student news, Autumn 2008

student news

INCORPORATING COMMUNITY FOCUS

AUTUMN 2008

Superstar students past and present set shining example

THE FAB FOUR FROM the man who steered Chris Hoy and co to the greatest ever performance by a British Olympic team, to a chart-topping superstar, current and former students have taken the world by storm to put the University of Chester on the map.

Over recent weeks, existing students and graduates have been leaving their rivals trailing in their wake, whether it be in the velodrome, in the music charts, or on our television screens.

To celebrate its 10th edition, Student News takes a closer a look at some of the high achievers: ■ Dave Brailsford MBE received an Honorary Doctorate in recognition of his work with the Great Britain cycling team. As Performance Director, Dave has been hailed as the mastermind behind the success of Great Britain’s cyclists at the Beijing Olympics, in which Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins and co won a host of medals in ‘the greatest performance by a British Olympic team for 100 years’. Dave studied Sport and Exercise Sciences and Psychology at the University in the early 1990s. Full report on page 7.

■ English student Alex Williamson made TV history when he became the first person to single-handedly beat the world-renowned Eggheads. The 22-year-old answered all his questions correctly in the final round of the BBC hit quiz show to win his team, which included other former students, £5,000. Full report on page 2.

■ Student Marika Beckford had X-Factor fans raving about her star potential when she wowed Simon Cowell at the show’s Birmingham auditions. Described by Cowell as a “really talented girl”, Marika was the talk of the internet message boards following her brilliant rendition of Amazing Grace. Full report on page 3.

■ Chart-topper Duffy has been touring America as she bids to break into the market Stateside. Her breakthrough year has been capped by a string of awards, including the Best Breakthrough Artist award in the Q Magazine Awards and she performed at the MTV Europe Music Awards in Liverpool. Duffy studied Performing Arts at both the Chester and Warrington campuses.

SUCCESS: From left, past and present students Dave Brailsford MBE, Duffy, Alex Williamson and Marika Beckford have all celebrated success recently. Main: Jamie Staff, Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny flying the flag for Team GB in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. Duffy photo and main pic supplied.

www.venuecymru.co.uk

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STUDENTNEWS

WHAT’SInside Welcome to the 10th issue of Student News, an official University of Chester publication, produced by the University’s Corporate Communications Department. This paper is designed to keep students informed of University news and is designed by staff at Trinity Mirror Cheshire, publisher of the awardwinning Chester Chronicle.

Egghead Alex celebrates a brain busting success Who are the Eggheads?

■ Kevin Ashman Regarded as the UK’s best quiz player, Kevin is a previous winner of Brain of Britain, Mastermind (in which he holds the record score), Fifteen to One, and numerous other titles.

■ C J de Mooi Appeared on 15 different quiz shows and has over 500 appearances on Eggheads to his name, he won the 2002 British Mensa Chess Championship.

■ Daphne Fowler Regarded as the UK’s leading female quiz player, Daphne is a previous winner of Brain of Britain, Masterbrain, and the inaugural Going for Gold. She is also well known for a long run of massive scores on Fifteen to One.

WRITE FOR STUDENT NEWS: Any students who would like to write for Student News are invited to get in touch with the Corporate Communications Department on the e-mail address below.

■ Christopher Hughes Christopher has been a winner of Mastermind, International Mastermind, and Brain of Britain.

■ Judith Keppel In 2000, Judith became the first-ever UK winner of the top prize on Who Wants to Be A Millionaire?

CONTACT a.morrison@chester.ac.uk

EDITORIAL TEAM Student News was brought to you by: Andrew Morrison Jayne Dodgson Richard Ault

JOURNALISTS David Ardill Tanya Benson Claire Britton Leanne Gleave Lauren Gregg Katy Griffin Zoe King Robert Platt Holly Shaw Lindsey Weaver Laura Wigley

PHOTOGRAPHY University of Chester AV team, unless otherwise stated

To obtain this information in an alternative format – large print, on audio tape or in translation – call 01244 511000 or e-mail j.dodgson@chester.ac.uk

QUIZ MASTER: Alex Williamson entered the record books when he beat the Eggheads single-handedly.

STUDENT Alex Williamson wrote himself into the television history books by single-handedly beating the world-renowned Eggheads.

Going into the final round of the BBC2 hit programme, things were looking bleak for Alex, who was the only member of his team still standing against the Eggheads, five of the most intelligent quiz contestants on earth.

Undaunted, however, the 22-year-old English student answered all of his questions correctly to defy the odds and win his team £5,000, after the Eggheads answered their final question, ‘Colin Myler was appointed editor of which newspaper in 2007?’, incorrectly.

Alex’s team, called The Ratpack, all met at the University. He was joined by Sam Booth, Shaun Brazendale, Aaron Edwards, Callum Reckless, and reserve, James Cox. Alexsaid:“Weenteredonawhimreally, and fortunately got through the audition

in Manchester. For the show itself, they put us in the ex Top of the Pops green room, which was pretty cool, and then you go into make-up, so it was a surreal experience.

“Although the others lost out, it was a real team effort and I want to stress that.

Obviously I couldn’t have been there at the end without everyone playing their part. We definitely didn’t expect to come out on top and luck certainly played its part – if I’d have gone first, I’d have struggled with their questions.”

The victory was greeted with jubilation on their return to Chester. As well as interviews with the local media, a large crowd gathered in the Students’ Union to watch the broadcasting of the show.

Alex said: “There was a Facebook page dedicated to it with more than 150 people signed up, it’s great that so many people became involved. Everyone has been calling me Egghead!”

BRAINIACS: The world-renowned Eggheads.

Photo supplied by the BBC.

Students dinner date with Minister ONE of the most senior figures in Gordon Brown’s Cabinet was welcomed to Chester by a quartet of students, during a formal dinner hosted by the city’s Labour Party, writes Robert Platt.

The students were delighted to form the welcoming party which greeted Foreign Secretary David Miliband on his ar-

rival at the Chester Constituency Labour Party Dinner.

Mr Miliband took time out to ask each of the students about their educational background and career ambitions.

The dinner was attended by more than 100 party members and guests, with Mr Miliband delivering a speech between courses.

The MP for South Shields visited each table while guests dined on their starters to engage fully with the audience and, after an introduction by Ellesmere Port and Neston MP Andrew Miller, he summoned much needed words of encouragement in these troubling times.

The Foreign Secretary also gave his condolences

to City of Chester MP Christine Russell, who did not attend due to the death of her Lincolnshire-based mother, Phyllis Carr.

Although Mr Miliband could not stay for the main course, the impact of his speech was evidenced by the conversations that immediately followed his depature.

Mainstream press asser-

tions that this young politician, who has climbed the political ranks rapidly, could become the next Prime Minister seemed plausible. Also under hot discussion was the newly-formed Student Labour Party at the University, with several students from the group in attendance.

STUDENTNEWS

Marika proves she has the X Factor Chester student Marika Beckford had X Factor fans raving about her star potential after she wowed Simon Cowell at the show’s Birmingham auditions. Marika took time out to speak to Student News about her hopes for the future, the X Factor ‘boot camp’, and what it’s really like to sing in front of the judges…

SHINING TALENT: Marika Beckford impressed the judges at her Birmingham audition.

MUSIC MOGULS: The X Factor judges Simon Cowell, Cheryl Cole, Dannii Minogue and Louis Walsh.

Logo and images above and right supplied by ITV plc, copyright TalkBack Thames.

FOR Marika Beckford, reaching the final 50 on the X Factor is just the beginning of what she hopes will be a journey to superstardom.

After impressing Simon Cowell and his X Factor judges with a fantastic performance of Amazing Grace during the show’s Birmingham auditions, Marika was the talk of the hit programme’s internet message boards and became a firm favourite with bookmakers offering odds on the eventual winner.

Ultimately, Marika just missed out on a place in the live shows, but the 21-year-old described by Cowell as a ‘really talented girl’ believes she can go on to enjoy much more than the 15 minutes of fame enjoyed by most contestants.

She said: “I hope my story is just beginning. Ultimately I’d like to be an influential figure in the music industry – I wouldn’t want to be just a one-hit wonder, and hopefully appearing on the X Factor will help to get me noticed.”

After impressing at the auditions in her home city, Marika, who studies Drama and Theatre Studies and Popular Music at the Chester campus, was one of only 150 acts to be invited to the X Factor ‘boot camp’, held at the O2 Arena.

The talented singer spent a week down in the Capital, and performed twice

more in front of the judges, singing former Chester student Duffy’s Mercy and Dionne Warwick’s Walk On By. Again, Simon and the judges were impressed, and Marika survived two further cuts before just missing out on a place in the final 24.

She continued: “More than 200,000 people auditioned for the X Factor this year, so I really didn’t expect to get as far as I did. Simon’s feedback was great validation for me. You do doubt yourself and it’s so nerve-wracking, but to receive that kind of feedback was terrific.

“Simon really has a presence and a special aura about him, while Cheryl and Dannii are exactly like they seem on screen – very sweet and petite. Louis really makes me chuckle, bless him!”

For Marika, appearing on television was hardly a new experience. In 2006, she was a star of Channel 4’s Chancers,

which gave her the opportunity to jet off to America to be mentored by Matthew Knowles – father of Beyonce – and others in the music industry.

The programme was about nurturing talent in the business, and during her time Stateside, Marika was given a master-class by Grammy-nominated R&B star, Amerie, and Kelly Rowland, an opportunity which she describes as ‘invaluable’.

With an eclectic musical taste ranging from R&B and rock to pop and hip-hop, Marika has been dreaming of a career as a professional singer since she joined her school choir. She began writing her own material aged 12, and won the under-18s section of Birmingham’s Gifted Talented Showcase in 2004.

Now in her third year at the University, she said: “Coming from a big city like Birmingham, I wanted to study somewhere a little bit smaller, where I couldn’t get lost! When I visited Chester, there was really friendly feel, and I’m happy here.”

Marika currently has a dance/bassline track under her stage name, Marika Diamond, available on vinyl to order on the internet, and in independent record stores. The song is called Weekend Lover, and is creating quite a buzz in the clubs.

Listen to the track via Myspace at: www.myspace.com/bmarika

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David heads for deeper waters...

Coming face-to-face with one of the world’s most awe-inspiring creatures is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, according to DAVID ARDILL, who was given the chance to fulfil a life-long ambition by the Blue Planet Aquarium in Ellesmere Port. Writing for Student News, David gives a first-hand insight into his experience swimming with sharks….

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CCORDING to the old Bobby Darrin song Mack the Knife, ‘when that shark bites... scarlet billows start to spread’. Standing on the edge of a 35-metre salt water tank at Ellesmere Port’s Blue Planet Aquarium, looking down at a shark that measured almost twice my own body length and hadn’t yet had its tea, those words aren’t entirely comforting and the thought of those big teeth causing such damage is a fairly daunting one…

So as I stepped cautiously, and clumsily, down the steps towards the bottom of the huge tank, I tried to block out the words of the famous song and forget quite how ‘pearly white’ the teeth of this giant predator were preferring instead to focus on the breathing techniques and hand signals I’d been taught in my two-hour training session previously.

What followed, once I reached the bottom of the 5.5-metre deep tank, and orientated myself among the mock Caribbean reef, was an unforgettable experience that will stay with me forever.

Led by Blue Planet Aquarium’s fantastically experienced and friendly dive team, I got up close and very personal with an amazing array of fish which were more than happy to swim under my arms and nibble at my wetsuit as I gate-crashed their sub-marine habitat.

Utilising a system of tapping to draw attention to oncoming animals, my guide Scott ensured I didn’t miss a thing, not least the moment the alpha male Sand Tiger shark glided just 12 inches from my head. I was gobsmacked and would’ve been left open-mouthed, had it not been for the breathing regulator I had lodged between my teeth, keeping the flow of oxygen to my lungs.

Kneeling at the bottom of the tank, with more than 3.8 million litres of water above me, not to mention some truly awe-inspiring and beautiful wild creatures of the ocean, I was almost transported away from the confines of the aquarium and into a new, amazing and watery world – the presence of my girlfriend and family eagerly and enviously snapping away with their cameras in the aqua tunnel below was all that brought me back to the reality of my surroundings.

My day at the Aquarium had begun a couple of hours earlier when, along with five other

first-time divers, I was given a crash course on the basics of SCUBA (Self Contained Underwater Breathing Apparatus) and squeezed into an unfeasibly tight wetsuit before plunging into a large paddling pool and practising the breathing skills and emergency drills necessary to allow us to descend amongst the array of sea life in the main tank.

Despite an abundance of sea-life riches on show in the salt water tank, the stars of the Blue Planet Aquarium show are without doubt the contingent of huge Sand Tiger sharks – three males and two females in total - who, at more than two-and-a-half metres long, prowled the tank with a mixture of inquisitiveness and eerie belligerence, at least to my own untrained senses.

Forewarned of the interest likely to be shown to us as invaders of the tank, I was apprehensively prepared for a close encounter with the magnificent beasts and was not disappointed by what I saw as the alpha male, with a dental configuration that makes Austin Powers’ mangled grill look like a perfect grin, nonchalantly sidled around me, causing not the faintest movement in the water.

After scrabbling around in the sand under our feet I was shocked and honoured when Scott unearthed a pearly white Sand Tiger tooth and tucked it under my wetsuit sleeve as an authentic and impressive memento – perhaps the best souvenir possible from an inspiring day!

I have long had an ambition to swim with sharks – great whites, hammerheads, tigers, the whole lot – and to be able to complete that goal so close to home was an unbelievable experience that I will never forget.

Having registered with official dive association PADI for the day to enable me to complete the session, my appetite for more of the same has only just been whetted and the job being done by the incredible and enthusiastic Blue Planet Aquarium staff to promote the marine cause can only succeed in persuading more people like me to come back and learn more about the intriguing world under the waves.

Writer Bill Bryson has suggested that as far as relative knowledge goes, man is more aware of what goes on at the surface of the moon than at the bottom of the sea, but one thing is for certain – I am 100% better educated on life in the ocean today, thanks to Blue Planet.

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STUDENTNEWS UP CLOSE AND PERSONAL: David Ardill and his fellow divers come face-to-face with some awe-inspiring sharks. Photos supplied.

Shark dive is ‘well worth the investment’ I was lucky enough to spend some time swimming around the Great Barrier Reef last year, during a five-week long trip to the east coast of Australia.

Spending just two hours wandering around the fantastic displays, tanks and presentations at the Blue Planet Aquarium, however, I learned just as much about life under the ocean waves as I did snorkelling on the reef.

Equal care and attention is given to every single one of the creatures at Blue Planet Aquarium, be it the 10 feet long Sand Tiger sharks, Bird eating spiders or the inch-long Blue Poison frogs, which, by name alone, are no less terrifying than the predator of the deep!

I first visited the Aquarium at the age of 14 and now, 10 years later, the magic remains – there is something to thrill, fascinate and enthral everyone. Indeed, with interactive games, facts and enthusiastic presentations from the friendly and

informative staff, you cannot help but be taken in and spellbound by the experience.

Reduced rates of £12.50 for students make it an affordable day out, with plenty to see and do, keeping you occupied for hours. For those who are a little more adventurous and want to get in amongst the fish, the four-hour Shark Encounter dive, priced at £199* offers full training, equipment, guidance and support and is well worth the investment for a lifetime of memories and awe-inspiring photos.

Whatever you choose to do when you visit Blue Planet Aquarium, you can be guaranteed a fun day out, which will not only teach you so much, but manage to effortlessly combine it with pure enjoyment.

Spend a day at Blue Planet Aquarium and you get the lot!

■ For opening hours, ticket prices, and more, visit www.blueplanetaquarium.com

*SWIM WITH SHARKS – 25% OFF FOR UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER STUDENTS! Fancy following in David’s footsteps? The Blue Planet Aquarium is offering University of Chester students a 25% discount if they book a shark dive either for themselves or as a Christmas gift (a Gift Voucher can be issued with a six-month redemption period) before the end of November, 2008.

To book your discounted Shark Encounter dive for £149.99 (normal price £199.99), please call the Blue Planet Aquarium Sales Team on 0151 357 8804.

Proof that you are a student at the University of Chester will be required.

Bookings must be made before December 1, 2008.

SCUBA SESSION: Student David Ardill was given a crash course in SCUBA prior to his shark swim.

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STUDENTNEWS

Radio 1 star turns up the volume at Freshers’ Fairs

By Richard Ault

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ew students at this year’s Freshers’ Fairs were given a rip-roaring welcome to University life by Radio 1 star, Nihal, as he turned up the volume at both campuses.

IN A SPIN: Radio 1’s Nihal had a ‘brilliant’ time DJing at the Chester and Warrington campuses.

Photo supplied by the BBC.

DJing at Freshers events at both the Chester and Warrington campuses, Nihal played a variety of music and was a major hit with those who attended.

The man himself was full of praise for the University and its students. “Wow, what can I say?

It was brilliant,” he told Student News.

“The crowd was just amazing.

It was like being at a football match at times, with the chants of ‘Shoe Army’ and ‘One more song and we’ll go to bed’. It was wicked, everyone was really up for it and open minded to which music they wanted to hear.

“There was a great atmosphere. I didn’t get to see much

of the University but I could feel there was a great camaraderie between everyone, which is something I can relate to, having been to a close-knit University myself.”

Nihal has recently started a new weekend slot on Saturdays and Sundays on Radio 1, a job he describes as an ‘absolute privilege’. His musical roots go back a long way though – he started MC-ing aged just 14.

By the end of his first year at St Mary’s University in London, he was part of a band that toured the UK while signed to Deceptive Records, and later Go! Discs.

After graduation, Nihal worked in the promotion business, plugging music videos to television stations and working with the likes of Lionel Richie and Elton John.

He said: “The plugging was hard work. It was about pitching our video against loads of others, trying to get across why it should be on the playlist of the likes of MTV, The Box, Jools Holland and Top of the Pops.

“There were some memorable moments. Sitting in a dressing

room with Elton John just before his gig at Madison Square Garden was mad. He was sat there drinking a can of soft drink and wearing a tracksuit while we talked about football.

“It was weird, but I felt incredibly privileged to meet these kinds of people and spend time with them. I remember walking out at a farewell gig at Wembley Stadium alongside Pele and Elton John, thinking ‘what am I doing?’”

Since his promoting days, Nihal has gone on to enjoy an exciting career working in television and radio, rising to his current position of hosting his own radio shows. He has a passion for music of all types and describes his current job as perfect.

He said: “I’ve always loved music, both specialist and mainstream. I love good songs and I only play songs I like. For me, if you love music then the best job to have is to be a Radio 1 DJ. “I think the beauty of music is that everyone has an opinion about it. What I may love, someone else may hate. I can-

not stand people who refuse to respect other people’s opinions on music, I call them music snobs. I often end up finding myself arguing with them. Music is different for everyone.”

Despite his love of music, Nihal studied History and English at University and has some sound advice for any students looking to work in the music industry.

“Make sure you stay inquisitive and keep loving music,” he said. “Look at new things all the time, knowledge is power and content is king.

“Music is a people business, so attitude is everything. If you’re an idiot, you won’t get on very well. Networking always helps, so keep enquiring, keep looking into new things even if your degree is not necessarily related to music.

“Journalism, for example, is a great place to start. You can start meeting bands, doing their PR, talking about them.

It’s a great way to get a break.”

Nihal’s new shows can be heard on Radio 1 on Saturdays and Sundays, 1pm-4pm.

Stacy’s model behaviour is an inspiration STACY Hunt proved she is a model student by winning a competition to be the cover girl for her local newspaper’s lifestyle magazine.

Stacy, from Melton Mowbray, was delighted to beat her five rivals and win the Melton Times’ competition to feature as a cover girl for Inspire magazine – the newspaper’s quarterly lifestyle publication.

The 21-year-old came out on top in a close competition which attracted more than 15,000 votes over just six days. As well as appearing on the magazine cover, Stacy won a £150 makeover.

She said: “I was thrilled to win as I really didn’t think anything would come of it. I went straight to

the photo-shoot after my makeover and it was great fun, the people were really nice. I got to try on lots of designer clothes so I was really happy!

“I had come back to University when the magazine came out so I had to wait a week to see it. Everyone was sending me messages on Facebook, but I was really happy when I eventually got my copy.”

Despite her moment in the limelight, Stacy has no intentions of a career in the modelling industry.

Currently in her final year studying Business Management at the Warrington campus, she hopes to work in marketing after graduation.

“I got to try on lots of designer clothes so I was really happy!”

COVER GIRL: Stacy Hunt won her local newspaper’s competition to appear on the cover of their lifestyle magazine.

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STUDENTNEWS IN THE SADDLE: Great Britain’s Bradley Wiggins, Ed Clancy, Paul Manning and Geraint Thomas at the Laoshan Velodrome during the 2008 Beijing Photo supplied.

Olympic Games in China.

Golden wonder INBrief

The Beijing Olympics saw Great Britain’s cyclists emerge as the sport’s dominant force, winning eight of the 18 gold medals on offer. But while the likes of Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins stole the headlines and glory, it was Chester graduate, Dave Brailsford, who masterminded his country’s rise to the top. Student News reports...

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HE MAN behind the greatest performance by a British Olympic team for more than 100 years has been honoured by the University for his achievements.

British Cycling’s Performance Director, Dave Brailsford MBE, joined thousands of graduates at Chester Cathedral in November to receive an Honorary Doctorate, in recognition of his work over the past decade with the country’s elite cyclists.

First employed by the GB cycling team following the advent of lottery funding, Dave led Britain’s cyclists to an incredible haul of eight golds, four silvers and two bronze medals at the Beijing Olympics this summer.

The team’s success, which is regarded by some as the most impressive sporting achievement in British history, has propelled the likes of Chris Hoy, Bradley Wiggins, Victoria Pendleton and Rebecca Romero into mainstream national consciousness, and helped cement Dave’s reputation as one of the country’s most successful sports managers.

The glory Dave has helped secure

for the nation comes as no surprise to staff at the University who taught the 44-year-old when he was a student at Chester in the early 1990s.

Head of Sport and Exercise Sciences, Professor Ken Green, said: “Even while a student at Chester, Dave had a reputation for 'leaving no stone unturned' in his own training and competitive cycling career, so it's unsurprising to find that this is the motto of the GB cycling team.

“He was evidently a bright-minded young man with a critical eye for the physiological and psychological dimensions of competitive sport, and a popular student among his peers and tutors alike.”

Dave, who was brought up in North Wales, studied Sport and Exercise Sciences and Psychology here in the early 1990s. The son of an Alpine mountain guide, he spent four years as a competitive cyclist in France before returning to the UK to study at Chester.

In his capacity of Performance Director, Dave has brought a blend of sporting knowledge and business acumen to develop the team into

What’s cooking?

SCOUTS working toward earning their chef’s badges were given a helping hand in preparing a healthy threecourse meal by Public Health Nutrition Masters students.

The scouts were invited to the University for two-hour workshops as part of the students’ assessment process.

The workshops started with a theory session based on the importance of healthy eating and maintaining a balanced diet, and the scouts were then assisted by the students to put this knowledge into practice by cooking a three course meal.

Cycling challenge

ON THE RIGHT TRACK: GB Performance Director and Honorary Photo supplied by www.britishcycling.org.uk Graduate, Dave Brailsford MBE. one of the most professional and envied outfits in sport.

The triumphs of Beijing were the culmination of years of hard work, in which success was also recorded at the Athens Olympics and successive World Championships.

Chris Boardman, an Olympic gold medallist himself, has attributed Dave’s success to his eye for detail, hands-on approach, and charismatic leadership.

As the man behind Britain’s rise to the top of world cycling, Dave was made an MBE in 2005.

Dr Lesley Cooke, who was Dave’s

Personal Tutor during his time at the University, said: “Dave was a hard-working student who, even then, was very focused on cycling as well as his academic studies.

“At the time, I was a Sports Psychologist and active sports coach, and I recognised his deep commitment and undoubted ability.

I was not at all surprised to see his name come up in the upper echelons of cycling, and on behalf of everyone at the University, I would like to congratulate him on his achievements.”

MORE than 400 people saddled up for the Chester Bikeathon and battled gale-force winds to ride 15 miles in aid of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Despite 70mph gales, all the riders came home safely, raising more than £20,000 for charity.

Staff and students were among the team of volunteers handing out drinks and medals along the route, and at the finish line at the Chester campus.

Dramatic visit

STUDENTS made a week-long trip to Eastern Europe to deliver drama workshops across Romania.

The group of Performing Arts students, who funded the trip themselves, delivered the workshops in towns and villages across Romania’s Resita district, as part of the University’s ongoing partnership with the country’s Educational Drama Association.

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STUDENTNEWS

Fire

BALLOON LAUNCH: Students release 18 balloons, representing the number of students killed in fires in America during the 2007/2008 academic year, at 9am on 9/9 at the Eastgate Clock.

Fire service spreads the safety message With the help of the University, Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service has launched a pioneering and innovative campaign to inform students of the dangers of too much alcohol and fire. Student News takes a closer look at the trans-Atlantic initiative…

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provocative student safety campaign, promoting the life-saving value of smoke alarms in rented accommodation, has been launched in conjunction with Cheshire Fire and Rescue Service.

The campaign, which includes a specially commissioned online ‘viral marketing’ presentation and reconstruction of a fire in student accommodation, is being promoted both here and in the United States.

The marketing clip, complete with James Bond-style theme, shows silhouettes of partying students putting themselves at greater risk of fire-related injuries and sexually transmitted infections from having unprotected sex. It was shown at the Chester charity premiere of the latest 007 film seen by Tim Craig, father of Chester-born, Daniel.

The initiative was launched by University volunteers at 9am on 09/09 under the Eastgate Clock in Chester city centre - highlighting the ‘999’ emergency number. The Service’s link-up with colleagues in America was highlighted by the launch of the National Campus Fire Safety Month, on Capitol Hill, Washington, on the same day.

The US launch was attended by friends and relatives of some of the 18 American students killed in fires during the 2007/8 academic year alone. In the UK, smoking materials and candles have been the cause of 1,900 student injuries over the past five years, while research also shows that students put themselves at risk when they come home from a night out after drinking, and prepare a midnight feast.

James Kirkby, Chester Students’ Union President, said: “These sophisticated, yet simple messages have a cheeky edge, which should appeal to students, and perfectly reinforce our own priorities for safeguarding students’ health and welfare.”

Students can register online for a free home safety assessment, which includes the fitting of free smoke alarms if needed, at www.cheshirefire.gov.uk or by calling 0800 389 0053.

More safety information is available on the Service’s website www.cheshirefire.gov.uk and the American site www.campus-firewatch.com.

To view the advertisement and fire reconstruction, visit www.cheshirefire.gov.uk or www.b4upull.com. They have been posted on YouTube, Facebook, and other social networking sites.

VALUABLE MESSAGE: Volunteers Lauren Gregg and Robert Platt (far right), with firefighters at the dramatic reconstruction of a fire in a student flat.

Reconstruction is a learning experience

Robert Platt: “THE thought of pretending to die was not the least bit exhilarating, but being in a film targeted at student safety was. The reason I decided to take part was to show how easy it is to make a fatal mistake, and how circumstances can be drastically aggravated by intoxication.

“The film was set in student accommodation. Aside from the cameras and lighting fixture, the set-up was a frighteningly convincing replica of my own room, and we had even borrowed some of my belongings for the background.

“The fire would start when my character comes home after drinking heavily, and decides to make a pizza. The hob is switched on, and he wanders back into his room and falls asleep. Then, the oven catches fire, before fire crews arrive to break into his room and perform CPR unsuccessfully.

“The stark reality is that these fictional events are all-too-commonplace in reality: in fact, I nearly burned my house down when I was 16 after not realising there was a pizza box in the oven.

The thought that one careless mistake could cost you your life is frightening to say the least, and the lack of

safety knowledge among students has no doubt contributed to the 1,900 fire-related injuries that have occurred in the UK in the last five years, and the 18 deaths in the US in the 2007/8 academic year alone.

“What makes this especially sad is that these deaths were all preventable.

Taking this into account, I realise the most important thing is that students who watch the film take extra safety measures to avoid potentially hazardous situations. The acting death, while frightening, was necessary to show just how dangerous it can be to be irresponsible.”

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STUDENTNEWS

kills

MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Students, parent advocates, fire officials and the Ohio Fire Safety Coalition on Capitol Hill, for the launch of the National Campus Fire Safety Month campaign in Photo America. supplied

American college students support safety initiative University of North Carolina student LINDSEY WEAVER offers an American perspective on a truly trans-Atlantic campaign…

BLUE skies beamed down over the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill campus on the morning of May 12, 1996.

Kenan Football Stadium was preparing for the annual procession of blue caps and gowns, and the town of Chapel Hill overflowed with the graduating class’s friends and families. It was Mother’s Day. Seniors were celebrating the occasion with festivities across town, but one gathering stood out in particular.

The fire started in the basement of a fraternity house. The party had been a classy affair complete with parents and a band, but as the early Sunday morning hours approached, a bin that had become home to several discarded cigarettes quickly became home to something else – flames. Fire officials responded immediately, but there was little they could do to save those inside the blaze-engulfed structure. Five students died that morning.

The devastating event brought fire safety to the forefront of the Chapel Hill community, where it continues to be an important issue. Although current undergraduates were only in elementary school at the time, the event still remains a sensitive topic for many.

Parent advocate Bonnie Woodruff, whose son Ben passed away in the fire, has used her experience to ensure that other college students around the country won’t endure the same fate as Ben. She recently accompanied a group of 28 students to Washington, DC, to help promote fire safety. I had the privilege of attending this trip to mark the launch of National Campus Fire Safety Month, and learned first-hand about the lawmaking process at the Capitol.

I also learned the power of a constituent’s voice and the ability of an American citizen to make a difference. Initially, I was hesitant to believe that Congressmen and women would be interested in listening to a group of college students, given our young age and limited experience.

But what we do have is a story. We have the story of each of the five students who died that fateful morning in May, and we have a responsibility to tell it. Ben Woodruff, Mark Strickland, Josh Weaver, Joanna Howell and Anne Smith may no longer be here to spread the word about fire safety, but we, as students, can carry on their messages to create something positive from the circumstances.

Students ROBERT PLATT and LAUREN GREGG volunteered to take part in the reconstruction of a fire in student accommodation. Writing for Student News, Robert and Lauren give a first-hand insight into their experience…

Lauren Gregg: “FOR some, being surrounded by nine strapping firemen is a blessing in disguise, which explains why I jumped at the chance to be involved in the making of a fire safety promotional video for local students!

“The manager of Cheshire Fire Station handed me a fire suit and told me that I would be playing the part of a female fire officer. At first, the uniform was appealing, until I realised how heavy and warm it was.

“The fire resistant suit went on top of the clothes I was already wearing, which only added to how uncomfortable

it was. The thickness of it made it very restricting, and I began to see that being ‘a girl in uniform’ was not so appealing after all.

“Synthetic smoke began to fill the room and it became impossible to see. I had to constantly shuffle my feet and my hands to find my way through the hallways. With the priorities of having to fight blazing flames and rescue high-risk individuals, the fire-fighters are under a huge amount of pressure to cope with the circumstances.

“The smoke also made it difficult to breathe, so I was introduced to the breathing apparatus, or ‘BA’. On top of

my already heavy uniform, two metal cylindrical tanks filled with compressed air were strapped over my shoulders. A tube then connected the tanks to my breathing mask, which was placed over my face and strapped around my head.

“The mask had to be tightly secured to my face, like a vacuum, to ensure that the air from the tanks could not escape. This was a very uncomfortable piece of equipment and was quite claustrophobic at times. A fabric balaclava covered the head straps, and a helmet was then placed on top of that. In a real emergency, I would find it

very difficult to carry the weight of the BA and then attempt to carry out a victim.

“After battling through smoke, putting out a fire and rescuing someone, the fire fighters then need to perform first aid if the victim is at risk of dying. There is not always a happy ending.

“As much as I enjoyed spending the day with nine firemen, being one of them was not so fun! It was certainly an eye-opening experience to the hard work they do, and it requires a very strong person to do this job; one much tougher than me!”

FIRE FIGHTER: Lauren Gregg in her uniform.

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STUDENTNEWS

Give a little,

With an established volunteering reputation, every year students at the University devote thousands of hours to serving the communities in which they live.

Writing for Student News, Volunteer Co-ordinator CLAIRE BRITTON explains what volunteering can do for you, and how you can get involved…

V

OLUNTEERING is great for your community and makes the world a better place, but it could also have a positive impact on your life.

Whether you want to improve your CV with new skills, meet new people, or just feel good about yourself, the Student Development team can link you up with a volunteer opportunity that could change your life for the better.

The University has a proud volunteering tradition. In the last academic year alone, student volunteers clocked up more than 12,000 hours of unpaid work supporting over 200 schools, charities and community groups across Cheshire. Based on the minimum wage for 18- to 21-year-olds, they completed more than £54,000 worth of work.

Build your confidence Many volunteers encounter a variety of new challenges when they begin giving time in their communities. Sharing experiences with new people, they can learn new skills that can give them confidence to face challenges in other areas of their lives.

Make friends and have fun!

Volunteering is a great way of meeting like-minded people who share the same passions in life. It can open up an exciting network of people and experiences.

Boost your career options A survey carried out by TimeBank through Reed Executive showed that among 200 of the UK’s leading businesses:

■ 73% of employers would employ a candidate with volunteering experience over one without.

■ 94% of employers believe volunteering can add to skills.

■ 58% say that voluntary work experience can actually be more valuable than experience gained in paid employment.

Volunteering can bring you into contact with all kinds of professionals, and people from every walk of life. In fact, the networking opportunities are among the least publicised but most exciting benefits of all. A good network can guide your career pathway right through life, and help you take giant steps towards your ideal job.

Get involved today!

Here at the University, we offer a range of short- and long-term volunteering opportunities. With more than 200 organisations to choose from, you can sign up to the V Volunteer Scheme (for 16- to 25-year-olds) or the University of Chester Volunteer Scheme for over 25-year-olds.

Through these schemes, you can gain non academic accreditation.

If you’re interested in finding out more, why not pop into the Student Development Office in the Binks Building (CBK101) for an informal chat? Alternatively call Claire Britton on 01244 511 556, or e-mail c.britton@chester.ac.uk. All of our volunteering opportunities are uploaded on Student Development’s IBIS pages.

Green scheme helps preserve w A TEAM of student volunteers helped contribute to the conservation of the natterjack toad and mining bee in Flintshire.

Working with rangers from Flintshire Countryside Services, the team spent the day clearing scrub bushes from the dunes at

Talacre Beach, which has been designated as a Site of Special Scientific Interest by the Countryside Council for Wales.

The rangers organised a bonfire to burn off the scrub bushes collected, before taking the group on an exclusive tour of the privately owned and

usually inaccessible lighthouse at the Point of Ayr. Sarah Vaughan, Volunteer Systems Co-ordinator, said: “The

Zoe King: ‘The whole experience made me a lot more confident’ “I had always wanted to visit Kenya since learning about the country while studying Geography in Year 8.

“I decided to finally go for it this year, but instead of going on holiday for a couple of weeks and relaxing in a hotel, I wanted to see the real Kenya.

“By researching online, I found lots of different ways I could volunteer there, including working with animals, working in a hospital, and building houses, but the project that appealed most to me was working with children at an orphanage, teaching English and Maths.

“I chose this because I love working with children, and who better to work with and get to know than orphans in a country so different from our own?

“I was there for a month in June and July, and it is one of the best decisions of my entire life!

“I was living in an apartment with some nuns, which I initially thought was a very basic standard of living, but after spending time there and meeting lots of people, I realised that our accommodation was five-star luxury compared to theirs.

“The orphanage itself was set on a farm where the children had

to work, so the orphanage could afford to buy clothes and food.

“The classrooms shocked me because they were so small and crammed, with wooden desks on a concrete floor that was in need of repair, but the most shocking thing for me was the living conditions.

“The beds the children slept on, the showers, and the toilets especially, all desperately needed to be replaced. Despite this, though, the children were so happy and so welcoming to me, and when I was teaching them, they were all so eager to learn.

“The children helped me realise how lucky I am to have the choice to be at University, because for so many other people it is not even an option.

“When you’re teaching a class of about 16 children, some of whom can barely speak English, it is very challenging, especially when you can tell they are trying so hard to get all the answers right.

“I couldn’t believe none of the children knew minus numbers existed, but by the time I left, they knew everything there was to know about minus numbers, and it was so rewarding to hear them tell me about them, after all

HELPING HANDS: Student Zoe King (back row) believes volunteering in Africa was one of the best decisions of her life.

Photo

supplied

the hours we had all put in to it.

“As a person, the whole experience made me a lot more confident, and gave me the chance to have a lot more responsibility than I am used to.

“I’ve also been able to live, mix, and be accepted by people of a totally different culture, and I

experienced their way of life and traditions.

“It has made me appreciate the fact that I am studying at University, and given me a chance to realise that if I work hard now, it will pay off later in life.”

STUDENTNEWS

e, gain a lot

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Tanya Benson: ‘Lourdes experience is really humbling’ PICTURESQUE: Every year, more than five million people visit the holy sanctuary of Lourdes in the South of France.

CLEANING UP: The team of student volunteers at the lighthouse at the Point of Ayr. Photo supplied

wildlife species conservation trip to Talacre was a great chance for new students to get to know each other, while also working to conserve the wildlife in our local coastal area.

“Everyone who took part thoroughly enjoyed themselves, and several of the volunteers are going to join us again for future conservation events."

Survival Kits dished out to volunteers

SPENDING your first week away from home can be a daunting experience, but kind-hearted students showing an interest in volunteering were given an extra helping hand this year in the form of innovative ‘Survival Kits’.

The kits, which were handed out to the first 100 people who signed up to be volunteers at the Freshers’ Fair, included a mug and pen, a plaster and toothbrush, a taxi information card, toilet paper, and other information and material to help students settle into new surroundings.

The kits were made available for the first time this year, and Tesco kindly donated £200 toward the cost of the goods.

The Freshers’ Fair was one event in a packed induction programme. The week also saw a series of welcome talks, academic induction sessions, club and society taster activities, an introduction to the support and guidance available, and numerous other events designed to help new students feel at home.

I WILL SURVIVE: Claire Britton (left) and Sarah Vaughan (right) from the Student Development team, making the Survival Kits.

“I have been going to Lourdes for three years now and each time I have brought back amazing memories and experiences.

“I go with a group of 50 young people and 180 pilgrims from St Albans Parish. Altogether, parishes in the Diocese of Shrewsbury take 400 young volunteers and at least 500 pilgrims.

“I started going because it sounded like great fun! There are early mornings and lots of work, but there’s always a drink and a party feel at night, and great camaraderie with amazing people from all over the world.

“The village of Lourdes in the Pyrenees is a holy place where the Virgin Mary appeared to a 14-year-old girl by the name of Bernadette. Every year, more than five million pilgrims go to Lourdes to visit the ‘sanctuary’ and drink the holy water from the grotto, which is believed to have healing powers. The majority of pilgrims, though, visit as part of their faith and to help those in need.

“The main role of a young volunteer in Lourdes is to assist and cater for the need of the young and old sick pilgrims, and the elderly. More often

FAITHFUL: Student Tanya Benson has gone to Lourdes three times as a young volunteer.

Photos supplied

than not, all they want is someone to talk to, and someone to take them to town and mass, and accompany them at the processions (the torchlight procession is particularly impressive).

“Going to Lourdes has given me the chance to meet lots of great people, and being with the sick has opened my eyes to what Lourdes does for them. Some of the sick, when at home, barely see anyone and never leave the house, though when they come to Lourdes they have hundreds of friends, young and old, and have the chance to show their faith and ask for healing.

“The experience Lourdes offers is so much more than a holiday with

your friends. It’s a chance to renew your faith in God, help strengthen the faith of others, and have fun all at the same time.

“Yes, you do feel shattered – there are 5am wake ups and plenty of work to do – but there is a real sense of belonging. Everyone is so friendly and there is a real sense of togetherness. The whole experience is really humbling and moving, and has really developed my faith.

“The sick are so excited to be in Lourdes, you realise how much it means to be there and it’s really touching. I feel honoured to be a part of that. I’m already planning to go next year and can’t wait!”

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Students guide pupils towards a positive future

OFFERING SUPPORT: Mentor Co-ordinator Maria Skinner, with Joe Riley and Gemma Meddins.

THREE new schools have signed up to take part in the University’s mentoring initiative, which gives students the opportunity to help pupils in their GCSE year to achieve their full potential.

Pupils at Queen’s Park High School, Chester Catholic High School and Blacon High School will this year be able to benefit from the scheme, which involves several schools from all over Cheshire.

From improving exam grades to boosting self-esteem, the pupils in-

volved are able to reap many benefits from the weekly meetings and other contact they have with their mentor.

By building a rapport with the pupils, students are able to steer them towards a brighter future and help them to reach their full potential.

Mentor Co-ordinator, Maria Skinner, explained: “This is fantastic for both our students and the pupils in so many ways. The mentors provide an objective role model who can approach the situation with a fresh pair of eyes, offering the young people a chance to confide in

someone other than their parents and teachers.

“This is an opportunity the youngsters really value. Our feedback shows that it can make a big difference to school life, improve exam grades, raise aspirations and increase self-esteem.

Our students can also help with organisational skills, study skills, revision skills and options post-GCSE.” Student mentors also gain enormously from the scheme. As well as adding another string to their bow, mentors take great satisfaction from the

help and support they are able to offer the young people. The rigorous application process and intensive training can also stand out on a CV. A real strength of the scheme is its ability to root out the underlying problems affecting a pupil’s academic performance and quality of life.

In extreme cases, the pupils often feel comfortable enough to confide in their mentor and work with them and the school to find a solution, but in many cases, it is simply a case of helping those who lack a little motivation to work

harder and fulfil their potential.

As well as the three new schools, the University is this year working with Ellesmere Port Specialist School of Performing Arts, Cheshire Oaks High School, Bishop Bluecoat High School, and Penketh High School in Warrington.

Anyone who would like more information about the mentoring programme is invited to contact Mentor Co-ordinator, Maria Skinner, on 01244 513446, or email m.skinner@chester.ac.uk

Carers share their world Exhibit of inspired through art and performance fine art on show YOUNGSTERS who spend their lives caring for their loved ones gave an evocative insight into their experiences during an exhibition of drama and art at Chester Cathedral.

Organised by the St John Ambulance Cheshire Young Carers, young carers from across the region created spectacular art installations and a drama production, with the assistance of art students.

Fine Art students Lisa Farrell and Frances Woodhouse, together with Fine Art graduate Glenda Allen and Education Studies with Drama and Theatre Studies student, Claire Peace, were recruited to provide full support to the project on a voluntary basis by the University’s Volunteer Co-ordinator, Claire Britton.

Claire Peace said: “It has

PLAYERS: Youngsters preparing for their drama performance of My Story, a St John Ambulance Cheshire Young Carers event at Chester Cathedral.

Photo supplied

been fantastic, and I’m so proud of all of the children.

Helping them and seeing the project grow has been great.”

Frances Woodhouse added: “It was really about talking to the children and helping

them to open their imaginations. It was their own work and just fantastic to be a part of.”

Entitled My Story, the exhibition allowed the carers to explore themes running

through their daily lives, not just as carers but also as young people. Among those who worked hard on the project was a 17-year-old from Ellesmere Port who cares for her disabled mother.

Lindsay Weaver, Assistant Programme Manager, said: “The young carers can find it quite difficult talking about theirexperience,buttheyfind it beneficial to express themselves through art and drama.

“The work was quite spectacular and inspirational. We approached the University to hopefully reap the benefit of their artistic expertise, and the students who have been working with us over the past couple of months have been amazing in terms of their support and their ideas.”

THE Kingsway Buildings is hosting an array of artistic exhibits produced by Fine Art students as part of their Professional Practice module.

Every fortnight, a new exhibition put together by third-year students will appear next to the Kingsway Buildings reception area.

Lisa Farrell was one of six students to present their work at the end of October. The group’s exhibition was entitled Allsorts, highlighting the diverse range of interests informing their practice, and included print work, installations, painting, mixed media and sculpture.

Among the exhibits was Kirsty Park’s mixed-media piece of work, progressing from canvas to large-scale 3D pieces, which drew attention to the issue of body image, and Neil Greenhalgh’s work

explored the fusion of film and paint, and the conflict and contrast that exists between the ideals of old and new.

The other members of the group were Emma Brown, Alex Chassiotis, and Kate Holland.

Lisa exhibited two pieces of work which were sculpture-based. She said: “Both pieces use the ‘object’ as a metaphor to depict the emotional turmoil and monotony associated with repetitive actions and the cycle of addiction.

“The first piece, entitled Strung In, depicts restriction within a private domestic space, while Strung Out is my representation of a poem I was asked to interpret by a local charity. The poem was written by a heroin user and reflects the loneliness of addiction.”

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‘I’m still waiting for the call that would transform my life’ A

BOUT six months ago, I wrote an article for Student News about how my life changed when I was diagnosed with kidney failure and told I needed a kidney transplant.

Unfortunately, nothing has changed since then. I’m still dialysing three times a week for three hours at a time, and I’m still waiting for the call to say a suitable kidney has been found.

It is a call that would transform my life. I know this from personal experience, as friends of mine have received that very phone call and ultimately the greatest gift of all – the gift of life.

I am lucky that dialysis can keep me alive, as other people on the transplant waiting list aren’t as fortunate and don’t have this luxury. For them, it is life or death.

My friend, Emily Thackray, who is Vice-Chairwoman of the charity Live Life Then Give Life, found herself in this situation. I got to know her through the charity and was totally inspired by their work in raising awareness about the importance of organ donation.

Aged 24, Emily was born with cystic fibrosis and, in 2005, she was told the condition had damaged her lungs so badly she would need a double lung transplant in a year in order to survive.

Half of those waiting for a lung transplant will die on the list, but throughout her wait, Emily remained positive despite facing many hurdles.

Thankfully, in 2007, the wait was over and she had a successful double lung

In the last edition of Student News, student HOLLY SHAW gave a moving insight into her wait for a life-changing kidney transplant. Six months later, and the wait goes on, but the support of her friends offers real comfort. Here, Holly takes a look at how their lives changed after receiving a simple phone call… transplant. She would not be here today without the bravery and generosity of her donor family. Since her transplant, Emily has had a rollercoaster of experiences, including getting married.

She said: “I don’t think I’ll ever be able to find the words to express my gratitude to my donor family. They gave me my life back and I intend to make every breath count.”

Another friend of mine, 26-year-old Jen Dickinson, knows as well as I do the devastation at being told you must be attached to a machine in hospital three times a week for an indefinite and unknown amount of time.

Just one month before she went on the transplant waiting list, Jen was a healthy young woman with lots of plans, but her future suddenly seemed very bleak. She, like me, was dependent on drugs, hospitals, doctors and machines.

Looking to the future was very hard when all she could think about was kidneys and transplants.

Then one day, out of the blue, Jen received the call that changed her life.

Her new kidney allows her to do things

she couldn’t before, such as drink and eat what she likes, and now she has the energy for the activities she loves, and can spend time visiting friends and family.

Jen said: “The new kidney has made a huge difference in my life. I have more confidence, feel more independent, and am living life to the full. My donor hasn't just given me a kidney, they have given me back my future.”

Although having End Stage Renal Failure has many restrictions and has impacted greatly on my life, I try to remain positive.

I have met so many great people, like Emily and Jen, through the Live Life Then Give Life charity, of which I am the North West Advocate. We are all working toward the same goal in raising awareness of organ donation and trying to increase the number of people signing up to the donor register.

Hearing and seeing the difference that a transplant can make to people’s lives gives me hope that one day I will get the call and will then be able to do all the things I have ever dreamed about.

AWARENESS: Student Holly Shaw, top, dialyses three times a week for three hours at a time. Above left, Jen Dickinson’s kidney transplant changed her life. Above right, Emily Thackray is Vice-Chairwoman of the charity Live Life Then Give Life, which works to raise awareness about the importance of organ Photos supplied donation.

I also entered a campaign in the Battlefront competition to raise awareness and get people thinking, talking and doing something about organ donation. I have been astounded at the support and numbers of votes it has received.

My campaign finished in second position out of a possible 62, meaning I am still in with a chance of appearing on a programme to be shown on Channel 4. I am determined to make it through to the final stages of the competition, as I know this campaign really will save lives, maybe even my own. For more details, visit battlefront.co.uk/ campaign/the-gift-of-life.

Read my blog at lifeondialysis-waitingforthecall.blogspot.com.

For more information about Live Life Then Give Life, visit www.livelifethengivelife.co.uk.

FACTFile Since April 2008: ■ 401 people have donated organs.

■ 752 people have donated corneas.

■ 1,172 people have received the gift of sight.

■ 1,171 people have received transplants.

■ 7,878 people are still waiting for transplants.

Ring 0845 60 60 400 to sign up or visit www. uktransplant.org.uk.

Freshers get taste of food on campus

FAMISHED freshers queuing on Induction Monday had their hunger pangs relieved by a team of ‘Food Busters’ from Student Support and Guidance.

Courtesy of the University’s Catering Department, the volunteers distributed free snacks to those waiting to register and enrol, such as flapjacks, fruit kindly provided by produce supplier Oliver Kaye and vitaminwater from Coca-Cola.

Bottles of One water were also handed out. All profits from sales of this at the University go toward funding pumps to bring free, clean water to African communities.

Director of Catering Services, Ian White, said: “We have a wide range of food on the menu at outlets on and around both our campuses, and this was our way of saying a small ‘thank you’ to all those students who would be using them.”

Dean of Students, Dr Lesley Cooke, added: “From past experience, we were aware that some first years are so busy when they start University that they may skip meals, and we wanted to ensure they had a little something to keep them raring to go for the beginning of term.”

SNACK TIME: ‘Food Busters’ John Ibiso, Kate Morris, Catherine Marseille and Stephen Foot, hand out snacks to fresher, Michael James.

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STUDENTNEWS

Authority’s call Century Radio DJ ‘Salty’ for students to recalls days at University park correctly STUDENTS are being urged to park their cars responsibly ahead of the decriminalisation of parking in Chester.

With Chester City Council due to take over the enforcement of parking restrictions from the police, drivers are being asked by council chiefs to park in an appropriate place and with consideration for other residents.

David Bennett, Chester City Council’s Parking Services Manager, said: “The message is quite simple: make sure you park legally.

“We don’t hand out parking fines like confetti, and while we certainly won’t be over-zealous, those who do park their vehicles illegally, on double yellow lines for example, will face the prospect of having to pay a fine.”

When the local authority takes control of enforcing parking restrictions shortly, there will be £50 and £70 fines available to officers, depending on the offence, with a 50 per cent reduction for those paying inside 14 days.

Students are also asked to park with consideration for local residents. Those living off-campus are asked to consider their neighbours when parking their cars, and to not monopolise the available space.

ALTHOUGH former student Paul Salt always wanted to work in radio, he could never have dreamt a career on the airwaves would see him broadcasting from the European Cup Final in Istanbul in 2005, playing football at his beloved Anfield, and touring the North West with his own breakfast show.

Known affectionately to listeners as ‘Salty’, Paul now co-presents Century Radio’s breakfast show with David Ditchfield, some 11 years after graduating from the Warrington campus.

Salty recalls his days at the University fondly, saying he enjoyed both the educational and social side of life at Warrington. He explained: “It was great. I really enjoyed the Radio Production module, so I’d have to say that was the best part. I always wanted to work in radio so I knew I’d enjoy it

By Richard Ault

and get a lot out of it.

“It gave me good experience, as did going out and getting work experience. I worked with Signal during my time at Warrington, and then started at Radio City a couple of months before I graduated in 1997.”

In the decade since he left, Salty has amassed a wealth of broadcasting experience.

During his days as a Media Studies and Business Management student, he completed work experience at BBC Radio Merseyside, Signal and BBC Radio 5 Live.

Paul later joined Liverpool’s Radio City 96.7 and, as part of the crew on one of the most listened-to morning shows in the UK, the Kev Seed Breakfast Show, he became well known to listeners across Liverpool, the North West, and North Wales.

Three years ago, he made the move to Century Radio as breakfast show co-host. The show is known today as Ditchy and Salty’s Big Breakfast, and the team recently completed a tour of the North West, visiting attractions such as Chester Zoo, Camelot and Blackpool Pleasure Beach, before rounding off at the set of Coronation Street.

Paul returned to Warrington to switch on the Christmas lights a couple of years ago but, as a staunch Liverpool fan and season ticket holder, there is one highlight in his career that stands out above the rest.

He said: “Doing the breakfast show from Istanbul in 2005, prior to the Champions League Final, was fantastic. We were over there doing a special show on the day Liverpool were playing AC Milan, and that was easily the highlight of my career to date. I don’t think anything will ever beat it.”

READY SALTED: Former Warrington student, Paul Salt, now co-presents Century Radio’s Breakfast Show. Photo supplied

Industries advise students looking toward the future

POLICE ENQUIRIES: Cheshire Constabulary’s Veronica Milligan gives out advice to a student.

AS part of Graduate Head Start, students at Warrington were looking to the future at the University’s annual employer fair, where representatives from a number of industries were on hand to answer questions and offer advice.

Those attending the fair included Cheshire Constabulary, Royal Mail, Hays Education, First Recruitment Group, Reed Social Care, and Warring-

By Katy Griffin ton Primary Care Trust, and many others.

The event offered students the opportunity to seek out job opportunities and network with potential employers from a number of sectors, and discuss what employers expect from applicants.

Ciaran McMahon, a third-year stu-

dent, said: “The fair gives you the opportunity to ask about different career opportunities, and introduce yourself to companies and other career sectors you may never have even considered.”

Business Management student Craig Walker added: “I think it is very successful and I managed to get a lot of information. It’s viable for everyone to get their foot in the door.”

From the variety of organisations in attendance, students also had the

chance to gain valuable information and guidance about volunteering opportunities available.

Business and Media student Emma Herrington commented: “I have found out about sporting activities. I wanted some volunteer hours and there have been a lot of volunteering opportunities available.”

The fair also proved beneficial for employers attending the event, to increase awareness of their activities and

encourage recruitment.

Lisa Ellis, from Beresford Blake Thomas, said: “It was brilliant and really well organised. We have had a lot of students inquiring about our business.”

Jose Gouldson, of Merseyside Police Positive Action Team, added: “It’s good to be able to show people that there is a wide career in the police and there are many opportunities, that it is not just about jobs as a police officer.”

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STUDENTNEWS

Students look set to feel the crunch Four students give their views on the money situation:

■ Third-year Business student, Alex: "I've never had problems before with knowing how much I could afford to spend, or whether I could manage another night out, but recently the money I have seems to disappear without me even noticing!"

■ Third-year Criminology student, Kayleigh: "For me, it's quite annoying when you see something you used to buy quite a lot and was quite cheap – things like food – and now it's double the price. You almost feel that you don't want to pay!"

■ Second-year Psychology student, Ra-

chael: "It honestly doesn't bother me how much things cost, if there is something I want to buy, I'll pay for it and worry about it when the money has run out. As long as they don't put the price of Cheerios up, I'll be happy!"

■ First year Geography student, Tom: "Obviously I'm going to spend the money I need to on basic things I need to live, but once I know where I'm up to and how much money I can throw around, I'll treat myself and spend a bit more. It's about planning it properly."

CUTTING THE COST: David Ardill was interested to find out the impact of the credit crunch on his fellow students.

As the credit crunch continues to bite, DAVID ARDILL takes a closer look at how the global economic climate has affected today’s students...

L

ook on any news website, television channel or in any newspaper over the last few months, and you could be certain that two words would be prominent – ‘credit crunch’.

As is often the case with the biggest news stories, over-exposure and repeated coverage numbs the mind to the real impact of the issue.

So, what is the real impact of the credit crunch on we students – the class of 2008?

Having lumbered about with the social millstone of financial insecurity around our necks since time immemorial, students are perhaps a forgotten demographic when it comes to considering the impact of the credit crunch.

And while your average Joe Student admittedly needn't stress over 'grown up' issues like mortgage or credit card repayments, most of us have less than nothing in the bank account, which brings with it its own worries when considering mundane everyday issues, like, for example, eating.

So, enough of the number-crunching and doom mongering. What can be done? With everyone apparently penny-pinching and pound-stretch-

ing, there are still things you can do to make sure your loan goes that extra month further, ensuring your appetite stays satisfied and your bank balance doesn't plunge further into the abyss of debt.

Check out these ideas for slashing your spend: ■ Internet shopping – We all know how easy it is to just click a mouse button and end up with a room full of unwanted junk and ill-advised impulse buys, but the internet can also be your friend. By visiting sites like mysupermarket.co.uk, you can take advantage of the price comparison guides and work out which of the big four (Tesco, Asda, Sainsbury, Morrisons) to visit for your shop.

■ Use the whole animal! – your mum's favourite, Delia Smith, suggests pushing the boat out and being brave when eating meat: ‘When you're going into a shop and just buying the chicken breasts, or fillet steaks, all the things we've been spoilt with – the rest of the animal and the bird has to be used as well. If we're talking meat, people have got to switch into using all the bits that others don't want’.

■ No more vices – besides the health benefits, cutting down on alcohol, chocolate, crisps and cigarettes will also see the cost of your weekly shop plummet.

High-salt and sugar foods like chocolate and crisps play havoc with your diet, while the health implications of smoking and drinking are obvious; kill two birds with one stone and cut them out altogether!

■ Eat together – similar to bulk-buying, bulk-eating can be fantastically economical, both in terms of food and electricity. Supermarkets like Sainsbury's produce recipes designed to feed four or five people for a fiver, so take it in turns to buy ingredients and cook tea for your mates one night a week, alternating so everyone buys the ingredients and cooks one night.

Play it right and you could eat five dinners a week for a fiver, while the cooker only needs to be on for 20 minutes instead of two hours!

FACTFile ■ 16% increase in the price of fruit and vegetables between January and May 2008.

■ 20% increase in the cost of the average weekly shop between June 2007 and 2008.

■ 33% increase in the cost of Cheddar cheese.

■ 61% increase in the cost of chicken.

University warns against identity theft fraudsters YOU’RE unique – keep it that way, is the message being spread by a new campaign warning students to be vigilant about the dangers of identity theft.

Through posters, flyers and online messages, the campaign, run in conjunction with Chester Students’ Union, encourages the use of a shredder to destroy unwanted documents holding personal information.

As ID theft becomes more commonplace, students are being urged to take appropriate action to prevent their personal data from falling into the wrong hands.

A shredder has been made available in the Students’ Union, and can be used by prior arrangement by calling Chester Students’ Union President, James Kirkby, on 01244 513398.

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STUDENTNEWS

INBrief Village’s power plan

A SMALL Cheshire village is at the centre of a pioneering renewable energy ‘microgrid’ model that could transform the way in which power is generated in rural communities.

Thanks to an £86,558 grant from Carbon Connections UK, the University-backed Going Carbon Neutral project is conducting a feasibility study into a new approach for generating and distributing electricity.

If successful, the study could have far-reaching implications for every rural community in the United Kingdom.

Media talent search

THE University and the BBC are working together to open up pathways into employment in the media industry and develop new talent within the region.

The University has signed a partnership agreement with the BBC ahead of the corporation’s move to Salford in 2011.

The partnership will help to identify new talent, focus on learning and development, build relationships within communities, and develop clear pathways into the BBC and the wider industry.

Pete shares his vision

A TALENTED student has shared his vision for the future of learning disability nursing at a prestigious conference.

Pete Martin, who is studying for a Diploma in Higher Education (DipHE) in Learning Disability Nursing, joined a select band of five students from across the UK and Ireland, whose essays were short-listed at this year’s National Network for Learning Disability Nurses (NNLDN) Conference, which was held in Dublin.

PICTURE PERFECT: The picturesque sunset illuminates the Moroccan landscape.

Photos supplied

Robert samples the delights of Morocco As the long nights draw in, the prospect of jetting off for some winter sun becomes ever more tantalising. For students looking for an enjoyable getaway on a budget, ROBERT PLATT suggests a trip to Morocco would be a real eye-opener…

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“I spent a couple of weeks this summer in Morocco, and can’t recommend it highly enough.

“The staggering heat was the first thing we noticed, and we quickly realised why there is advice against travelling to Northern Africa in July. Aside from the poor air conditioning, I was surprised by the modernity of the airport, and the number of Moroccan women dressed in the latest European trends.

“I had been to Morocco three years earlier, and its mentality seemed to have become a bit more daring and experimental with European customs. Maybe this was a precursor towards a push to eventually join the EU? “We made our way to Arrivals and, after a member of our greeting party failed to arrive, we went to a café to wait.

“I offered to buy the four of us some vodka and Red Bulls. I made the mistake of not asking the price beforehand. By the time the drinks were mixed and on the table, our waiter asked us for 280 Dirhams, which is roughly £20! I must have had ‘gullible tourist’ written on my forehead.

“When the final member of our party arrived, we headed to the trains and embarked for Kénitra. The train looked like something from Indiana Jones; it had no air conditioning and the wind coming in through the open window felt like an oven.

“However, with the red sun setting behind the maze of sand-coloured apartment blocks and tin-roofed shanty villages, I was overcome with giddiness to finally be out of Europe.

“Eventually the slums gave way to strawberry fields and palm trees, and then a violet-blue ocean, as we left the gritty city for the countryside. We arrived at Kénitra and took a crowded taxi to the house, which was in the village of Allal Tazi nearly 30 minutes away.

“The village was small and had no paved roads, other than the main one which took

CULTURAL EXPERIENCE: Student Rob Platt immersed himself in a different lifestyle on his trip to Morocco. you to the next village. There were always workers from the factories flagging down taxis or hitch-hiking.

“Donkey-drawn carts were the second most common form of transport after taxis, some of them loaded with women and children.

“Donkeys, sheep, turkeys, roosters, and chickens roamed the village. There were no fences to keep in grazing livestock; that was the job of herders and dogs.

“Children ran everywhere, and women swept the front of their houses with bundles of tied straw. Our house, the mansion of the village, rose above a cluster of huts and stables. Nearly every building had clothes lines on its roof.

“Upon reaching the house, we went to the local souk and bought enough food for the week. With £40 we bought vegetables, fruit, a pumpkin, a bag full of bread, sugar, tea, milk, and mineral water – more than enough to last us with some left over.

“At night we stayed up on the roof terrace and used the telescope to gaze at the stars and the Milky Way. “It was pure night sky with minimal interference from city lights. The village sounded like a jungle. The donkeys would neigh like they were giving birth, which

would alarm what sounded like hundreds of dogs, unsettling the sheep and causing the roosters to crow.

“My friend's pet monkey, Habib, would also join in on the chant. That would scare the horses and before long the mosque would come onto the loudspeakers and it would be time to get up and go to pray. Sleep was not something we got a lot of.

“We departed back for Casablanca, as a friend was getting married, and the fiancé's family had wanted to meet us. The train ride involved hopping down onto the tracks to get across and change platforms, something they would throw you in jail for in Europe.

“Casablanca was noisy and dirty, like New York in the early 20th-century. Every vehicle ever conceptualised clashed in a lane-less maze of two way traffic, infested by fearless pedestrians.

“Nonetheless, the family's hospitality soon made us forget where we were. They treated us like royalty, having spent the entire day cooking in anticipation of our arrival.

“The whole trip was done on less than £300, and it was a real eye-opener – a way to see a mystical country that has thus far largely resisted Western monoculture. I know it won't be long before I go back.”

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STUDENTNEWS

CAREER TASTES: Students Charles Slater and Kim McMullen outside the Blue Coat School, home of the Work-Based Learning office.

More than just experience FROM The Times and ITV Granada to Cheshire Constabulary and Chester Zoo, the hundreds of placement options available make Work-Based Learning (WBL) much more than just work experience, for students and businesses alike.

As large numbers of students graduate each year, it is vital they do as much as possible to enhance their employability in today’s competitive climate.

Work-Based Learning, a compulsory element of many under-graduate degrees, provides the opportunity to experience

By Leanne Gleave Work-Based Learning Placement Co-ordinator

‘working-life’ and improve your CV, while gaining personal skills and valuable contacts that give you an edge when looking for employment.

Kim McMullen, who went on a placement with Chester Zoo, said: “I worked in the bird section and was involved with hand-rearing, feeding and cleaning out. My WBL placement opened a lot of doors and op-

portunities, as without experience, you can’t always get into certain fields. I got to see the zoo from a different side and it has helped in terms of my CV.” Some students are unclear about the career path they wish to follow after graduation. WBL enables students to experience a ‘taster’ of their chosen profession and has helped many students confirm which route they wish to pursue.

Charles Slater, who had a placement with BBC Radio Manchester, highlighted the benefits of WBL, saying: “During my WBL placement, I assisted with writing the sports bulletins,

Revamped bar now named Padgates

NEW LOOK: The bar at Warrington, after its £75,000 refurbishment.

Photo supplied

THE bar at the Warrington campus has been renamed Padgates following a £75,000 refurbishment, writes Richard Ault.

The bar aims to be a major hit with students and has a totally new look and feel. Brand new seating, including booths, has been added, as well as new lighting and a new DJ booth.

The work, which took five weeks to complete, also saw the

walls totally repainted and a new floor installed. The pool room – complete with two pool tables – has also been refitted.

Chester Students’ Union President, James Kirkby, said: “It’s a fantastic investment. It now feels like an actual bar, a nice place to be in, and it adds up to a better night out. I’m really proud of where we’ve taken it, and hopefully it will be seen as a positive tool to attract new students.”

interviewing fans and attending press conferences at clubs like Manchester United.

“I was treated like any other member of staff and made to feel very welcome. I didn’t feel like a burden and was always able to ‘tag along’ on jobs. I now know what I want to do when I leave University.

“I’ve made links and been offered the opportunity to go back to work for my placement provider. WBL gives you the chance to experience all aspects of working life, including routine things like commuting.”

This academic year, more than 1,000 Level 2 students from both

the Chester and Warrington campuses will undertake a five-week placement from May 11 to June 12.

The Work-Based Learning Office organises placements within a 30-mile radius of Chester and Warrington, and has an extensive database of more than 2,000 local companies across all sectors. Students wishing to arrange a placement through the University should visit the WBL Office and meet a WBL Placement Co-ordinator as soon as possible.

For students arranging their own placements outside of the area, please visit the WBL Office

to discuss your placement ideas in plenty of time, due to the rigorous nature of the approval process. While the onus is on students to arrange placements themselves, support is always available from the WBL Office.

The deadline for approval is February 6.

Both Kim and Charles said the one piece of advice they would give is to ‘sort out your placement sooner rather than later!’

More information regarding the WBL module can be found on IBIS. Alternatively, call the WBL Office on 01244 512100 (Chester) or 01925 534242 (Warrington) or e-mail wbl@chester.ac.uk.

New SU store does a roaring trade A NEW Students’ Union shop has been a big hit since opening for business on the Chester campus, writes Richard Ault.

Located next to Bookland, the shop sells a range of Students’ Union items, including T-shirts, jackets, rugby tops and the ever-popular ‘hoodies’.

Shop Manager, Lynn Mittell, said: “The new hoodies have been really popular. We’ve added a couple of new products since we moved to the shop, and we hope to gradually introduce more items as we go, and gauge their popularity.”

In addition, a range of gifts is also available for purchase.

These include new items such as University of Chester branded USB pens, business card holders, photo frames and handbag mirrors. New University of Chester ties and cufflinks are coming soon.

The full range also features mugs, scarves, crystal-ware, and other items. For more details, please call into the shop, contact Jenni Westcott on 01244 511344, or e-mail j.westcott@chester.ac.uk.

OPEN FOR BUSINESS: Manager Lyn Mittell in the new Students’ Union shop.

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STUDENTNEWS

NEWSFile Artefacts uncovered

EXTREMELY rare artefacts dating back to the Vikings have been put on permanent display in a Swedish museum after being excavated by a team led by Dr Howard Williams.

Working in partnership with Archaeologist Dr Martin Rundkvist, Dr Williams and the dig team excavated a boat-grave dating back to the ninth-century AD at Skamby in Ostergotland, in South Sweden.

The excavation uncovered 23 very rare amber gaming pieces, which illustrates the wealth and lifestyle of the family buried there, as well as their pagan beliefs in relation to the afterlife.

Volunteers awarded

SIX students received awards from Chester Volunteer Centre after completing more than 100 hours of volunteering work in just seven days.

Kerry Bowers, Jodie Dixon, Alexandra Hartley, Sean Mooney, Francis Morris, and Jo Walter, were recognised for their work on the University’s Summer School project.

The project gives 13- to 16-year-olds from backgrounds where there is no tradition of going into Higher Education, the chance to experience university life during a residential course.

Sculptures showcase

LIFE-SIZE sculptures of some of the most significant characters in the history of Bunbury’s St Boniface Church took centre stage at the Church’s first flower festival for 32 years, thanks to a project involving student Natalie Papworth.

Natalie and Fine Art staff drew praise from the hundreds of people attending the St Boniface Flower Festival for their work.

The Festival raised about £4,000 for charitable causes.

Jets offer students a chance to soar THE University has joined forces with one of the country’s premier professional basketball teams, BiG Storage Cheshire Jets, to design a unique Foundation Degree (FD) in Sports Coaching.

The new programme, based at the Warrington campus, gives students an opportunity to develop their basketball coaching skills along professional coaches and players at BiG Storage Cheshire Jets.

The Foundation Degree is the first stage of what the University and the Jets hope will be a long-term partnership.

Professor Sarah Andrew, Dean of Applied and Health Sciences, said: “The FD provides an opportunity to develop the already excellent sports facilities at Warrington. On a visit to the Warrington campus, Keith Mair, Chief Executive of England Basketball, declared the partnership to be unique in the UK.

“BiG Storage Cheshire Jets runs a Hoops 4 Health scheme at primary schools in the region, and students have the opportunity to contribute towards increasing sports participation among young people.”

BiG Storage Cheshire Jets are one of only 12 professional basketball teams in the British Basketball League, and became established as a leading name in the sport by winning a string of trophies between 2001 and 2004.

Partner of BiG Storage, Andrew Donaldson, who came up with the initial idea of developing the Foundation Degree, said: “It became apparent a number of our best young basketball players were leaving the country to study basketball in the USA, as there were few other options available to them here.

“We all hope this degree will not only attract potential elite international players, but also those looking for a basketball coaching career.”

TEAM UP: Sport Development student, Harveer Ghatora (with ball), is pictured with Programme Leader, Jason Clare.

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A SQUAD of international footballers from the Caribbean spent a fortnight on campus as they prepared for their qualification campaign for the FIFA U17 World Cup, writes Richard Ault.

The Barbados under-17 squad came to Chester after being invited to the country by Liverpool Football Club. The party’s 25 young players and seven officials travelled to Anfield and trained with Wrexham FC during their two-week stay.

The trip was part of a long-term plan by the Barbados Football Association to prepare the players for the FIFA U17 World Cup next year, and beyond. After becoming the first Barbados team to win the Caribbean Under-15 Championship in Trinidad and Tobago last summer, the decision was made to take the current squad through to the next level of competition.

Speaking during a training session, team Assistant Manager Dave Small said: “We enjoyed training sessions at Wrexham FC and Liverpool FC, as well as playing matches at Wigan and Wrexham.

“We hope to take some of the coaching techniques we saw back to Barbados and

ON TOUR: The Chester campus hosted the Barbados under-17 football team on their visit to the UK. build on them. The players benefited from intense tactical and technical sessions.”

The stay was arranged by Elegant Resorts Ltd, a Chester-based luxury holiday business. The team also trained at

Wrexham’s Colliers Hill training ground, where they had the opportunity to watch a practice match between Wrexham and Coca Cola League One side Tranmere Rovers.

Rugby coaching certificate launched THE Rugby Football League has chosen the University as the delivery site for its inaugural Level 3 United Kingdom Coaching Certificate (UKCC) programme.

The qualification, which will become the minimum requirement for all coaches working in the professional game, is endorsed by the RFL, and

is being taught for the first time in the United Kingdom.

As part of the arrangement with the University, staff from Sports and Exercise Sciences provide specialist teaching for the fitness and physiology aspects of the course, and students enjoy full access to teaching, sports and

laboratory facilities.

Among the first cohort of students is former Great Britain international and England captain, Steve Molloy.

Dr Craig Twist, Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Physiology, said: “The Level 3 UKCC is currently the highest-level formal qualification available to a Rugby League coach in Great

Britain, and the RFL felt that our facilities were ideal for its delivery.”

The course comprises a mix of coaching, video performance analysis, fitness testing, observed laboratory-based testing, and presentation work. As well as staff from the University, external lecturers and RFL staff are delivering specialist aspects of the course.

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student news

Sports round-up

Wolves try fantastic training centre on campus

SUPER League team Warrington Wolves have begun using the Warrington campus as a training centre, as part of an ongoing partnership between the club and the University.

The Wolves, who boast some of Rugby League’s biggest names in their ranks, spend between three and five days a week on site, using the campus’ pitches and changing facilities, as well as carrying out video and DVD match analysis.

With the running track, all-weather pitch, full-size rugby pitch, and sports hall also available, the move centralises the Wolves’ training activities onto one site.

Based at the Halliwell Jones

Stadium, the Wolves play in the engage Super League and are one of the country’s best supported rugby league teams. One of their star players, Great Britain international, Jon Clarke, is currently completing a Sports and Exercise Sciences degree at the Chester campus on a part-time basis.

Pro-Vice-Chancellor (External Affairs and Corporate Development), Dr Chris Haslam, said: “The University enjoys a long and successful relationship with Warrington Wolves and the club’s decision to move most of their training to the Warrington campus is testimony to the excellent sports facilities on site.

“We understand that the Wolves’ players and coaches

have been very impressed with the warm and supportive welcome they have received from staff and students at the campus, and the club’s involvement has stimulated interest from other sporting organisations who are keen to make use of our facilities.”

Wolves Chief Executive, Andy Gatcliffe, told the Warrington Guardian: “It’s a fantastic set-up and is going to give us a first-class facility for the training and coaching staff and the players.

“Again, we’ll be the envy of a lot of Super League clubs as a result of that.”

He continued: “Padgate gives us everything we need.

To have that kind of dedicated facility is fantastic.”

GAME ON: Warrington Wolves’ Kevin Penny celebrates a try with Matt King. The pair are part Photo supplied of the squad which now trains at the Warrington Campus.

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