encourages people with mobility difficulties to get out cycling. At the end of last year he was presented with the Cornwall Sports Partnership Young Leader of the Year Award.He was nominated as a Torch Bearer by both Tim Evans, from his former college, and Steve Hillman, from the Cornwall Sports Partnership.

“It’s a real honour to have been nominated, and an even bigger honour to be selected,” Mark said.

“I feel very proud.”

Glyn Harding, Senior Lecturer in Sports Coaching at the University, said: “Mark has made a great impact around the University. Students and staff have been aware of how Mark conducts himself and the positive impact he has made upon everyone including his own learning.

“When Mark has coached in schools he has represented himself and the University to the highest standard and has acted as a great role model to younger people who happen to have a disability.

“In the last six months, alongside his full time studies, Mark has passed his Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award expedition and gained his level 2 basketball coaching award.”

A WARM WELCOME TO WORCESTERStaff and students from the University of Worcester performed in front of thousands of spectators as the Olympic Torch made its way to Worcester last month.Members of staff and students from the Institute of Sport & Exercise Science and the Institute of Humanities & Creative Arts were among a 100-strong dance crew welcoming the Torch at Worcestershire County Cricket Club.

June 2012Welcome to the June issue of

News & Views, featuring a round-up of news, updates and milestones from the past

month at the University of Worcester.

While the nation is awash with red, white and blue it seems an apt time to recognise some of the University’s green credentials. This past month has seen the University awarded ‘First Class Honours’ in the People & Planet’s Green League, published in The Guardian. The Hive has also scooped a prestigious sustainability award at the 2012 Partnership Awards for the ‘Best Sustainability in a Project’. Also in this issue we bring you details of how you can save money and reduce your carbon footprint by joining the University’s car-share scheme.

Sport continues to feature heavily this month with news of the Olympic torch’s stop-off in Worcester, a kickboxing champ, a javelin thrower’s PB, an international fusbal player and highlights from another successful Learning Through Sport event.

Please keep sending us your news and features. Send them to us at [email protected]

CONTENTS

Degree Show 2012 3Share the Car and Share the Co2sts 6Launching a PB 6Business Student Proves His Entrepreneurial Flare 7Louise Takes on Two Influential Roles 7Worcester Student Interviews Ed Miliband 8Coaching Summit 8Kickboxing Championships 9Graphic Design Students Visit Top London Studio 9Online Journal for Basketball Research 9Sierra Leone Past and Present 10Levels of Compassion Tests 11Open Day 11Anyone For Nettle Soup? 12Staff Awarded Police’s Community Safety Accreditation Scheme 12Theatre in Education 12Right to the Core 13Worcester Futsal Player Represents France 14Ship of Haunts: Titanic Steams On 14First Class Honours 15Paralympics Head to Head in Worcester 15Garden Party Invitation 16The Hive Scoops National Sustainability Award 16Zumba 16

NEWS

FEATURE

Learning Through Sport 4

COVER STORY

STAFF FEATURE

Ringing the changes: Mark Regan 17

Lighting the Way 2

[email protected] / JUNE 2012 / 3

COVER STORYWELCOME

DEGREE SHOW EXHIBITION 2012Students from all of Worcester’s art, design and media courses, including Graphic Design and Multimedia, Illustration, Animation, Creative Digital Media, Digital Film Production and Fine Art, hosted their annual end of year degree show last month.

Helen Holmes, Senior Lecturer in Graphic Design said: “The quality of our students’ work has been truly inspiring this year, and the shows are an excellent way to showcase their talent. Each year our students receive job offers on the spot, which is testimony to the hard work and dedication of both students and staff. I’m very proud to have worked with our design and media students of 2012.”

Sport-loving students who get involved in encouraging others to participate were awarded new cash prizes put forward by a leading City lawyer.

Friend of the University, Clive Read, is personally funding the Making an Impact in Sport: Supporting Others prizes, in recognition of voluntary work that helps others.

The first prize is £250 with two runner up prizes of £125. Students were asked to submit 500 words to evidence their engagement in sport related community activities, such as coaching, officiating, performance analysis, sports science support, volunteering etc.

The awards were presented at the annual Learning Through Sport event at Worcestershire County Cricket Club on May 30th.

Clive Read, Partner at SGH Martineau LLP, said: “Sport has the power to move us in so many ways – to joy, to tears, often frustration, and sometimes laughter. It has a great way of binding people together and providing an outlet, a channel to make a real positive difference to so many people’s lives.”

“Over the years, I’ve personally enjoyed the camaraderie that cycling, running and team sports offer, as well as the general well-being and achievement you can get.

“As solicitor to the University I have been privileged to help the University grow its facilities, including the City Campus, the Hive and others. In Olympic year, the development of the Worcester Arena is a fantastic example of how the University is looking to continue its engagement with the local community.

“I know that lots of other great things are happening in the area of sport related community activities and I am delighted to be able to reward students who can demonstrate their contributions which increase participation opportunities or improve performance opportunities.

Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “The opportunity to recognise outstanding contributions is very exciting and we are extremely grateful to Clive for this creative and positive initiative.”


Learning THROUGHSport

Clive Read and David Green with the three prize winners


COVER STORY

Another successful yearHundreds of schoolchildren enjoyed a day of activities, including the chance to play on the County Cricket ground, during the 5th annual Learning Through Sport event.More than 200 Year 7/8 pupils from local schools were invited to take part in the day.Mick Donovan, Head of the Institute of Sport and Exercise Science, said: “The aim of this event is to promote children’s participation in sport and encourage learning. We are delighted to bring so many sports partners, and community partner npower, together to deliver this experience of Learning Through Sport for young people.”During the day children took part in a host of sports and fun activities led by University lecturers, players and coaches, taking place at the University’s St John’s Campus. In the afternoon they moved to Worcestershire County Cricket Club to watch Worcestershire take on Somerset, with the opportunity to play Kwik Cricket during the lunch interval, before making a ‘human tunnel’ to welcome players back on the pitch.Throughout the afternoon, the children had the chance to use the Aztec climbing wall and visit the University’s mobile Motion Performance Centre.Professor David Green, added: “Participating in sport has very many positive virtues. In recent years the University and our partners have also developed an internationally recognised expertise in promoting education through sport. Several thousand children in this region have already benefited.”

Learning

Share the car and share the co2stsEarlier this year, the University teamed up with liftshare, the UK’s largest car-share provider, to give staff their very own car share scheme.

The scheme has been developed to encourage everyone who travels alone in cars to consider a more sustainable journey to campus. Jennifer Bottomley, Purchase Ledger Assistant, and Mary Bradley, Executive Assistant, are two members of staff now benefiting the scheme.Both previously faced the daily commute from Redditch in their individual cars.Jennifer said of the scheme: “It was quite easy really, I met up with Mary in the canteen and we had a chat and decided to do it. We didn’t know each other before.”Mary added: “My car broke down and it took 4-5 hours to get to work and back via public transport. So Katy Boom forwarded me the car-share link and I joined up.

“Now I have made a new friend and am saving around £100 a month in petrol costs.”The scheme allows you to register your journey details and find a suitable match using liftshare’s award-winning system, which brings together potential car sharers. You can use it for any journey, not just the commute to work.Car-sharing has many benefits; not only is it good for the environment and helps reduce traffic congestion, but it is good for your wallet too.The scheme is free to join, completely secure and available to all staff with a University of Worcester email address.When you register your journey details, the scheme will supply you with a list of potential matches for you to make contact with and set up a car-share agreement.Register today to find your ideal match and enjoy the benefits of car-sharing with other members of the University: www.worcester.ac.uk/liftshare

NEWS


Launching a PBA University of Worcester student threw a personal best at the Olympic Park to take fourth place in the Javelin at the recent BUCS (British Universities and Colleges Sports) Outdoor Athletics championships.Jason Copsey admits that he went into the final as the underdog, but with perfect conditions, he managed to throw 63.51m. His previous personal best was 62m.

“I really didn’t think it went that far as I felt like I didn’t hit the javelin as well as I could, so I was ecstatic and I knew there was more in the

‘tank’ so to speak,” Jason said. “This throw put me in third position for two rounds. But I then dropped to fourth following an improvement of a respectable throw from one of the favourites to win the competition.”Jason, a third year Environmental Management student at the University, is currently ranked second in his home nation, Wales, and 16th in Britain. Twenty-one-year-old Jason is hoping to increase his throw to at least 75m, the standard for the Commonwealth Games, within the next two years.

“To finish fourth in the BUCS final after being seeded 10th going into the competition was a great feeling and a massive achievement knowing I’d beaten athletes that had greater PBs than me,” said Jason, who hails from Cwmbran in South Wales.

“It was an honour as chair of the newly-formed University of Worcester Athletics Club and in my final year of study to represent

the University of Worcester at the Olympic stadium against the likes of Loughborough, Bath, Sheffield and UWIC.”

Jason has also just become East Wales champion for the third year running, winning with 61m. He will compete in the Welsh Championships later this year in Cardiff and may compete in the Aviva Olympic Trials and UK Championships in Birmingham in June, depending on selection.

“Ultimately I would love to compete at the Commonwealth Games and then one day the Olympics,” Jason said.

“It would be an absolute dream.”

Car-Share www.worcester.ac.uk/liftshare

Jason Copsey at the Olympic Stadium


NEWS

Louise Takes on Two Influential RolesThe Head of the University’s Institute of Health and Society has been appointed to two important external roles.Louise Jones has been made Vice President of the Chartered Society of Physiotherapy (CSP), plus she has also become the England representative on the Council of Deans of Health Executive.Louise, who qualified as a physiotherapist in 1978, said: “It’s a great honour to take on these two roles; one in my own profession and the other focusing on health education across the UK.

“I hope that I can play a valuable role in developing future health care in the UK through my appointments.”Louise served as Vice Chair of the CSP for two years

before stepping down from the council, on which she had served for eight years prior to being appointed Vice President. As part of her role she is responsible leading the planning of the Physiotherapy UK 2012 conference in October.Louise, who is also Chair of the West Midlands Deans group of the Universities West Midlands, said: “This is a national, flagship conference for physiotherapists and I’m delighted to be involved.”The Council of Deans of Health is the representative voice of UK university health faculties providing education and research for healthcare professionals.The Council plays an influential leadership role in

improving health outcomes through its integral role in developing an expert health professional workforce and utilises its collective expertise to inform innovative educational practice and translational research.The Chartered Society of Physiotherapy is the professional, educational and trade union body for the UK’s physiotherapists, physiotherapy Associates and students.

Business Student Proves His Entrepreneurial Flare to Scoop Top AwardA student, who admits he struggled with A-levels, has been named the University of Worcester Business School’s Most Promising Entrepreneur of the Year after scoring top grades and 100% attendance.

The Award is based on student performance in the Small Business Management Module, and was won by Simon Park, who received a prize donated by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).Simon is on the cusp of completing his BA (Hons) Business, Management and Marketing degree and is expected to walk away with a First.He was nominated for the award by his tutors after receiving straight As across his assignments, achieving a 100% attendance record and proving his entrepreneurial flare in a group task.

Presenting the award Ian Priest, Vice Chairman of FSB Worcestershire, said: “Simon has clearly worked very hard while at university. His success demonstrates that our young people are ready to step into the world of work and bring new levels of dynamism to the business world.”Twenty-two-year-old Simon, who originates from South Milford, near York, said he was delighted to have won the award.

“I had no idea about it until I got an email saying I had won,” he said. “It’s very humbling to think that my tutors put me forward. At A-level I really struggled but since coming to university I seem to have thrived and have been able to really apply myself. I came to Worcester as it’s a nice, supportive university and I am proud to represent it.”Simon added: “I spent a year on work placement at the Land Rover Experience, which I think has really helped my

employability. I hope winning this award will further enhance that.”Tim Maxfield, Director of Business Development at the University, said: “I taught Simon in his first year and so I’m delighted to now see him win this award. In the Business School we encourage entrepreneurial flare and get students thinking creatively in a number of ways. The previous two winners of this award have gone on to great things.”

l-r: Tim Maxfield, Simon Park and Ian Priest

Louise Jones

Worcester Student Interviews Ed Miliband After little more than five days of work experience, a Journalism student from the University of Worcester found himself sitting face-to-face with leader of the opposition Ed Miliband.

While working at Touch FM, news broke that Ed Miliband was making a low-key, surprise visit to Rugby to talk about the future of engineering with local tradesmen and a handful of apprentices and students from the local area.

Student Dan Malin was sent straight out to the college where Mr Miliband was giving his talk and interviewed him for the radio station. At this stage nerves began to kick in and these were not aided when Dan found himself lost in Rugby unable to find the location with little more than 10 minutes until Ed Miliband was due to arrive. However, after some panicked map reading Dan arrived ready to talk to one of the most influential men in the country.With just one other journalist there, Dan was made to wait for his interview and when he finally sat down with the leader of the opposition, he said nerves again kicked in and he was bullied out of the interview by the more experienced journalist. However, he was not to be outdone and soon muscled his way back in with a series of polite, yet firm, requests for his fair share of the opportunity and he capitalised on moments of hesitation with quick questions. Dan, who is in year two of the BA (Hons) Journalism course, said: “It was an

amazing day”.After an extensive line of questioning, Dan had got all he needed and Mr Miliband was ushered out of the building and on to his next appointment.Dan said: “I came out, got in the car and could finally exhale after a hugely surreal hour and a half which I will remember for the rest of my life.”He followed this up an hour later with an interview with Tony Blair’s former political adviser Alastair Campbell.Claire Wolfe, Subject Leader in Journalism, said:

“We encourage our students to get work experience from the minute they start on the course and this just demonstrates what an exciting learning curve that can be.”

Dan has been back to Touch FM since and is rapidly developing his skills both on the job and with facilities here at the University.

NEWS

8 / MAY 2012 / [email protected]

Dan Malin

Leading Sport Experts Deliver Inspiring Workshops at Coaching SummitSome of the Country’s leading sports experts gathered at the University to inspire, inform and energise people at the annual Herefordshire and Worcestershire Coaching Summit.Jane Powell, Head Coach at England Hockey, and Robyn Jones, Professor of Sport and Social Theory, were among those to address delegates at the one-day summit: From grassroots to greatness: the athlete, the coach, the legacy.The summit explored the role and impact of the coach on athlete development and in shaping the next generation of locally-grown Olympic talent. There were a number of interactive workshops and discussions, delivered by experts including the Worcester Warriors’ Head Strength and Conditioning Coach, Stuart

Pickering. Andy Morgan, Goal Keeping Coach for Bristol Rovers Satellite Academy, said: “From a coach’s perspective it was a useful and knowledgeable experience, with guest speakers and presenters who challenged the day-to-day approach to coaching. Prof Robyn Jones gave a thought-provoking hypothesis on coach-athlete relationships which could enhance the performance and development of future stars.”The Herefordshire and Worcestershire Coaching Summit is an annual event organised by the Sports Partnership Herefordshire and Worcestershire and the University of Worcester.Will Bowen-Jones, Associate Head of the University’s Institute of Sport & Exercise

Science, said: “We were delighted with how the event went and received some very positive feedback from what was our second coaching summit. Not only did it offer the opportunity for coaches to tap into a huge support network, but it also showcased the work both the Sports Partnership and the University do to encourage and develop coaches.”

GRAPHIC DESIGN STUDENTS VISIT

INDUSTRY-LEADING LONDON STUDIO

Information design students visited the applied_ studio, a leading design studio while on a recent visit to London.

Tim Fendley, founder and partner in the applied_ studio said of the visit

“It’s great that the Graphic Design course at Worcester has arranged this studio visit. It’s clear that as well as the theory and academic side of their teaching, the students are getting crucial ‘real life’ industrial experiences too. The groups were really engaged with the wayfinding design thinking that I discussed too – which is a credit to both themselves and what they’ve been taught.”

The students are presently working on a semi-live brief for Malvern Hills District Council’s Route to the Hills project. Their brief was set by Manda Graham, the project’s manager and asks the students to use their newly-acquired skills, knowledge and abilities in wayfinding information graphics to design a set of working prototype directional signage and graphic interpretation boards for the town’s centre.

It is hoped that some of the student’s final work will be displayed in Malvern for the public to feed back on before any decisions are made regarding town centre signage.

Second year design student Stephen Hall said of his visit to the applied_ studio: “Tim’s talk was inspiring and it’s made me think differently about my own design ideas for the Malvern brief.”

New Online Journal Brings Leading Basketball Research to the ForefrontA new online journal featuring leading academic research in the field of basketball has been launched.The journal, www.basketball-research.com, will feature the most current applied and basic basketball research representing all disciplines of academic and applied study.It has been developed by the University and FIBA Europe, the governing body of basketball in Europe. The University was selected as the UK partner for FIBA’s European Basketball Research Centre, along with the Lithuanian Academy for Physical Education and the Lithuanian Basketball Federation.

The Centre is aimed at leading the development and delivery of world class basketball research and bringing together academics and coaches from around Europe to engage in and disseminate performance relevant research findings. The new online journal will become the leading academic resource for all involved in coaching, playing and studying basketball. Editor-in-chief, Professor Derek Peters, said: “This journal will become the acknowledged source of applied knowledge transfer from cutting edge academic research to all aspects supporting and enhancing coaching, play, performance and the standing of the sport internationally.”


NEWS

Student to Compete in World Kickboxing Championships in FloridaA young kickboxer has been awarded a £750 scholarship to assist him in competing at the World Kickboxing and Karate Association Championships in Orlando, Florida.

Second year Human Biology student Tim Hannah has already represented England at World Championship events as a junior in 2009 and as an adult in 2011. Tim won the bronze medal in each for lightweight continuous sparring and ranked 7th in the world for traditional forms in the 2011 championships.The 20-year-old said: “I started kickboxing just before I turned 16, but my first love was karate. I got my first karate lesson for my fifth birthday and have been hooked ever since, getting my black belt when I was 13. A few years after that I wanted to branch out so I started kickboxing back in Exeter where I’m from.

“Pretty much as soon as I started it up I was thrown into competitions, winning my first gold for continuous sparring in 2008 in the South West Regionals.”

“I’ve always loved the sport so I can see myself carrying on and hopefully progressing to get my black belt in

kickboxing and fingers crossed coming away with the gold at worlds, if not this time then in the future,” he said.The scholarship has helped with the financial burden of competing at the top level in his sport and he believes other students competing in sports should apply.

“The money is helping me pay for this year’s world championships in September. It’s in Orlando, so it’s expensive for me to fork out from my own pocket,” he said.

“I’d definitely encourage others to get involved. It takes such a huge burden off your shoulders looking for other means of financing like sponsors and it just leaves you to concentrate on training and competing.”

Tim Hannah (centre right)

A grahic design masterclass

Sierra Leone Past and Present: International Conference in Freetown, 23 April – 28 April 2012

Professor Suzanne Schwarz and Professor Paul Lovejoy of York University in Toronto were co-organisers of a major international conference which was recently held in Freetown to assess the current state of research on Sierra Leone. The conference coincided with national events to celebrate Sierra Leone’s 51st anniversary as an independent country, as well as the tenth anniversary of the ending of the civil war. This conference, planned in collaboration with a number of international partners including the Harriet Tubman Institute for Research on the Global Migrations of African Peoples at York University in Toronto, the University of Sierra Leone and the UNESCO Slave Route project, included over fifty research papers presented by academics from Africa, the US, Canada, and various European countries. Sierra Leonean academics, museum professionals and archivists played a leading role in the conference, and the opening ceremony at Fourah Bay College included presentations by Professor Joe Alie, Head of the Department of History at the University of Sierra Leone and Albert Moore, Senior Government Archivist of the Sierra Leone Public Archives. Professor J.A.S. Redwood-Sawyerr, Vice Chancellor and Principal of the University, welcomed one hundred international and local delegates and the Pro Chancellor concluded events by emphasising the vital importance of the conference to an understanding of Sierra Leone’s past and present.

The conference organisers emphasised how ‘the modern history of Sierra Leone has to be placed in historical perspective as part of the process of truth and reconciliation that is required to promote international and domestic understanding’. The conference attracted a great deal of public interest, and Professor Suzanne Schwarz and Professor Paul Lovejoy from York University in Toronto were interviewed on national television and radio. The conference proceedings were also broadcast live on national television by the Sierra Leone Broadcasting Company, and the national newspaper Premier News featured an editorial article on the conference on 20 April:

... the country may be one of the youngest in the world, but its people have a very long and precious past that when adequately utilized in the interest of the state, will help the country to rise above its current state of backwardness ... That is why we want to commend the two academics for their work in seeking to understand the country’s past, so as to help the country address the challenges of the present and future.

In her closing address the Honorary Jean Augustine, Fairness Commissioner for Ontario, commented on the impressive quality and contemporary relevance of the research papers presented at the conference.

The Harriet Tubman Institute: http://harriet.tubman1.yorku.ca/

Photos: Clockwise from top left:

• Suzanne Schwarz, Presentation on Liberated Africans

• Conference poster

• Fieldtrip to the Banana Islands, Slave supply area in the 18th century

• Conference delegates

NEWS


OPEN DAYSunday 24 June 2012, 10am - 3pm

For further details please contact the Events Team on 01905 857515 or email: [email protected]


NEWS

Nursing Candidates Undergo Extended Tests to Measure Levels of CompassionNew extensive attitude and values tests have been introduced, as calls are made for nurses to be more compassionate.

Sir Keith Pearson, chairman of the NHS Confederation, representing NHS managers, has called for big changes in the way staff who care for the elderly are recruited. The Commission on Improving Dignity In Care for Older People has already made a series of recommendations to improve standards in hospitals and care homes in England.Candidates applying for health-related courses at Worcester, which was rated seventh in the UK for nursing by the Sunday Times Good University Guide, are already undergoing extended interviews and role-play activities in a bid to expose their attitudes to a range of situations.The University introduced the new selection processes ahead of the report and these have been in operation over

the past 12 months, following research by Occupational Psychologists into selection of the right type of people onto health courses.Dr Jan Quallington, Associate Head of the Institute of Health and Society, said: “As an educator of health professionals we have a duty to ensure that only the best and most suitable people are selected to work with sick and vulnerable people.“The UK has seen a huge increase in the number of people applying for health courses, such as nursing and midwifery, due to Government assistance with course fees and it is therefore ever more important that candidates are selected for the right reasons, and not just those with the best academic qualifications.“Historically it has been incredibly difficult to assess attitudes and values in a short interview because people can anticipate questions and learn the right answers. The benefit of the new selection process is that candidates can’t pre-empt what they

will be asked and therefore it tests and exposes their core values and predicts how they would cope with a range of different challenges and situations. From that we assess whether they are suitable to be working in a caring profession.”Interviews are all carried out in partnership with a clinical practitioner, a service user and an academic from the University.Jan added: “The inclusion of the clinicians and the service users and carers as equal partners and decision makers in the selection process helps to ensure that our candidates are assessed for their university place from an educational, clinical and general public perspective in order that we recruit only those individuals that display characteristics that reflect the ability to be caring and compassionate as well as clinically and educationally competent.”

Anyone for nettle soup?Graphic Design, Conservation Ecology and Environmental Management students had a taster of a range of wild and foraged foods as part of their studies.

Students tucked in to homemade pastries, soups and desserts in a ‘wild food taste test’ on the University’s allotment. The session was arranged by design lecturer and ex Ladybird Books senior designer Ali Stevenson, whose Children’s Book Design module has been growing in popularity now with students for over four years and the Graphic Design course has recently changed to increase its involvement in the area.

The module’s brief asked students to research and evolve a set of colour page spreads and book cover which aim to introduce families and children to edible plants and fruits that grow in the wild throughout the UK.

“This is a subject area that’s been growing in prominence over the last few years in both the media and TV,” said Ali. “Combine this interest with the increasing awareness that we need to ensure that our children have access and opportunities to undertake outdoor activities to help counter the growing ‘computer screen culture’ and you’ve got the genesis of this module’s brief.”

The taste test, which included foods such as wild cherry clafoutis dessert, nettle soup and even roasted dandelion root coffee, received favourable feedback from students.

Design student Kashka Neri, who added her fresh sorrel soup to the mix, said: “Eating wild foods and foraging is something I’ve done naturally for years. Since I can remember, my family and I often went into woods or meadows in search of wild foods such as mushrooms, berries or herbs. Even now, during my holidays in my homeland in Poland, the tradition of foraging – particularly for mushrooms – is very much alive and well and I’m keen to pass on these experiences and knowledge to my own children.”

Theatre in Education Pupils from schools and college across Worcestershire have been exploring humanity’s relationship with animals through a special interactive performance by Worcester students.

‘A Life Worth Living’ takes a look at the part science, economics and considerations of animal ethics play in the fine balance of farming. In the performance the animals themselves speak out about their lives and reveal some of the truths behind an imaginary rural idyll.

It has been devised by science and drama students at the University, along with lecturers and an independent playwright, in partnership with VETNET Lifelong Learning Network. It is aimed at Year 10, 11 and 12 pupils. Following each performance there has been a lively debate about the issues raised by the play and the chance to carry out experiments relating to the fates of the animals.

Julie Fisher, Outreach Co-ordinator, said: “The performance, discussion and experiment have been designed to engage pupils in science and increase aspiration to study at Higher Education level.”

Staff Awarded Police’s Community Safety Accreditation SchemeEleven members of staff have now completed a rigorous assessment by West Mercia Constabulary to pass its Community Safety Accreditation Scheme.Chief Constable David Shaw has authorised a further six members of staff to be accredited with powers under Sections 40 to 42 of the Police Reform Act 2002. Five security staff were accredited in September last year.The accreditation allows the University’s security staff to work more closely with the community and the police on and off campus.It gives those staff that complete the relevant training the ability to hand out Fixed Penalty Notices for such things as noise nuisance, graffiti and disorder.The University of Worcester is one of only a handful of universities in the Country to achieve the accreditation.

Tom Taylor, Head of Security and Campus Services at the University, said: “The University is known for its pro-active approach to good student/community relationships and we already work very closely with the local community, Neighbourhood Watch teams and local beat officers. This accreditation strengthens that work further.

“Fixed Penalty Notices will always be a last resort, but we hope that by having our staff trained to this level will enable us to deal with any incidents in a swift and appropriate manner.”


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EARTH HERITAGE TRUST

Right to the coreIn this final article the core work of the Earth Heritage Trust is described.

In 1996 the Trust established the Geological Records Centre (GRC) as a repository for geological information. Now serving the counties of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, the GRC has grown over the years to provide an extensive archive including a digital dataset, a collection of regionally significant Earth science literature and maps, and a stratigraphical reference collection.

In the last two years a new database, running from a piece of software called Filemaker Pro has been set up. A dedicated Trust server is housed by the University resulting in the availability of a database incorporating additional pieces of information such as digital photos and maps as well as project reports.

The dataset consists of records of over 2280 sites including 211 designated as Local Geological Sites.Samples representing the rock units of the two counties provide a useful reference collection for educational and research purposes. This collection, alongside an extensive set of geology maps and local research papers,

provides a useful resource for individuals, agencies, councils and companies.

Surveying, designating and condition monitoring of geological sites are other important core roles of the Trust. Additional responsibilities include leading the implementation of the actions of the Geodiversity Action Plans (GAPs) for both counties and acting as the Secretariat for the Abberley and Malvern Hills Geopark with its fifteen partners.

The University is a partner in the GAP process and in the Geopark and it has special access to the GRC and its archives.

The working relationship between the Trust and the University is a great success story.For more information about the GRC archives, in particular the Geoconservation Database contact the Trust’s Geodiversity Manager Tom Richards – [email protected]

Photo caption – Sites of geological importance for the Geoconservation Database come in all shapes and sizes


Worcester Futsal Player Represents France in International GamesA talented footballer is making a name for himself in the world of Futsal, after representing his home nation of France.Business undergraduate Flavien Chambaud was injured for part of this season but managed to get fit in time to play four international friendlies; two against Poland in February and two against Romania in April.The 21-year-old started playing the sport two years ago when he was inspired to get involved by other players at the University.

“I started two summers ago a bit randomly as I was going to the gym at the University and saw players playing Futsal in the sports hall,” he said.Flavien went along to a training session for the Great Britain team that were going to a tournament in Serbia. He was unable to be selected because of his French nationality but that did not stop him as the coach liked his style of play and offered him the chance to play for Loughborough Futsal Club. Flavien said: “He asked me to join his team where I’ve been to one training session and played one game but I finally signed for Birmingham Futsal Club as it was more convenient to travel there to get to training.

“This year we reached the play-offs in Surrey where the six best English

teams meet to play a three day play off to be champions of England.

“I was called up for the national team at the end of my first year. The next step for me now is the next world cup in November 2012 or the Euro championship in 2014.”

Flavien has been awarded a £500 scholarship by the University of Worcester to assist the Futsal player in his international career.

“My scholarship will help me to pay for my travelling costs, the equipment that I need for the year. It will also go towards my university fees as well,” he said.The accomplished Futsal player is also aiming to break into 11-aside football at a professional level.

“Even though a career in Futsal is in my head in a country where the sport is a professional one such as Spain, Italy, Belgium and soon France, my priority remains 11-aside football,” he said.

NEWS


Flavien Chambaud

Ship of Haunts: Titanic steams on Ellie’s Stevenson’s novel, Ship of Haunts, is now available as an e-book from Amazon: http://www.tinyurl.com/cyryp2m

News & Views talks to Ellie about the book.

Q. We recently commemorated the loss of Titanic, 100 years on. Isn’t this just another Titanic novel?A. Not at all. The books spans the period from 1912 to 2012, and even dips its toe into 2112. The main protagonists, Lily and Carrin, who were alive on Titanic, get to cross time, one as a ghost, the other because she comes back and lives again. That didn’t happen on the real Titanic (as far as I know).

Q. And the book isn’t just about Titanic, is it?A. No, it’s principally about the mistakes people make and how we can stop history from repeating. The other major theme of the book is child migration, to Australia – a lot of mistakes were made there too. The heat of Australia in the 1940s contrasts nicely with the cold of the sea in 1912, and life as a ghost beneath the waves.

Q. Why should people read Ship of Haunts?A. It’s a page turning puzzle with some unexpected twists. The constant time shifts engage the reader and so will the characters who are quirky and challenged and not without faults. But they get the chance to try again, and which of us wouldn’t like that chance?If you like mysteries, and a book that makes you think, topped up with some ghosts, this is for you.


NEWS

Paralympics Head to Head in WorcesterThree international wheelchair basketball teams, including Great Britain, will go head to head at the University of Worcester later this month, ahead of the London 2012 Paralympic Games.Members of the public from across the region will have the chance to see Great Britain take on two of their biggest rivals, Spain and Canada, in three days of free games as they battle to be crowned champion of the Standard Life Continental Clash. The Standard Life GB Men’s Team is preparing to build on its 2008 Bronze Medal and Gold at the 2011 European Championships at this year’s Paralympic Games. Meanwhile Spain – GB’s opening opponents of the tournament – will be looking to announce its future medal threat with six crushing performances in Worcester.Mick Donovan, said: “We are delighted to be hosting this prestigious tournament between Great Britain, Canada, and Spain. Wheelchair basketball is a big part of our disability sport provision at Worcester and it’s fantastic to have three big international teams coming to showcase what players can achieve.

“We hope the communities of Herefordshire and Worcestershire, and beyond will come and support this event and play their part in getting behind Team GB in the build up for the Paralympic Games.”Tickets are free but places must be reserved in advance by contacting Susie Hart at [email protected]

The fixtures for the Games are as follows:Sunday, 10 June10:00 Canada V Spain15:00 Spain V GBR20:00 GBR V Canada

Monday, 11 June 10:00 Canada V GBR14:00 ESP V CAN20:00 GBR V ESP

Tuesday, 12 June 10:00 Spain V GBR14:00 Canada V Spain20:00 GBR V Canada

First Class HonoursThe University of Worcester has been named among Britain’s greenest universities for the fourth straight year.

The University has been awarded “First Class Honours” in the People & Planet’s Green League, published in The Guardian. This year’s league table, produced by the well established student environment group People & Planet, evaluates the strength of each university’s environmental initiatives and performance and takes a long their plans to improve sustainability. Professor David Green, said: “This is the fourth consecutive year that the University of Worcester has achieved first class marks in the Green League tables. This is thanks to all members of the University – students and staff alike – who have worked positively to promote energy efficiency, recycling, cut private car journeys, shop locally, reduce carbon emissions and support Fair Trade and sustainability at home and abroad.

“This year we have begun to generate our own electricity through photo-voltaic panels on the roof of one of our largest buildings, which has itself been substantially environmentally improved through excellent roof insulation and careful refurbishment. The Hive is cooled in the summer and warmed in the winter by water drawn from the River Severn. At the heart of the University’s success in this work is the commitment of colleagues and students to the simple ways in which we can all make a difference - from recycling to switching off our computers and lights when they are not needed.”Katy Boom, Director of Environmental Sustainability at the University of Worcester, added: “It is a fantastic achievement to be ranked, once again, among the best institutions in the country. We continually aim to improve our efforts to ensure that the University of Worcester exceeds environmental standards and public expectations.”

Zumba all summer longGet fit and have fun over the summer with the latest craze, Zumba Fitness. The University’s weekly Zumba fitness class will continue throughout the summer on Tuesdays from 6-7pm at Riverside. Zumba is a Latin dance inspired fitness

programme and is an exhilarating and fun way to get fit.

Come and join Suzanne each Tuesday for a fun and friendly work out. Sessions cost £3.50. For more information email [email protected]

Garden Party Invitation:You are cordially invited to the annual University Staff Garden Party on Monday July 2 from 4.00pm to 6.00pm. You will be most welcome to bring a guest of your choice. At the Garden Party, we will be joined by members of the University’s Board of Governors, student representatives and members of the University’s College of Fellows.

This modest celebration of the successes of this University year will take place in Henwick Court with music, strawberries and cream, sparkling wine and non-alcoholic alternative.

Please RSVP to [email protected] by 27 June including the name of your guest (if any) or contact Catherine North in the Communication and Development department: [email protected], ext 2237. Additional guests may be invited upon application.

Would any colleague who must remain at their post throughout the event please contact Catherine separately, who will do her best to arrange for strawberries and cream to be sent to you on the day.

The Hive scoops national sustainability awardThe Hive scooped another impressive national award at a prestigious event in London on 31 May.

With just weeks left until its grand unveiling, Worcestershire’s new joint public and university library, a joint project between Worcestershire County Council and the University of Worcester, left the esteemed Partnership Awards 2012 with the ‘Best Sustainability in a Project’ honour at a glittering ceremony in London’s Park Lane.

The iconic new building, which draws water from the River Severn as part of a high-tech, eco-friendly ventilation system, beat off competition from other partnership projects from across the UK.

Adrian Hardman, Leader of Worcestershire County Council, said: “This is a wonderful achievement and is further evidence of the high regard The Hive is held in nationwide. The building is designed to be modern and cutting edge and to embrace new eco-friendly technology and this award is wonderful news just a few weeks ahead of The Hive’s opening.”

For more information on The Hive and its sustainable features, visit www.thehiveworcester.org

NEWS


[email protected] / NOVEMBER 2009 / 17

COVER STORY


STAFF FEATURE

This month we chat to Mark Regan, Ringing Master at Worcester Cathedral and a Lecturer in the University’s Business School.

Ringing the changes:

The sound of church bells ringing out is a quintessentially British tradition, evoking a host of different thoughts; joy, sorrow, remembrance, celebration.

But it’s a tradition that is in danger of dying out unless the stereotype of bell ringing as “nerdy” or “dull” is changed. One man championing that change and bring new generations of bell ringers to the forefront, is University of Worcester Business School lecturer Mark Regan.

“We are making it more attractive and fun and already have lots of young people getting involved, including many of our university students,” Mark says. “Bell ringing combines sport, maths and music

so it interests a wide range of people.”

Mark, who is a consultant in advertising and marketing, has been bell ringing since the age of 13.

“I went along with a friend, and have never looked back,” he said. “After school I carried on while at University at Warwick and then just continued.

“I have been all around the world doing it; Australia, New Zealand, America and South Africa.”

Mark rang at St Paul’s Cathedral for 10 years and was also church warden at St Mary-le-Bow in London for 25 years. He was made a Freeman of the City of London for his work at St Mary-le-Bow – the home of Bow Bells.

Ten years ago Mark, a father-of-three, became Ringing Master at Worcester Cathedral.

“Worcester is a revelation in the ringing community,” he said. “The size of the bells give out a fantastic noise; the loudest noise in Worcester. The City is also an internationally recognised centre for teaching ringing. We recently opened a new teaching centre at a cost of around £45,000.”

Mark added: “As well as being rung on Sundays, the bells are rung on all big occasions, such as the City’s Arts Festival, Armistice, Remembrance; and the University’s graduation ceremonies; when the Queen comes to Worcester in July, and will also ring out on the weekend of her Jubilee. We often ring when there’s cricket at New Road on Sunday afternoons.

There are 12 bells which require a team of 12 ringers. Each bell sounds a different note, which are rung in different orders according to the music. The biggest ringing bell at the Cathedral weighs 48 cwt.

“It’s very physical and mathematical,” Mark said. “But there is something incredibly satisfying about knowing that you are ringing out across the City for all to hear.

“I also like the fact that it tells people there is a church at the centre of the community. It’s important for a place to have a sense of purpose.”

“I also want to make the church more accessible through ringing,” he added.

Mark, who is the advisor to the Diocese of Worcester on bells, was also heavily involved in the installation of new bells at Old St Martin’s Church in the Cornmarket, And he’s just launched a project to put bells in the tower at St Stephen’s Barbourne.

What do you get up to when you leave the Campus? Email Sally Jones with your interesting stories at [email protected]

Photo courtesy of Worcester News

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News and Views June 2012