spirit spring/summer 2012

Issue No.7 Spring/Summer Alumni mAgAzine

UNIVERSITY of WORCESTER

London Olympics 2012

Our role in this historic

occasion

In this issue

From The Dive to The Pear TreeThe changing face of the Students’ Union

Worcester Love StoriesCouples who met at the University

Graduation2011Worcester Cathedral once again provided the setting for four days of splendour as the class of 2011 graduated. Record numbers of students received their awards, including Dr Derek Allen who became the first person to be awarded a University of Worcester PhD, following the University being granted Research Degree Awarding Powers.

Graduation at a glance• Around 2100 graduates attended 7 ceremonies

• Over4800 guests attended – 4000 people watched at the Cathedral and 800 viewed the live broadcast from the lecture theatres on campus

• 120 cases of sparkling wine were consumed

• 350 staff gowns were worn over the 4 days

• 6 Honorary Awards were presented and 6 University Fellowships conferred

• Over800 postgraduate awards conferred, including 3 PhDs

• 34 prizes presented to graduates

• 147 coach trips were made over the 4 daysTwo students amongst the 2100 graduates

who attended a ceremony at the Cathedral

University and Cathedral staff lead the procession to the graduation ceremony

The graduation was a great celebration and the atmosphere both at the Cathedral and back at St John’s Campus was fantastic. It’s something I’ll always remember.

Jon Hunter, Geography graduate

2 /Further information about alumni news and benefits can be found at www.worcester.ac.uk/alumni

contentsnews in Brief

Graduation 2011 2

Stained glass window unveiled 4

Former Environmental Co-Ordinator’sAfricanproject 4

In Memoriam 4

Nursery rated outstanding 5

University and NCT develop the NCT College 5

feAture

Worcester love stories 6

Developments

The Worcester Arena 8

The Hive 9

institute news

Institute of Education 10

Institute of Health & Society 11

Institute of Humanities & Creative Arts 12

Institute of Science & the Environment 13

Institute of Sport & Exercise Science 14

Worcester Business School 15

Cover story

LondonOlympics2012 16

Alumni AssoCiAtion

Keeping it in the family – four family members attended Worcester 18

Alumni Honorary Graduation Ceremony 19

TheStudents’Union:From The Dive to The Pear Tree 20

sCholArship news

Javelin thrower launches his way to success 22

Student scoops £1,000 business scholarship 22

Alumni memories

Memory Lane 23

Caption Competition 23

The 1980s 24

welcomeHello, andto the spring/summer edition of Spirit magazine.

AsAlumniRelations&CommunicationsOfficer,I’vebeenspeakingwithmanyofyouover the past few months.

The Alumni Honorary Graduation Ceremony is fast approaching. With less than six months until the big day, several hundred of you from the classes of 1946 to 1977 will reunite to celebrate your achievements.

Forallthosewhocan’tattendtheceremony,rest assured that you will be in our thoughts as we celebrate on your behalf.

There are some truly inspiring stories from Worcesteralumni,andI’veenjoyedfindingoutaboutpeople’scareerssinceleavingWorcester,aswell as hearing about how Worcester influenced

personal and family lives too (see pages 6-7 and 18 for our wedding and family features!)

The recent addition of our Institute-specific pages give an overview of the latest news, alumni case studies and research within our six Institutes – take a look at pages 10-15 to find out more.

Don’tforgettoletusknowwhatyou’vebeenup to – simply email [email protected] or ring me on 01905 542467.

I look forward to hearing from you soon!

Best wishes, Sian GouldAlumniRelations&CommunicationsOfficer [email protected]

I am delighted to welcome you to this issue for the first time in my capacity as President of the Alumni Association. As always there is interesting coverage of times past, present and future.

For the past there are many happy memories of the 1980s. To these, I would add the memory of the first group of part-time M.Ed students. This was an important development in the capacity of the college and evidence of the ability of staff to teach and support such a course. See page 24 for more recollections from alumni who were at Worcester in the 80s.

Recent local news has covered the handover of the library, The Hive, from the builders to the University and Worcestershire County Council. Everything is on schedule for a grand opening in July. The Midlands Today coverage continued to show that it is very much a “Marmite” building – either you hate it or love it. I am in the “love it” category – for me

it speaks of the world-wide endeavour that is education and learning. I hope it will soon become well loved and much treasured.

In this edition, you can read of the exciting ways in which students and staff will be involved in theforthcomingOlympics.Itwouldbegoodifalumniwhoenjoybeingoneofthemanygames volunteers would consider writing of their experiences in the next Spirit.

The Honorary Graduation Ceremony on 1 September, for students of 1946 –1977, has been of enormous interest. I am sure that it will prove a memorable day in the history of the alumni of Worcester.

I look forward to meeting many of you onthatday,andwellintotheevening’scelebrations, and also to becoming, at long last, a graduate of the University of Worcester!

With all best wishes

David Morphy President of the Alumni Association

Clockwisefromtopleft: 1. Worcester Love Stories, page 6 2. Students’ Union, page 20 3. The Hive, page 9 4. £1,000 Business scholarship awarded to student, page 22

spirit / sPRInG / sUMMeR 2012 / 3

welCome

Newsin brief

In Memoriam With great sadness we inform you of the deaths of Grace Peirson; Philip Hytch; Diana Mary Evans; and Peter Pickersgill.

Grace PeirsonGrace was married to the late Edwin (Ned) Peirson, Principal from 1951 until 1978. Grace was extensively involved in the life of the College and maintained a great affection for the (now) University of Worcester throughout her life.

Philip HytchPhilipwasamemberoftheUniversity’sstafffrom1960to1983,serving as Head of Primary Education and Principal Lecturer for many years. Philip was the organising spirit and inspiration behindtheWorcestershireSymphonyOrchestra,andwasmuch noted for his kindliness and commitment to education.

Diana Mary Evans Diana studied at Worcester between 1954 and 1957 and served on the Worcester alumni committee for many years.

She was a loving, caring person who touched many hearts, alwaysfulloffunandenergy.Onceretired,shebecamethe Victorian cook at a museum, teaching schoolchildren about yester-year cookery and laundry skills. Diana devoted many years to working with the deaf and blind.

Peter Pickersgill

Peter trained to be a teacher at Worcester in the 1950s, and went on to become a top-rated head of PE at Colne Valley High School, Huddersfield. A modest and unassuming man with a dry wit, Peter was devoted to sport and was a keen athlete himself, becoming a member of Leeds Athletics Club, Yorkshire Amateur AthleticsAssociationandthecounty’ssprintrelayteam.

When Jan Dyer left her post in the University of Worcester’ssustainability department,life had an entirely newchallenge in store.

From tackling environmental issues at the University, Jan was faced with the enormity of

problems faced by people with HIV and Aids in Tanzania.

JanjoinedherhusbandChrisinAfricain2010,wheretheyset up a non-governmental aid organisation, ‘Development forSelfRelianceinTanzania’–orDEVSELF-TZforshort.

ChrishadgonetoTanzaniatoworkasavolunteerproject co-ordinator with an Irish faith-based medical mission, operating a home-based care scheme for people living with HIV and Aids.

“He was distressed to find that many of the clients, mainly women, were forced to live in pitiful and appalling conditions, marginalised and abandoned by society and without means to improve their lives,” said Jan.

About 80% of Tanzanians live below the international poverty line of US$1.25 per person per day. Chris made a commitment to help them generate income and decided to establish an organisation to make it happen.

The organisation has set up a micro-loan scheme for groups of people with HIV/Aids to set up their own businesses, and has arranged the subsidised employment of HIV-positive women with a local co-operative. Jan and Chris have also set up a network of non-governmental organisations connected with HIV/Aids covering the Singida area, which provides activities for people to earn an income and ensures they receive a fair wage.

“We are both volunteers and we keep the overheads as low as possible to ensure that the large bulk of what we get goes direct to the beneficiaries,” Jan said.

Anyone who wants to support Chris and Jan can send a cheque, made payable to Malvern Friends Meeting (DEVSELF) to Jill Etheridge, the treasurer, Malvern Friends Meeting, 59 West Malvern Road, Malvern WR14 4NF.

To find out more about their work visit www.envaya.org/devself-tz

To find out more about their work visit www.envaya.org/devself-tz

Worcester

talks about her new life in AfricaForMEr UnivErsity oF WorcEstEr EnvironMEntal co-orDinator

Jan meeting with HIV sufferers to discuss the micro-finance scheme.

coMMEMorativE stainED Glass WinDoW UnvEilED by HEnry sanDon MbE

a stained glass window dedicated to the work of nurses in Worcester was officially unveiled by Henry sandon MbE in november last year.

The commemorative window in the Jenny Lind Chapel at the former Worcester Royal Infirmary

harksbacktothebuilding’shistoryasahospital.ThebuildingnowformspartoftheUniversityofWorcester’sCityCampus.

PaidforbytheWorcesterRoyalInfirmaryNurses’League,thewindow is a lasting memorial to nurses who worked at the hospital.

The window was designed by local artist Nick Upton, and was made by Rob Paddock, Director of The Art of Glass at Burcott Forge, near Bromsgrove.

Dr Martin Doughty, University of Worcester Pro Vice Chancellor(Resources),said:“This is a hugely important chapel in the history of Worcester and the stained glass window is a fitting tribute to all those who worked at the hospital.”


University’s Nursery rated Outstanding by inDEPEnDEnt insPEctors

staff and children at the University of Worcester’s Unitots nursery are celebrating an ‘outstanding’ report from oFstED.

The nursery has received the highest possible grade from the independent watchdog, who described it as “welcoming and stimulating.”

It comes after the University was awarded one of only eight national contracts to educate and train Early Years professionals in England and follows ‘outstanding’OFSTEDreportsfortheUniversity’steachertrainingprovision.

Professor David Green, University of Worcester Vice Chancellor, said:“This outstanding report from OFSTED is yet another example of the University’s profound commitment to providing brilliant opportunities for children and young people.”

The report rates Unitots asGrade1Outstandingin every aspect of the inspection,noting:“Children have an enjoyable time at this welcoming and stimulating nursery, where

their individual routines and interests are very well catered for.

“The nursery has an excellent working relationship with parents and other professionals who are well-informed and involved with the nursery.”

Thenurseryemploys13membersofstaff.Ofthese,12 hold appropriate Early Years qualifications, including three staff with Qualified Teacher Status.

Unitotsmanager,HazelRutherford,said:“We are delighted that the quality of our provision has been rated

‘outstanding’ by OFSTED, recognising the high standard of care and education we provide at the nursery.

“It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the nursery team.”

Rear(L-R)AlfiePrice,LaurenCorke,MaxKilby,RujjulasshVijithanandUnitotsstaffmemberCarolWilliams.Front(L-R)UnitotsstaffMarjorieChapple,Val Mason, and manager Hazel Rutherford with children Sophia Amin and Rea Christopoulou-Irving

It is a tribute to the hard work and dedication of the nursery team

NCT,theUK’slargestcharityforparents,andtheUniversityof Worcester have formed a new partnership to create a specialist college aimed at increasing the number of valuable courses for parents.

NCT has long been known for the support it provides to parents throughthetransitiontoparenthood.NCT’santenatalcourses,breastfeeding counselling and facilitated postnatal groups support and inform parents, enabling them to feel confident and prepared.

Now NCT has designated Worcester as its ‘university partner of choice.’ThetwoorganisationswillworktogethertotrainNCTpractitioners, volunteers and, subsequently, parents across a range of issues relating to pregnancy, birth and parenthood.

Professor David Green, Vice Chancellor of the University of Worcester, said:“We are delighted to have been chosen to work with NCT to help parents in their transition to parenthood and will do all we can to help the country’s parents and children get off to the best possible start.”

CleaHarmer,Degree&DiplomaManageratNCT,said:“The flexible training programme will allow students to specialise in a wide range of areas from antenatal education, breastfeeding counselling and postnatal group facilitation to new areas such as baby massage and working with young parents.

“Together, NCT and the University of Worcester can become the centre of excellence for transition to parenthood, offering a real career pathway for students. Qualifications will range from a Certificate of Higher Education and a Foundation Degree, up to Postdoctoral research opportunities.”

NCT currently works with approximately 1,000 practitioners and 10,000 volunteers. It is hoped the new partnership will train many more to work with parents and parents-to-be.

A range of new courses will be on offer, with the first programmes beginning in September this year, taught by NCT tutors who will become associate lecturers of the University of Worcester.

University of Worcester and NCT join forces to develop the NCT College


news in Brief

lEsliE anD EniD rayMEnt – a DiaMonD coUPlE! When Leslie Rayment took his seat for his first lecture at the then Worcester Emergency Teacher Training College, he never dreamt he wouldbejustinchesfromhisfuturewife.

Neitherdidheexpectthatshewouldlivejusttwo bus rides from his own home back in Essex.

Leslie and Enid (née Kelly) are celebrating their 60th wedding anniversary this month after that chance meeting back in 1948.

“I took my seat and wasn’t sure if I should be taking notes or whether there would be handouts,” Leslie recalled. “As I looked around, I noticed a young lady to my left with headed note paper. On that headed note paper I noticed the words Chadwell Heath. I wrote a note and passed it to the young lady, asking if it was Chadwell Heath in Essex. She wrote back ‘yes’ and I told her that I lived at Seven Kings, which was just two bus rides away. Several weeks later we went to the pictures together and the rest is history, as they say.”

Leslie and Enid got engaged while still studying at Worcester in 1949, and were featured in the college magazine as the first couple on the new two year course to get engaged. Three years later, on April 12th 1952, they married in Essex.

After leaving Worcester they both taught at schools around the UK, including Scotland, the West Midlands and Southern England. Leslie spent over 38 years in the profession, while Enid clocked up over 28 years, pausing only to raise their two children. They now have a brood of five grandchildren and four great-grandchildren and live in Suffolk.

“When we attended the College, there were 126 of us and we all knew each other,” Leslie said. “The people were what really made it so fantastic and we still meet, biennially, with people we met at the College.”

Headded:“Everyone was there because they wanted to be there. I never wanted to do anything else but teach for as long as I can remember, and the reputation of Worcester was superb. In all the schools I taught in afterwards, they always knew about Worcester. I was employed on the strength of the reputation of the College.”

loveWorcester

stories

a good love story can last decades, and some have only just begun. it always makes us happy to hear about former students who fell in love and met their future spouses during their time here at Worcester. Here are some of the couples who met at Worcester through the years…


ForMEr stUDEnts to tiE tHE knot in First WEDDinG at UnivErsity’s city caMPUsGemma Lawrence and Shaun Hill will be the first couple to marry at the University’sCityCampus,whichwaslicensed for weddings last year.

The pair met in their first few weeks as students at the University, as they both lived in the same halls of residence. They have now been together over four years and will marry on 1st September.

“When we heard that the University was able to host weddings we thought it would be perfect,” said 22-year-old Gemma, who works in a nursery in Battenhall, Worcester.

“We had already set our hearts on having the reception on the Worcester River Cruises and were looking for somewhere just to have the service before. This was the perfect solution. What better place to get married than the place we met!”

Twenty-three-year-old Shaun, who studied Sociology at the University, popped the question to Gemma, a Primary Education graduate, while on the Malvern Hills.

“We went to the Malvern Hills on one of our first dates so it was very romantic that Shaun chose to do it there,” said Gemma, who hails from north Somerset.

The couple, who now live in Worcester, graduated from the University in 2010. They will marry in the City Campus Board Room followed by drinks in the neighbouring Jenny Lind Chapel, before going on to their reception on the River Cruise.

“We’re really excited about getting married at the University,” said Shaun “It has made the whole thing even more special for us.”

FroM tHE lEctUrE tHEatrE to tHE altar – tHE coUPlE WHo FinisHED tHEir coUrsE anD Got MarriED on tHE saME DaySoon-to-be grandparents Anthony and Mary Hopkins will be celebrating over 40 years of marriage this year. 1971 saw another momentous year for the couple – they finished their course and got married within 24 hours.

Arriving at the same interview for the Rural Studies course at Worcester in 1967, the two of them were soon to spend a lot more time together when they were both accepted onto the course.

Tony and Mary began dating and went to TheHop’sEasterdancetogetherintheirfirst year. When their final year at College was drawing to a close, Tony proposed.

“With the course nearing its end, we were beginning to plan our future – and we decided to marry on the last day of our studies!” recalled Mary.

2nd July 1971 proved to be a busy day for Tony and Mary, who married at Worcester RegistryOfficeat12pm,gettingchangedinto their wedding attire after their morning lecture, and changing back again after the wedding in time for their last ever tutorial.

Tonysaid:“We couldn’t afford a big do, so we sort of made the valedictory dinner at the College that evening a celebration of our marriage too. When someone announced our wedding

in their speech at the dinner, a wave of excitement whipped round the Hall.”

“In those days, people would hammer the table with spoons to cheer, so the Hall erupted with the sound,” added Mary.

40 years down the line in 2011, the couple celebrated their Ruby wedding anniversary – much in the same way as their relationship started. “We went to the New Forest for a few days, which is where we’d done a lot of fieldwork for our course,” said Mary.

tHank yoU For oUr WonDErFUl WEDDinG!Donna Archibald and Rhydian Burston both graduated from Worcester with a BSc (Hons) in Sports Studies and PE in 2004. Seven years later, on 24thOctober2011,thepairmarried.

Donnasaid:“We met at a hockey away match – my helmet was too small so I borrowed his! The first six months of marriage have been amazing – we have just moved in to a little house and are starting to feel a little more grown up (but not fully!)”

“We would just like to say thank you to all of our university friends who sent us lovely messages for our special day and an extra thank you to those who drove for miles just to attend the evening celebrations. It’s true what they say – you make friends for life at university and we have truly felt that these past few months.”

The University of Worcester is fully licensed to hold marriage and civil partnershipceremonies.Ourweddingrooms include the Charles Hastings Board Room, where the British Medical Association was founded in 1832, as well as a choice of modern and light airy rooms set within the same building.

The fascinating Jenny Lind Chapel is also available for drinks receptions to complement your celebrations.

To find out more, contact our Conferencing Team on 01905 542121 or via [email protected] or visit our website at www.worcester.ac.uk/weddings

What better place to get married than the place we met!Gemma lawrence

Why not tie the

knotor renew your vows

at city campus?


feAture

Brave schoolgirl McAyla kick-starts

visit www.worcesterarena.com

Arenabuild,L-R:RobinWalker,MPforWorcester;SchoolgirlMcAylaJohnston;theUniversity’sstaffMickDonovan,HeadoftheInstituteofSport&ExerciseScience;DrSusieHart,HeadofRecreation&SportStrategy;andRussellPope,DirectorofProjects. Inset:TheWorcesterArenawillbecomeanationalcentreofexcellencefordisabilitysport.

the University’s new £15m sporting arena is now well under construction

in the city and will open in early 2013.

From the very first day of opening, the Arena will become a national centre of excellence for disability sport, designed to be fully inclusive and building on the work of the University across a host of disability sports, including wheelchair basketball and blind football.

Construction started at the Hylton Road site in January, when local schoolgirl and Pride of Britain award winner McAyla Johnston helped kick-start the laying of foundations.

Fourteen-year-old McAyla, who plays for the WorcesterWolves’wheelchairbasketballsquad and will be among those using the Arena, was hit by a car in 2008 and was told she would never walk or talk again.

However, her sheer determination saw her beat the odds and she went on to successfully campaign for two crossings to be installed where she was run over near her school in Worcester.

ShesaidoftheArena:“I’m very excited and cannot wait for it to be built. It will bring a whole new

generation of kids and adults to come and play.”

Construction of the Worcester Arena will provide employment for over 250 tradespeople, many ofwhomwillbelocaltoWorcester.Onceopen,the University is aiming to generate a multi-million pound turnover at the Arena, creating dozensofnewpart-timeandfull-timejobs.

The 5,300m2 Arena is capable of hosting majorindoorsportsevents,withretractableseating provided for 2,000 people and excellent television infrastructure. It will provide important sports teaching facilities to complement the facilities already at the University’sStJohn’sCampusaswellasthosewithintheadjacentRiversidebuilding.

The University will be creating a special wall to celebrate the Worcester Arena and the community’spassionforsport.Membersof the community, businesses, sports clubs and other organisations are invited to buy a brick to ensure their name or company name and message is forever part of the Worcester Arena, to mark their commitment to grass roots sport in the city, county and region.

racE niGHtTheUniversityofWorcester’sRace Night took place on 24 February, with people geeing on their horses and placing bets on the races, all in aid of the Worcester Arena.

Over£3,000wasraisedfromtheevening, with raffle prizes and winning races proving a success.

Thanks to all those who attended, and special thanks to John Yelland and Muff Murfin, who helped to organise and host the evening.

bUy a brickMake your name a part ofourcity’shistoryatthe Worcester Arena by purchasing a brick. Your message will be engraved on a special commemorative wall, offering you a unique opportunity to show your support. For more information or to purchase a brick, from as little as £50, contact Kate Moss, Head of Communication and Development, on 01905 542179 or email [email protected]

constructionArena constructionWorcester Arena


The HiveA new era of the library

as a student at Worcester you will undoubtedly have spent many an

hour in the Peirson library at the st John’s campus; whether with your head buried in a book or glued to a computer screen.

But exciting changes are afoot with the opening of a new library this summer.

Ifyou’restilllocaltoWorcester,orhavevisited recently, the Hive will have almost certainly attracted your attention – not least for its unique shape and gold exterior.

SituatednexttotheUniversity’sCityCampus,the Hive is a partnership between the University of Worcester and Worcestershire County Council.

OpeninginJulythisyear,thebuildingwillnotonlyhouseboththeUniversity’sandCouncil’sbook stocks – some quarter of a million books in total – but will also contain over 26,000 records of historic sites and buildings and 12 miles of original documents. The history of Worcestershire from after the last Ice Age to the present day will be brought to life using the latest technologies.

Partoftheofferingisamagicalchildren’slibrary,one of the largest in the country, with spaces to getcreative;aHeritageTrailtoexplore;andahugerangeofbooks,CDsandDVDstoenjoy.

Students and staff will be able to find a space that suits their study needs from group work to individual silent research. Full wireless coverage and over 250 desk-top computers will be available, with experienced staff on-hand to help and advise everyone on using the extensive digital and print resources.

The Worcestershire Hub, the first point of contact for council services across Worcestershire, is also moving in to the Hive and there will be a café serving locally-sourced food and drinks.

But what about Peirson, you might say? The building will still be a centre for learning, with 24-hour access to computers and study spaces.

Anne Hannaford, Director of Information and LearningServices,said:“By combining our services, the resources of the county library

network as well as our own become easily accessible and available to students. We can provide better facilities, for longer hours, with more staff available to support and help students.

“Students on many courses such as teaching, drama, and health related subjects

can engage with the community at The Hive.”

A plethora of events has been lined up over the coming months to give the public previews of what is to come when the Hive opens in July. Eventinformationwillbepostedontheproject’swebsite at www.thehiveworcester.org.uk

We would be delighted to welcome alumni into the Hive. Bring your family for a day out or use the resources to continue or begin your learning adventure. Contact Catherine North on 01905 542237 or email [email protected] to find out more.

Hundredsofchildrenenjoyeda month-long celebration of literature in Worcester as the University launched its Beeline Children’sStorytellingFestival.

Some of the best in the business, including award-winning writers Kit Wright and Anne Fine, the formerChildren’sLaureate,took part in the Festival which also saw music, puppetry, theatre and workshops taking place throughout the city.

The Beeline Festival 2011, whichraninOctober,wasadevelopmentoftheUniversity’spopularchildren’sstorytellingfestival which has now run for several years. The Festival teamed up with many venues across the city including museums, libraries and arts venues – even the hospital hosted a storyteller!

Steve Boffy, who works in Arts Development at the University, said:“We had some top storytellers come to the city, such as Ben Haggerty who performed at Worcester Porcelain Museum, former Children’s Laureate Anne Fine, and Kit Wright, who attended on National Poetry Day.

“We also had companies such as Fetch Theatre and Dancefest, who were telling stories through the mediums of drama and dance. It was a fantastic line up, with so many children from around the area getting involved in the Festival with their schools and families.”

The University of Worcester is committed to promoting and encouraging literature to children and currently has two professorsofchildren’sliterature.

We can provide better facilities, for longer hours, with more staff available to support and help students

view from inside the children’s library

toP aUtHors anD PErForMErs MakE a

“bEElinE” For annUal storytEllinG FEstival

anne Fine was part of the line-up at the Festival

Worcester Arena


Developments

Institute of Education

Forty years after graduating from what was then Worcester Teacher Training College, Chris Bridgman is helping other Worcester students with their studies.

Chris is the manager of the Wingate Centre in Nantwich, a charity for children with profound physical and learning disabilities.

Through a link with sports lecturer Glyn Harding, Chris has been offering work experience for sports students at the University of Worcester.

“The Centre has hosted around 8-10 students per academic year,” he said. “They usually spend two days in the gym watching our disability and mainstream classes. I am delighted the Centre is able to play some small part in improving the students’ understanding of disabilities and the importance of sport in the lives of children with disabilities.”

Chris graduated from Worcester in 1972 with a Certificate in Education (History, Sociology and Education). He met his wife Judith, a fellow student, while at Worcester.

Chris, having progressed in his banking career to the role of Bank Manager, took retirement

after30yearsandsoughtapart-timejob.Chrissaid:“My banking career had not really brought me into contact with anyone with profound disabilities before and working at the Wingate Centre was a real eye-opener for me.

“Once I really appreciated how much difference the Centre made to the lives of these children and young adults the motivation to develop the Centre and do more for these children has been my main driving force – so much so that I have now been manager for the last five years.”

University Professor gives evidence to the House of commons Education select committeeProfessor Chris Robertson, HeadoftheUniversity’sInstitute of Education, was invited to give evidence to the House of Commons Education Select Committee in January.

Thefocusofthecommittee’sinquiry was ‘Attracting, training andretainingthebestteachers’.

Professor Robertson was asked to give evidence on the professional development of teachers and related models, including the Chartered Teacher Scheme.

Shesaid:“My responses to the challenging questions posed enabled me to showcase some of the excellent work that we do here at the University of Worcester.”

Professor Robertson gave her evidence alongside Dr Alison Kitson, from the University of London’sInstituteofEducation,toa cross party panel of MPs. The session was filmed and streamed live on to the parliamentary website as part of the democratic process. The link to the recording ishttp://www.parliamentlive.tv/Main/Player.aspx?meetingId=9967

The questions from the panel explored aspects relating to the continuing professional development of teachers and its impact and effectiveness on making a real difference to children in the classroom. Professor Robertson and Dr Kitson strongly agreed that high quality professional development should be an entitlement for all teachers and that the government should invest in a Masters-level teaching profession.

PriMary scHool tEacHEr scooPs

national scholarshipA primary school teacher has been awarded a prestigious national scholarship to further her education with a Masters degree.

Sam Bates, who works at Haselor School near Alcester, Warwickshire, has received a TDA National Scholarship which will fund her postgraduate

studies at the University of Worcester.

Sam graduated in Primary Initial Teacher Training in 2009, and is currently undertaking

theNationalSENCO(SpecialEducationalNeeds Co-ordinator) Award at the University. The scholarship will allow her to top up to a full Masters in Special and Inclusive Education.

The 26-year-old mother-of-one, from Stratford-upon-Avon,said:“Special educational needs is something that has always been important to me in my teaching career.”

Rachel Barrell, Course Leader BA (Hons) Primary Initial Teacher Training with QTS, said:“Sam has been a fantastic student, right from her undergraduate degree. This scholarship is testament to her commitment to special educational needs work.”

Sam is pleased to have been awarded the TDA National Scholarship.

The

Chris Bridgman at a fundraising event for the Centre this year.

My experienceas a stUDEnt in tHE institUtE oF EDUcation

Worcester graduate helping new students with their studies


Recent graduates Monica Price and Jessica Manion have been hard at work since finishing their studies at the University of Worcester.

The pair, who graduated from the University with a degree in Nutritional Therapy and in Human Nutrition, have developed and launched a device to help people to lose weight and to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Their invention, “Key Change”, enables people to check labels on food while they do their shopping, as it slots into a trolley. Ononesideof“KeyChange”,thereisacolour-coded key – red for high, yellow for medium and green for low – so that shoppers can identify the levels of fat, saturated fat, carbohydrates andsaltwithinfoodthey’rethinkingofbuying.

Jessica, who came up with the idea through the workshecarriedoutinherdissertation,said:

“With the Key Change, people can make their own informed food choices quickly and easily.”

Monicaadded:“People still don’t understand food labels. Our device will make it easier to see the nutritional elements of what you’re eating.”

The key also allows people to quickly identify how much sugar or salt is in products, with diagrams of teaspoons next to the equivalent weight in grams.

As well as companies with an interest in health, anyone is able to purchase Key Change, at a cost of £2.50. For more information, visit www.nutritionbymonica.co.uk or email [email protected]

Institute of Health & Society

Dr kirti PaikStudying at the University of Worcester was a life-changing experience

for Dr Kirti Paik, who has now returned to her native India to establish a new charity.

DrPaikjoinedtheUniversityin2006 as an international Masters student in Health & Social Care.

Since returning to India with the Masters under her belt, she has launched a new charity in memory of her father, DF Paik.

“The DF Paik Foundation will play a major role in providing the regional society of Walhekarwadi, Chinchwad, Pune, with a quality health care and educational support programme,” she said.

“An Ayurveda Clinic offering therapies and consultations will be the main asset of the foundation.

“Various fundraising events will be continually launched to fund free health care and support for women and children.”

Dr Paik puts much of her success down to her time at Worcester.

“Studying in the UK was an entirely different experience for me,” she said. “I found my identity and became a strong person.”

“Through the University I also worked for a British Red Cross project, which was a fantastic experience. Above all, I found my life partner when I was in Worcester.”

To find out more about the DF Paik Foundation email [email protected]

Graduates receive award for their role in tackling the riotsTwo paramedic graduates from the University of Worcester who responded to a fatal incident in Birmingham during the 2011 summer riots have received special commendations.

Ruth Hodgson and Katherine Hall were given the Special Incident Award, one of the Chief OfficeCommendations,alongwithanumberof their colleagues during a celebratory evening held by West Midlands Ambulance Service.

Present at the event was Tariq Jahan, the father of one of the three men who died.

sMartPHonE rEsEarcH attracts Global intErEst

A piece of research conducted by a University of Worcester MSc graduate went global earlier this year when it hit the headlines of not only the UK’snationalpressbutnewspapersas far away as India and Iran.

The research, conducted by Psychology graduate Richard Balding, looked at how smartphones can increase stress levelsamonguserswhentheydon’treceive text messages. Some users reported feeling phantom vibrations whentheyhaven’treceivedacallortext, according to the research.

Richard presented the research at a conference of the British Psychological Society.

The

My experienceas a stUDEnt in tHE institUtE oF HEaltH & sociEty

Recent graduates launch healthy living tool

New Key Change device hopes to help people maintain a healthy lifestyle by making information about food easier to understand


institute news

Creative ArtsThe

Institute of Humanities&

Leading educationalist and one of

the country’s top teachers recalls his

time at Worcester

He has been described as “the country’s most inspirational teacher” and “an emerging national hero”, but Phil Beadle is very modest about his many successes.

Since graduating from the University of Worcester with a BA (Hons) Combined Studies (English and Drama) degree in 1987, Phil has made a real name for himself in the world of education. After graduating, Phil spent the next decade pursuing his love of music, before eventually training as a teacher.

Named Secondary Teacher of the Year in 2004, he found media exposure on the Channel 4 show The Unteachables, where he worked his magic on a group of difficult-to-engage kids,andalsopresentedtheseriesCan’tRead,Can’tWrite,inwhichhetaughtagroupof illiterate adults to read in six months.

Talking about his greatest professional achievements,Philsaid:“My book, Dancing about Architecture: A Little Book of Creativity, won less plaudits than some of my other works, but I think it may outlast me.”

Phil, who recently returned to the University to deliver a workshop for the next generation of teachers, offered some words of advice fortoday’sgraduates:“Become really good at something, and then, when someone offers you an opportunity, snap it up. Only take advice if the person offering it is a) an expert, and b) wants you to do well.”

art lecturer appointed Worcester cathedral’s artist in residence An art lecturer at the University of Worcester has taken up a prestigious appointment as Artist in Residence at Worcester Cathedral.

Daniel Roach will spend a year creating paintings and prints inspired by the architecture of the historic Cathedral.

“My work will be all about the memory of spaces and spaces of memory,” he said. “I will be looking at spaces not normally seen by the public, such as the roofspace and other small passageways.”

MrRoach’sworkwillbe on display at the Cathedral at various points throughout the year.

The University of Worcester ‘Artist in Residence at Worcester Cathedral’schemewasfirstsetup in 2004, as a partnership between the University and Cathedral to support graduates and artists in their careers.

The appointed artists can use the Cathedral space as a site for their art practice as well as accessing University resources and equipment. The Dean of Worcester Cathedral, the Very Reverend Peter Atkinson, said:“The Cathedral is delighted to continue the partnership with the University in our Artist in Residence scheme.”

illUstration stUDEnt Wins

Major animation dealAn Illustration student at the University of Worcester has won a prestigious competition to illustrateanentireseriesofchildren’scharacters.

Maria Gonzalez entered the competition on the advice of her lecturer and was delighted that her interpretation of a specific character was selected as the winner.

The competition, run by In the Picture, sought to find a talented undergraduate or postgraduate student from across the UK, with the winning artist contracted to design and create a full character series that will be developedtowardsarangeofchildren’sbooks,toys, platform game and animated series.

Participants were given the brief of a character named Sergeant Nutty, a militant, super organised, over-energetic character who loved tocreatearmiesfrominanimateobjects.

Twenty-two-year-old Maria, who hails fromtheBasqueCountryinSpain,said:

“I couldn’t believe it when my illustration was chosen as the winner – it’s fantastic and such a wonderful opportunity for me.”

Maria is now working with publishers on illustrations for the series and said she wasenjoyingthechance to work on aliveproject.

“This is fantastic experience for me,” she said. “To get the chance to see my drawings actually being used professionally is incredible. I am so pleased.”

Maria is hoping to study for a Masters degree after completing her undergraduate studies with the ultimate aim of becoming a full-time illustrator.

Piet Grobler, Course Leader for Illustration, said:“Maria understands characterisation and she is a very skilled draftsperson. She’s also developed a very good understanding of sequence and movement – I knew she could do it.”

Sergeant Nutty, Maria’swinninganimation.

My experienceas a stUDEnt in tHE institUtE oF HUManitiEs & crEativE arts

DanielRoach’swork,‘Inscape’


tackling a degree with a young family in tow is no easy challenge. but for

angela Fitch (née smith) it was the best decision she ever made.

Almost 20 years after graduating she works as a Lobbyist for the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB), and puts it all down to her time at Worcester.

AngelajoinedtheUniversityin1990tostudy for a degree in Human and Rural Geography, graduating in 1993.

“The course looked interesting with a good mix of field work and theory,” she said. “When I started my degree as a mature student, I had two children, a part-time job and minimal recent academic experience.”

AngeladescribeshertimeatWorcesteras:“Probably the best three years of my life.

I made friends and gained many skills for life.”

Shewasrecentlyinvitedtojoinasmallgroup of Worcester City Councillors to work on a Commonwealth Local Government ForumprojectinGhana.Sheexploredthesimilarities and differences between the UK and Ghana and went on to start up what is thought to be the first business pressure group in Africa, outside of South Africa.

“The project is based on Ghanaian business

owners doing things for themselves to improve their income, status, sustainability and so on – it’s not an aid project,” Angela said.

“Sadly the funding will shortly come to an end, but the successes around the business support group, urban master planning and the creation of Ghana’s first local newspaper means we have undoubtedly made a difference which should assist business owners and residents for many years to come.”

Angela has been instrumental in bringing to the University the FSB Scholarship package, FSB Sponsorship Award and FSB Annual Business Lecture.

“I really don’t believe I could possibly be in the position I am without Worcester and my degree,” she said. “The subjects covered while studying at Worcester have been put to practical use when lobbying, because my work is all about people and what they do – themes which were included in my academic work,” she said.

Angela studied as a mature student here, and remains linked with the University through her work with the Federation of Small Businesses. Angela is currently helping Ghanaian business owners.

I really don’t believe I could possibly be in the position I am without Worcester and my degree

My experienceas a stUDEnt in tHE institUtE oF sciEncE & tHE EnvironMEnt

sciEncE & tHE EnvironMEnt DiscovEry DaysThe Institute of Science & the Environment hosted their first Biology–specific day last summer, showcasing what the University can offer to sixth formers and schoolchildren.

Students are invited onto campus to conduct scientific experiments intheUniversity’sstate-of-the-artteachinglaboratory.Onegroupof schoolchildren investigated the DNA molecules in a banana and how they can be used with sugars as energy sources.

Discovery Days are also available for a range of other subjects.SchoolscancontacttheUniversity’sOutreach&Recruitment team via email at [email protected]

TheInstitute of Science

&the EnvironmentGeographers to assist researchers in chileDr Ian Maddock, Principal Lecturer inPhysicalGeography;CarolineWallis, Post-Doctoral Research Fellow;andAmyWoodget,PhDstudent, are taking part in a research projectlookingathydraulichabitatson the San Pedro River.

The trio will be helping researchers from the University of Concepcion in Chile to understand the complex relationship between the physical nature of the river and its flow, and how that influences the different species that live within the river.

DrMaddocksaid:“There are currently plans to build a dam on the San Pedro River, which could have major impacts on the flow and subsequently the habitats and species. We will be assisting in the research around this.”

The three will travel to Chile for 10 days in May and are hoping to take with them the Draganflyer X6, a state-of-the-art piece of equipment.

institute news


University Basketball Academy flourishes with influx of new coachesTheUniversity’sleadingbasketballacademyis thriving with almost 20 coaches now qualified to deliver programmes to children right through to elite players.

Paul James, Director of Basketball for the British Basketball League side Worcester Wolves, and the University of Worcester, has extended his coaching team as the sport grows in popularity.

The Worcester basketball academy programme now boasts a wide range of teamsthatincludetheBBLteam;nationalleagueteamsformen;womenandjuniors;centralvenueleaguesforboysandgirls;and seven University of Worcester teams.

PaulJamessaid:“We recognise the importance of developing players of all abilities whilst they attend university, yet it is also critical that we develop strong coaches who can reach a much bigger audience in the wider community if the sport is going to grow.”

Almost 20 coaches are now qualified to deliver basketball coaching programmes at the University of Worcester

Premier league footballer inspires children on campusNewly-signed West Bromwich Albion player Keith Andrews dropped in at the University of Worcester to meet children on a local football camp.

His visit was part of the first half-term football camp to be hosted at the University by West Brom, which was headed up by University of Worcester graduate John Rogers, assisted by third year sports student Nick Harris.

A number of former Worcester students now work at West Bromwich Albion across a variety of coaching roles.

Exercise Science

country’s first Disability sport Degree launched in run up to 2012 Paralympic GamesThe University of Worcester has launched a new named degree for those wanting to study and ultimately work in disability sport. It is believed tobethecountry’sfirstdegree dedicated to producing experts in disability sport.

Mick Donovan, Head of the University’sInstituteofSport&ExerciseScience,said:“What better time to be launching a new course in disability sport, than the year when the Paralympic Games come to Great Britain?”

TheInstitute of Sport &

When Gary Hodgson first started at University, he never thought he would end up as a Physical Educationteacher.Hewasjustfollowinghis passion for sport when he started his BSc (Hons) in Sport and Exercise Science.

However, as he progressed through his course, he became more involved in the education modules on offer.

“I particularly enjoyed the modules in Early Childhood Development and Coaching,” he says.

“I also started to get involved in volunteer activities, such as Sunday Sport, and I remember helping out at a swim meet for children with disabilities.”

Gary became involved with Challenger Sports, where he spent the summer months teaching

children in the United States the game of soccer.

After taking a year out to coach in the United States and working in the French Alps, Gary made what he regards as the best decision of his life – to take a place on the PGCE course.

“The course, although challenging, really provided me with a great support network which gradually got me into a full teaching schedule,” he says. “I could not have wished for better mentors,” Gary says.

Although his current role at Challenger Sports in America is not directly involved with teaching, Gary coaches an Under 17s Boys Travel team and trains 120 coaches who work in the Baltimore region for Challenger Sports.

My experienceas a stUDEnt in tHE institUtE oF sPort & ExErcisE sciEncE


KristijonasGedvilasandKornelijaGuzaiteattheirnewsushibar,DoubleSushi

Business SchoolWorcester

steve keeley

Just a year after graduating from the University of Worcester, steve keeley’s career has really taken off, winning two prestigious engineering awards.

Steve was named The Royal Academy of Engineering Rising Star Award Winner 2011, as well as winning the Bosch Engineer for the Future Award 2011 after he created a laser-based gas analysis system, which is now in use at Bosch manufacturing plants.

StevejoinedtheUniversityasamature part-time student, while working as a Controls Engineer for an automotive manufacturer, graduating in 2010 with a BSc (Hons) in Computing.

Hesaid:“During my course, problem solving and team work skills were developed which I could use in my work environment.”

With the collapse of the car industry during the recession, StevesecuredajobwithWorcester,Bosch Group and is now working towards chartered engineer status.

Steve’screation,alaser-basedgas analysis system, reduces testing time by 10 per cent leading to a reduction in carbon dioxide output that is equivalent to 1,000 employees driving to work each year.

My experienceas a stUDEnt in WorcEstEr bUsinEss scHool

Steve Keeley (right) receiving his Royal Academy of Engineering award.

Business students juggle studies with opening new sushi bar in Worcester

Two international business students from the UniversityofWorcesterarejugglingtheirstudieswith setting up their own business in the city.

Double Sushi is a brand new sushi takeaway setupbyLithuanianstudentsKristijonasGedvilasandKornelijaGuzaite.

Both are in their second year of a business degree at the University and decided to put the skills they were learning in to practice.

“In Western Europe and parts of the UK, sushi is very popular – we wanted to bring that to Worcester”,said19-yearoldKristijonas.

The couple secured the investment to set up the takeaway after presenting a business plan to their parents, both of whom run successful businesses in Lithuania.

“The University has been very flexible and supportive,”saidKristijonas.DoubleSushiopened in December 2011 and is attracting new and returning customers every day. It serves European sushi with a twist, introducing new ingredients such as duck and chicken for those less keen on the fish options.

Twenty-year-oldKornelijaundertooksixmonthstraining from a top sushi chef to prepare the food.

Mark Richardson, Head of Worcester Business School,said:“Encouraging our graduates to go out and make an impact in the business world is what we are all about, and it is positive to see Kristijonas and Kornelija doing so well.”

For more information about Double Sushi visit www.doublesushi.co.uk or call 01905 20410.

business graduate receives award for Hr studies

a business graduate from theUniversity of Worcester has been presented with a top prize for her work in human resources.

Charlotte Walker, who graduated last year witha2:1BA(Hons)Business,Managementand Human Resource Management (HRM), was awarded the EEF Prize for the best Human Resource student.

Twenty-one-year-old Charlotte, from Redditch, who is currently taking an MSc in Management andHumanResources,said:“I was very pleased

when I found out that I had won the award, especially as Human Resources has always been an area that I have enjoyed learning about.”

The award was presented by Richard Halstead, Midlands Regional Director for EEF,‘themanufacturers’organisation’,whichrepresents 6,000 employers across the UK.

“We are delighted to once again support the University of Worcester in its activities to ensure the best HR and IR [Industrial Relations] training is provided to future practitioners,” he said.

Charlotte received £100 in vouchers and a day at EEF.


institute news

We are now just m

away from one of the

biggest sporting events in

the world and as everyone

from athletes to

politicians prepares for

the London 2012 Olympic

Games, the University of

Worcester is playing its

part in this historic occasion…

London Olympics2012

We are now just

months away from the

biggest sporting event in

the world and as everyone

from athletes to

politicians prepare for

the London 2012 Olympic

Games, the University of

Worcester is playing its own

part in this historic occasion…

16 /Further information about alumni news and benefi ts can be found at www.worcester.ac.uk/alumni

_68849_Spirit_v7_v7.indd 16_68849_Spirit_v7_v7.indd 16 11/04/2012 09:0111/04/2012 09:01

Competitors blind Football

The University of Worcester has a long and successful history in blind football with several staff and students now involved inGreatBritain’snationalsquad.

Atthe2008BeijingParalympicGames,players included former Worcester students LeeGreatbatch,KerynSealandAjmalAhmed,along with staff member Will Norman.

Will and Keryn will once again represent Great Britain, this time on home turf, and will bejoinedbycurrentWorcesterstudentOwenBainbridge and Worcester graduate Lewis Skyers, who is a sighted goalkeeper. The team is being coached by Sports Coaching Science lecturer David Mycock, who was appointed to the national squad last year.

David, who is himself a graduate of the University,said:“We’re all very excited about competing at the Paralympics on home ground this year. It’s going to be a challenge but we are training hard and will certainly be aiming for a medal.”

basketball

A number of elite Lithuanian basketball players who are currently studying on the MSc European Basketball Coaching course, run by the University of Worcester in partnership with the Lithuanian Basketball Academy, are hoping to compete at the 2012 Games.

The Lithuanian national squad is playing inthefinalpre-Olympicqualifyingtournament in Venezuela, aiming to secure a place at London 2012.

Those international players studying at Worcester include Linas Kleiza, one of the world’stopbasketballplayers,whoalsoplayedatthe2008OlympicGames.

torch bearer

WhenRichardBrown’ssisterJoannawaskilled in a tragic accident following a trip tothe2008BeijingOlympicGames,hiswholefamily’slifewasturnedupsidedown.

Joanna was a bright, tenacious and active young woman, with a passion for sport.

Following her funeral, Richard, who works for the University-based Worcester Wolves basketball team, set up a trust in her name. The aim of The Joanna Brown Trust is to encourage involvement in sport. Since it was established the Trust has helped hundreds of children locally, nationally and internationally to excel in sport.

As a result of his dedication to the Trust and commitment to providing young people with sporting opportunities, Richard has beenselectedasanOlympicTorchBearer.

Richard will carry the torch on part of its leg from Worcester to Cardiff on 25 May.

“It still hasn’t quite sunk in,” said Richard. “I’m so honoured and really excited. It will be a real celebration of Jo’s life; I will be carrying it for her.”

ResearchResearchers at the University are involved intwoOlympic-relatedprojects.

The first is a piece of research exploring theimpactoftheOlympicsineducation.Education is one of the fundamental tenets oftheOlympicmovement.Assuch,mostcountrieshavesomeformofOlympiceducationinitiatives;usuallyaspartoftheir physical education curricula. This research, being conducted by Dr Geoffrey Kohe, Will Bowen-Jones and Dr Andrea Faull, will look at these education initiatives and analyse what the legacy has been.

The second is a book, co-edited by Worcester’sDrGyozoMolnar,lookingatthepoliticsoftheOlympics.Thiscollectionof essays sheds light on the discrimination, exploitation and conflicts that have been, and continue to be, associated with the Games.

DrMolnarsaid:“Despite the general mantra regarding the political being separate from the sport sphere, it is argued through this book that these two social domains are, and have been, inexorably connected. The aim and potential impact, hence, is to reveal the historical and contemporary connections between politics and the Olympics to expose some of the hidden political, racial, as well as economic, agendas behind the Games, which we all should love and support.”

Here are some of the ways the University is getting involved in the olympics and Paralympics this year:

it will be a real celebration of Jo’s life; i will be carrying it for her.

1:StudentOwenBainbridge(5thalongonthefrontrow);GraduateLewisSkyers(6thalongonthebackrow);andstaff member David Mycock (5th along on the back row) 2:RichardBrownhandingoutt-shirtsatanewdormitoryin India opened in memory of Joanna Brown

1

2


Cover story

Alumni View: barbara MoorhouseThe University of Worcester prides itself on its commitment to offering opportunities to people with disabilities and currently has well above the national average number of disabled students. Barbara Moorhouse was one of the earliest students to benefit from the University’sphilosophyofaneducationforallwhenshejoinedinthe1950s.

Having contracted Polio as a child, leaving her seriously disabled, she was advised as a young woman that “someone in her position” should take up weaving baskets as a means of earning a living. But Barbara was determined to become a teacher despite her physical difficulties.

“I was so very fortunate that I discovered Worcester Training College and that they accepted me in spite of my disability ” she said. “It led to a 46–year career in teaching, in both Britain and France, of

which I have loved every single day. I have been told that I may have been one of the earliest of civilian physically disabled students training to be a teacher.”

“I arrived at Worcester College in September 1951. It was a time of great fulfilment to me. After all my struggles I was, at last, being taught how to be a good teacher. But I was also being treated like everyone else.

“I have striven for that all my life. A disabled person is as normal as any other person, they just happen to have a physical problem of some kind. They should always be treated as other people but they may occasionally need a little extra help.”

MrsMoorhouseconcluded:“I have always been thankful for the outstanding staff of Worcester Training College, who encouraged and inspired me to be the best teacher I knew how to be.”

FoUr MEMbErs oF onE FaMily trainED

at WorcEstEr

Clockwisefromtopleft:BarbaraMoorhouse(néeRatcliffe);JudithHallis(néeMeeks);LindaRatchford(néeMeeks);andCatherineBoughton(néeRatchford)

– four family members who all chose Worcester as their place of study.

Four members of a family from rochdale have passed through Worcester’s teacher training unit in the last 60 years.

Barbara Moorhouse (née Ratcliffe) was thefirsttojointhethenWorcesterTeacherTrainingCollegein1951,justfive years after it was established.

She was followed by her cousins Linda and Judith Meeks, as they were then, in the1960s,andlaterLinda’sdaughterCatherine also trained at Worcester.

Judith said her cousin Barbara, who is now almost 80 and lives in France with her son, taught for many years back in their hometown of Rochdale, after training at Worcester.

“She may be remembered as she wore an iron on her leg after contracting Polio as a little girl,” Judith explained. “However,

she never wanted to be treated any differently and was determined to become a teacher in spite of her handicap.”

Judith’soldersisterLinda(nowLindaRatchford)joinedtheCollegein1961,followed two years later by Judith herself.

“My mother was adamant that we had to move away from Rochdale and experience independence,” Judith recalls. “Both my mother and father had a great interest in education and I think that’s why me and my sister went in to teaching.

“I never wanted to do anything else. When I was a little girl I had a blackboard and used to pretend I was a teacher.”

Linda trained as a secondary school teacher, making it to Head of Department and taught in Rochdale until she retired, pausing only to raise her family.

“I did not have a family and taught for 30

years,” Judith said. “I was headteacher for 14 years at a primary school. My niece, Catherine Boughton (née Ratchford) is now a primary school teacher in Rochdale, after training in Worcester from 1991 to 1994.”

Judith said she remembered Worcester “being a lovely time of my life.”

“I was on a full grant so I felt better off than I had ever been,” she laughed.

“I remember that we used to congregate in The Dive then walk down the lanes to the pub as The Dive was licensed at that time.

“It was a very happy time. We all worked very hard. Lectures were full on, even on a Saturday morning.”

When I was a little girl I had a blackboard and used to pretend I was a teacher.

Keepingfamilyit in the


Saturday 1 September2012

Honoraryalumni

awards

When we first decided to organise an Honorary Graduation ceremony for former students, we had no way of knowing what the level of demand for the ceremony would be.

We advertised the event in a number of ways, including Friends Reunited and articles in local and regional newspapers, as well as relying on alumni to spread the word to their friends and families.

Expressions of interest soon started flooding in via emails, phone calls andletterstotheAlumniOffice.

Several hundred eligible alumni have now registered their interest in receiving the award, which is a wonderful response and a tribute to the fond memories many of you formed at Worcester.

The Honorary Graduation Ceremony will take place on Saturday 1 September, in theUniversity’straditionalgraduation setting of Worcester Cathedral. The Cathedral will provide the perfect place toremember,withpride,formerstudents’achievements. The celebrations will continueatourStJohn’sCampus,withrefreshments and the opportunity to catch up with old friends.

We are keen to invite current and former

members of staff along to the event to recognise the contribution of all those involved with the University of Worcester and its history. If you know anyone who

taught here between 1946 and 1977, please put them in touch with Sian Gould, Alumni Relations&CommunicationsOfficer01905 542467 or via [email protected]

Alumni View: E. k. Milner Ph.D, M.b.a. (1960-63)“When Ken Adey (60-63) was asked, ‘How do you like it here?’ by Martin Shipman (a new lecturer at the time) he replied ‘It’s like Butlins with books.’

We were all worthy of academic status (a degree), although possibly a little immature or not motivated towards the academic life at this stage in our development. Ned Peirson, past principal, certainly believed in us – he told the student body each year at the start of their career that they were in the top 5% of the population. Worcester is a great institution which has produced excellent teachers including Edith Rolph, Ron Kitchen, Dickey Majors and Dr Westgate, who all helped me really understand the job of teaching.

I would like to thank staff at the University of Worcester for planning the Alumni Honorary Graduation Ceremony. I also thank John (Muff) Murfin (61-64), who proposed the

idea to Worcester Alumni staff. The idea came about after two of my Loughborough friends were boasting about their time back there, after 50 years’ absence, to obtain their Honorary Degrees. I immediately thought ‘This would be a great project for Worcester Alumni’ and called Muff, who put the wheels in motion. As a result, the University of Worcester is celebrating the achievement of past students who have helped in the progress of the University from a teacher training college in the 1940s to a fully fledged accredited University in 2005.

An occasion of this nature is important to the students of 1946-1977 as, looking back to our time spent at Worcester, we progress towards our retirement years.

We also wonder how we can give back to a great institution. I expect that many former students will return on this day to celebrate and enjoy Worcester again.”

Alumni AssoCiAtion


From

Pear TreeMost former students will associate the students’ Union building with ‘the Dive’ – a place to go for a beer or two, a mid-week dance, or a go on the jukebox and itbox. but the students’ Union space has recently undergone a £500,000 refurbishment – and has a new name to go with it!

toThe Dive

Inset:ImagesofTheDivefrom1988and 1993, compared to the present dayStudents’Union,ThePearTree

The

Timeline1975 Student-led bar and shop present on campus

1993 – Extension to the Students’Unionbuilding,called The Hangar – exclusively used for student functions2011 – The Dive is renamed ‘ThePearTree’,withadditionalseating and food capacity


Helen ballvice President, 1956-1958

Price of a pint / glass of wine: Free! Everything was included when we were students, including morning coffee, buns and cakes, and food. We didn’tpayanyfeesatthetimeeither–it’sfunnytothinkhowmuch University has changed since my time there. Many of the men came to Worcester to train as teachers straight from being in the National Service.

the best day / night to go: Although people often socialized in their different groups with coffee parties in their rooms, The Dive was a great general space to go to. Thereweren’tanyparticularthemes or anything like that.

Highlight of the year: There was always a general flurry of activity when the opera took place – Ray Gilbert and Sullivan – and The Dive became very busy.

opening and closing times: I remember it being open all the time! But the girls had to be back in our rooms by 11pm with doors locked, and a night-watchman was around to check this.

Fashion: Theminiskirtwasjustcoming into fashion during my time as a student, and I remember the first girl wearing the miniskirt in Worcester, before thetrendspread,soI’msureThe Dive saw lots of miniskirts throughout the late 50s and 60s!

We take a look back at the students’ Union throughout the years, from the Dive to its transformation into the Pear tree, with first-hand accounts from former members of the sU.

stephen FisherPresident, 1971-1975

IwasStudents’UnionPresidentin 1973-74. Brian was Academic Affairs Vice-President and a good one too, clever academic that he was. Nick Lloyd followed Andy Sparks as Treasurer, and Steve Smith was the Admin Sec. Last butnotleastontheStudents’Union team was the VP for Residential Affairs – Nigel Smith.

Price of a pint / glass of wine: I could sit all evening in The Dive with a glass of cider that costaround5p.OtherdrinkstobeenjoyedincludedTartanBitter, Newcastle Brown and Wilsons Great Northern Bitter – all very cheap grog. I think prices varied from 9p to 13p during my time there.

the best day / night to go: A great time to be in The Dive was on a Wednesday afternoon – no lectures and lots of sports fixtures meant the teams would enter to celebrate or drown their sorrows.

The Dive was usually busy on weekdayeveningsafterpeople’sevening classes, around 8pm. The students who remained at the weekends played darts, pinball, andonthejukebox(Ridersonthe Storm was a favourite).

Music that was played: Dark Side of the Moon captured Worcester in the 70s for me but the record that defines those college days and nights and was played over and over on thejukeboxinTheDivewasAmercian Pie by Don MacLean.

Onatleastoneweekdayeveningthere were the free cider discos in the JCR. Entry would have been about 5p. Mick Wain and I used to tuck into the awful tastingstuff!Mick,helloifyou’rereading this! Maggie May was playedjustabouteveryweekand John Barnes, the DJ, always ended the evening with Tears of a Clown by Smokey Robinson.

David smithPresident, 2003-2004

Price of a pint / glass of wine:Adoublemixerwas £1 – good times!

the best day / night to go: The Dive was thriving four or five nights a week. Wednesday was the best night – from 9pm, there wasa‘onein,oneout’rule,asThe Dive was full to capacity.

Highlight of the year: Timmy Mallet and Chesney Hawkes playing live were a lot of fun!

opening and closing times: 12pm-1am on some days.

Music that was played: Some very bad karaoke and a lot of Busted!

During my time as President, I helped to organise the entertainment there, and worked with the University Governors and students to ensure that the students got a voice on campus. I also created the’12hoursofChristmas’,which I believe is still around.

samuel lewiscurrent President, 2011-2012

Price of a pint / glass of wine: £2.20 for a pint, and a glass of wine currently costs £2.50

the best day / night to go: Tuesday is our quiz night, and on a Friday the karaoke is in full swing.TheStudents’Unionisalways looking for new events to put on, with ideas including open mike nights, bingo events and comedy evenings.

Highlight of the year: So far, the highlight of this year has been the re-opening and refurbishment – which means more people are now using the facility on a regular basis. It’sgreattoseethattheSUisproviding a place to relax and socialise in high style! The café is a recent addition downstairs, which is proving popular, and the bar has been moved to upstairs.

opening and closing times: The bar is now open from midday until midnight – staying open for an extra hour until 1am on Fridays.

Hire The Pear TreeThe space now functions as a brilliant party venue, with private hire fees starting from £250 for up to 5 hours. Entertainment from DJs and live bands to karaoke is available, and food and refreshments (even champagne on arrival if you wish!) can be arranged to add a special something to a birthday, a family occasion or a reunion with your old housemates.

Lucy Robson, Worcester resident, recently hired the venue forherfiancé’s40thbirthdaybash.Lucysaid:“We were very well looked after in the lead up to the event and during the evening itself, and everything was taken care of by friendly and efficient staff. I’d definitely recommend The Pear Tree to others, and in fact a few friends who attended the party have made enquiries about hiring it themselves they were so impressed!”

to book the Pear tree for your occasion, or to find out more about the venue, please contact Phil roberts on 01905 543226 or email [email protected]


Alumni AssoCiAtion

a young javelin thrower with ambitions to compete at the commonwealth and olympic Games has received a scholarship from the University of Worcester.

Jason Copsey, a third year Environmental Management student at the University, is currently ranked second in his home nation, Wales, and 38th in Britain.

His current personal best is 62m, achieved without any coaching. Now he has teamed up with a top coach in Cheltenham, Jason is hoping to increase his throw to at least 75m, the standard for the Commonwealth Games, within the next two years.

The20-year-oldsaid:“I’m training six days a week most weeks and now have a great coach who has worked with elite javelin throwers.”

Jason, who hails from Cwmbran in South Wales, has been awarded £500 from the University of Worcester Scholarship

Panel to assist with his training costs.

“Travelling to Cheltenham twice a week gets pretty expensive,” he said. “I was working part-time, but it was getting difficult to juggle my studies, training and a job, so this scholarship is a massive help.”

Jasonstartedthrowingthejavelinwhileatschool,butafteranelbowinjuryinYear 10 he quit, returning to the sport while studying for his A-levels.

Jason has competed at various tournaments, including at the UK Athletics Loughborough International, where he came fifth. In May he will represent the University of Worcester at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competition to be heldattheOlympicstadiuminLondon.

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

Scholarship

storiesJavelin thrower launches hisway to success

If you think you could offer a University of Worcester student a work placement opportunity, please email the placement support team at [email protected]

University of Worcester student scoops £1,000 business scholarshipA third year business student has landed a £1,000 scholarship to help establish her own website firm.

Helen Batchelor is the first University of Worcester student to be awarded a new scholarship by the Federation of Small Businesses (FSB).

Helen applied for the scholarship with her idea for a new website channelling buyers through to appropriate online retailers selling clothes for taller women.

“I have always wanted to start my own business so this is a great opportunity for me,” said the 20-year-old, who

is in the final year of her Business Management & Accountancy degree.

Sheadded:“I did some research and found there was a gap in the market for a website where people like me could go to be directed to stores that sell clothes for taller women.”

The FSB scholarship was aimed at third year business students from Worcestershire with a good academic record, and who were looking for investment in a business idea.

Judi Brazkiewicz, Chairman of FSB Worcestershire,said:“Helen is a truly inspired and inspiring person – Helen

and the FSB are now working together on a number of ideas, so we are sure to hear more about her in the future.”

Judi brazkiewicz congratulatesHelen on her £1,000 scholarship.

Jason‘s scholarship from the University is bringing him one step closer to competing at the CommonwealthandOlympicGames.


it always makes us smile to see photos of days gone by at Worcester, and to view some of your experiences through your photos.

Sue Collis (née Smith) has sent us some photos of her family, who lived at the College between 1946 and 1972.

“My father, William Simister Smith, was Head of the Science Department, and Senior Lecturer in Biology. His nickname was ‘60 words a minute Smith’. Here are a couple of photos I recently found of his.”

a trip down Memory Lane

Last issue’s winner was…

“olympic Games 100 metres weeding competition” John Fernie

Thank you to everyone who sent their witty replies in. This caption was voted the funniest and the most apt!

Caption Competition

Entrieswillbejudgedontheirhumourandoriginality.Winnerswillhave their comical caption published in the next issue of Spirit.

To enter, email [email protected]’tforgettoput‘CaptionCompetition’asyoursubject.Youcanalsoenterbypost;justsenditto‘CaptionCompetition’,AlumniOffice,UniversityofWorcester,HenwickGrove,WorcesterWR26AJ.

Can you think of a witty one-liner to caption this photo?

We would love to see more of your photos. If you would like to share them with us, please email your images to [email protected]‘MyPhotos’,AlumniOffice,UniversityofWorcester,HenwickGrove, Worcester WR2 6AJ. The photos will be scanned and returned to you safely.

Enter now

Some of William SimisterSmith’sstudents in the new college buildings of the time (left) and June 1947, at one of theCollege’sfirstOpenDays(above)


Alumni memories

1980sadrian Jenkins, Geography, 1982-1986, students’ Union President, 1985-1986There always seemed to be something to look forward to at College, fromFreshers’Weektothelastbignightofthesummerterm.Thevarious dinner & dances were always a highlight for the sports enthusiasts and, whilst rugby was my main sport, I have fond memories of the summer mixed hockey league and the corresponding summerdinnerdancetocelebrate.‘Ragweek’wasalwaysgreatfunand a serious test of endurance for the committed party animal!

“ComeonEileen”byDexy’sMidnightRunnersalwaysseemed to feature at the end of a good night – obviously a big hit of the 80s! Wednesdays in winter and autumn were usually good, as the main sports teams would congregate after their mid week fixtures in The Dive.

IrememberalltheStudents’Unionstaff–MartinDunkerleywas the bar steward in the mid eighties & Mrs Box used to run the SU shop which was in the same building. The SU office was located in the Hines building behind the Dive. Rita was the book keeper/accountant and Elaine was the secretary. All good folk – it must have been very strange for them having new and very inexperienced student “bosses” every year.

My only claim to fame during my tenure as SU President was getting the college authorities to approve mixed halls of residence. Up until 1985 the halls were single sex, with all the guys (officially) confined to the delights of Clee and Bredon Halls. I actually voted against going mixed – but the overall vote was in favour.

Wedidn’tgetthatmuchsnowduringmytimeatWorcester,but on the one occasion we did, a load of us “borrowed” dinner trays from the canteen and went up to the Malverns for some x-ratedsledging.Itwasamiraclenobodywasseriouslyinjured.

Great times, and all without the aid of mobile phones, laptops or the internet! As I hope is the case for most ex Worcester alumni, thevastmajorityofmymemoriesatWorcesterareofveryhappytimes…it’sjustdifficulttobelieveitwasnearly30yearsago!

in the 1980s huge social changes took place and britain started a love

affair with credit cards and large scale consumerism. Margaret thatcher

reigned and technology such as personal computers, microwaves and Walkmans were finding their way into our homes and changing

the way we lived.

The students at Worcester College of Higher Education were rocking to Wham,

dancing to Duran Duran, and sporting the latest fashions and big hair-dos. But

there was significant change to the College’sstudentandstaffbodyduring

the 80s – staff numbers were cut by 20% between 1981 and 1983 (although

student numbers reached a record-setting 1,300) and the era of exclusive teacher

training came to an end. The number of mature and part-time students rose

steadily throughout the 80s.

Delvingdecadesinto the

1


adrian French and shane tranter, ba (Hons) combined studies, 1984-1987; and bEd, 1983-1987 In our last year at the College building work was underway, as student flats were being built between Clee, Chandler and Woodbury Halls. Around 20 of us got together for the infamous ‘EscapefromBredon’game.Twosideswerepicked–onesidewasassigned as prisoners and the second side as officers. We all put money in a pot for ammunition (eggs and flour etc) and then arranged a date and all got dressed in character for the escape.

A team of officers left Bredon and took up posts guarding The Dive. The prisoners had a certain amount of time to escape Bredon and make it safely to The Dive.

Althoughwedidn’ttellpeopleaboutitwordgotout,andonthenightotherstudents,notablythegirls,joinedinbysupportingtheescapees or telling the officers where the prisoners were. It really was a great night – but then again there were so many great nights.

After the event we all showered as best we could and headed into town for a curry and beer. A lasting memory of the end of the evening was sitting in the curry house opposite Geoff Hannah, who despite having showered was sitting with his face still covered in make up/camouflage.

The fact that Worcester was a small campus brought a great sense of team spirit to us all and I think that is why after all these years – 25, in fact – we still get 22 guys out every cup final day to play (in the loosest sense of the word) football together.

Thisyear’smatchtakesplaceon5MayinCheltenham.Ifyou’dliketojoinin,[email protected]

sharon taylor, 1984-1988, bEdI can honestly say the best and most memorable days of my youth were formed at Worcester. It’shardtobelievethatthere

were only 600 students in total when I arrived. So many of our daily routines seem quite antiquated now but during the 80s were quite the norm. There were only two public phones per hall of residence, so everyone had a memo board on their door for people to write messages on from the phone. There was a milk rota, so we got up at some early hour to collect milk from the canteen and deliver it to the halls of residence – people would hang out of their windows with their plastic bags of milk in an attempt to cool itdown!Students’Uniontableslipsgaveallthelatestinfoontheevents happening around campus. RAG week was always fun – I went through many a fancy dress costume during my student years!

1. Studentsenjoyingapintandachatinbetweenstudies2. Lesley, student in the 1980s, on her milk duty3. Peirson Library in the 1980s4. Worcester 1st and 2nd football teams 1986. Back row – Roger Gordon, Nick Josling,

Colin Fenn (Lecturer, Geography), Nige Dudly, Nige Rourke, Si Barr, Geoff Hannah. Middlerow–AlanO’Neill,MikeCooke,ChrisLees,DavidLawson,AlanPibworth,Chris Chappell, Carl Hamilton, Stu Beattie. Front row main – Pete Wickham, Mark Woodcock, John Evans, Simon Davies, Shane Tranter, Steve Harrison, Steve Murray. Front – Andy Dellar, Al Harries

5.The1987firstandsecondfootballteams,Lefttoright:Backrow–JonHaws,Simon Davies, John Evans, Huw Myers, Kev Glasby, David Smith, Geoff Hannah, Tim Cuminsky, Simon Richardson. Middle row – Ade French, Alan Brown, Steve Murray,DerekAtkinson,ChrisChappell,MattRobson,SteveHarrison,AlanO’Neil,Paul Whitcombe. Front row – John McKinlay, Shane Tranter, Nige Rourke, Mark Woodcock, Alun Harries, Chris Lees, Stu Beattie, John Cheyne

6.SharonTaylor(thirdleft)andfriendsontheir‘OldMacdonald’themepubcrawl,RAG week 1986

2

3

4 5

1980s

6


Alumni memories

LegacyLastingLeaving a

at a time of cuts in University budgets and rises in tuition fees, fundraising for a sustainable future is vital. We want to ensure that all students capable of benefiting from a university education are able to do so. Donations make a huge difference to help us to inspire talented individuals.

OurLegacyGivingcampaignencouragespeople to think about leaving the University a gift in their Wills.

After looking after your family and friends, why not leave a gift to the University of Worcester.Yourlegacycouldhelpto:

• Make education available to all suitably qualified students, irrespective of their financial means.

• Further excellence in teaching by endowing the most talented and inspirational lecturers who can make a lasting difference to a student and inspire them for life.

• Enhance University life with investment in higher quality facilities, to equip students with the right skills and experience to succeed.

• Strengthen the Institution by increasing our financial independence and securing a better future for all.

Taxbenefits:TheUniversity’scharitablestatusmeans that there are benefits in leaving a legacy to us. By remembering us in your Will, you can reduce the taxable value of your assets, and so cut the amount of inheritance tax on your estate. Gifts may be in the form of money, property or other valuables.

thank you!

To discuss leaving a legacy to the University of Worcester please visit www.worcester.ac.uk/giving or call 01905 542179.


Regular Gift I would like to give:

£100 £50 £25 £10 £5

other:

Per month/quarter/year via direct debit

starting on the (month) (year)

instruction to your bank or building society to pay by direct debit

to: the Manager (bank name):

Branch Address:

name(s) of Account Holders:

Bank/Building society Account number:

Branch sort code:

Please pay the University of Worcester direct debits from the account detailed in this instruction subject to the safeguards assured by the Direct Debit Guarantee. I understand that this instruction may remain with the University of Worcester and, if so, details will be passed electronically to my Bank/Building Society.

signature:

Date:

Single Gift I would like to make a single gift of:

£200 £100 £75 £50 £25 £10

other:

I enclose a cheque for: £ (Please make cheque payable to University of Worcester)

Please charge my:

Visa switch/Delta Mastercard

name on card:

card number:

cVV: (last 3 digits on back of card)

expiry Date: / Valid From: /

Issue number: /

signature:

Gift AidYour gift is worth more with Gift Aid. By reclaiming the basic rate of tax, this could increase your donation by £0.25 in every £1.

Gift £100Gift Aid £25total value £125

name:

Address:

Postcode:

Phone number: email:

If you are a graduate of the University of Worcester: Year of Graduation:

course taken: occupation:

Donation Form Appeal code: SP

with your support we can do moreto inspire

We aspire

✁

funDrAising

Make your gift go furtherthe University of Worcester can reclaim basic tax on all gifts provided that you have paid an amount of UK income tax or capital gains tax equal to or higher than the tax we reclaim. this means that every £1 donated is worth £1.25. Donors who pay a higher rate of tax are able to reclaim the difference between the higher rate and the basic rate in their self-Assessment Return – bringing the cost of your £1 gift down to less than £0.80 (based on 40% tax) while still making the gift worth £1.25 to the University of Worcester.

I wish the University of Worcester to treat this and all other donations that I have made in the last 6 years, and all future donations, as Gift Aid donations until I notify you otherwise.

signature Date

All donations will be directed towards the projects and activities where they are needed most unless you wish to specify one of the following options:

University of Worcester campus & course Development Fund

University of Worcester student scholarship Fund University of Worcester endowment Fund

the Worcester Arena Buy a book

other (please specify)

request further information about:

Leaving a gift to the University in my Will Buy a Brick for the Worcester Arena

(NB: As the University of Worcester is an exempt charity, your bequest will be given free of tax and could reduce the amount of Inheritance Tax payable by your estate.)

Please seek independent tax advice. The University of Worcester is an exempt charity under Schedule 2 of the Charities Act 1993.

thank you for donating to the University of Worcester

Please return the completed form to Finance Department, University of Worcester, st John’s campus, Henwick Grove, Worcester, WR2 6AJ.

I require further information about Fundraising and endowment at the University of Worcester. Please contact me

Please detach the Direct Debit Guarantee form and keep for your records

Direct Debit Guarantee• This Guarantee is offered by all Banks and Building Societies that take part

in the Direct Debit Scheme. The efficiency and security of the Scheme is monitored and protected by your own Bank or Building Society.

• If the amount to be paid or the payments date changes, the University of Worcester will notify you ten working days in advance of your account being debited, or as otherwise agreed.

• If an error is made by the University of Worcester or your Bank or Building Society, you are guaranteed a full and immediate refund from your branch of the amount paid.

• You can cancel a direct debit at any time by writing to your Bank or Building Society. Please also send a copy of the letter to the University of Worcester.

Gift Aid Declaration

www.worcester.ac.uk

University of WorcesterStJohn’sCampus,HenwickGrove,Worcester,WR26AJ

This magazine is printed on material obtained from a managed sustainable forestry source.

To find out more about the University’s policy on sustainability, please visit www.worcester.ac.uk

spirit spring/summer 2012

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