October 2011 - University of Worcester
October 2011 - University of Worcester
October 2011 - University of Worcester
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news<br />
& views<br />
THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER MAGAZINE<br />
<strong>October</strong> <strong>2011</strong><br />
Honouring<br />
the WRI<br />
Nurses<br />
Stained glass window takes pride <strong>of</strong><br />
place in the Jenny Lind Chapel p.4-5<br />
In this issue:<br />
Rock On!<br />
Geology Conference p.6<br />
It’s a WRaP<br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> Research and Publications<br />
collection records 1000 th entry p.6<br />
Let battle commence<br />
From the library to the battlefield p.12
FEATURE<br />
<strong>University</strong> backs calls for more midwives<br />
across the country<br />
One <strong>of</strong> the country’s top providers <strong>of</strong><br />
midwifery training has backed calls by<br />
the Royal College <strong>of</strong> Midwives for an<br />
increase in the number <strong>of</strong> trained staff.<br />
The Royal College <strong>of</strong> Midwives (RCM) says<br />
a 22% rise in births over 20 years has led to<br />
shortfalls <strong>of</strong> midwives across England. The<br />
RCM wants 4,700 more midwives and says<br />
the prime minister has backed away from a<br />
pledge to raise numbers.<br />
At the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> the number<br />
<strong>of</strong> midwifery places the <strong>University</strong> is<br />
commissioned to <strong>of</strong>fer has been cut by the<br />
Strategic Health Authority over the past two<br />
years, from 52 in 2009/10 to 45 for <strong>2011</strong>/12.<br />
The same reduction has been applied to all<br />
West Midlands universities.<br />
Despite the Department <strong>of</strong> Health saying a<br />
record number <strong>of</strong> midwives are being trained,<br />
a further cut <strong>of</strong> 16% had been planned<br />
across the West Midlands last year. This was<br />
only reversed on the personal order <strong>of</strong> the<br />
Secretary <strong>of</strong> State Andrew Lansley, following<br />
pressure from the Royal College <strong>of</strong> Midwives,<br />
universities and MPs.<br />
Judith Davies, Pr<strong>of</strong>essional Lead for Midwifery<br />
at the <strong>University</strong> and herself a qualified<br />
midwife with 30 years experience, said: “There<br />
has been a huge baby boom in recent times and<br />
excellent midwifery care is critical to ensure<br />
mothers are given the best support at what it<br />
supposed to be one <strong>of</strong> the happiest, but most<br />
stressful, times <strong>of</strong> their lives. It is vital that we<br />
are allowed to train more midwives. Midwives<br />
provide the backbone <strong>of</strong> maternity care in<br />
Britain and it is essential that there are enough<br />
to meet this challenge effectively.”<br />
The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> has more than 35<br />
applicants for every place it is allowed to <strong>of</strong>fer<br />
in midwifery. Student midwives complete<br />
2,300 hours in practice and must deliver 40<br />
babies before being eligible to register to<br />
practice as well as demonstrating a wide range<br />
<strong>of</strong> practical skills and relevant scientific health<br />
care knowledge.<br />
In January <strong>2011</strong> the Nursing and Midwifery<br />
Council (NMC) rated the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Worcester</strong>’s provision for midwifery training as<br />
‘good’, the best possible grade, in all five areas<br />
<strong>of</strong> its Annual Monitoring Review, particularly<br />
noting that the <strong>University</strong> attracts excellent<br />
applicants to train in midwifery.<br />
Vice Chancellor Pr<strong>of</strong>essor David Green<br />
said: “In partnership with the hospitals, Trusts<br />
and health care providers, the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> is the only educator <strong>of</strong> midwives in<br />
Herefordshire and <strong>Worcester</strong>shire. Quality is<br />
excellent, giving thousands <strong>of</strong> mothers and their<br />
babies the best possible pr<strong>of</strong>essional help before,<br />
during and after childbirth.”<br />
He added: “Forty three new midwives a year is<br />
not enough for this region. It is essential that<br />
we are commissioned to increase the number <strong>of</strong><br />
midwives we can train.”<br />
It is understood that at <strong>Worcester</strong>shire Royal<br />
Hospital, antenatal and postnatal wards<br />
are regularly amalgamated and plans for a<br />
midwife-led unit at the City’s hospital were<br />
put on hold towards the end <strong>of</strong> last year.<br />
2 / OCTOBER <strong>2011</strong> / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
COVER wELCOME STORY<br />
Welcome<br />
contents<br />
FEATURE<br />
Backing calls for more midwives 2<br />
COVER STORY<br />
Stained glass window tribute 4<br />
Welcome to the <strong>October</strong> issue<br />
<strong>of</strong> News & Views, featuring<br />
a roundup <strong>of</strong> news, launches<br />
and milestones from the past<br />
month at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>.<br />
The cover story this month shows the beautiful<br />
stained glass window that has been installed<br />
at City Campus. The window is a lasting<br />
memorial to all the nurses who worked at the<br />
then <strong>Worcester</strong> Royal Infirmary Hospital. From<br />
nurses past to present day nursing we also<br />
congratulate the <strong>University</strong>’s nursing programme<br />
which has been ranked seventh in the UK in the<br />
latest Sunday Times Good <strong>University</strong> Guide.<br />
Congratulations have been plentiful over the<br />
past few weeks as the <strong>Worcester</strong> Research<br />
and Publications (WRaP) collection recorded<br />
its 1,000th entry; the <strong>University</strong> is nominated<br />
for a prestigious green award and several<br />
members <strong>of</strong> staff have become parents.<br />
We hope you’ll all enjoy this month’s staff feature<br />
as we discover how Library Services Development<br />
Manager Roger Fairman spends his time outside<br />
<strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong> library. Don’t forget if you have<br />
an interesting story, please contact our Press<br />
Officer, Sally Jones at s.jones@worc.ac.uk<br />
Please keep sending your news to<br />
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk<br />
FINE ART GRADUATES PUT ON EXHIBITION IN MALVERN<br />
Art graduates from the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> have displayed their work at a<br />
special exhibition in Malvern.<br />
Seven graduates from <strong>2011</strong> were part <strong>of</strong> a<br />
weeklong exhibition at the No4A Gallery. The<br />
exhibition was the idea <strong>of</strong> third year Fine Art<br />
student Brian Cook.<br />
“The exhibition was an idea that I came up with<br />
after I had watched the third years complete their<br />
final year and I thought how they may have mixed<br />
emotions leaving what had become a family unit,”<br />
he said. “I thought what better way could I say<br />
we are proud <strong>of</strong> their accomplishments than by<br />
putting together this exhibition. I approached<br />
No4A Gallery and asked the proprietor how<br />
she would feel about supporting <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong><br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> Fine Art Graduates.”<br />
The exhibition will feature the work <strong>of</strong> Jose<br />
Santos Lopez, Lucinda Hodgetts, Rachel<br />
Blackwell, Laura Wagstaff, Elliot Robinson,<br />
Beckie Payne and Alex Rees.<br />
news<br />
Fine Art graduates put on exhibition<br />
in Malvern 3<br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> hosts Geology<br />
Conference 6<br />
Nursing at the <strong>University</strong> ranked in<br />
the UK’s Top 10 6<br />
In celebration <strong>of</strong> World Mental<br />
Health Day 6<br />
Earn as you learn 7<br />
RLF Writer in Residence 7<br />
Ethical leadership workshop 8<br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> lecturer to help<br />
businesses in Ghana 8<br />
Baby boom 8<br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> student raises funds for<br />
soldier’s charity 9<br />
<strong>University</strong> short listed for<br />
prestigious green awards 9<br />
Police’s Community Safety<br />
Accreditation Scheme 10<br />
Leading businesswoman to deliver<br />
annual business lecture 10<br />
1,000th entry for WRaP 11<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Sport, Health and<br />
Exercise Science to deliver inaugural<br />
lecture 11<br />
Sports delegation from China pays<br />
visit to <strong>Worcester</strong> 11<br />
Beeline Festival 12<br />
A swarm <strong>of</strong> bees 12<br />
sTAFF FEATURE<br />
Let battle commence:<br />
Roger Fairman 13<br />
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER <strong>2011</strong> / 3
4 / OCTOBER <strong>2011</strong> / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
COVER STORY<br />
Commemorative<br />
window at City<br />
Campus celebrates<br />
work <strong>of</strong> nurses<br />
A STAINED GLASS WINDOW DEDICATED TO THE WORK<br />
OF NURSES IN WORCESTER HAS BEEN INSTALLED AT<br />
THE UNIVERSITY OF WORCESTER’S CITY CAMPUS.<br />
The commemorative<br />
window in the Jenny Lind<br />
Chapel harks back to the<br />
buildings’ history as the<br />
former <strong>Worcester</strong> Royal<br />
Infirmary hospital.<br />
It was paid for by the<br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> Royal Infirmary<br />
Nurses’ League as a lasting<br />
memorial to all the nurses<br />
who worked at the hospital.<br />
Nurses’ League President<br />
Muriel Ballinger said: “We<br />
felt that some permanent<br />
memorial should be created<br />
at the site. The hospital was a<br />
hugely important place in the<br />
city and many people will have<br />
either worked, been treated,<br />
or visited a loved one there.”<br />
The window was designed by<br />
local artist Nick Upton, who<br />
has previously carried out a<br />
commission for the Nurses’<br />
League, and was made by<br />
Rob Paddock, Director <strong>of</strong><br />
The Art <strong>of</strong> Glass at Burcott<br />
Forge, near Bromsgrove.<br />
Elizabeth Hill, Vice Chairman<br />
<strong>of</strong> the Nurses’ League and<br />
Project Lead, said: “The<br />
projected cost <strong>of</strong> the window<br />
was £15,000. An appeal<br />
was made to both League<br />
members and the wider<br />
community. As a result <strong>of</strong><br />
local publicity donations<br />
began to be received from all<br />
over the country, including<br />
former Infirmary staff. Several<br />
donations were received in<br />
memory <strong>of</strong> loved ones, <strong>of</strong>ten<br />
nurses, with one third <strong>of</strong><br />
the original cost donated<br />
in memory <strong>of</strong> Edna Butler.<br />
Locally, members turned<br />
their attention to a series<br />
<strong>of</strong> fundraising events.<br />
“Although a further £3,000 was<br />
required for the design to be<br />
re-worked, within one year <strong>of</strong><br />
launching the appeal the total<br />
sum was achieved. A fantastic<br />
effort by all. We hope to have<br />
an <strong>of</strong>ficial unveiling ceremony<br />
in the coming months.”<br />
The Jenny Lind Chapel is<br />
named after the ‘Swedish<br />
Nightingale’, as she was<br />
known, who sang at a<br />
concert in College Hall<br />
in 1849, donating the<br />
proceeds to the building<br />
fund. The Chapel adjoins<br />
the board room where the<br />
British Medical Association<br />
was formed in 1832.<br />
Dr Martin Doughty, Pro<br />
Vice Chancellor (Resources),<br />
said: “This is a hugely<br />
important chapel in the<br />
history <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> and the<br />
<strong>University</strong> has been very keen<br />
to ensure its preservation.<br />
This stained glass window<br />
is a welcome addition and<br />
a fitting tribute to all those<br />
who worked at the hospital.”<br />
The former hospital has<br />
been sympathetically<br />
transformed into new<br />
teaching and learning<br />
spaces for the <strong>University</strong>.<br />
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER <strong>2011</strong> / 5
NEWS<br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> hosts Geology Conference<br />
The <strong>University</strong> hosted a prestigious two-day conference for the Geologists’ Association in early September.<br />
The conference, Geoconservation for<br />
Science and Society, was attended by a<br />
number <strong>of</strong> high pr<strong>of</strong>ile guests, discussing<br />
the challenges <strong>of</strong> the 21st Century.<br />
Geoconservation can be defined as action<br />
taken with the intent <strong>of</strong> conserving and<br />
enhancing geological and geomorphological<br />
features, processes, sites and specimens.<br />
The event celebrated 60 years <strong>of</strong> successful<br />
geoconservation and discussions took<br />
place on how to ensure our geo-heritage<br />
is further valued and protected.<br />
The event brought together many respected<br />
figures from different institutions where<br />
they were given interesting keynote<br />
lectures, including members from English<br />
Heritage, Natural England and Phil<br />
Harding from Channel 4’s Time Team.<br />
The second day included a day-long trip to<br />
the Lickey Hills Champions Project, Dudley<br />
Museum and Arts Gallery along with the<br />
Wren’s Nest National Nature Reserve.<br />
Dr Cheryl Jones, Senior Lecturer in Physical<br />
Geography, said: “I am delighted the<br />
<strong>University</strong> had the opportunity to host this<br />
prestigious conference. Since its formation<br />
in 1858, the Geologists’ Association has<br />
actively promoted the study <strong>of</strong> geology to<br />
all who are interested in the past, present<br />
and future <strong>of</strong> the natural world. Many <strong>of</strong><br />
the speakers and indeed the delegates have<br />
played a pivotal role in protecting, promoting<br />
and enhancing our geological heritage.”<br />
Vice Chancellor David Green with David<br />
Bridgland (centre), President, and Rory<br />
Mortimore, Senior Vice-President<br />
Nursing at the <strong>University</strong> ranked in<br />
the UK’s Top 10<br />
Nursing at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> has been ranked seventh<br />
in the UK in the latest Sunday Times Good <strong>University</strong> Guide.<br />
Analysis <strong>of</strong> the league tables has revealed<br />
that the <strong>University</strong> has one <strong>of</strong> the highest<br />
employment rates in nursing, at 100%,<br />
and one <strong>of</strong> the highest rates <strong>of</strong> First<br />
class degrees, at 62.4%, nationally.<br />
Overall the <strong>University</strong> is ranked at<br />
seventh in the UK and top in the West<br />
Midlands. The <strong>University</strong> also topped<br />
the West Midlands for nursing in the<br />
recent National Student Survey.<br />
Robert Dudley, Head <strong>of</strong> Pre-Registration<br />
Nursing at the <strong>University</strong>, said: “This is<br />
testament to all the hard work by our staff<br />
and students. We strive to ensure that our<br />
nursing degree is the best it can be with first<br />
class facilities, placements and teaching.<br />
“We work very closely with our partners in<br />
the NHS to give students the best possible<br />
start to their nursing careers and we are<br />
proud to be able to educate some <strong>of</strong> the<br />
best nurses entering the pr<strong>of</strong>ession today.”<br />
Earlier this year the Nursing and Midwifery<br />
Council (NMC) rated the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>’s training as ‘good’, the<br />
best possible grade, in all five areas<br />
<strong>of</strong> its Annual Monitoring Review.<br />
In partnership with the hospitals,<br />
Trusts and health care providers, the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> is the only<br />
educator <strong>of</strong> nurses and midwives in<br />
Herefordshire and <strong>Worcester</strong>shire.<br />
In celebration<br />
<strong>of</strong> World<br />
Mental<br />
Health Day<br />
The <strong>University</strong> is again supporting World<br />
Mental Health Day with our own series <strong>of</strong><br />
events reflecting this year’s theme from<br />
the world federation <strong>of</strong> mental health -<br />
The Great Push: Investing<br />
in Mental Health<br />
Taking place on Thursday 6 <strong>October</strong><br />
from 10am to 3pm, the day’s events will<br />
include a stall in main reception, with<br />
leaflets, freebie giveaways and a display<br />
<strong>of</strong> art work produced by mental health<br />
service users in the Cotswold Gallery<br />
and posters designed by mental health<br />
student nurses in the Cotswold Suite.<br />
Signed photographs <strong>of</strong> well-known<br />
personalities who have pledged their<br />
support to the <strong>University</strong>’s event<br />
will be on display on the plasma<br />
screen at St John’s main reception.<br />
There will be a “smile tree” in reception<br />
where staff, students and visitors can write<br />
“what makes you smile” on stringed label<br />
and tie on the tree, for all to see.<br />
Mental Health matters to everyone and<br />
we warmly invite you to support the event.<br />
6 / OCTOBER <strong>2011</strong> / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
Earn as you learn<br />
– a new initiative<br />
Q: What is ‘Earn as you learn’?<br />
A: Earn as you learn, (EAYL), is a developing scheme to provide opportunities<br />
for students to undertake relevant paid work whilst studying. It is intended to<br />
be fully operational for students starting in September 2012. It aims to:<br />
• Provide opportunities for students to equip themselves with the skills necessary<br />
to obtain paid employment both during their studies and on graduation<br />
• Improve the long term employability <strong>of</strong> students<br />
• Reduce the level <strong>of</strong> debt incurred by students through living expenses.<br />
Q: How do we plan to achieve this?<br />
A: We have identified three main strands <strong>of</strong> activity:<br />
1. Finding external opportunities: We are creating a website and a physical job board<br />
within Careers Services to display vacancies and sites to help students find jobs.<br />
2. Creating internal opportunities for students: Our Access Agreement<br />
includes a commitment to substantially increase our outreach work with<br />
schools and colleges, and much <strong>of</strong> this will be delivered by students.<br />
3. Improving the employability <strong>of</strong> students.<br />
Q: How are we promoting this to students?<br />
A: It is really important that we make potential students aware <strong>of</strong> the EAYL scheme<br />
as it differentiates us from many other universities who are also very strong on<br />
employability. We need to make current students aware <strong>of</strong> the opportunities so that<br />
they apply for them and therefore employers continue to make vacancies available.<br />
1. Information for potential students: We used the EAYL information<br />
supplied by the course teams to produce a single booklet that<br />
is distributed to potential students at Open Days.<br />
2. Information for current students: We have created a new booklet that includes<br />
information on enhancing employability, finding and applying for work and detailing<br />
internal opportunities. New webpages; www.worcester.ac.uk/getwork are also<br />
in development. It is intended that this will be a<br />
one-stop-shop for all vacancies, opportunities,<br />
internships and volunteering positions. It will list<br />
full-time and part-time positions and promote<br />
both internal and external work opportunities.<br />
Q: Are we guaranteeing to find every<br />
student paid employment?<br />
A: No, but we are undertaking to provide<br />
them with opportunities to improve their<br />
employability and apply for work.<br />
earn<br />
learn<br />
If you have any students who have worked<br />
either within the <strong>University</strong> or externally<br />
during their course who you think would make a good case study, please<br />
would you contact Debbie Lambert at d.lambert@worc.ac.uk<br />
as you<br />
www.worcester.ac.uk<br />
NEWS<br />
Types <strong>of</strong><br />
jobs<br />
student<br />
ambassador<br />
coach<br />
nursery<br />
worker<br />
mentor<br />
camp<br />
counsellor<br />
research<br />
assistant<br />
actor<br />
bar work<br />
guide<br />
personal<br />
trainer<br />
retail<br />
RLF Writer in Residence<br />
We are most fortunate to have Helena Attlee, the Royal Literary<br />
Fund Academic Writer in Residence, back for another year.<br />
Helena supports both staff and students in the development <strong>of</strong><br />
their writing. This could be for assignments, dissertations, theses,<br />
publication, etc. Her work is focused on those who want to improve<br />
generally, say students who are getting ‘C’ grades, whereas Student<br />
Services work with students who have particular difficulties.<br />
A recommendation on the assignment item report form for a<br />
student to see Helena <strong>of</strong>ten makes a good deal <strong>of</strong> difference.<br />
Helena will be here on Mondays.<br />
Contact: h.attlee@worc.ac.uk<br />
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER <strong>2011</strong> / 7
NEWS<br />
Ethical<br />
leadership<br />
workshop<br />
explores lessons<br />
from major<br />
enquiries<br />
Leaders from a number <strong>of</strong> high pr<strong>of</strong>ile organisations got<br />
together at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> for a workshop on<br />
learning lessons from major enquiries.<br />
The workshop was hosted by the <strong>University</strong>’s Centre for Ethical<br />
Leadership, which works closely with organisations to support<br />
their leaders in making difficult decisions.<br />
Ethical Leadership considers how different values are<br />
incorporated into decision making and organisational leadership.<br />
The workshop was aimed at people who have a responsibility<br />
for assessing, assuring and enhancing service quality and<br />
encouraged them to explore the ethical issues that have arisen<br />
from major enquiries in the health service and child protection.<br />
In return, managers and leaders <strong>of</strong> organisations were able to<br />
discuss how organisational values can be developed to avoid the<br />
mistakes <strong>of</strong> the past.<br />
The keynote speaker was Elisabeth Buggins CBE DL, Chair <strong>of</strong><br />
West Midlands Strategic Health Authority and Programme Lead<br />
for Board Development <strong>of</strong> the NHS National Leadership Council,<br />
who has a passion for enhancing standards <strong>of</strong> care and making<br />
health services more responsive to patients.<br />
Director <strong>of</strong> the Centre for Ethical Leadership, Rob Sykes, who<br />
currently combines his role at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong><br />
with that <strong>of</strong> non Executive Director for the Crown Prosecution<br />
Service, delivered the seminar with Dr Jan Quallington, the<br />
Associate Head <strong>of</strong> the Institute <strong>of</strong> Health and Society at the<br />
<strong>University</strong>, who has undertaken substantial research into ethical<br />
leadership.<br />
Their combined experience enabled them to run the workshop<br />
successfully, engaging the leaders to think how to respond when<br />
their values and ethics are challenged.<br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> lecturer to help<br />
businesses in Ghana<br />
A lecturer from the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> will travel to<br />
Ghana at the end <strong>of</strong> this month<br />
as part <strong>of</strong> a project to help<br />
small businesses improve their<br />
economic development.<br />
Nigel Walton, a lecturer in<br />
Innovation and Entrepreneurship<br />
at <strong>Worcester</strong> Business<br />
School, will represent the<br />
<strong>University</strong> at the week-long<br />
training programme providing<br />
skills and knowledge from<br />
organisations in <strong>Worcester</strong>.<br />
The project, ‘The Commonwealth<br />
Local Government Forum<br />
Programme for Local Economic<br />
Development,’ is sponsored by<br />
the Department for International<br />
Development (DFID).<br />
The project includes the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>,<br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> City Council,<br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> News and<br />
the Federation <strong>of</strong> Small<br />
Businesses (Herefordshire<br />
and <strong>Worcester</strong>shire) in a<br />
joint-venture with the Adenta<br />
Municipal Authority in Ghana.<br />
The exciting new programme<br />
will mean the Adenta Municipal<br />
Authority will receive assistance<br />
<strong>of</strong> developing its infrastructure<br />
and service capability.<br />
The trip will also include setting<br />
up a branch <strong>of</strong> the Federation <strong>of</strong><br />
Small Businesses for Africa and<br />
Nigel, who is also a Marketing<br />
Baby boom<br />
The Communication &<br />
Development Department are<br />
delighted to announce the safe<br />
arrival <strong>of</strong> Beth Heaney’s newborn<br />
baby, Philllip Edward John.<br />
Nigel Walton<br />
Director for a start-up company,<br />
will be providing an enterprise<br />
training programme for small<br />
businesses which will provide<br />
the branch with a strong<br />
foundation in business skills.<br />
Last year, Nigel gave a<br />
presentation to the Adenta<br />
Municipal Authority delegation<br />
during a trip to the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>, which inspired<br />
his involvement this year.<br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> City Council will be<br />
advising the Adenta Municipal<br />
Authority on how they can<br />
improve the delivery <strong>of</strong> local<br />
services which will improve<br />
their organisational structure<br />
for a better economy.<br />
Everyone is providing their<br />
services free <strong>of</strong> charge for the<br />
innovative new programme<br />
which David Tibbutt, Mayor<br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>, is leading.<br />
Baby Teddy was born on 20<br />
September weighing 8lbs.<br />
Congratulations Beth - we<br />
are all looking forward to his<br />
first visit to <strong>University</strong>!<br />
Beth’s boy, Teddy<br />
Congratulations also<br />
to Will Norman (Widening Participation) and Catherine<br />
Williams (Disability & Dyslexia) who became proud<br />
parents to Oscar Billy Norman, also weighing 8lbs.<br />
8 / OCTOBER <strong>2011</strong> / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
<strong>Worcester</strong> student raises<br />
funds for soldier’s charity<br />
A <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> student has organised two fundraising events for the<br />
charity, Pilgrim’s Bandits, in aid <strong>of</strong> her friend, who is the most injured soldier to<br />
survive the conflict in Afghanistan.<br />
Lucinda Caddick, 34, has arranged a family<br />
fun afternoon on Saturday, <strong>October</strong> 8 at<br />
the Fitness First Gym on Stourport Road,<br />
Kidderminster, which will feature various<br />
events throughout the day.<br />
There are lots <strong>of</strong> events for people to join<br />
in with from a spin-a-thon, Zumba-thon to<br />
a boot camp style challenge and a bouncy<br />
castle.<br />
For anyone who is peckish, the Grillstock<br />
finalists, ‘From the Sauce’, the most innovative<br />
team <strong>of</strong> BBQ chefs in the Midlands, will be on<br />
hand to provide tasty treats.<br />
Patrons <strong>of</strong> the charity will be attending<br />
from 1pm, which include former solders Ben<br />
Parkinson, Johno Lee and John Sandford Hart<br />
along with Jamie Hull and Duncan Bannatyne.<br />
The event is free, but there will be a £1<br />
donation for food and a £3 donation for<br />
participation in any events and all donations<br />
will go directly to the Pilgrim’s Bandits.<br />
Lucinda, a student paediatric nurse, has also<br />
arranged a fun entertainment showcase<br />
evening at the Gainsborough Hotel, Bewdley<br />
Road, Kidderminster on November 3.<br />
From 7.30pm spectators will get the chance<br />
to see Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, Take That and<br />
Michael Buble tribute acts. The night has<br />
something for everyone from a 70s glam rock<br />
group to a soul and reggae band and magician.<br />
The evening event requires a ticket costing<br />
£3 but there are a number <strong>of</strong> limited tickets<br />
available.<br />
Lucinda hopes to raise awareness <strong>of</strong> the<br />
charity which supports force amputees and<br />
injured servicemen through these events and<br />
also by climbing Mount Kilimanjaro which she<br />
plans to do next year.<br />
NEWS<br />
Lucinda Caddick and Ben Parkinson<br />
Her friend, Lance Bombardier Ben Parkinson<br />
<strong>of</strong> the 7th Parachute Regiment, was told he<br />
would never be able to walk or talk again after<br />
losing both his legs and having a total <strong>of</strong> 37<br />
injuries.<br />
“Ben is proving the medics wrong on both counts<br />
due to the determination <strong>of</strong> charities like the<br />
Pilgrim’s Bandits,” says Lucinda. “He is a real<br />
inspiration and has taught me that anything is<br />
possible if you have self-belief.”<br />
For anyone wishing to donate, please visit:<br />
http://www.bmycharity.com/pilgrimskilly01<br />
<strong>University</strong> short listed for<br />
prestigious green awards<br />
The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> has<br />
been short listed in two categories<br />
at the Green Gown Awards <strong>2011</strong>.<br />
The Awards, which are administered<br />
by the Environmental Association for<br />
Universities and Colleges (EAUC), recognise<br />
the exceptional initiatives undertaken<br />
by universities and colleges across the<br />
UK to become more sustainable.<br />
More than 240 entries were received<br />
across the 13 categories. The <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> has been short listed for the<br />
Green ICT Award and the Skills Award.<br />
Katy Boom, Director <strong>of</strong> Sustainability at<br />
the <strong>University</strong>, said: “Getting short listed in<br />
two very different categories is immensely<br />
pleasing. These awards recognise a lot <strong>of</strong> hard<br />
work achieved by both students and staff in<br />
very different ways. Developing students’<br />
skills in sustainability is crucial to help us all<br />
make the necessary changes to reduce our<br />
impact on the environment - after all today’s<br />
students will be tomorrow’s leaders.”<br />
Earlier this year the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong><br />
was named as Britain’s third greenest<br />
university, and first in the<br />
West Midlands, in the People<br />
& Planet’s Green League.<br />
The Skills Award recognises<br />
the achievement in the<br />
development <strong>of</strong> skills relevant to<br />
sustainability in apprenticeships,<br />
skill-focused courses leading to<br />
pr<strong>of</strong>essional or vocational qualifications<br />
or short courses for practitioners.<br />
The nomination for the Green ICT Award<br />
highlights the <strong>University</strong>’s recognition <strong>of</strong><br />
the growing environmental importance<br />
<strong>of</strong> ICT within the educational sector. The<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> has taken steps<br />
to minimise energy consumption, carbon<br />
emissions, waste generation and other<br />
environmental aspects connected with ICT.<br />
Ms Boom said: “Getting recognition for the<br />
impressive work by IT colleagues in reducing<br />
our carbon footprint is timely. It stands us<br />
in good stead ready for when we start to<br />
operate out <strong>of</strong> The Hive, our new joint library<br />
and history centre, which is an outstanding<br />
sustainable building and having acquired<br />
these very sustainable ways <strong>of</strong> operating our IT<br />
functions will help to reduce running costs even<br />
further when the building opens in July 2012.’<br />
As sustainability becomes an increasingly<br />
important issue on the global agenda,<br />
the Green Gown Awards have been<br />
established as the most prestigious<br />
recognition <strong>of</strong> sustainability excellence.<br />
The standard <strong>of</strong> entries has increased<br />
considerably this year as more<br />
universities battled to be short listed.<br />
The winners from the short listed entries<br />
will be announced by a celebrity host<br />
in an awards ceremony which will take<br />
place on Thursday, November 3 at the<br />
Grand Connaught Rooms in London.<br />
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER <strong>2011</strong> / 9
NEWS<br />
<strong>University</strong> awarded<br />
Police’s Community Safety<br />
Accreditation Scheme<br />
The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> has completed a rigorous assessment<br />
by West Mercia Constabulary to pass its Community Safety<br />
Accreditation Scheme.<br />
Leading<br />
businesswoman to<br />
deliver annual business<br />
lecture at <strong>University</strong><br />
senior figure<br />
A in one <strong>of</strong> the<br />
world’s largest<br />
petroleum<br />
companies is to<br />
deliver a talk at<br />
the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>.<br />
Chief Constable David Shaw<br />
has authorised five members <strong>of</strong><br />
security staff at the <strong>University</strong> to<br />
be accredited with powers under<br />
Sections 40 to 42 <strong>of</strong> the Police<br />
Reform Act 2002. It is planned that a<br />
further 12 members <strong>of</strong> staff will begin<br />
training in the New Year.<br />
The accreditation allows the<br />
<strong>University</strong>’s security staff to work<br />
more closely with the community<br />
and the police on and <strong>of</strong>f campus.<br />
It gives those staff that complete the<br />
relevant training the ability to hand<br />
out Fixed Penalty Notices for such<br />
things as noise nuisance, graffiti and<br />
disorder.<br />
Chief Inspector Jerry Reakes-Williams<br />
said: “This accreditation benefits both<br />
the university and the police.<br />
“It is a great way to continue to build<br />
on the excellent relationship we have<br />
with the university and with the work<br />
that already goes on to keep it a safe<br />
and enjoyable place to study.<br />
“In order to become accredited the<br />
<strong>University</strong> has had to demonstrate a<br />
high standard <strong>of</strong> operation to show<br />
that they are a fit and proper employer.<br />
“In addition, those employees who will<br />
be given the powers have been trained<br />
and vetted and will wear clothing<br />
which is clearly recognisable and which<br />
carries a badge that confirms their<br />
accredited status.”<br />
The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> is one <strong>of</strong><br />
only a handful <strong>of</strong> universities in the<br />
country to achieve the accreditation.<br />
Tom Taylor, Head <strong>of</strong> Security and<br />
Campus Services at the <strong>University</strong>,<br />
said: “It has been a very long and<br />
rigorous process to achieve this<br />
accreditation, as naturally the police<br />
are very strict about whom such<br />
powers are granted to.<br />
“The <strong>University</strong> is known for its proactive<br />
approach to good student/<br />
community relationships and we<br />
already work very closely with the<br />
local community, Neighbourhood<br />
Watch teams and local beat <strong>of</strong>ficers.<br />
This accreditation will strengthen that<br />
work further.<br />
“Fixed Penalty Notices will always be a<br />
last resort, but we hope that by having<br />
our staff trained to this level will<br />
enable us to deal with any incidents in<br />
a swift and appropriate manner.”<br />
The <strong>University</strong> security staff can now:<br />
• Issue Fixed Penalty Notices<br />
for Disorder - for breach <strong>of</strong> a<br />
fireworks curfew or knowingly<br />
raising a false fire alarm.<br />
• Confiscate alcohol from young<br />
people.<br />
• Issue Fixed Penalty Notices<br />
for cycling on the pavement,<br />
dropping litter, dog fouling, fly<br />
posting and graffiti.<br />
• Require a name and address for<br />
a fixed penalty <strong>of</strong>fence or antisocial<br />
behaviour.<br />
Emma<br />
Emma Fitzgerald<br />
Fitzgerald, the<br />
Vice President<br />
Global Retail Network at Shell International<br />
Petroleum Company, and champion for the<br />
British Dyslexia Association, is this year’s guest<br />
speaker at the <strong>Worcester</strong> Business School Annual<br />
Lecture. Her talk is titled ‘So just how do you<br />
manage 10 million customers every day?’<br />
Ms Fitzgerald’s job involves managing 10<br />
million customer transactions, in 60 different<br />
countries, in 45,000 petrol stations every day.<br />
After graduating from Oxford <strong>University</strong> and<br />
completing an MBA at Manchester <strong>University</strong>,<br />
Ms Fitzgerald moved to Beijing to become General<br />
Manager <strong>of</strong> Shell China where the business<br />
quadrupled in size under her leadership.<br />
In May 2010 Ms Fitzgerald took on her current<br />
role <strong>of</strong> Vice President <strong>of</strong> Global Retail Network.<br />
During the lecture, Ms Fitzgerald will not only talk<br />
about her day job but also about her work as a<br />
champion for the British Dyslexia Association and<br />
her experiences as a woman in a senior role.<br />
The lecture takes place on Wednesday, <strong>October</strong><br />
19 from 6pm at the <strong>University</strong>’s City Campus.<br />
Businesses in the local area are welcome to attend<br />
and there will be a drinks and canapés reception.<br />
Mark Richardson, Head <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> Business<br />
School, said: “We are delighted to welcome Emma<br />
Fitzgerald to our Annual Business School Lecture,<br />
which has established itself as an important event in<br />
the local business calendar. We are confident that<br />
Emma’s wide ranging experience in the business world<br />
will provide an informative and enjoyable evening.”<br />
For more information or to confirm your attendance<br />
to the event please contact Vicki Lancey on 01905<br />
855279 or via email at v.lancey@worc.ac.uk<br />
10 / OCTOBER <strong>2011</strong> / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
NEWS<br />
1,000 th entry for<br />
WRaP<br />
The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> is<br />
celebrating the 1,000th entry in its<br />
ever-expanding collection <strong>of</strong> research<br />
papers and creative work online.<br />
The collection, known as WRaP (<strong>Worcester</strong> Research<br />
and Publications), includes academic research papers<br />
and university publications which showcase the<br />
<strong>University</strong>’s contribution to the global understanding<br />
<strong>of</strong> important issues, such as the environment.<br />
The 1,000th entry was a book written by<br />
lecturers Klaus Oestreicher, Joanne Kuzma<br />
and Nigel Walton about the introduction<br />
<strong>of</strong> new and radical technologies that are<br />
affecting businesses in the 21st century.<br />
The WRaP collection also features many other<br />
innovative and exciting research work from the<br />
<strong>University</strong>, such as preventing Type 2 Diabetes,<br />
policing drug use in rural settings and enhancing<br />
the habitat for butterfly or bee populations. Other<br />
examples <strong>of</strong> research include local elections, teaching<br />
children with ADHD and children’s literature.<br />
Paul Williams, from the <strong>University</strong>’s Information<br />
and Learning Services, said: “WRaP is a window into<br />
the sort <strong>of</strong> research which the <strong>University</strong> undertakes<br />
on a daily basis. The fact that it’s openly available to<br />
anyone demonstrates the <strong>University</strong>’s commitment to<br />
the communities it serves, both globally and locally.<br />
“Potential researchers, those studying at universities<br />
around the globe, and people who simply have an<br />
interest in the subjects covered have an exciting<br />
opportunity to access research directly at no cost, and<br />
to contact authors who are actively working in the field.<br />
It’s an exciting project which we are very proud <strong>of</strong>.”<br />
http://wrap.worc.ac.uk<br />
(l-r) Klaus Oestreicher, Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Ros Foskett,<br />
Joanne Kuzma and Nigel Walton<br />
New Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong> Sport,<br />
Health and Exercise<br />
Science to deliver<br />
inaugural lecture<br />
Newly appointed Pr<strong>of</strong>essor <strong>of</strong><br />
Sport, Health and Exercise<br />
Science at the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>,<br />
Derek M Peters, will give his<br />
inaugural lecture later this month.<br />
The lecture, on Thursday, <strong>October</strong><br />
6, will include Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Peters’ own<br />
key research into body composition,<br />
physical activity and health evaluations<br />
and will also involve studies from across<br />
a number <strong>of</strong> sport science disciplines<br />
which are aimed towards enhancing<br />
human health and performance.<br />
The lecture, entitled Shaping Health<br />
and Performance, will identify ways<br />
in which his endeavours have all<br />
been aimed at the ‘shaping’ <strong>of</strong> both<br />
human health and performance from<br />
his previous findings through to his<br />
current and anticipated furture work.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Peters joined the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> in 2001 as a lecturer in the<br />
Department <strong>of</strong> PE and Sports Studies.<br />
Over 10 years he has progressed to<br />
the pinnacle <strong>of</strong> academic positions<br />
during which time he has been<br />
awarded a <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong><br />
Sports delegation<br />
from China pays<br />
visit to <strong>Worcester</strong><br />
A prestigious delegation<br />
<strong>of</strong> sports specialists from<br />
China spent a week at the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong><br />
learning about British sport.<br />
Members <strong>of</strong> the delegation, from<br />
the General Administration <strong>of</strong> Sport<br />
China, included directors <strong>of</strong> sport from<br />
leading Chinese sports universities and<br />
key sports administration leaders.<br />
The <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>’s Institute<br />
<strong>of</strong> Sport & Exercise Science delivered<br />
a five day workshop with a focus<br />
on sports business management<br />
and the sociology <strong>of</strong> sport.<br />
There were a range <strong>of</strong> speakers from<br />
both the <strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong><br />
and distinguished external speakers.<br />
The activities throughout the week<br />
included intensive teaching blocks,<br />
visits to the <strong>Worcester</strong> Warriors, with<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Derek M Peters<br />
Teaching Fellowship, a Senior Teaching<br />
Fellowship and a National Teaching<br />
Fellowship, acknowledging his<br />
services and dedication to teaching<br />
nationally and internationally.<br />
Pr<strong>of</strong>essor Peters is a British Association<br />
<strong>of</strong> Sport & Exercise Sciences accredited<br />
Sports Scientist, co-founder <strong>of</strong> the<br />
recently launched FIBA Europe Centre<br />
for Basketball Research; founding Editorin-Chief<br />
<strong>of</strong> both the Graduate Journal<br />
<strong>of</strong> Sport, Exercise & Physical Education<br />
Research and Basketball Research<br />
(www.worc.ac.uk/gjseper) and Chair<br />
<strong>of</strong> the local organising committee for<br />
the forthcoming World Congress <strong>of</strong><br />
Performance Analysis <strong>of</strong> Sport IX (www.<br />
worc.ac.uk/wcpas9/) to be held at the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong> in July 2012.<br />
a focus on the management <strong>of</strong> an<br />
elite rugby union club, the history <strong>of</strong><br />
the <strong>Worcester</strong>shire County Cricket<br />
Club, and the Great British Pub<br />
Experience at the Brunswick Arms,<br />
where the Chinese delegates engaged<br />
in a range <strong>of</strong> traditional pub games.<br />
Mick Donovan, Head <strong>of</strong> the Institute<br />
<strong>of</strong> Sport & Exercise Science, said: “The<br />
event was a great success following<br />
excellent feedback from the visitors.<br />
Discussions will be taking place<br />
relating to future partnerships.”<br />
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk /OCTOBER <strong>2011</strong> / 11
NEWS<br />
A swarm <strong>of</strong><br />
bees<br />
The illustrations for the Beeline Festival have been<br />
designed by Illustration Course Leader, Piet Grobler.<br />
The <strong>Worcester</strong> Storytelling<br />
Festival for Children<br />
Storytellers, writers and artists will descend on <strong>Worcester</strong><br />
throughout <strong>October</strong> for a new children’s festival organised by the<br />
<strong>University</strong> <strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>.<br />
The Beeline Festival will see some <strong>of</strong> the best in the business, such as awardwinning<br />
writers Kit Wright and Anne Fine, leading sessions at venues throughout<br />
the city.<br />
The Festival is an extension <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong>’s popular children’s storytelling<br />
festival, which has been run over the past two years. This year it is being run in<br />
partnership with <strong>Worcester</strong>shire County Council’s library services, along with<br />
other venues around <strong>Worcester</strong>.<br />
The month-long event will include a host <strong>of</strong> music, puppetry, theatre and<br />
workshops aimed at engaging children in stories and literature.<br />
Steve B<strong>of</strong>fy, who works in Arts Development at the<br />
<strong>University</strong>, said: “We have some top storytellers coming<br />
to the city, such as Ben Haggerty, who will perform at<br />
<strong>Worcester</strong> Porcelain Museum, former children’s laureate<br />
Anne Fine, and Kit Wright, who will be here on National<br />
Poetry Day on <strong>October</strong> 6.<br />
Piet designed an entire swarm <strong>of</strong> possible bee<br />
characters leaving a tough decision as to which bees<br />
should be the headline act. With so many to choose<br />
from - which do you think are the bees knees?<br />
Piet is the illustrator <strong>of</strong> 75 books, <strong>of</strong> which 14 have<br />
been translated into languages as diverse as Frisian<br />
and Korean. International recognition for his picture<br />
book illustration has included a Golden Apple award<br />
at the Biennale for Illustration in Bratislava, Slovakia<br />
and a Silver Medal in the Japanese Noma Concours<br />
competition. His participation in international events<br />
related to picture books has included panel discussions<br />
or presentations at the book fairs <strong>of</strong> Berlin, Gothenburg<br />
and London and conferences <strong>of</strong> the International Board<br />
on Books for Young People (IBBY) in Spain and South<br />
Africa. He is a member <strong>of</strong> the International Research<br />
Society for Children’s Literature, IBBY and the <strong>University</strong><br />
<strong>of</strong> <strong>Worcester</strong>’s International Forum for Research<br />
in Children’s Literature. Piet’s research interests<br />
include post modernist picture book illustration and<br />
multiculturalism in picture books and graphic novels.<br />
Leading children’s poet and writer, Kit Wright, will work<br />
with a group <strong>of</strong> schoolchildren in the morning before<br />
a public event at 4pm, at St John’s Library. Tickets are<br />
available from the Library.<br />
Kit Wright<br />
On Saturday, <strong>October</strong> 8 there will be a pr<strong>of</strong>essional<br />
puppet show at the <strong>University</strong>, which is open to the<br />
public. Journey <strong>of</strong> Turtle will be performed by Lempen<br />
Puppet Theatre Company at 2pm. Tickets are available<br />
from the <strong>University</strong> or from St John’s Library.<br />
Anne Fine<br />
On Monday, <strong>October</strong> 10 former children’s laureate Anne<br />
Fine will read and perform a selection <strong>of</strong> stories. The<br />
public event will take place at Huntingdon Hall at 6pm<br />
and tickets are available from Huntingdon Hall.<br />
More public events will be announced throughout the month.<br />
For further information and box<br />
<strong>of</strong>fice ticket details, please visit:<br />
www.worcester.ac.uk/beeline<br />
www.worcester.ac.uk/beeline<br />
12 / OCTOBER <strong>2011</strong> / newsandviews@worc.ac.uk
STAFF COVER FEATURE STORY<br />
This month we discover how Library Services Development Manager Roger<br />
Fairman spends his time outside <strong>of</strong> the <strong>University</strong><br />
library.<br />
Let battle commence:<br />
Screaming at the top <strong>of</strong> his lungs and<br />
brandishing a 16’ pike, wearing heavy<br />
military uniform, Roger Fairman knows<br />
this would never be tolerated in the<br />
library where he works.<br />
Despite spending his working day in a<br />
quiet and peaceful environment, it’s a<br />
far cry from the atmosphere Roger feels<br />
on the battlefield.<br />
Roger travels all over the country as<br />
part <strong>of</strong> the King’s Lifeguard Regiment<br />
<strong>of</strong> Foote re-enacting some <strong>of</strong> the most<br />
famous battles in English history.<br />
Although Roger has always been<br />
interested in history, joining a reenactment<br />
group was never something<br />
he considered before.<br />
“I first got into re-enacting in about 2005<br />
after my son joined the Sealed Knot. I was<br />
driving him there regularly and thought I<br />
might as well join myself,” he says.<br />
Roger mostly re-enacts battles from<br />
the English Civil War, which is a period<br />
he is most interested in. However, he<br />
also belongs to the <strong>Worcester</strong> Re-<br />
Enactors which cover all periods.<br />
The group try and replicate the battles<br />
as accurately as possible, through the<br />
use <strong>of</strong> props, costume and scripting<br />
which give people an insight into how<br />
the battles were fought.<br />
“We use a script so we can follow as<br />
closely as possible what is known to<br />
have happened at a specific battle,”<br />
Roger says. “It’s good that we are able to<br />
explain to the public what we do and the<br />
idea behind re-enactments is to educate<br />
and entertain people.”<br />
As part <strong>of</strong> the Sealed Knot, Roger<br />
has been able to visit some beautiful<br />
places as well as socialise with other<br />
re-enactors.<br />
“I take part in about six to eight reenactments<br />
a year. We get to camp<br />
in some really great places, such as<br />
National Trust and English Heritage<br />
properties,” Roger says. “When we camp<br />
I like to camp on the authentic sites, it’s<br />
more fun and brings more contact with<br />
the public.”<br />
Although Roger enjoys his participation<br />
in re-enacting battles, he stresses how<br />
much hard work goes into organising<br />
and taking part in these events,<br />
campsites, water supplies, fire wood<br />
and toilet facilities all have to be<br />
arranged.<br />
“The battles are good fun but very hard<br />
work,” he says. “There can be up to<br />
1500 – 2000 people on the battlefield.<br />
However, there are many smaller events<br />
with around a hundred people. It’s<br />
a bit like team sports really and pike<br />
engagements are <strong>of</strong>ten described as a<br />
rugby scrum with 16’ sticks.”<br />
Roger also finds re-enacting can be<br />
physically demanding due to the kit<br />
that must be worn during the battles.<br />
“The kit does get very heavy and can<br />
get rather hot,” Roger says. “When<br />
you join, the group does kit you out but<br />
most people end up buying their own<br />
over time. There is a whole industry that<br />
supplies the costume and equipment<br />
and while it can get expensive the basic<br />
kit will cost less than a decent set <strong>of</strong> golf<br />
clubs. And like all team sports, injuries<br />
are no exception.<br />
“I have known broken bones, mainly<br />
collar bones. I have suffered a fair bit <strong>of</strong><br />
bruising too,” he says.<br />
Although re-enacting may not be for<br />
everyone, Roger loves the social side <strong>of</strong><br />
his hobby and whilst most re-enactors<br />
have a strong knowledge <strong>of</strong> certain<br />
historic periods, Roger stresses that<br />
anyone can join.<br />
“Some people have a really dim view <strong>of</strong><br />
re-enactors as a beer and bash brigade,”<br />
Roger says. “But like all stereotypes<br />
while there is some truth in this it is far<br />
from the whole picture. Neither do you<br />
have to be an avid historian or know<br />
everything about history. It’s all about<br />
interacting with people and sharing an<br />
interest.”<br />
What do you get up to when you leave the Campus? Email Sally Jones with your interesting stories at s.jones@worc.ac.uk<br />
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / NOVEMBER 2009 13<br />
newsandviews@worc.ac.uk / OCTOBER <strong>2011</strong> / 13