Summer 2010 - Alumni - Lancaster University

Transcription

Summer 2010 - Alumni - Lancaster University
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STEPS
Alumni Magazine Summer 2010
College News
Catch up with the
latest news from
your College. P3
Lost Alumni
Can you help us
find some of your
friends? P9
Memories of
Lancaster
Two 1960’s graduates
tell us what life at
Lancaster was
really like. P10
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Director’s Welcome
Contents
Director’s Welcome
2
College News
3
University News
6
In Profile - Steve Smith
8
Wanted - Lost Alumni
9
Memories of Lancaster David O’Dell and David Cooper
10
Letters
12
Development News
13
Research
14
Alumni News
16
Postgraduate Studentships
18
Trivia
19
THE TEAM
Nick Fragel
Director of Alumni and Development
Sally Nelhams
Alumni and Development Officer
Jane Silvester
Alumni and Development Officer
Martin Knowles
Alumni and Development Co-ordinator
Louise Johnson
Alumni Assistant
Frank Wareing
Database Manager
Rachel Newbury
Head of Annual Giving
So it’s official: Lancaster is a Top Ten UK university
(according to The Times, The Independent and
The Guardian). Congratulations to the many hard
working staff and students who have contributed
to this success. Good teamwork and a clear
strategic vision are two reasons why the
University has done so well in this year’s
broadsheet league tables; and Alumni have a
vital part to play, too, if we are to maintain these
lofty positions. Whether it’s through career
mentoring, graduate recruitment or – yes –
making a financial donation towards scholarships, bursaries, academic
positions or significant research projects, every graduate can help
Lancaster to be successful in its pioneering mission.
More than ever before Your University Needs You, as the news is not universally
positive: although Lancaster continues to thrive, it will have to shoulder its share
of the anticipated cuts in Higher Education funding which will be announced in
the emergency budget later this month. Student Support is a key area of concern,
and we will be under pressure to “help our own”. It is no accident that
scholarships and bursaries for both UK and Overseas students will form an
important element of our fundraising activity over coming years. For our US-based
alumni we now have an independent 501(c)3 organisation, Friends of Lancaster
University in America Inc., which offers the chance to support Lancaster taxefficiently. More news of this and other important fundraising developments will
appear in the December issue of Steps.
I close this introduction with a farewell to Faith Cobaine, who has been FASS
Development Manager for nearly four years. Faith has been a valued colleague
and friend and the team will miss her, although she is not going far, as she will be
staying on at Lancaster as a mature student. We wish her well.
Nick Fragel, Director of Alumni and Development
Rachel Davis
Friends Programme Call Officer
Maggie Willan
Development Manager Management School
Christine Parker
Development Manager Faculty of Science and Technology/School
of Health and Medicine
Julia Resenterra
Trusts and Foundations Officer
CONTACT
The Alumni and Development Office
University House
Lancaster University
Lancaster LA1 4YW
T: 01524 594109
E: [email protected]
www.alumni.lancs.ac.uk
Front cover: Tulips at Lancaster. Picture courtesy
of Facilities Division, Lancaster University.
Designed by www.fusiondesign.co.uk
Keep in touch
Find your friends at the click of a mouse!
Over 12,500 alumni are already registered on our Online Directory.
Join us at www.alumni.lancs.ac.uk Registration is free!
8
The articles printed here, to the best of our knowledge, were correct at the time of going to press. We cannot guarantee
that all articles submitted have been printed and we reserve the right to edit material where necessary. Furthermore, the
views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of Lancaster University or the Editor.
Steps is available to view online at www.alumni.lancs.ac.uk/steps as a PDF and a
Word document. If you require this magazine in another format, please contact the
Alumni & Development Office.
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College NEWS
Lonsdale
Lonsdale College JCR continues to put
on the best socials on campus. This
will climax with the Lonsdale Extrav
“Night of the Lonsdale Dead”. An
evening of zombies, ghouls, and
other creatures of the night (and yes,
I have already been told I won’t need
any makeup)!
Andy Shaw is still amazing behind the bar
- we are lucky to have him. Our ‘irregular’
newsletter, Purple Lonnie, still makes an
appearance, we have a major presence on
Facebook and there is an excellent JCR
web site which I strongly encourage you
to check out: http://lonsdale.lusu.co.uk/
The College continues to increase its
senior member involvement with theatre
trips and various tastings being organised.
We hosted the inaugural Inter-College
SCR Quiz and I am delighted to say that
Lonsdale won – brains as well as beauty!
We said farewell to Paul Coulton, our
Dean of the last eight years – if you knew
him well then shame on you for being in
trouble. He has been replaced by Richard
Austen-Baker (a qualified barrister from
the Law Department!) – look out you
miscreants!
Our performance continues to improve in
the Carter Shield and we are very
optimistic of beating Bowland in the
‘Founders’ inter-college sports match. At
all levels we continue to go from strength
to strength. I can assure all of you old
Lonsdalians out there that we remain as
we always were – ‘Simply the Best’!
Best wishes to you all.
Keith Davidson, Principal
Cartmel
Cartmel kick-started the year in style
with a successful James Bond themed
Casino and Band night for our
Freshers. Our friendly JCR Exec did an
excellent job of welcoming all our
new students and helping them settle
in. They continued their hard work
throughout the year organising a
varied social and sporting calendar for
our students, including the Patriots
Cup which we won for the second
year running!
The JCR is currently well underway with
their preparations for this year’s ‘Grease’
themed Extrav which promises to be a
night to remember.
Barker House Farm was the venue for the
very successful and popular comedy nights
run by LUSU. The acts supplied by Off the
Kerb Productions and Comedy Central
Live were fantastic - a great night out!
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WWW.LANCS.AC.UK/COLLEGES
County
This year saw the inaugural
competition for the Michael Mullett
Shield, mentioned in last year’s ‘Steps’.
It was won by a team from County
Main, who showed prowess in the
slightly unorthodox sports of tug-ofwar, hula hooping, and lawn skittles.
Another new sporting event is a
competition for the Rivals Shield,
involving students from County, Fylde,
Grizedale and Pendle, which is to be
held for the first time in summer 2010.
Parts of the college still have the air of a
building site, as the refurbishment of
County South is not yet complete. When
it is finished it will provide facilities for
new catered accommodation in County
and Bowland as well as academic offices
and teaching space.
As always we are delighted to hear from
alumni, so please keep in touch and if you
are ever in the area, please come and visit.
We are hoping to be able to open a new
social space overlooking Lancaster Square,
as the ‘piazza’ is now officially named,
which will be particularly useful for
international and off-campus members of
County. The proposal has the support of
the ‘9 Colleges’ funding committee, and
we are awaiting the decision of the
University’s Space Management Group.
Since the room in question is at present
empty, and County lost unlicensed social
space in the refurbishment of County
Main, we believe that we have made a
good, reasoned case that it should be
used for the benefit of County students.
As ever, sine consilio nihil.
Jayne Corless, Principal
Professor David Smith, Principal
Cartmel bode a fond farewell to Sue
Gara, who has retired after 16 years as
College Administrator. She will be missed
by all but remains an active member of
the college and a personal tutor. Sue has
been replaced by Cath Gorton, who
previously worked in the Sociology
Department and is settling into college life
very well. Cath organised an SCR trip to
Cartmel races in May which we hope will
become an annual 9 Colleges event.
Principals Shoot It Out at Roses!
This years Roses competition saw the college Principals challenging the
York Provosts to an archery competition.
The Lancaster Principals took it very seriously! It is great that the senior members of both
universities are keen to take part and it is always good fun for the watching students to
see the College Principals show off their skills (or lack of them). Torrential rain did not
quench the Lancaster spirit and the Principals easily out-shot the Provosts. A special
trophy (donated by the VC) was awarded to Lancaster. The Lancaster Principals are
already looking forward to defending their trophy next year – bring it on York!
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College NEWS
Pendle
Our excellent JCR executive ensured
that Pendle Freshers of 2009 were
welcomed into the Venue of Legends
in traditional style. The Christmas Ball
was exceptional, with a guest
appearance by ‘Full Fat Funk’
(alumnus Chad Barrigan). Plans for
the Extrav, and 2010 Freshers Week
are well underway.
Julian Collins continues to balance being
licensee for both Grizedale and Pendle
and is overseeing the refurbishment of
Pendle social space.
The Pendle Witch magazine takes an
irreverent look at both college and
university life. It is available online along
with the many Facebook groups which
have sprung up over the last few years.
Last year’s inaugural Pendle Sports Awards
night was a great success. We had a visit
from the Old Boys football team who very
kindly donated a cash prize to be
presented next year.
A new sports event for Pendle, Grizedale
and County has been established, the
trophy has been named as the ‘Legend
Shield’ so it can only sit comfortably in
our trophy cabinet…come on Pendle!
A netball match between the men’s
football and ladies netball teams resulted
in the footballers entering into the spirit
of the event by wearing skirts. Some say
they not only won the game, but also
made a huge fashion statement.
James May (Top Gear fame), a Pendle
College Alumnus, has accepted an
Honorary Degree and he has been invited
to our graduation celebrations.
The tragic death of second year student
Akta Patel has subdued the college. A
memorial tree has been planted and
students and senior members of the college
attended her memorial service in London.
Fylde
Carter Shield Sports Champions 2010!
It’s been a few years since we have
been able to begin a college report
with that description. Fylde college
students have always asserted that
they are second to none, but for the
last couple of years we have had to
put up with being runners up in the
inter-college competition – but not
this year!
Victory in the Carter Shield has capped a
very successful season for both our football
and netball teams (inter-college league
champions yet again) and many of our
elite sportsmen and sportswomen played
at representative level in Lancaster’s victory
over York in this year’s Roses.
However, we are not just “Home of
Sport”. We have one of the largest
proportions of international students of all
the undergraduate colleges at Lancaster
and in conjunction with the Students’
Union have run some very successful
international social events this year.
Work on improving college facilities is
continuing: the catering operation was
moved down to the bar/JCR and in the
coming year we hope to complete the
refurbishment of the old coffee shop
space, to create additional facilities for
both students and staff.
Fylde students are as adventurous as ever.
Whether it’s sky-diving or academic study
trips to the Himalayas or Alaska, Fyldeans
are going to take a lead. Several college
members have been amongst the first to
complete the Lancaster Award this year.
The award aims to recognize students’
achievements in extra-curricular activities,
to record the skills and experience they
have developed and so to enhance their
employability on leaving Lancaster.
This year will be my last as Principal, my six
years has had trials, tribulations, but has
been a fantastic time for me. Thank you all
for your support and the great times which
I shall cherish for many years to come.
Finally, here is a call to all Fylde College
alumni. It is Fylde’s 40th Birthday in 2011.
We would love to hear from any Fyldeans
who have ideas and suggestions as to
how we celebrate this anniversary. Please
contact the College Office if you want to
help, tel: 01524-592686, email:
[email protected].
Peter Scullion, Principal
Frank Wareing, Principal
Graduate
We finished the last academic year
with the return of a free GradStock,
which included Bhangra music
alongside the traditional rock bands
and added a Family Fun Day with
bouncy castles, giant sumo suits and
face painting.
A major focus for the year has been on
improving the opportunities for research
students to meet, socialise and develop
their skills in a friendly environment. New
events were created in Intro Week and
January that enabled new students to
meet and hear from existing research
students and over 70 students attended
the Second Annual Research Student
Conference at Easter.
In the summer we have a series of
workshops for research students to
support and reflect on their learning and
look towards their future beyond a PhD.
In the Autumn we launch Postscript, a
research student magazine and, thanks to
money received from the Friends
Programme, we will be rolling out the
New Ideas Festival where research
students will be given the chance to talk
about their subject and research to a
wider audience in the City.
We have also introduced an email
newsletter to keep research students up
to date with news and events.
Much of the new activity has been
funded through a small development
fund instituted by the VC and additionally
we received money for a new
International Students online guide that
will be launched in August.
The Herdwick has gone from strength to
strength and now has live music and
Curry to complement a great pint (Grad
Bar finally has a name). A refurbishment is
planned but don’t worry, the Herdwick
will still be the best pub on campus
serving the best real ale.
Jane Hulland, College Administrator gave
birth to a daughter, Isabel, in December
and has been off on Maternity leave: in
the meantime Maureen Tanner has
stepped in to keep the college functioning.
Jo Hardman, Principal
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Bowland Update
The major refurbishment of the bar,
JCR and games area did not go ahead
as planned and plans for a joint bar
and café have been dropped.
Instead, there will be a redesign of the bar
to create more serving and customer
space, with the whole bar area being kept
separate from the JCR social space, as at
present. This will happen as part of a
general refurbishment of Bowland Main
scheduled to start this summer.
The relocation of the porters’ lodge and
admin facilities went ahead with fantastic
results. There are now new college offices,
a JCR office, off-campus students’ room,
and a new kitchen. The new split-level
foyer is home to the famous Bowland
Tapestry that used to hang in the old SCR.
The grand new college entrance on
Bowland Avenue gives Bowland an
outward-facing aspect for the first time.
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Grizedale
The ‘Grand Opening’ of the completed
Grizedale took place with a hog roast
and the incomparable Prof. Bob Bliss
cutting the proverbial ribbon. Bob is
an ex-Principal and came over from
St. Louis for the event. He spoke
about the University in the old days
and many an old stager among the
staff felt a tear forming in their eyes.
It was a great event for both old and
new members of the college.
Last year we won the Carter Shield for
inter-college sports, which was an unusual
sporting success for Grizedale. As I write
we are battling to retain the cup. We are
a few points adrift of Fylde just now, but
however it turns out we have been well
led by our Sports Reps in the JCR.
Furness
Furness, remains the Gryffindor of the
Lancaster University College System,
being the College most people
secretly wish they were in! “Trevor”
continues to thrive under the
guidance of Martin Hulland, and is
still the most popular bar on campus.
We are always happy to see alumni
returning. There are key events every year
where graduates are especially encouraged
to attend, including: The Extrav, Nick
Lewis Football match and Richard Slatter
Pool competition. This year Furness is 40!
The Real Ale Festival, to celebrate this
momentous occasion will, be held on
13th and 14th November, so put the date
in your diary!
Furness has welcomed Dr Ruth Alcock as
our new Dean. Ruth has recruited two new
Assistant Deans as we sadly say goodbye to
Claire Dixon and Robin Hughes this summer.
Both made a much-valued contribution to
college life. We have also said goodbye to
one of our porters, Fayez Boutros, and we
wish him well for the future.
Congratulations to the class of 2010 who
are graduating this year. Please stay in
touch by logging onto the alumni website.
If you are a graduate of Furness, we would
be delighted to hear from you. Tell us what
you are doing now; send us photographs
for the college website; or better still, if
you are passing, please drop in the college.
On the sporting front Bowland continues
to outshine the competition. The Carter
Shield is probably unlikely, but the college
regained the George Wyatt Trophy with
some stunning performances from the
men’s and women’s darts and pool teams.
Bowland provided the backbone of the
University bar sports teams that so
comprehensively demolished the Yorkists
in the recent Roses clash. The annual
Founders’ Weekend competitions with
sister founding college Lonsdale is
imminent.
This summer Bowland will be saying
goodbye to some hard-working college
officers. Two assistant deans - Perry
“Care Bear” Chuinkam and Mark
Knowles - have completed their
postgraduate studies and will be leaving
the University. Thanks to them for the
dedicated and understanding way in
which they have served the College
and their fellow Bowlanders.
The colleges have organised some shared
events this year for SCRs and students.
Ours was a cross-bay walk under the
careful guidance of Cedric Robinson.
Although the weather was meant to be
against us it turned out very nicely indeed.
Barbara Glass organised the event and we
were delighted to find a picnic ready for
us when we got to the other side, with
some welcome liquid refreshment.
No-one was lost in quicksand, the odd
blister was the only injury. These shared
events are a new innovation and we are
hoping they will build up in numbers.
The building work has now been
completed after three years or so of
disruption. Bit by bit the college is getting
back together and finding its feet in the
new accommodation. Visiting Old
Grizedalians are a little stunned by the
standard of the new residences, but of
course the usual comment is, ‘they look
fantastic but it’s not the old Grizedale.’
Hugh Pollock, Principal
For details of events, to nominate
someone for fellowship of the college, or
just to keep in touch, contact the College
Office: [email protected]
Reuben Edwards, Principal
Furness College
40th Anniversary
13th & 14th
November 2010
For further details visit
www.alumni.lancs.ac.uk/Events/
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University NEWS
Ideas Festival 2010
The Ideas Festival in April showcased
some of the latest research which has
earned Lancaster its international
reputation.
Recently appointed Professors gave
presentations across a range of disciplines
including arts, social sciences, science and
technology, health, medicine,
management and leadership.
One presentation – “A Manifesto for
Soil” by Professor John Quinton – was
attended by Ed Miliband, the Secretary of
State for Energy and Climate Change. He
visited LEC, where he met Co-Director of
LEC, Professor Graham Harris, Dr Mark
Bacon, Associate Director for Enterprise
and Business Partnerships and Dr Brenda
Howard from the Centre for Ecology and
Hydrology.
Mr Miliband said: “I’m very impressed
with what I’ve seen here and the
enthusiasm and innovation which
are being applied to problems like
climate change.”
Photograph of the Eyjafjallajökull eruption
Volcano Experts Witness Eruption
A Lancaster PhD student was able to
offer an eye witness account of the
volcanic eruption in Iceland. Laura
Hobbs witnessed the Eyjafjallajökull
eruption while on a research trip. She
was staying about 150 km away in
Svinafell on the day the volcano erupted.
Lancaster has one of the world's largest
research groups studying volcano-ice
interactions - as well as one of the largest
numbers of PhD students working on
Icelandic volcanism.
Laura commented: “It was pretty amazing
- a once in a life time event. We could see
it on and off all day from where we were
working. About midday on Wednesday the
cloud cover lifted and we noticed the
plume had changed direction and we
watched it being blown south.”
“Initially we didn’t realise how badly
transport was going to be affected. We
were extremely lucky and got on the last
flight out of Iceland to Glasgow.”
Laura is just one of the many
Environmental Scientists from Lancaster
who has been helping to explain the
disruption caused by the Icelandic volcanic
eruption to the world’s media.
The Institute for Entrepreneurship
and Enterprise Development (IEED)
Eddie Izzard
Stand Up for Eddie!
Lancaster students and staff were
recently visited by comedian and
marathon-running fundraiser, Eddie
Izzard who had been touring the
country as part of the national
election campaign on behalf of the
Labour Party.
Eddie gave a short speech and answered
questions from the crowd stating that he
was visiting to ‘encourage people to vote
in any direction, just to use their vote.’
IEED undertakes work in the fields of
entrepreneurial research, education
and business support. It has a highly
successful track record in the
management and delivery of business
support programmes assisting more
than 1000 SMEs in recent years and
reporting substantial improvements in
both sales and job creation.
Currently IEED is recruiting for its hugely
successful LEAD programme, due to start
in September. LEAD is a ten month
programme for owner-managers of small
to medium sized businesses. To date over
200 companies have completed the IEED
LEAD programme. An independent
evaluation of several cohorts found that
90% of participants have seen an increase
in sales turnover, employment, productivity
and profits and on average, turnover was
increased by £200,000.
In March this year IEED launched a new
programme “Innovation for Growth” (IFG)
which supports 300 SMEs across the
region, helping them to embed innovation
within their business processes.
IEED also offers other programmes, some
of which tap into the Management
School’s excellent student projects that are
designed around the needs of small
businesses.
If you wish to participate in any
of the programmes please see
www.lums.lancs.ac.uk/ieed or contact
Judith Friesl: [email protected]
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Steps
MSc in
Cyber Security
Information Security is an evolving
global problem and the University now
offers a taught Masters Degree in
Cyber Security. The MSc adopts an
interdisciplinary and skills-based
approach to cyber security, combining
academic teaching with the latest
industry knowledge to deliver a
comprehensive cutting-edge
programme.
Sir Bobby Charlton
Sir Bobby Charlton
Motivates and
Inspires
7
The aim of the programme is to equip
students with the knowledge and skills
necessary to work within an IT security
profession. Its strength and uniqueness lies
in the interdisciplinary nature of the
programme, drawing upon expertise from
Computing, Applied Social Science,
Psychology and Law and combining that
with advanced technical skills.
For more information please contact
Dr Daniel Prince: [email protected]
telephone 01524 510432 or visit
www.comp.lancs.ac.uk/study/pg/csec
Pre-School
Impresses Ofsted
Lancaster Signs New
Teaching Partnership
The Rainbow Room
KBTU’s Vice Rector for Academic Affairs,
Professor Zoya Tuiebakhova and Paul Wellings
Students and staff were recently
treated to a talk on campus entitled
‘Motivation and Inspiration: To find a
better way’ by the football legend,
Sir Bobby Charlton.
Sir Bobby launched his campaign in 2009
‘There Must be a Better Way’ to find a
faster method to clear anti-personnel
landmines. This initiative has been
progressed in collaboration with
Engineers at Lancaster. Lancaster’s
particular role is the use of ultrasonic
techniques to detect the presence of
buried landmines.
Further information contact Malcolm
Joyce, email: [email protected]
Lancaster in Top Ten
The Guardian University Guide 2011
published in June ranks Lancaster 6th
out of 118 universities and top
University in the North. The tables
are designed to help students who
are trying to pick a course for 2011.
It concentrates on teaching quality
and includes a new measure of
overall satisfaction by students.
This latest ranking comes after high
scores for student satisfaction and
graduate prospects saw Lancaster break
into the Times Good University Guide top
10 for the first time (a rise of 13 places)
and also a rise to 8th in the Independent’s
Complete University Guide.
The Pre-School Centre, situated on
the campus, offers unrivalled
childcare facilities for students and
staff. Catering for children between
the ages of 3 months to 5 years, the
Centre has a team of highly qualified
staff who are dedicated to ensuring
the children in their care achieve their
full potential.
The Pre-School Centre has been judged
outstanding in all areas after a recent
Ofsted inspection.
The Centre benefits from its extensive
outdoor area where the children are
encouraged to explore and discover in
the natural surroundings.
Senses are heightened and stimulated
in the Sensory Rainbow room where a
myriad of colours, lights and bubbles help
further develop language and
communication skills. Jointly funded by
Alumni via the Friends Programme the
Rainbow room has proved to be a
popular addition to Centre.
Lancaster and Kazakhstan-British
Technical University have agreed to a
new teaching partnership which will
see Lancaster’s Communication
Systems experts deliver an MSc in
mobile technology in Kazakhstan for
the first time.
KBTU’s Vice Rector for Academic Affairs,
Professor Zoya Tuiebakhova travelled to
Lancaster to sign an international
collaboration agreement with Lancaster’s
Vice-Chancellor Professor Paul Wellings in
March.
It is intended that undergraduate
programmes will follow, as well as
opportunities for KBTU’s staff to come to
Lancaster for their postgraduate studies.
The private university of Kazak-British
Technical University was established in
2001 as a joint initiative between British
and Kazakhstan governments. It has
around 2,000 undergraduate students
and a small number of postgraduates.
F O R M O R E N E W S V I S I T W W W. L A N C S . A C . U K
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In Profile...
Steve Smith studied Accounting and Finance and graduated from Grizedale
College in 1991. He is the founder of ‘Yayasan Gunungan’, a children’s refuge
and charitable organisation based in Solo, Central Java, Indonesia.
The area in which the refuge operates is well known as a centre for prostitution and
trafficking. The refuge aims to offer children a solid foundation for their lives and
help them realise their true potential.
In December 2009, Steve started a Women and Children project for victims of commercial
sexual exploitation and abuse, called 'Sehati' or 'One Heart'. The project is run to provide
vocational training and support finding employment for these young women.
Q. What was the last book you read?
A. “A New Earth” (Eckhart Tolle) - still
trying to awaken to my life's purpose...
Now just starting “The Wisdom of
Whores” (Elizabeth Pisani).
Q. What is your favourite film?
answer to this question would have
been “a cup of coffee and a cigarette”,
now I'm pleased to say it's a “cup of
coffee and a piece of chewing gum”.
Q. What makes you depressed?
A. I don't remember being depressed. I
remember once, while in Grizedale
College, I was complaining about being
bored. A good friend told me “Steve only boring people get bored”. I feel this
is the same for being depressed.
A. For the longest time the answer to this
would have been “Grease” until I
eventually realised the influence I believe
it had on my starting
smoking. “The Lord of the
Rings” (the trilogy) is/(are)
now my favourite film(s).
I believe life
“
Q. If you were given a
month’s holiday and a
free ticket – where would
you go?
is about
constant
change,
development
and growth
A. I backpacked in Europe,
Africa, India, South East Asia
and Australia. I'm really
content where I am now, here in the
paddy fields of Central Java, Indonesia.
I actually already have a month's holiday
and a free ticket coming up, and will be
using them to go back to UK for my
dad's 70th birthday and baby niece's
Christening (and summer solstice sunrise
at Stonehenge).
Q. If you could change something
about yourself, what would it be?
A. I believe life is about constant change,
development and growth. So if I had to
choose something to change about
myself then I would like to be more self
disciplined in the quest to change.
Q. What words or phrases do you
overuse?
A. In Indonesian - “Mandiri”and “Merdeka”
- “Independent/Self-Sufficient”and
“Freedom”. Used mainly when I'm on my
soap box talking about the goals we are
working towards for the kids at the
Children's Refuge and victims of
commercial sexual exploitation and
abuse.
Q. What did you have for breakfast?
A. I would love to be able to answer
“squeezed oranges, bran flakes, toast
and tea”. However, I'm sorry to say that
for the past 20 odd years or so the
“
Having said that however, when
you're looking directly into the
teary eyes of a young girl, who
has just told you how her own
father took her out on the streets
at the age of just 13 to sell her
virginity to help pay off his
mounting gambling debts, then
you can't help but have a
reaction.
Q. What is your greatest extravagance?
A. I live in a shack in the
middle of the paddy
fields of Central
Java. Running water
and enough
electricity to run a
fridge and an iron at
the same time is an
extravagance.
“
Running water
and enough
electricity to
run a fridge
and an iron
at the same
time are an
extravagance.
My real extravagances
happen when I go
back to UK once a
year to visit family.
Then I do like a pint
of real English Ale, traditional butcher's
pork sausages and Branston pickle.
“
Q. What is your most treasured
possession?
A. My soul (but I really like my mobile
phone as well).
Q. What did you want to be when
you were little?
A. Never knew the answer to this one, to
the point that I never even saw life past
20, and for a long time wondered if I
would actually live past it. When I did in
fact survive through my 20th birthday
then it started me thinking. And then I
Steve Smith
and some of
the
children at th
e orphanage
wanted to be everything, from a
successful businessman to a long haired
yogi living in a cave. Over the course of
the following 20 years I proceeded to
have a pretty good stab at all of them.
Q What do you consider your greatest
achievement?
A. I'm very proud of the Charitable
Organisation we have started up here
and the work we are doing with
underprivileged children and young
women. However, to be honest, for me
personally, I feel my greatest
achievement was breaking free from the
'rat-race', jumping off the 'conveyor
belt' and making my own path in life.
Q. What’s a typical day?
A. Just running around trying to keep all
the plates spinning at the same time.
From staff meetings at the Children's
Refuge, sourcing stock donations for the
Charity Shop, helping to develop work
training courses and production at the
Women & Children project, to looking
after the accounting & administration at
a local furniture export company (my
part-time job), while still trying to find
enough time to get some meditation in.
Q. Did your experience at Lancaster
have any impact on your current
work?
A. Lancaster gave me the Accounting
degree, which led to a job with KPMG,
which led to qualifying as a Chartered
Accountant, which set me free, giving
me the courage to leave it all behind,
knowing that if everything fell apart I
could always fall back on that little piece
of paper.
Q. What do you remember most about
your time at Lancaster University?
A. Almost getting thrown out, on more
than one occasion. Maybe the less said
about that the better. I do appreciate my
time there and the lessons learnt though.
For more information about
Yayasan Gunungan please visit
www.gunungan.org
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9
WANTED!
LOST A
WHERE LUMNI
ARE
YOU?
With advances in computer
technology, social networking sites
and digital record keeping systems,
it is easy to keep in touch with
people. However, when the
University opened in 1964 all the
records were paper based and as a
result over the years some have
gone astray.
We are in the process of digitising
our record system, but we still have
some missing information. If you are
reading this, then it probably means
that we have a current address for
you. However, over the years we
have lost touch with many of our
alumni (around 20,000!). With our
50th anniversary fast approaching
we are keen to contact as many
graduates as we can to ensure that
they can get involved in the many
events and activities that we are
planning. Here we have listed a few
of our ‘lost’ alumni. If you recognise
any of the names, or are in contact
with any of the people listed, please
encourage them to get in touch
with us. They can do this via email
([email protected]), telephone
(01524 594109) or by visiting our
website (www.alumni.lancs.ac.uk)
Gray
Michael
Riley
Terry
Mulvey
Kathleen
Edgar
Nicholas
Hayemes
Alan
Steadman David
Sired
Roger
Cottrell
Robert
Evans
Franklin
Esmail
Zinnat
Robertson William
Torossian
Garnick
Cross
Graham
Rurak-Lilak Agustinus
Bowman
Kevin
Chamberlain Sarah
Chambers Dominic
Gahan
Martin
Gait
Amanda
Hobart
Helen
Jones
Richard
Pendlebury Elizabeth
Peuleve
Joena
Georgiou
Andria
Gibson
Naomi
Cunningham David
Fennelly
Joseph
1967
1967
1969
1969
1970
1970
1973
1977
1977
1979
1979
1981
1985
1985
1988
1988
1988
1989
1989
1991
1994
1996
1996
2005
2005
2008
2008
Lonsdale
Bowland
Cartmel
Bowland
Fylde
County
County
Lonsdale
Lonsdale
Bowland
Cartmel
Bowland
Cartmel
Fylde
Bowland
Lonsdale
County
Fylde
County
Fylde
Furness
Bowland
Grizedale
Lonsdale
Pendle
Bowland
Grizedale
Economics
Philosophy
English
Biological Sciences
Economics
History
Economics
Accounting and Finance
Religious Studies
Economics
Classics and Archaeology
Chemistry
Social Administration
English (Linguistics)
Mathematics
Geography
Marketing
Physics
Law
Women's Studies
Marketing
Geography
Environmental Science
Accounting and Finance
Management
English Literature
History
GRADUATION PROGRAMMES
CAN YOU HELP?
SOCIAL NETWORKING
As part of our ongoing programme to find ‘lost’ alumni we have
been searching our archives for old graduation programmes.
Don’t forget that there are Lancaster University Facebook
and LinkedIn Groups. Check these sites to find out more
about our events and to help track down your ‘lost alumni’.
Join ‘Lancaster University UK Alumni’ on Facebook
and ‘Lancaster University Alumni’ on LinkedIn.
We are missing programmes
for the following graduation
ceremonies:
• 1970 July
• 1970 December
• 1971 July
• 1971 December
• 1972 July
If you have a spare copy you would be prepared to let us have,
or a copy that we could borrow and photocopy (we promise to
return it) then we would be extremely grateful. This would help us
to complete our alumni records and also complete the archive held
in the library.
In addition, alumni have created Facebook
sites in Bath/Bristol and Cambridge to reunite
Lancaster Alumni.
8
If you wish to create something similar in your
location, please contact us at [email protected]
and we will help to promote it to other
alumni in the relevant areas.
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Memories of
HERE, TWO LANCASTER GRADUATES REMINISCE ABOUT THEIR TIME DURING THE EARLY YEARS OF LANCASTER. DAVID O’DELL,
WHO RETIRED AS DIRECTOR OF TEACHING AND LEARNING AT WORTHING SIXTH FORM COLLEGE IN 2008, IS CURRENTLY A
PRINCIPAL EXAMINER FOR ‘A’ LEVEL GOVERNMENT AND POLITICS. HE ARRIVED AT LANCASTER IN 1966. DAVID COOPER ALSO
STUDIED AT LANCASTER AROUND THIS TIME AND SPENT 35 YEARS AT NATO. DAVID NOW WORKS AT CKV CONSULTING, A
SPECIALIST CONSULTANCY OFFERING ADVICE, GUIDANCE, AND SUPPORT IN THE AREAS OF SECURITY, DEFENCE PROCUREMENT,
AND GOVERNMENT RELATIONS.
DAVID O'DELL, ECONOMICS 1969 (COUNTY) WAS ONE OF THE FIRST STUDENTS TO STUDY AT THE NEWLY-FOUNDED
UNIVERSITY OF LANCASTER. HE ARRIVED, AGED 19, IN THE AUTUMN OF 1966 AND, IN 1967, WAS A FOUNDING MEMBER
OF THE COUNTY COLLEGE AND BECAME ITS FIRST FULL-TERM JCR PRESIDENT IN 1968. HE ALSO PLAYED HOCKEY, SANG
WITH THE ST. MARTIN'S COLLEGE CHOIR AND THOROUGHLY IMMERSED HIMSELF IN STUDENT LIFE. THIS IS AN EXTRACT
FROM HIS DETAILED MEMOIRS AND RECORDS THAT HE HAS COMPILED. WE HOPE TO INCLUDE FURTHER EXTRACTS IN
FUTURE EDITIONS OF STEPS.
“
Freshers’ Week...Wednesday 14th
October, 1966, and I find myself on a train
heading north with a suitcase, a duffle bag
and a guitar I can’t play. I am surrounded by
delegates to the Conservative Party Women’s
Conference in Blackpool. Is this the real world
I have heard so much about?
The Observer colour magazine describes
Lancaster thus: "Lancaster University is like a
Gold Rush frontier town, whooping it up on
all possible occasions: it is exciting," Hint of
nascent Wars of Roses rivalry with York”
There is no student accommodation on the
campus and my digs consist of a small
bedroom, with hand basin, on the second
floor of a guest house in Dallam Avenue, just
off the prom in Morecambe. The room is so
small that I can use the hand basin without
getting out of bed, but do have use of the
dining room and front parlour.
Only one of the three other students I am
sharing digs with has put in an appearance Mike from Staines who is also reading
Economics. The next day we head for
Lancaster where I open a bank account with
the Midland Bank - the University branch is a
man with a suitcase in a room in University
House.
Buy a University scarf (£1/15/6d), tie (15/6d)
and a bus pass (£10/10/0d) and push on to
Bailrigg. It will be nice when it’s finished.
Friday we pick up our undergraduate gowns
which must be worn to all lectures. Go to the
Societies Bazaar in the evening and on the
basis of having played two games of mixed
hockey at school, I join the Hockey Club
(subscription 7/6d) unaware that everyone else
has been playing the game properly for years.
Promise to join the Table Tennis Club too
because there is a good-looking girl behind
the desk. Can’t find the Choral Society so
adjourn to The Shakespeare Hotel, next to St
Leonardgate JCR, for our first pint of
Mitchells. Speechless.
Saturday 17th October, and we are
welcomed by the VC. Not personally, but
given there are only 300+ new students, it is a
possibility. Register
for Economics and
LANCASTER
History and think
UNIVERSITY IS
about taking
LIKE A GOLD
Environmental
RUSH FRONTIER
Studies, but the
TOWN...IT IS
queue is rather long
EXCITING
and it’s lunchtime.
The Politics queue is
much shorter and so
I join it, beginning a 40+ year career studying,
teaching and examining the subject.
The Freshers’ Ball is a revelation. Live bands!
And not just any bands, but Cliff Bennett and
the Rebel Rousers who are at No. 6 in the
charts with ‘Got to get you into my life’. At
12/6d for a ticket and a few drinks, The
Winter Gardens, Morecambe, is a place of
magic. According to the Social Committee,
during the next six months they have booked
The Nashville Teens, The Graham Bond
Organisation, The Hollies, Monty Sunshine
and his Band, Zoot and his Big Roll Band,
Money and Georgie Fame. Coming from a
town where the choice on a Saturday night is
either the Luxor cinema, the Princess cinema
or a pub, Lancaster is right up there with
London and Liverpool.
Sunday 18th October, along with 250 other
students we have signed up for a coach tour
of the Lakes,
organised by the
THE FRESHERS’
Student Council.
BALL IS A
Being new to this
REVELATION.
student thing, and
LIVE BANDS!
therefore feeling
BUT NOT JUST
obliged to fulfil our
ANY LIVE BANDS
commitments, we
drag ourselves out
of bed and onto
one of the five buses and head even further
north. But it is worth it. Hertfordshire never
looked like this.
Tomorrow teaching begins. My grant for the
first year is £280 or £93/6/8d a term. Most of
this has already gone, or is about to go. I owe
£38/10/8d for bed, breakfast and full board
on Sundays and £3/10/0d for the
undergraduate gown and with the bus pass,
hockey kit, books and the rest I have about
£3/12/0d a week to last me until Christmas,
not counting the train fare home. Debt is not
an option, so cut out lunch for the first year.
”
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LANCASTER
DAVID COOPER, HISTORY 1967 (BOWLAND) WAS ANOTHER OF LANCASTER’S FIRST
STUDENTS. HE HAS HAD WHAT HE DESCRIBES AS A ‘WONDERFUL 35 YEAR CAREER WITH
NATO’. HE ATTRIBUTES THIS TO HIS INTEREST IN STRATEGIC STUDIES GAINED AT
UNIVERSITY WHICH ‘SHAPED HIS CAREER AND HIS LIFE’.
“
I met a guy at Euston Station on the Saturday
before University opening, who is still my
closest and dearest friend, Philip Byford, and
we went to Lancaster in one of the last steam
trains in England! I stuck my head out of the
carriage and got a face full of soot! As a
Southerner, I had never been further
northwards than Watford.
Phil and I checked into Lathom Grove in
Morecambe. The University was “to start” on
the Monday morning at 0900 hours. There
was no university campus, but my hero, Prime
Minister Wilson had insisted that the
University open a year before it was built.
So, on Sunday morning, Phil and I agreed that
we ought to go and check out our new
University. We knew
that it was in “St.
Leonardgate” in the
PRIME MINISTER
centre of Lancaster.
WILSON HAD
We walked up and
INSISTED THE
down it. There was
UNIVERSITY
a derelict cinema
OPEN BEFORE
and dreadful
IT WAS BUILT
hardship and slum
buildings. The textile
mills had all closed and the poverty suffered
by the Lancastrians was awful. This is when I
became a Socialist, as I still am.
I finally saw a miniscule sign below street
level, behind a grille – “University of
Lancaster”. The building was a converted
warehouse of “Waring and Gillow”, a
Lancastrian furniture company. We walked up
and knocked on the door.
A very smart Lancastrian appeared in a suit
with a huge “University of Lancaster” label on
his chest and indicated that we were the first
to arrive. He pointed to the derelict cinema.
“That is where you will have your lectures, but
wear overcoats because there is no heating”.
We subsequently froze in our lectures. Not
only that, but it was the old cinema lighting,
so for the lectures we had to sit as near as
possible to the side lights. The girls brought
along blankets which we draped around us
all. I suspect the population increase in the UK
started at this time...
There was no cafeteria, but it was great. If
you wanted to eat at lunch you went to the
local Chinese who did a student meal for next
to nothing or the local Co-op for tea and
cakes (and sometimes no bill!) There was also
‘The Crown’ with publican Alan Herbert, who
smoked 80 Capstan full strength a day and
whose wife would dish up soup free of
charge. Wonderful, wonderful people.
If we needed to eat, drink, or make merry, we
had to go out and join the locals. I was taught
to play darts by the local coalman and I used
to babysit for a family opposite. Now,
students are insulated from the real world on
special campuses.
We moved to the new campus in the second
year, but only to study. Our digs remained in
Morecambe Bay and Lancaster. The campus
was a building site.
One of the funniest moments came when the
builders built the underpass under the
University. The first L6 bus descended into it;
the roof wasn’t high enough, and the bus got
stuck. Over the next month, workers raised
the roof of the underpass. The bus emerged
but couldn’t get round the roundabout
because they had built it too small. The bus
remained stuck in roundabout for the next
month, while said roundabout was extended.
A few hundred undergraduates lining the
route were in a state of total hysteria.
The last anecdote relates to Bowland College
of which I was a member. The first thing
placed in Bowland College was the bar.
Outside, fortified by many pints of Guinness,
was an Irish construction crew who built a
courtyard
surrounded by a
WE MOVED
brick wall. Students
TO THE NEW
and Irish mixed in
CAMPUS IN
happy harmony.
THE SECOND
YEAR...IT WAS
A BUILDING SITE
The next morning
the Irish were in a
state of shock.
When they finished
the last brick wall they had forgotten that
they had left this huge digger in the middle of
the courtyard. Needless to say, the digger was
entrapped. So they proceeded to knock down
one of the walls...
I know the world has changed since my day
and I guess we have to have these space age
campuses with all mod cons. But do we?
Students are not a race apart. Why do they
need to study and live apart? Knock down the
campuses and bring Universities back into the
centre of towns, even if they have to be
fragmented in so doing.
A plea. Diana and Jilly Flower, what have
become of you?
”
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Letters...
...IN THE LAST EDITION OF STEPS WE ASKED FOR YOUR
MEMORIES OF THE BARRY LUCAS YEARS. HERE ARE SOME
EXTRACTS FROM A SELECTION OF LETTERS RECEIVED:
AS AN
UNDERGRADUATE
BETWEEN 1981 AND
1984 WITH A KEEN
INTEREST IN
PHOTOGRAPHY, I
WAS APPROACHED
BY FORMER ENTS
MANAGER GEOFF
CAMPBELL TO TAKE
PHOTOS OF THE ACTS
WHO PLAYED THE GREAT HALL AND
SUGAR HOUSE VENUES INCLUDING
JOHN LYDON OF PUBLIC IMAGE LTD IN
1983 (PICTURED HERE)
Photos of other acts still in my possession
include U2, Japan, The Eurythmics and The
Young Ones. Perhaps my biggest regret was
not photographing more of the acts who
played including Human League, Tina
Turner, Paul Young, Squeeze, Van Morrison.
One particular memory was when The
Eurythmics played around the time of the
release of their single 'Sweet Dreams'. I
vaguely recall the show being on a Sunday
night with only about 30 people in the
audience. Despite having the complete run
of the front of the stage to take pictures, I
managed to set the camera to the incorrect
film speed and all of the close-ups of a young
Annie Lennox were totally underexposed.
I could have done with a digital camera!
Dean Weston, Sociology, 1984 (Fylde)
I WORKED WITH BARRY AND NIGEL AS
A BOUNCER AT THE UNIVERSITY GIGS,
BUT, BEST OF ALL HAS TO BE WHEN WE
DID SOME OUTSIDE WORK FOR ISLAND
RECORDS AND HELPED WITH A MOTT
THE HOOPLE CONCERT IN CARLISLE.
They were supported by Max Wall, of all
people, complete with bendy betighted legs
and large black boots. The young, drunken
audience couldn't understand it at all. For
me, he was better than the band and the
lead singer specifically, who would lean into
the audience until they grabbed him and
then look round in panic for me to free him.
This was before the days of crowd surfing.
THE RAVI SHANKAR CONCERT IN 1972
WAS BILLED AS THE ‘ONLY EUROPEAN
UNIVERSITY APPEARANCE’ AND ALSO
HIS ONLY UK APPEARANCE OUTSIDE
LONDON DURING HIS EUROPEAN TOUR.
IN 1971, GEORGE HARRISON HAD
ORGANISED THE CONCERT FOR
BANGLADESH, IN WHICH RAVI SHANKAR
PARTICIPATED, AND SO INTEREST IN HIM
WAS HIGH AT THIS TIME.
I went to the concert on my own and
concentrated on the ‘tutorial’ Ravi gave
throughout the concert about the musical
techniques and philosophy. It must have held
a special place in my heart as it is the ONLY
concert ticket I kept and I saw many of those
great acts.
Just to put into perspective the 95p ticket
price. During 1971/72 I shared a room in
Bowland
Tower with
my friend Ali
and we
shared a
kitty for
meals
during the
week. We
put in £1 each and it
was more than enough to treat ourselves to
a takeaway at least once a week. The ticket
price today would be around £20 - £25.
Other memorable concerts were Roxy Music,
Country Joe and the Fish and Hawkwind –
where you got stoned just breathing in
everyone else’s smoke! It turned out my
husband, who went to school in Bentham,
also went to that concert too, but I didn’t
meet him until many years later!
Kirsten Ross (nee Gray)
Biological Sciences, 1974 (Bowland)
I REMEMBER WELL THE RUMOURS
ABOUT THE STONES WANTING TO PLAY
(IN 82 I THINK?) BUT BEING DENIED BY
FINALS - WHAT A SHAME!
There was also a great college scene and
Steve Elsworth (now a successful author),
Steve Packham (CEO of Chelmsford) and I
used to run Cartmel’s which managed to
book such acts as John Martyn and we also
ran specifically gay discos, which attracted
locals of a different type altogether.
Memorable gigs included Elvis Costello
(twice), U2, Japan (twice), Boomtown Rats,
Hazel O' Connor (with Duran Duran in
support), Level 42, Joan Armatrading,
Thompson Twins, Scorpions, Ian Gillan Band
and the Teardrop Explodes (twice, although
second time round I don't think Julian Cope
knew where he was!). Thanks Barry!
Steve Scott, Philosophy, 1973 (Cartmel)
Nick Hodgson, Economics, 1983 (Cartmel)
HERE ARE MY STAND OUT MEMORIES:
SEEING IAN DURY AND THE
BLOCKHEADS CELEBRATING WITH ELVIS
COSTELLO AND WRECKLESS ERIC ON
STAGE AT THE GRAND HALL AT THE
END OF THE FIRST STIFF RECORDS
NATIONAL TOUR IN 1977/78.
Dury finished his blistering set by producing
an apparently endless string of flags from
inside his jacket while belting out his
idiosyncratic cockney geezer songs.. The
now forgotten Wreckless Eric blew the roof
off with his song "I'll Go The Whole Wide
World Till I Find Her". Alison and Red Shoes
were standout songs by Costello who
looked young and geekish in tight jeans and
over-sized specs.
Finding myself standing next to Debbie
Harry and the rest of the band in the queue
at Cartmel fish and chip shop before
Blondie played the Great Hall circa 1977/78.
A memorable night...but...believe it or
not…Blondie were outplayed and
overshadowed by (gulp) Mungo Jerry!
Barry Nelson, History, 1980 (Fylde)
THERE WAS AN ICONIC GIG IN THE 1970S
STARRING THE JOHNNY WINTER GROUP
AND FEATURING RICK DERRINGER GUITAR ROYALTY AT THE TIME. ALSO, I
RECALL ROCKING OUT TO AN UP AND
COMING QUEEN STARRING FREDDY
MERCURY COMPLETE WITH CHAINMAIL
GLOVE A LA MICHAEL JACKSON!
The University Folk Club likewise attracted
future big stars including Al Stewart who
continues to perform extensively in the USA.
Three years after graduating in 1974, I went
to live and work permanently in Seattle, USA,
famous for its Native son, Jimi Hendrix.
Before Seattle eventually anointed the Guitar
Legend in the form of the Experience Music
Project Museum, I tour guided migratory
Rock fans in the mid 1990s through the
remaining Hendrix shrines in the Seattle area...
I am happy to report that I am still rocking
out in the Great Pacific Northwest of
America but now to the likes of Pearl Jam
and the Kings of Leon!
Ivan Hodder, Russian & Soviet Studies,
1974 (Lonsdale)
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Development NEWS
Parkinson’s
Disease Legacy
An ongoing Medical Research Council
funded programme has been taking
place under the supervision of
Professor David Allsop over the past
two years and has already reached its
target of 200 participants.
The Biomarkers in Blood Project involves
newly diagnosed sufferers giving blood
samples periodically to enable researchers
to study molecular structure and help
with clinical diagnosis.
One such volunteer, Mr Geoff Worth,
particularly enjoyed participating in the
programme and looked forward to his
appointments knowing that the work
being carried out would eventually help
future sufferers. Mr Worth died earlier
this year and the family kindly sent
donations specifically for Professor Allsop’s
Parkinson’s disease research. The money
has contributed towards a refrigerator
which houses blood samples.
The assistance of volunteers such as Mr
Worth is very much appreciated by the
University and it is heartening to know
that his involvement also improved the
last few months of his life.
For further information contact:
Professor David Allsop,
[email protected]
Discounts for
World Class Arts
The Nuffield Theatre,
(www.nuffieldtheatre.com)
Peter Scott Gallery
(www.peterscottgallery.com)
and Lancaster International
Concert Series
(www.lancasterconcerts.co.uk)
are offering graduates the chance to
see theatre, music and dance events
featuring the highest quality national
and international artists at a
discounted price.
For further details of the
Alumni ticket offer, please email
[email protected]
The 2010 call team
Annual Fund Success
This year our Call Team is on target to
set an all time record for the Lancaster
Telephone Campaigns!
The Friends Programme Call Team
(pictured) is aiming to contact 6,000
alumni and friends of the University by
telephone before the end of the academic
year. The team of 30 current students is
trained to make calls to update contact
details and fundraise for the University
through the Friends Programme. Being on
the team provides students with valuable
work experience and is a great way to
communicate and receive feedback
from Alumni.
We have attracted over £135,000 in
pledges and gifts which will be used across
campus for projects including the colleges,
student societies and important research
including equipment for the Department
of Biomedical and Life Sciences. This will
investigate the dynamics of blood flow and
benefit research into a broad range of
human conditions from clinical diseases.
The Friends Programme provides funding to
areas which fall outside statutory funding,
but are vital to the life of the University.
View a complete list of projects online
at www.alumni.lancs.ac.uk/
projectsfunded
Peel Students Thank Trustees
Four PhD students currently benefiting
from Peel Studentship grants at the
University recently had the
opportunity to thank The Dowager
Countess Eleanor Peel Trustees in
person and explain how the grants
have been crucial to their work.
The Peel Studentship Trust (PST), a charity
wholly supported by The Dowager
Countess Eleanor Peel Trust, was set up in
1964 specifically to support students at the
University across all subject areas at both
undergraduate and postgraduate level. In
over 45 years, PST has given almost
£700,000 to Lancaster students and
continues to provide grants totalling over
£30,000 a year.
Paula Bialski (Sociology), Adam Greig
(Music), Haliyana Khalid (Computer
Science) and Eslam Mohamadein
(Biological Sciences) attended an event in
Lancaster to present information to the
Trustees about their studies. The students
gave lively and enthusiastic portrayals of
their studies providing an excellent insight
into their work whilst indicating the
financial challenges they faced furthering
their studies at postgraduate level.
Staff and Trustees alike were impressed by
the presentations and the Chairman of the
Trust, Mr John Parkinson, commented
“We have really enjoyed listening to the
students – we are happy in the knowledge
that our money is being very well spent.”
For further information contact:
Craig Lowe, [email protected]
F O R M O R E N E W S V I S I T W W W. A LU M N I . L A N C S . A C . U K / S U P P O R T
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RESEARCH
Baby Swimmers’
Developmental
Advantage
Baby swimming is good for
developing balance and movement
in young children according to
researchers. Children taught to swim
as babies are better than their peers
even at the age of five. The baby
swimmers have better balance and
are also better at grasping things.
The research was carried out by
Brian Hopkins, Emeritus Professor of
Psychology at Lancaster and Hermundur
Sigmundsson, Professor of Psychology
at the Norwegian University of Science
and Technology (NUST).
Lancaster Study Shows Outstanding
Benefits of Exercise to Employees
A study by Lancaster’s Centre of
Organisational Health & Wellbeing
into the effects of exercise on Nestlé
UK employees has shown that it
results in outstanding physical and
psychological benefits to the
individual and to the employer.
1800 Nestle UK employees took part in
the 2009 Global Corporate Challenge
(GCC), Nestle UK’s largest ever corporate
health initiative. Researchers studying a
representative sample of 260 employees
found that participants reported an
increase in energy levels, better sleep,
increased concentration and productivity
when asked a series of psychological
indicators about their feelings in the
workplace. A health screening study of
the same 260 employees also reported
significant health benefits including:
• 59% of employees lost weight of which
the average weight loss was 2.2kg
• 37% reduced their cholesterol
• 51% had a reduced body fat percentage
by the end of the programme
The GCC challenges teams of seven to
each walk 10,000 steps a day, recording
their individual step counts. These are
then tallied into a daily team total and
plotted on the GCC website to complete
a virtual walk around the world. The
challenge lasts for 16 weeks and
participants can virtually interact with
each new location along their journey,
to experience different cultures along
the route.
By providing a measureable, competitive
team environment for employees to
encourage them to build physical activity
into their everyday routines, the GCC
has had a wider effect on Nestlé UK
employees’ travel habits. By the end of
the programme, walking had become
the primary form of transport accounting
for 66% of all journeys.
Overall they felt they were able to
overcome their daily difficulties more
effectively and felt less under strain as a
result of participating in the 125 day
programme, indicating walking can have
a positive influence on stress within an
organisation.
For further information contact:
Professor Susan Cartwright,
[email protected]
The study involved comparing baby
swimmers against a control group of
children who had not learnt swimming
from an early age. The only factor that
separated baby swimmers from the
control group was swimming. All other
factors such as the parents' education,
housing and economic status were
the same.
The baby swimmers participated in
classes for two hours a week between
two to seven months old. A typical
session might involve helping the baby
do a somersault on a floating mat,
helping the baby dive under water,
jump from the pool edge and balance
on the hand of a parent while reaching
to pick up floating objects.
Both groups were given similar exercises
at age five, including walking on
tiptoes, balancing on one foot, skipping
using a rope, rolling a ball into a goal
and catching a bean bag.
The baby swimmers scored the highest
in exercises that related to balance and
the ability to reach for objects.
For further information contact:
Professor Brian Hopkins,
[email protected]
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Software Tool Helps
River Blindness Side Effects
A chance conversation has assisted
the development of a software tool
to help health workers in Africa make
real-time medical choices which
could save thousands of villagers
from serious side effects of a
treatment for river blindness.
target of treating 90 million people in 19
countries by 2015.
River blindness (onchocerciasis) is caused
by a worm that breeds in fast-flowing
rivers. It is a major cause of blindness in
equatorial Africa, where it is transmitted
by the bite of the blackfly.
However, the drug can produce rare, but
potentially fatal, side effects in people who
are also heavily infected with another
parasite – Loa loa, or 'eye worm'. WHO,
therefore, put in place precautionary
measures in areas of high Loa loa
prevalence before delivering the
Mectizan treatment. The challenge is to
locate these areas reliably in the absence
of direct estimates of prevalence.
The disease can be controlled with the
anti-parasitic drug Mectizan. A World
Health Organisation (WHO) co-ordinated
treatment programme delivers this drug
to millions in Africa every year, with a
Analysis of blood samples from
approximately 200 village communities
enabled epidemiologists to show that
local Loa loa prevalence could be partially
predicted from two environmental
variables available throughout Africa
from remotely sensed data - height above
sea-level and greenness of vegetation.
Peter Diggle (Lancaster’s School of Health
& Medicine) had done work in spatial
statistics and thought that this might
give a way of obtaining better predictions.
Peter’s methods (originally used for
mapping contamination levels over a
South Pacific island after nuclear weapons
testing) have been used to give better
predictions of Loa loa prevalence and to
produce a map showing the probability
that local Loa loa prevalence exceeds 20%
– the threshold set by the WHO for
precautionary measures to be put in place.
Taking blood samples and the associated
laboratory analysis is slow, expensive and
not entirely safe in remote areas of
equatorial Africa. As an alternative to
blood sampling, WHO researchers
devised a simple questionnaire to
estimate prevalence. Administering the
questionnaire is fast, cheap and safe, but
not as reliable as a blood sample.
Peter Diggle helped work out the most
efficient way to combine blood sample
and questionnaire data to produce more
precise estimates.
For further information contact:
Peter Diggle, [email protected]
Postcards from the Edwardians
At the beginning of the twentieth
century there was a communications
technology at least as popular as
anything we find innovative at the
beginning of the twenty-first: the
picture postcard. This readily
available, colourful and attractive
object offered the opportunity for
brief written messages that, with up
to 10 deliveries a day, could be
experienced by writers and senders
as near-synchronous. It has been
calculated that around 6 billion cards
were sent in the Edwardian era
(1901-1910). It was, in effect, the
social networking tool of its day.
Dr Julia Gillen, of the Literacy Research
Centre and Centre for Mobilities
Research at Lancaster is leading research
into the Edwardian Postcard together
with Nigel Hall, Emeritus Professor,
Manchester Metropolitan University. They
15
are finding that the Edwardian postcard
offers a unique opportunity for studying
spontaneous, everyday writing in an era
when universal education was impacting
on society. The project offers the
opportunity to learn a great deal about
everyday writing at the time.
Working with associates, Julia is engaged
in disseminating the research through
Twitter (@EVIIpc) as well as through
academic and public engagement.
The Friends Programme has awarded
funding to this project. A Postcard Fair at
the Management School will be held on
Saturday November 13th 2010. Anyone
wishing to visit the fair may gain free
admission on production of this magazine.
If you would like to donate a
postcard to the collection,
please contact Julia direct,
[email protected]
A typical Edwardian
picture postcard
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Alumni NEWS
Dr. Shazneen Commissariat Limjerwala, PhD Health Research
2007 (Graduate), spoke at the first SVRI (Sexual Violence
Research Initiative) International Conference in Johannesburg. Her
presentation, ‘Dead or Alive: the effects of sexual violence and its
aftermath on the mental health of victim-survivors’, highlighted
the shame and stigma that mar rape victims. Shazneen can be
contacted on [email protected]
Dr David Gosling, PhD Religious Studies, 1974 (Furness)
Principal of Edwardes College, University of Peshawar Pakistan,
gave the Westcott-Teape lectures in Calcutta and Delhi
Universities in December 2009 on the theme of ‘Darwin, Science
and India’.
Neville Thurlbeck - thanks
go to alumnus and awardwinning journalist, Neville
Thurlbeck, who visited campus
in February to talk to students
about careers in journalism.
Neville, who is Chief Reporter
at The News of the World,
graduated with a BA in
English & Theatre Studies in
1983. His lecture, hosted by
the English & Creative Writing
Department, was attended by
around 80 students.
Luca Petrarulo, MA Conflict Resolution, 2007 (Graduate)
married Yi Qi (Irene) MSc Management, 07 (Graduate) on 27
October 2007. The couple live in Milan and are both project
managers in the international development sector.
Six Furness graduates who
lived on ‘C’Floor Main Building
in 1983 (now no longer used
for accommodation!) met up for
the first time in 12 years for a
pre-Christmas celebration in York
Ganga Ram Gautam, MA Linguistics for English Language
Teaching, 1996 (Graduate) has been awarded a Hubert H.
Humphrey Fellowship to attend a ten month non-degree
leadership enhancement course in the US. Ganga is currently
Associate Professor in English Education at Tribhuvan University,
Nepal and is also President of the Nepal English Language
Teachers’ Association (NELTA).
Andrew Kidd, Law, 2001 (Lonsdale) has won recognition for his
achievements in the legal profession. Andrew, 29, practised as a
solicitor in Lancaster before moving to London to take up a post
with Silverman Sherliker LLP. Andrew was selected as a finalist in
‘the Square Mile Magazine 30 Under 30 London Talent Awards’.
The awards celebrate London’s top young achievers and the
success of London’s new elite under the age of 30.
Mark Walter, BA French
2002 (Pendle) married
Hitomi Nishida BA
Philosophy, 2002 (Fylde)
in June this year.
Gian Fulgoni, MA Marketing, 1970 (Cartmel) recently gave the
Management School’s first Public Entrepreneurship Lecture. Gian,
who is Executive Chairman and Co-Founder of comScore Inc,
captivated a packed audience of aspiring entrepreneurs, students,
alumni and business leaders with two case studies that
demonstrated how entrepreneurial flair and decisiveness had
delivered spectacular results. Afterwards he joined a networking
session with fellow alumni from his graduation year.
Pictured L-R - Paul Simons, Tor Harung, Stephen Foster, Leigh Stops,
Gian Fulgoni, John Gorman, David Shearer & Tony Garvey
Neville talks to students
Back L-R – Jenny Bagguley (Bowyer),
Diana Nash (Toulson), Alison Drayton
(Brookes). Front L-R – Barbara Daniels,
Lucy Dunn(Reeves), Jane Silvester
Alumni in Print
Here is a selection of Lancaster graduates you
can see in print!
Sarah McLeavy, BA Hons French and Italian,
1981 (Lonsdale) - ‘The Secret Scroll’, a book
written in collaboration with a group of gifted
and talented children from a local primary
school in Hampshire. More information is
available at www.madaboutsnailbooks.com
John J Shepherd, PhD Religious Studies, 1972
(County) - ‘Ninian Smart on World Religions’.
A book about Professor Ninian Smart, who
was one of the most influential scholars of
religion in the latter half of the twentieth
century and is available in the campus bookshop.
Dr Atef A Masad, PhD Biological Science, 2008 (Graduate) –
‘New Hope in Treating Type-2 Diabetes: A Novel Mechanism for
Degeneration of Islet Cells in Type-2 Diabetes’ (Publisher: VDM
Verlag)
Heather D,Cruz, PhD Applied Social Science,
2000 (Graduate) – co-editor of ‘Knowledge-inPractice in the Caring Professions’. The book
explores the nature and role of knowledge in the
practical work of the caring professions. More
information is available at www.ashgate.com
Laurence Canty, Economics, 1972 (Lonsdale) ‘Electric Bass Guitar – The Complete Guide’.
Republished 30 years after the original
publication, this time with the whole process
computerised and original drawings replaced by
photos. More information is available at
www.electricbassguitarbook.com
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17
Events Round up
In Memoriam
Beijing New Year Party
CAPTAIN MARTIN DRIVER – BSc Physics and Philosophy 2000
(Pendle), MA Defence and Security Analysis 2002 (Graduate) died
in Selly Oak Hospital on 15th March 2010, aged 31, as a result of
injuries sustained in Afghanistan. Captain Martin Driver served
with the 1st Battalion The Royal Anglian Regiment.
Over 40 alumni attended a New Year party in the Haidian
District of Beijing in January.
President of the Beijing Alumni Association, Professor Yang Jian,
gave a short talk about Personal Investment before the guests
enjoyed dinner and a party. Our warmest thanks go to Professor
Yang Jian, for being kind enough to provide the venue free of
charge as well as covering the cost of the dinner.
Birmingham Pub Night
Graduates from a variety of years, subjects and colleges gathered
at All Bar One in March. They enjoyed reminiscing and comparing
their university experiences!
CFO Lecture
Darren Shapland, CFO of Sainsbury’s, gave an engaging
lecture to 90 guests in March.
Darren’s personal contribution to steering Sainsbury’s through its
successful “Making Sainsbury's Great Again” five-year recovery
plan has been recognised by his being named both FTSE 100 and
Finance Director Magazine's Finance Director of the Year for 2009.
Guests were welcomed to the event by Ernst & Young partner
Les Clifford, who is responsible for managing their CFO Programme.
Roses
Lancaster triumphed in the annual battle of the Roses
challenge against York, winning by 52 points.
The result sees the Carter James trophy back at Lancaster after
being won by York for the past three years. Now boasting more
than 100 different fixtures, nearly 1,500 athletes and around
5,000 spectators attended. Roses, held in May, has grown to be
one of the most popular sporting events in northern England and
one of the biggest inter varsity competitions in the UK. Visiting
alumni enjoyed Pimms and Strawberries in the alumni marquee.
CAROLINE CLAPHAM – PhD Linguistics 1994 (Cartmel) died on
14th December 2009 aged 67. After graduating, Caroline stayed
at Lancaster teaching part-time until 2002, where she took up a
post as Validation Officer at the University of Cambridge
Examinations Syndicate.
DR JOAN LYNESS MACHELL – BA Educational Research 1985
(Fylde), MA Psychology 1988 (Cartmel). Joan and her husband,
Steven, were killed in a car accident in Scotland on 20th March.
Joan worked in the Centre for the Study for Education (CSET) in
the Department of Educational Research at Lancaster University
for nearly 30 years and was one of its founding members. Joan
was also a senior college tutor in Cartmel.
JUDITH CLARKE – Judith worked at Lancaster University in
Careers (now CEEC) and then prior to her retirement in 2000 in
Student Registry. She was also the SCR Social Secretary and a
great supporter of Furness College.
MAGGIE CHADWICK – BA French Studies 1969 (Lonsdale), died
on 14th January aged 63. Maggie held many positions including,
Principal of Furness College, Barrow, Labour councillor on
Lancaster City Council and non-executive director of Cumbria and
Lancashire SHA. Maggie was also a Board member of Cumbria
Vision, a founding member of the NWDA board and
Chairwoman of NHS Cumbria.
RICHARD MURRAY – BA Marketing 1987 (County) co-founder
of design consultancy Williams Murray Hamm, has died of skin
cancer, aged 44. Along with his partners, Richard Williams and
Garrick Hamm, Richard Murray built Williams Murray Hamm into
one of the UK's leading design consultancies.
TRACY DRYDEN – MA Health Research 2006 (Graduate) died on
12th March. Tracey was studying for her PhD (Division of Health
Research) and had been connected with the University for six
years. At the time of her death she was very close to completing
her doctoral thesis on mental health care practices.
Mayer Brown’s stunning new offices in Bishopsgate were a
superb backdrop for over 80 guests at this networking event
held in May.
RICHARD JAMES NORTHEDGE – BA English 1996 (Lonsdale),
MA English 1997 (Graduate) died suddenly on 26th February
aged 34. Richard was closely involved with the University Chaplaincy
and Trinity Church in Woking. He was active in Trinity Music,
amateur dramatics and was editor of the church magazine.
Alumni enjoyed a welcome from Nick Fragel, Director of Alumni
and Development and an update on the Law Department from
Professor David Milman, Head of Law at Lancaster. Our thanks go
to Mayer Brown for sponsoring the event.
STEPHEN MISNER – BA Politics & IR 1981, MA English
(Linguistics) 1990 (Cartmel) passed away on 16 December 2009,
aged 60 after a long battle with cancer. Stephen was the author of
two children’s books.
London Law/Finance evening
Edinburgh Fringe Production
Artist Alan O’Cain (History, 1983 (Fylde) actor and theatre director David Verrey (at the time known as
David Howard, Independent Studies, 1983 (Fylde) and writer Mike Elliston (Independent Studies, 1984
(Grizedale) will be premiering at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.
Alumni and friends can purchase tickets for the play for £7 (usual price £10).
Please visit www.alumni.lancs.ac.uk for further details.
F O R M O R E N E W S V I S I T W W W. A LU M N I . L A N C S . A C . U K
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Postgraduate Studentships
THE ALUMNI POSTGRADUATE STUDENTSHIP IS AN INITIATIVE FUNDED BY DONATIONS FROM LANCASTER UNIVERSITY
ALUMNI. UP TO FIVE £1000 AWARDS ARE MADE EACH YEAR. HERE, LAST YEAR’S RECIPIENTS TELL US HOW THE
AWARD HELPED THEM.
Phil Allcock
Eleanor Fitton
Tony Hinds
Rachel Morris
Cath Nichols
I am currently studying
for an MA in
Contemporary Arts
Research, exploring
issues relating to
popular music and
society.
I came to Lancaster
after a number of
years doing my BA in
Germany. I originally
grew up in the
Lancaster area, first in
Halton, then in Cumbria.
In addition to universitybased opportunities, I also
wanted to get to know
the area and the local
community. I felt that
during my undergraduate
studies was the perfect
time to take up these
opportunities, whilst a
balance could be achieved
between the experiences
on offer and my studies.
My aim was to use these
opportunities to help
others, and I am extremely
grateful that my efforts
were acknowledged by
receiving the Studentship.
In 2007 I started a
Research Masters. In my
first two weeks I was
co-opted to the Graduate
Student Association, and
was later elected as the
Research Postgraduate
Officer for LUSU and the
Research Masters
Representative for my
department. I also spent
a large number of highly
enjoyable months working
on numerous postgraduate
projects and initiatives
aimed at improving the
postgraduate experience
at Lancaster. Sadly I had to
give this up this year when
my PhD research and
teaching launched their
usual furious assault on
free time. In 2009, I won
the HRH Princess Alexandra
Medal for my MA thesis,
and went on to start my
PhD in the Department
of English and Creative
Writing.
Firstly, I must convey
my thanks to Alumni
who have given a
donation; the help it
has provided me cannot
be underestimated. I am
currently in the third
year of my Physics PhD.
When my department
(Applied Social Science)
developed the MRes
Criminology
programme, I leapt at
the chance to take my
interest in criminology
to the next level and
keep studying at
Lancaster, the
University I love.
I am in my final year
of a PhD in Creative
Writing. I teach first
years Creative Writing
and although I receive
a teaching bursary to
pay my fees, as a
mature student I have
a mortgage, travel
expenses and living
costs to be met, and so
I am very grateful for
the award. It has
certainly made my final
year easier than it would
otherwise have been.
The Award is a
considerable amount of
money towards the costs
associated with
postgraduate study, and
it has enabled me to
concentrate on my studies
rather than having to
balance them with a job.
The time that this frees
up allows me to continue
helping others. It is not
just the financial element
of the Award which makes
it valuable; it is also the
feeling of support and
community (between
current and past students)
that the Alumni Award
engenders.
I’m currently researching
the philosophy of power
and subjectivity. The
Alumni Award has helped
to fund me through this
year; I wouldn’t have been
able to afford to start the
PhD without it. I really am
very grateful to have the
option to stay here in my
‘place of origin’.
I have been looking into
the effects of oxygen upon
the human body applying
analysis techniques, more
commonly found in
physics, to signals that
arise within the human
body (ECG, Respiration,
Blood Flow etc). We have
recently acquired a new
series of sensors that allow
us to observe changes
within the actual oxygen
content of any area of the
body at several depths
right down into the
muscles, in some cases,
a fantastic bit of kit which
will, I’m sure, lead to some
interesting findings.
This award is a crucial part
of being able to afford to
simply be at Lancaster and
finish my PhD. When
money is tight it is the
little luxuries that have to
go but I am happy to say,
thanks to the award, I
have at least been able to
keep playing squash for
the University team this
year; squash rackets break
quite a lot when you play
almost every day! Writing
this only a few days before
our yearly Roses game
versus York I am hoping all
that practice will translate
into victory.
The award has enabled
me to purchase new
equipment to help me
study, including a laptop
and textbooks. It has also
enabled me attend several
conferences and meet
academics- some of whom
I thought I’d never get the
chance to meet! It has
also helped me to fund
the cost of my course.
Working full-time
alongside studying is hard
but the Alumni award has
helped take some of the
pressure off.
I have greatly appreciated
receiving the award as
without it I would not
have been able to have
the fantastic year I have
had moving ever closer to
my dreams of becoming
a published academic/
lecturer.
Last Summer I was
selected for a one-off
Litfest project ‘exploring
live literature’, where we
used my long poem ‘The
Price of Legs’ as a basis for
movement and vocal
work. The poem is an
exploration of the Hans
Christian Anderson story
‘The Little Mermaid’.
My research is in the area
of poetry out loud and so
I have covered poets
working on stage as solo
performers, and in revue,
but also writing for others
e.g. for stage and radio
drama. My poem became
the centre of a
dramatisation about a
family being haunted by
the voiceless mermaid.
I have adapted this radio
text for stage – and now
the stage play has been
accepted for production
by the Trilteral Stageplay
Festival in Nottingham,
which is very exciting.
MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THE STUDENTSHIPS IS AVAILABLE AT WWW.ALUMNI.LANCS.AC.UK
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Steps
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the ground!...
Bowland 1
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'it used to be theoretically possible to travel along the covered
walkway from the north to the south end of campus without
touching the ground. We know of one student who did it in
the early 70's, because we were there when he was grabbed
by Security at the end of the journey. There is no evidence of
anyone else having done it, and certainly no evidence of a
race ever having taken place.'
MALE
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Female
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Michael
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574
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'I can confirm that it is indeed possible to make the journey
from the very northern end of the Spine walkway at County
down to Pendle without touching the ground. The crux of
the course is crossing the area of the Venue with a second
difficulty in the area of the Biology Lecture theatre. It
should probably not be attempted without a good head for
heights, a certain amount of climbing ability and a couple
of pints to relax the athletes.
'I can also confirm that it has been raced with the current
best recorded time being set at 3 mins 43 seconds by a
former student who shall remain nameless. That is timed
from leaving the ground to touching down again. There
were several eyewitnesses.'
The ‘Ton-up’ Motorbike Challenge...
The ton-up challenge: to ride a motorbike down the
underpass at 100mph. This was a challenge set by the
motorbike club. Spotters would be posted at the
roundabouts and in the underpass. Once all was clear the
rider would hurtle round the roundabout, picking up
speed, then charge down into the underpass. Speed
bumps? They're a modern invention, which I suspect have
brought this sport to a halt. After screaming through the
underpass and glancing at the speedo to confirm the
achievement of the 100mph, brakes would be
applied and the motorbike would take
the other roundabout at about
40mph.
Rag Week Hi-jinks...
In the 60s (or 70s) during
rag week, when rag week
was an excuse for such hijinks, students painted a
zebra crossing across the M6.
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