INTOUCH Alumni Magazine Issue 12 by Swansea Met

INTOUCH

ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

ISSUE 12, WINTER 2011/12

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HONORARY FELLOWSHIPS

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Mal (Maldwyn) Pope was born in the Bryhyfryd area of Swansea into a very musical family. From an early age he was exposed to music and, by the late 1960’s, had become inspired to write songs. Two weeks after sending a tape of his songs to John Peel at BBC Radio One, twelve-year-old Mal was invited to London to record a session for the show. The session was such a success that, as a result, he signed with Elton John’s Rocket Label. For the next six years he spent most of his school holidays in London recording with his producer David Costa and his debut single reached the charts. During this time Mal did not let his academic studies slip and he was accepted into Christ College Cambridge to study Land Economy. Whilst at university he left the Rocket Label and signed with Harvey Goldsmith’s AMP Management Company.

An Honorary Fellowship is the highest honour that a University can bestow. Such honours are considered by the University as an opportunity to recognise a distinguished contribution made by individuals, in various walks of life, who are not employed by the institution. Swansea Metropolitan University Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Warner said: “We bestow Honorary Fellowships upon individuals from, or who have a connection to, Wales and, in particular, South West Wales. They will have excelled themselves in their chosen profession, whether in the arts/entrainment, politics, industry, academia or sport. They are individuals who have not only done themselves proud but who bring a sense of pride to the region.”

ALUMNI

A former MP and one of the country’s most senior engineers, Dr Claire Curtis Thomas, has received an Honorary Fellowship from Swansea Metropolitan University. Born in Neath and educated at Mynyddbach Comprehensive School for Girls, Dr Curtis-Thomas obtained a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from Cardiff University and then completed an MBA at Aston University. In 1999, she was awarded an Honorary PhD in Technology for services to the promotion of engineering and a year later co-founded Women in Science and Engineering. During her career she has worked as a researcher at Cardiff University and has taken on the roles of Head of UK Supply and Distribution and Head of Environmental Strategy at Shell Chemicals. She has also worked as the Head of Strategy and Business Planning at Birmingham City Council and has been Dean of the Faculty of Business and Engineering at the University of Wales, Newport. In 1997 she was elected as the MP for Crosby, a seat which she held until 2010 when she decided not to stand for reelection. She is currently Chief Executive of the Institute of Gas Engineers and Managers, and is Chair of the Construction and Development Partnership Charities which focus on the development of literacy and libraries in Sierra Leone.

On finishing university Mal moved to London to continue song writing, but in 1982 he returned to Wales to work for BBC Radio Wales in Cardiff, where he still works as a presenter. He continued the profession of singer, song writer and broadcaster, working with artists such as Cliff Richard and Art Garfunkel.

Professor Dame Jean Thomas was born in the Treboeth district of Swansea and attended Llwyn-y-Bryn High School for Girls. She studied Chemistry in Swansea, obtaining First Class Honours, and gained a PhD in 1967. That same year Professor Thomas moved to Cambridge University to continue her research, becoming a member of the academic staff of the University in 1969, firstly as a lecturer, then a Researcher, and finally as Professor of Macromolecular Biochemistry. Professor Thomas has been Chairman/Director of the Cambridge Centre for Molecular Recognition, a Fellow of New Hall and, in 2007, she became the first female Master of St Catharine’s College. In addition, in 2008 she became the first woman to be the Biological Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society. Professor Thomas’ research interests are in the structure and dynamics of chromatin, which is the complex of proteins and DNA that constitutes chromosomes and its role in the repression and activation of genes. This research has led to a number of prestigious awards including a Fellowship of the Royal Society, a CBE in 1993 for services to science, a DBE in 2005 for services to biochemistry, election to the Academia European, and a number of Honorary Fellowships. In 2009 she was also made an Honorary Bencher of Middle Temple. Professor Thomas has held a variety of public offices and has been a Trustee of the British Museum, a Governor of the Wellcome Trust, President of the Biochemical Society and President of Techniquest.

By the 1990’s Mal had his own latenight music chat show on HTV and, in 2001, his series Heaven’s Sound won an award at the New York Film and Television Awards. At the same time he was recording and releasing albums, including the acoustic Mumbles to Memphis. Besides song writing Mal has also written several musicals, in 2005 Amazing Grace, in 2007 Contender and most recently Cappuccino Girls.

GRADUATION 2011 SUMMER CEREMONY VIDEO CLIPS CAN BE FOUND ON THE ALUMNI WEBSITE

www.smu.ac.uk/alumni

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SWANSEA MET IS UK’S MOST FINANCIALLY EFFICIENT UNIVERSITY

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Recent figures published in the ‘Higher Education Financial Year Book 2011/2012’ show that the financial performance of Swansea Metropolitan University, when averaged over the last five years, is the best of any University in the whole of the United Kingdom. During this lengthy period, Swansea Met has averaged an

operating surplus of 11.3% of turnover, well above that of the next nearest contender – the London School of Economics (10.5%).

down our ‘back room’ costs. Well, the proof of the pudding is in these figures which show that Wales already has the most efficient university in the UK.

Professor David Warner, Swansea Met Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are always being exhorted by the politicians to act more efficiently and effectively and to cut

Swansea Met’s performance is not just a one-off, but has evolved over the last decade through careful management and the adoption of clear strategic objectives.”

SWANSEA MET TOP IN WALES FOR GRADUATE BUSINESSES Swansea Met’s secret to running a successful business has seemingly filtered through to its students. For the second year in a row figures have clearly shown that Swansea Metropolitan University produces significantly more successful graduate start-up business than any other higher education institution in Wales. Of these companies, more than a quarter (77) have come from a single source – Swansea Metropolitan University. Recent figures sourced from the Higher Education Business and Community

Interaction Survey (HEBCIS) show that more than 300 new companies have spun out from Welsh Universities over the last few years. These companies have all continued trading for at least three years and therefore can be regarded as strong organisations.

provided by our staff, the results speak for themselves. If these actual figures are re-calculated on a pro-rata basis to the number of students at each university, then Swansea Met’s dominance in Wales becomes even more marked.”

Professor David Warner, Swansea Met Vice-Chancellor, said: “We are absolutely delighted to once again top this Knowledge Transfer table. We have embedded the acquisition of entrepreneurial skills into the majority of our programmes and, together with the excellent encouragement and guidance

SWANSEA DESIGN GRADUATE HAILED

‘BRITAIN’S NEXT BIG THING’

ALUMNI

A Swansea Metropolitan University art and design graduate was hailed as 'Britain's Next Big Thing' in a BBC programme fronted by Dragon Den's Theo Papthitas.

‘Britain's Next Big Thing’ followed the story of three big retailers, Liberty, Boots and Habitat, on the hunt for the next consumer sensation. This time, instead of relying on tried and tested suppliers, they put their trust in the hands of talented members of the general public. The programme followed Swansea Met foundation degree art and design graduate Laura Wellington, originally from Morriston in Swansea. It brought to life the story of how she went from a design graduate to a designer for leading retailer Habitat.

Twenty-five year old Laura graduated from Swansea Met in 2005 and undertook a degree in design at Leeds Metropolitan University, achieving firstclass honours. Last year, following a successful pitch to Habitat's top buyers, she was chosen as a young designer they wished to showcase. Leeds-based Laura won Habitat over with her innovative ‘Hula’ acrylic pendant light creation. It had already created a stir having been purchased by Zizzis restaurant chain, as well as international clients from New York and Doha. The BBC show tracked the progress of Laura pitching to Habitat Creative Director, Theo Williams, and Head of Range, Jonathan Crawley, through to working with the Habitat design team, with all the planning and manufacturing to get the product into store. Habitat now has an exclusive deal with Laura and her design is available across Europe with a price tag of £230.

Laura said: “It’s so great see Hula in Habitat stores. It doesn’t seem like six years ago since I did my foundation degree at Swansea Met. I can honestly say that my foundation year was probably one of the best years in my design education. The tutors were so supportive and intuitive. “Originally, I thought I wanted to be a graphic designer but during the first couple of months I was guided into the 3D aspect of design. I’ve always had a passion for all things creative and coming from a creative family I was always inspired and encouraged to get messy and play with everything. Swansea still plays a huge part in my life and is always an inspirational place when I go home.” Laura is also Creative Director of her own design company called Laura Wellington. Details can be found at www.laurawellington.co.uk

BOOST YOUR CAREER WITH THE INSTITUTE OF LEADERSHIP & MANAGEMENT (ILM) MEMBERSHIP The Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM) is offering membership to all Swansea Metropolitan University graduates with no joining fee – a saving £50. Professional recognition Being a member of ILM gives you a distinctive edge. You are entitled to use the prestigious ILM post-nominal letters on your business cards and CV for at-aglance recognition of your professionalism.

Career support Membership includes access to the specialist ILM jobs board which has hundreds of management vacancies for professionals – whatever the stage of your career. You’ll also gain access to free CV review service to improve your job search success.

Join today Visit www.i-l-m.com/join and complete the online application form quoting ILMUNI to get the £50 saving or contact the Membership Team t 01543 266 886 e membership@i-l-m.com

Professional development Don’t get left behind, learning new skills is vital to your career. ILM members enjoy local events, online training opportunities and access to the latest business books and journals.

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STUDENT’S WIN MET BUSINESS CHALLENGE

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

focused on a design studio which would offer creative work from a wide pool of newly graduated and talented young designers and illustrators, through an innovative new business model.

A team of four final-year students from Swansea Metropolitan University have beaten off stiff competition to win a challenging business contest. As a part of the four-day SMUDGE Enterprise workshop, Swansea Met students were encouraged to create a business concept, research its viability and pitch their final ideas to a panel of experts, including members of the Welsh Government and the senior management team of international musical instrument developers, Roland. The students’ final pitch took place at the Swansea Foundation and the eventual winners were general illustration students Tom Ward and Rob Smyth from Bristol, Greg Thomas from Neath and Ryan O’Dare from Barry. Their business idea

Lucy Griffiths, Swansea Business School lecturer, said: “This was a collective project combining a social enterprise and a commercial organisation. Their plan impressed the judges and they are deserving winners.”

Swansea Met, with sponsorship from the Welsh Government, and was supported by the world leader in the design, manufacture and distribution of musical instruments, Roland. The event also included a number of speakers such as: Mike Skidmore, a business consultant and advisor to the United Nations; producer, actor and entrepreneur, Jules Mallory-Skinner; Warren Fauvel, Swansea Met graduate and director of the award-winning design company, FauvelKhan.

The SMUDGE Enterprise workshop aimed to help students, who were interested in setting-up their own business, develop their ideas into a commercial reality. The event was devised by

MOTHER AND DAUGHTER GRADUATES BECOME NATIONAL CUPCAKE CHAMPIONS

UNIVERSITY BOOST FOR WELSH DIGITAL GAMES INDUSTRY ALUMNI

Budding games designers in Wales will have an innovative edge thanks to a new Knowledge Transfer Centre based at Swansea Metropolitan University and the University of Glamorgan, developed in partnership with the Welsh Government and the computer games industry. The recently launched Gameslab Wales project is run by the University of Glamorgan’s School of Creative and Cultural Industries and the School of Digital Media at Swansea Met. It will provide a unique resource to support open innovation in the Welsh media industries and address some of the issues raised by the Livingstone Hope Review, which encouraged universities to support the development of the games industry in the UK. Gameslab Wales has been established as the result of a successful funding application, to the Welsh Government’s Academia for Business (A4B) scheme, for £422,555. The project aims to promote knowledge transfer between the academic centres of excellence and the computer games industry sub-sector. Dr Barry Ip, Head of the School of Digital Media at Swansea Met, said: “Gameslab is an original and vibrant project which helps to stimulate the production of creative, interactive works across Wales.

Up to now, the region has received little in the way of support and encouragement for the creation of interactive games: a market which is and will remain as one of the largest entertainment industries in the world. This project will enable a wide range of creative people – from recent graduates to industry experts – to work closely together towards the production of real, tangible games and interactive applications. Initiatives such as this are vital for promoting and retaining digital media talent in Wales.”

Professor Peter Robertson, Dean of the School of Creative and Cultural Industries at the University of Glamorgan, said: “This sub-sector is a key part of the creative industries in the UK but in Wales, proportionally, there are few companies and approximately only 100 people employed, well below the UK sector average for employment. Recent consultation with companies has highlighted there is lack of expertise in computer games content development. The aim is to stimulate new product development of games content within existing media companies in Wales. Last year the computer games market generated £3.31 billion for the UK economy, with video games software sales accounting for £1.62 billion.” Dr Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA (the trade association representing the UK’s

games industry), said: “We are delighted to support Gameslab Wales and the future content creation and development in Wales. TIGA's vision is to make the UK the best place in the world to do games business, and higher education plays an important role in making that a reality.” GamesLab Wales will aim to: • produce digital games prototypes to demonstrate the commercial potential to leading games publishers, • broker relationships between existing companies, academia, and the games industry associations, to promote open innovation; and, • provide work-based experiential learning opportunities for graduates to develop the next generation of games developers in Wales. Sam Collins, Commercial Manager of the UK Interactive Entertainment Association, said: “Gameslab Wales is an exciting and ambitious project and the UK Interactive Entertainment Association applauds the work done by the University of Glamorgan and Swansea Metropolitan University in its establishment. UKIE is leading the implementation of “Next Gen”, the recently published Livingstone Hope review, and projects such as Gameslab are an integral part of this process.”

A mother and daughter who graduated from Swansea Metropolitan University in the summer have made the perfect start to their cake-making business by winning a plethora of national awards at the third National Cupcake Championships. Virginia Buls and her daughter Jennifer, from St Clears in Carmarthen, graduated from the Met’s Faculty of Art and Design. Virginia successfully completed an MA degree in Fine Art while Jennifer secured an MA in Visual Communication. During the ceremony, they revealed a plan to use their artistic talents to start a small cake-making business together called Absolute Treats, making individualist, artisan cakes. Barely a month later, Jennifer and Virginia have beaten off competition from some of the UK’s big-chain shops to win the ‘Free From Cupcake of the Year 2011’ and the ‘Best Tasting Cupcake of the Year 2011’. They were also crowned the overall ‘National Cupcake Champions 2011’. Virginia said: “Things are moving at pace for our business. We are looking to open our own Tea Rooms in the near future and are just negotiating the finer details of a lease.”

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THE VOICE OF TEACHING SUCCESS

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Swansea Metropolitan University. School of Education Head, Professor John Parkinson, and PGCE Primary Programme Director, Ceri Osborne presented Nicola with her Voice award, recognising her exceptional teaching throughout the year while pursuing her Primary PGCE at Swansea Met. The prize is put forward by Voice, the Union for Education Professionals.

A Swansea teacher training graduate has been recognised by the teachers union Voice Cymru. Nicola Densley, twenty-five years old from Cardiff, completed the one year full-time Primary Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) programme at

Nicola was nominated for this award by Primary PGCE staff for her outstanding teaching during her training placements in local primary schools. Nicola said: “I feel shocked and pleased to win this prize and I am grateful that all my hard work has been recognised. I’m really looking forward to the challenge of having my own class and applying all of the ideas and skills I’ve learnt while on the

PGCE at Swansea Met. “In addition to the school-based training, the contact with staff here at Swansea Met has been very important to my success on the course.”

Two Swansea Metropolitan University students have won top awards at the Welsh Artist of the Year 2011 competition. The Welsh Artist of the Year competition was founded during the millennium year to acknowledge the wealth of artistic ability in Wales. The competition is now in its eleventh year and is organised by St David’s Hall, in Cardiff. It showcases some of the most innovative and talented Welsh-born artists working throughout the UK, and artists currently working or living in Wales.

A Swansea Metropolitan University student has brought an international campaigner to the UK to raise awareness of the issue of child slavery in Haiti.

variety of glass techniques and approaches to create an exploration of glass, light and space which provides the viewer with a unique experience. Rhian said: “I am delighted to have won an award, and being a part of the exhibition will also expose my work to a wider audience.”

Eva moved to Swansea to study a practice-based PhD on the role of patience in portrait photography at Swansea Met. She also teaches photography at the University’s photojournalism department. Eva said: “It’s the first time I have entered in this competition. I am very happy to receive the award and find it very encouraging; it makes me want to continue with my portrait work and complete my next project The Minutes which is about St. Non’s Chapel and holy well, near St. David’s.” Masters degree architectural glass student Rhian Haf Jones, from Gwythevin, Abergele, picked up the best student award for her glass sculpture entitled ‘Glass, Light and Space’. Exploring the theme of the house and relating to the space, Rhian’s work uses a

“Many people have raised money for the organisation and this will be used to create an educational curriculum in Haiti, which will be translated from English in to Creole. Haitian teachers will also be trained to teach equality.”

Nicola has been successful in securing a one-year contract in Deri View Primary School in Abergavenny. She will be working with a Year Five class and as music coordinator for the whole school. Nicola plays the flute and has a performance diploma. She is also a member of the Cardiff and Vale Symphony Orchestra.

pictured - Eva Bartussek

pictured - Rhian Haf Jones

going on in their classrooms. Unlike the US, students in the UK have a good sense of geography and they are aware of countries such as Haiti, which engages them to touch other people’s lives.

Ceri Osborne said “The award was thoroughly deserved and the whole Primary PGCE team is delighted for Nicola. All our graduating students this year deserve credit and many of them have found employment.”

TWO MET STUDENTS WIN WELSH ARTIST OF THE YEAR AWARDS During a ceremony hosted by broadcaster Nicola Haywood-Thomas, it was announced that Swansea Met PhD student and part-time lecturer Eva Bartussek, originally from Augsburg in Germany, secured the photography prize. Her entry ‘Welsh Dresser’, beat off competition from 400 other artists to win.

UNIVERSITY STUDENT BRINGS INTERNATIONAL CAMPAIGNER TO UK ALUMNI

Jean-Robert Cadet spent time in Swansea and visited Swansea Met to speak to University staff and students, and local school and college pupils about his charity, the Restavek Organisation. He was invited to the UK by final-year performing arts student Angela Smith, from Swansea, who first heard about Jean’s story during a BBC interview. She subsequently read his first book and was inspired to invite him to the UK to tell his story in person.

some leftover food and a promise to go to school. These promises are rarely kept.

Jean visited Swansea Met’s Townhill campus and was welcomed by the University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor David Warner, and Assistant Dean of Humanities, Dr Richard Knapp. As well as a talk from Jean, students from Blaenymaes, Gors, Seaview and Trallwn primary schools and Gower College were treated to a restavek-inspired performance by Swansea Met-based Theatre Fforwm Cymru.

Cadet, a former restavek himself, arrived in the United States in 1970. Today, Jean is a United States Freedom Hero, United Nations working group member and international spokesperson on behalf of some of the world's most vulnerable children living in Haiti.

The restavek system in Haiti is said to equate to child slavery. It describes children given by desperate parents to host families who exploit them for their labour in exchange for a place to sleep,

According to Jean-Robert Cadet’s website, ‘many children in restavek situations are beaten, sexually abused and isolated. Often they grow up to be illiterate adults who don't value other people's lives because their own lives were never valued. They are given nothing of value, and they have little or nothing to give back in the context of society’.

Jean said: “This is my first time in Swansea and the people are very friendly. I have visited seven primary schools so far and I was surprised to see so many children who are able to recite, by heart, the UN Convention on Rights for Children. Students are in very good hands with their teachers and headmasters are very aware of what is

Angela Smith, who has set up an organisation called Project Piece, said: “The aim of Project Piece is to connect communities in an interconnected world. I was inspired by Jean’s story and I felt in a position where I could do something. I emailed him and we built up a relationship which has resulted in his visit to the UK.” Professor David Warner said: “It is a pleasure and a privilege to welcome Jean to Swansea Met. Sometimes we do not appreciate how much of a nice life we have in this part of the world. Jean highlights some of the evils of the world, which are hard to believe, and urges us to do something about it.” During his time in the UK, Jean will speak to Oxford University students, will visit twenty-three schools in Swansea and will attend special events in the Brangwyn Hall, the National Waterfront Museum and the Wales Millennium Centre as part of Black History month. Jean has written two books about the restavek system, ‘Restavec’ and ‘My Stone of Hope’. More information can be found at www.jeanrcadet.org

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FACULTY AWARDS

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

FOR DESERVING MET STUDENTS

FIVE-STAR EMPLOYMENT FOR MET TOURISM GRADUATES ALUMNI

Twenty-four hours after their graduation ceremony, two Swansea Metropolitan University tourism graduates started a high-profile graduate trainee management programme at one of Ireland’s leading five-star hotels. International travel and tourism management graduate Rebecca Morse, twenty-one years old from Swansea, and leisure management graduate Gemma Walters, twenty years old from Neath. Following the successful completion of their courses, Rebecca and Gemma had been chosen to undertake the graduate programme run by the five-star Solis Lough Eske Castle Hotel in Donegal, in the north-west of Ireland. The hotel only offered three graduate trainee manager placements, two of which have gone to the Swansea Met graduates.

Graduation is a special time for every student who dons a cap and gown but for four hardworking and dedicated Swansea Metropolitan University students the day was an extra special occasion. Every year Ede and Ravenscroft, the oldest firm of tailors in the world and suppliers of Swansea Met’s graduation attire, donate a sum of money to be presented to one student from each of the University’s four Faculties. The students are chosen for their dedication and determination whilst studying their respected courses, sometimes through adversity. This year the winning students are Tamara Dellutri from the Faculty of Art and Design, Tim Bashford from the Faculty of Applied Design and Engineering, David Williams from the Faculty of Humanities and Cheng Qui from the Faculty of Business and Management. Tamara Dellutri, thirty-four years old from Swansea, graduated with a degree in general illustration. She was nominated for the award by the Faculty of Art and Design for achieving the highest ever dissertation mark.

Tamara said: “I’m very happy to win this prize. The lecturers were incredibly generous with me. They allowed me to experiment and gave me a lot of freedom to work on my own but at the same time gave me a lot of support. It has been a fantastic experience.”

Lough Eske Castle has a rich history dating back to the 1400's and it is associated with the O'Donnells, the founding fathers of Donegal. It is the only Irish hotel to claim a World Luxury Hotel Award and has won the Luxury Country Hotel title two years in a row.

the Year and Castle Venue of the Year by Ireland's largest wedding website: Weddingsonline.com; and it has been recognised among the World's Best Castle Hotels by global travel expert Stephanie Abrams.

Tim Bashford, twenty-three years old from Swansea, graduated with a degree in software engineering. He was nominated by the Faculty of Applied Design and Engineering for showing the most potential for further study following his degree.

Lough Eske Castle has also been named number one hotel in Ireland by MyGuideIreland; voted Wedding Venue of

Rebecca said: “We are absolutely thrilled about the jobs, our interviews went really well. We’ll do six months in different

Tim said: “I am hoping to continue at the University until I’ve completed a PhD studentship, which will support Swansea Met’s research work, and then I’ll be looking to move into industry.” PGCE graduate David Williams, twenty-three years old from Rhondda Cynon Taf, was nominated for achieving his qualification through adversity while business and finance graduate Cheng Qui, twenty-two years old from China, picked up the award for achieving educational excellence and a first-class honours degree.

PART-TIME STUDY COULD BE THE KEY TO YOUR FUTURE

Swansea Metropolitan University is one of the largest providers of part-time higher education in South West Wales. We offer dozens of vocational courses that are designed to better your job or career prospects. Our courses are built around you, and your busy work and home commitments, so that you can choose to study at your own pace.

departments of the business which will give us a good experience. As well as the Lough Eske Castle, the business has hotels in seventeen different countries. Gemma said: “If it wasn’t for the leisure and tourism courses at Swansea Met we wouldn’t have had the opportunity to undertake these high-profile placements.”

GRADUATE HIGH FLIER AT J D WETHERSPOONS

BA Marketing graduate (2006), Robert Gibson, is a high flier in the JD Wetherspoon’s Group. He currently manages ‘The Green Ginger - Lloyds no 1’ in the centre of Torquay, which is one of the group’s flagship bar/restaurants. Rob has recently been appointed chairman of the Torquay Business Improvement District (BID) steering group to help the Devon town gain national recognition for safety. Rob was chosen for the role by fellow traders. Proving that being at SMU is a family affair Robert’s Dad, Andrew is a lecturer in the Faculty of Applied Design and Engineering and Mum, Caryn is Secretary of the Business School.

Phone free on 0800 731 0884 or email prospectus@smu.ac.uk or visit www.smu.ac.uk

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MET STUDENTS ENJOY PASSION PLAY EXPERIENCE

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

The students have been able to make a large number of professional contacts within the industry as a result of the hard work they have put in. Hopefully this will lead to more work for them in future.”

SWANSEA GRADUATE SECURES PART IN TOP BBC THREE SHOW ALUMNI

Swansea Met video students worked with one of several camera crews shooting the events of The Passion as they unfolded. They were working in conjunction with Swansea Met’s European-funded project, Moving Image Wales, which exists to support the development of new projects by Welsh media companies.

Video, technical theatre and performing arts students from Swansea spent time working on the production of the Michael Sheeninspired Port Talbot Passion project. The eagerly anticipated modern-day passion play, starring Baglan actor and Swansea Met Honorary Fellow Michael Sheen, took place at thirteen locations across Port Talbot. As well as being a live production, cult filmmaker Dave McKean directed the filming of the performance for Welsh production company Rondo. The event drew thousands of people to the town and attracted worldwide attention. Eleven students and one member of staff from

Swansea Met’s technical theatre course formed part of the crew, offering a rare opportunity for the students to become involved in a large-scale production. Jonathan Morgan, technical theatre lecturer at Swansea Met, said: “During the twenty-three years I’ve been working in the industry I have never had the opportunity of working on a show of this scale.

Students also gained hands-on experience of Swansea Met’s cutting-edge RED digital film camera, which is four times more powerful than High Definition. In addition to the contribution of the technical theatre and video students, Swansea Met performing arts students also contributed to The Passion project. Kayleigh Hammond, a final-year performing arts student, said: “When we heard that Michael Sheen was involved with The Passion, we were really excited. It gave the whole project credibility and created a real buzz amongst the young people involved. We all worked hard on the show and were delighted to share it with the local community.”

Swansea Met graduate, who hit the big screen early this year in the acclaimed Welsh-based film Submarine, has secured a part in the popular BBC Three series Being Human.

Twenty-one year old performing arts student Darren Evans, originally from Tredegar, received a call from his agent to say that the producers of popular programme Being Human were impressed with his performances. Being Human is a series about three housemates who happen to be a werewolf, vampire and a ghost, and their quest to come to terms with who they are. Earlier this year Darren played the main supporting role of ‘Chips’ in the film Submarine, which was made in and around Swansea and was Executive Produced by Hollywood star, Ben Stiller. It is the debut feature film from Richard Ayoade (The Mighty Boosh, IT Crowd) and based on the novel by Swansea’s Joe Dunthorne. The film was recently described by The Telegraph as ‘The most refreshing, urgent and original debut the British Industry has seen in years’. Darren’s part in Being Human is his latest appearance in an expanding list of TV and film opportunities that have come his way. He began his fledgling career five years ago, as a sixteen year-old, when he took part in a community theatre project sponsored by the local police, before

appearing in a touring production of Frank Vickery’s Ten O’clock from the House. Darren decided to concentrate on furthering his career by gaining qualifications and skills that would give him the best possible chance of success in the future. Enrolling on the performing arts degree course at Swansea Met has broadened his outlook on performing, focusing on both acting and directing. He said: “I wanted to concentrate on making sure I got some qualifications and skills that would set me up for the future, not just a narrow training that would prepare me for acting only. Darren is also preparing for the release of a film called Hunky Dory. He takes a major role in the high school 1970s comedy, which also stars Minnie Driver.

LONDON THEATRE CLUB

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

The Swansea Metropolitan University Theatre Club is a special service to help book tickets to London theatre - and save money.

Westendtheatre.com is one of the UK's premiere websites for booking London theatre tickets and has large allocations of tickets to premium shows, and discounts and special offers to a wealth of West End musicals and plays. Westendtheatre.com has set up a special Theatre Club for Swansea Metropolitan University Alumni www.westendtheatre.com/smu that brings together their latest offers and discounts on West End shows, plus special theatre and dinner packages and hotel and theatre breaks. For more information and to book please visit the Swansea Metropolitan University Theatre Club at www.westendtheatre.com/smu

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NEW SUSTAINABLE DESIGN CENTRE SET FOR HISTORIC CITY LANDMARK

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

One of Swansea’s much-loved seats of learning is set to be transformed into a world-leading centre of design excellence.

delighted that these exciting plans to transform the former Central Library into such an important educational facility have taken this important step forward.

Swansea Council’s Cabinet has agreed to sell the historic former Central Library, on Alexandra Road, to Swansea Metropolitan University so it can be revamped into an international Institute of Sustainable Design.

“Swansea Metropolitan University’s planned development of the former Central Library, with its rich heritage as a seat of learning, is in line with the aspirations for this area of the city outlined in the City Centre Strategic Framework.“ Professor David Warner, Swansea Met ViceChancellor, said: “A prime example of Victorian architecture, the former Central Library building is a grade two listed property and conservation of its appearance is key to any development works. The University’s intention is to return the building to its original intent in a modern context, creating a new and updated seat of learning. We will retain the

Swansea Met plan to invest nearly £8 million into the project which will involve the refurbishment and repair of the original building and its architectural features, as well as the creation of extra space and an exhibition area. Swansea Met’s plans would see an international centre for research and design focusing on automotive design, sustainable product design and an architectural glass centre. Cllr Gareth Sullivan, Swansea Council's Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Planning, said: "We are absolutely

PLEA TO HELP RECORD WELSH GLASS HERITAGE stained glass of Wales. In recent years much has been done to photograph and record these important expressions of Welsh heritage before many are lost. However, one aspect that has been largely missed or ignored is the use made in nonconformist chapels and churches of leaded, stained or architectural glass.

An academic from one of the world’s most prestigious school’s of architectural glass is calling on the Welsh public to help him record the

Alun Adams works within the Welsh School of Architectural Glass at Swansea Metropolitan University. As a part of his research, Alun is hoping that the Welsh public will help him to locate examples of

grandeur of the building's original facade and dome, ensuring any new additions complement the original design. “From the day it first opened in 1887 the building has served as a beacon of educational enlightenment for the people of Swansea. This exciting development will ensure that the University maintains this great tradition of providing first class education in the heart of the city.”

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY EXPANSION ALUMNI

Swansea Metropolitan University has acquired a 65,000 ft2 office building in Swansea city centre, which is the largest Swansea transaction since Admiral Insurance acquired their 70,000 ft2 SA1 headquarters in 2006. Brokered by King Sturge, the University has bought the freehold interest of Ty Bryn Glas from Land Registry for £3M. Rhydian Morris, Partner of King Sturge, said: “This is not only the largest office transaction in Swansea for some time but an excellent opportunity to trigger the needed regeneration in this area of the city. The occupation of this high profile office building will provide immediate increased pedestrian flow, which will have a positive impact on local services and hopefully encourage further investment and development.”

Dr Brian Lewis, Director of Finance and Resources at Swansea Met, said: “The University is recognised as one of the most financially secure UK institutions and this has given us the resources to acquire Ty Bryn Glas to accommodate our continuing expansion.” Professor David Warner, Swansea Met Vice-Chancellor, said: “Firstly, the building will be used for the temporary transfer of some courses so that we can redevelop and refurbish our Alexandra Road campus. Then, we will create a new business and innovation centre based upon the transfer of staff, students and programmes from our Swansea Business School. The new building will give us room for expansion, particularly on the international dimension, and will help to create even more successful graduate start-up business. “University’s are swimming against a tide of adversity and this is a very exciting acquisition showing the determination of Swansea Met to move forward, even in difficult conditions.” Welsh-based ‘nonconformist’ glass which, as of yet, has not been recorded. Alun said: “'Chapels are a distinguishing feature of the Welsh landscape; their presence is a testament to our Christian heritage and witness. If action is not taken now then much information will be lost. Photographs, designs, descriptions of themes and inscriptions, context (e.g. memorials to individuals or events), details of designers, makers, studios and donors and the views of individuals of the importance or otherwise of such artistic expressions can be sent to Alun Adams, Architectural Glass Centre, Swansea Metropolitan University, Alexandra Road, Swansea SA1 5DU or emailed to chapelglass@smu.ac.uk If any alumni have designed and/or made windows or panels for chapels in Wales, Alun would like to hear from you.

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GRADUATE HELPS COUNCIL ACHIEVE CHARTERED CONSULTANCY STATUS

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

A Swansea Metropolitan University graduate has helped two Neath Port Talbot Council services gain professional Chartered Building Consultancy status by the Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB). Mike Howard, from Neath, led the Council’s Housing Renewal and Adaptation Service (HRAS) and the private trading company, Property Bay Wales (PBW), to the prestigious commendation. Chartered Building Consultancy status identifies those businesses that are respected and responsible, managed by professionally qualified and well-trained staff, and that offer an expert and economic service. Membership of the scheme requires the highest qualifications and training criteria for all employees engaged in any aspect of project and construction management, ensuring a professional approach at every level in the organisation.

Mike, who works as a Business Manager for the HRAS, studied a series of qualifications at Swansea Met, which include a HNC in building studies, a degree in project and construction management and a postgraduate certificate in facilities management, all from the University’s School of the Built and Natural Environment. The HRAS provides in-house technical property services and is involved with regeneration projects for the private and public sector. They carry out adaptation, renovation, repair and maintenance of properties as well as surveying and project management. In the past six years the HRAS and PBW have successfully delivered a £50m project turnover. Mike said: “Being a former student of the University I feel that the skills and experience I gained there have assisted me both in my career todate and specifically with the successful acquisition of the Chartered Building

Consultancy status. I have received professional status recognition with the industry’s prominent institutions, such as Fellowship of the CIOB, the Association of Building Engineers and Institute of Carpenters.”

SWANSEA MET STUDENT TEAM FLIES FLAG FOR WELSH MOTORSPORT

ALUMNI

engineering, by challenging students to design, build, develop, market and compete as a team with a small single seater racing car. It blends academic work and learning with the development of practical engineering skills.

Mike still works closely with the University, helping the Swansea Business School organise its series of Chartered Management Institute lectures. He said: “The University has also assisted me with building links and networking through the activity I undertake with the Business School and the Swansea Branch committee of the Chartered Management Institute, of which I am a Member.”

Swansea Metropolitan University’s Formula Student Team have yet again proved themselves to be one of the best motorsport teams in the world, having confirmed themselves as best in Wales, top two in the UK and top eleven in the world, after the 2011 Formula Student competition at Silverstone. Formula Student, the biggest student motorsport competition in the world, promotes careers and excellence in

This year’s international competition saw approximately 134 university teams from 36 countries converge onto the famous home of British motorsport, Silverstone. Each competition car was rigorously tested in areas such as endurance, speed and business viability. It is the fourth year in a row that Swansea Met has finished in or around the world’s top ten, as the first and only Welsh University to be seeded. Swansea Met also maintained its long-standing position as the top Welsh team and, for the fourth

year in a row, secured its place as one of the top UK teams. In addition, in the business category of the competition they were the best in the world, in the acceleration category the team were best in the UK and sixth in the world, and in the cost report category they were also sixth in the world. Motorsport engineering and design student and team leader, David McGowan said: “We are really pleased with the result. It’s fantastic that we, as undergraduates from Swansea Met with a relatively small budget and small team, can compete with large budget, big teams from across the world. The dedicated team members, who put in huge hours of work, can be proud of this respectable position. The team said “we are all grateful for the generosity of our sponsors. There have been many individual companies who have helped us this year and we hope they enjoy this success.” The event is the biggest of its kind in the world and is sponsored by big names in the automotive field such as Shell, National Instruments and the IET.

MET DISPLAYS MOTORSPORT VEHICLES AT NATIONAL RACE MEETING Also enjoying success were the University’s Formula 4 race team, in action on home soil at the national 750 Motor Club Formula 4 Championship at Carmarthenshire’s Pembrey Circuit. A team of eighteen Swansea Met motorsport students competed in the Championship with the University’s Formula Renault Tatuus car and are currently in the top third of the championship leader board. The team are supported by major companies Ixell, Ixtar, Renault Accident Support Line and Renault Insurance. On display at the Race Meeting were Swansea Met’s VW Lupo rally car, a locally built MCR race car, and a number of motorbike projects from the Met’s unique motorcycle engineering courses.

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Thank You! Diolch!

Julie Reed

Alumni Officer Swyddog Alumni

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY We would like to say a huge thank you to our graduates for taking part in our continuing fundraising initiative and for their very generous gifts – the money raised to date went towards our Student Hardship Fund for which the students are eternally grateful.

Hoffwn ddiolch yn enfawr i chi ein graddedigion am gymryd rhan yn ein menter codi arian parhaus ac am y rhoddion hael iawn - aeth yr arian a godwyd hyd yma tuag at ein Cronfa Caledi i Fyfyrwyr y mae’r myfyrwyr yn ddiolchgar tu hwnt amdano.

I know that many of you have very fond memories of your time as a student here at Swansea Met. We all want to safeguard this special environment for our students and help where we can, and for this reason I am asking you, on behalf of Swansea Met, if you would like to make a gift today.

Rwy’n gwybod bod gan lawer ohonoch chi atgofion hapus iawn am eich amser yma ym Met Abertawe. Rydym i gyd yn dymuno diogelu’r amgylchedd arbennig hwn i’n myfyrwyr a helpu lle bynnag y gallwn ni, ac am y rheswm hwn, rwy’n gofyn i chi ar ran met Abertawe, a hoffech chi wneud rhodd heddiw.

I hope you will consider playing an active part by making a gift of whatever you can afford. With your help we can invest in our students, allowing them to thrive and achieve their full potential. Your gift could support students across the spectrum of the University.

Rwy’n gobeithio y byddwch chi’n ystyried chwarae rhan weithredol trwy roi rhodd o faint bynnag y gallwch chi ei fforddio. Gyda’ch help chi, gallwn fuddsoddi yn ein myfyrwyr, gan eu galluogi i ffynnu a chyrraedd eu potensial llawn.

SOUTH WALES BUSINESS REVIEW LAUNCH The Swansea Business School, based at Swansea Metropolitan University, launched a new business publication for South Wales.

The South Wales Business Review is a free subscription-based quarterly publication with news, views and updates on the issues facing businesses in South Wales. It features articles from academic staff, students and business people. It was officially launched on 2nd November at Swansea Met’s Mount Pleasant campus with a number of prominent business people in attendance. The launch also included a talk by the Swanseaborn former Regional Director of Rolls-Royce South East Asia, Tim Jones.

The first issue includes an interview with Tim Jones along with an article by the University’s Dean of Business and Management, Leigh Jenkins, who explores the links between theory and practice in the context of marketing. He offers a provocative view of marketing academia’s preoccupation with novel ideas and theories.

Head of the Centre for Professional and Post Graduate Studies at Swansea Business School, Dr Margaret Inman, gives a brief overview of leadership theory through the ages and gives a sense of how it has shaped the way we think about

organisations by transforming the way we think about those who lead them. In addition, Swansea Business School’s Head of the Centre for International Development, Steve Griffiths, presents a personal view of the benefits of ‘fuzzy’ thinking in his article ‘In Praise of Myopia in Applying Business and Management Theory’. The publication’s editor, Swansea Business School lecturer Lucy Griffiths, said: “The first issue is designed to set the scene for what is to come from the South Wales Business Review by taking a closer look at the link between business theory and business practice.”

GOVERNMENT FUNDING FOR PROJECT WITH BUSINESS SENSE ALUMNI

The Welsh Government is to fund a Swansea Metropolitan University performance project that encourages students and recent graduates to be entrepreneurial and to consider how their skills can be applied commercially.

Project Sense will see students and graduates from a wide variety of disciplines across Swansea Met joining together to form a pan-University theatre company for the duration of the project. This extracurricular project will be run as a professional company with participants collaborating and making all the decisions. Swansea Met has a strong background in supporting business start-ups and all the students involved in the project will be offered advice to help them if they choose to start-up their own business or become a self-employed practitioner. The project is the brainchild of Lucy Beddall, Community Engagement Coordinator at Swansea Met. She said: “There is a real need for a project that not only allows the students the experience of becoming practitioners in their chosen field, but also to expose them to the financial and business implications of their profession. Project Sense aims to link up students from different disciplines to work together and pool their knowledge. This will give the students a new way of thinking about the application of their skills and enable them to think

differently about their future career paths.”

entrepreneurial capabilities to contribute to the local and national economies.”

The project will be supported by a series of workshops by professional companies and practitioners. Traditionally, experiential learning involves a student being offered a work placement within a particular industry. The student can often be engulfed by experienced professionals and have little opportunity to make any decisions or have a say in how the company is run. This project will see the company being independent and making all the creative and business decisions themselves. The students and graduates are being drawn from a range of subjects including Business, Marketing, Video, Music Technology, Animation, Art and Design, Technical Theatre and Performing Arts. It will be the first time that so many subjects have collaborated on a project.

Project Sense will culminate in a multisensory, multimedia performance in early January and promises to be unlike anything seen in Swansea before. Wales Millennium Centre (WMC), which promotes young, emerging artists, is supporting the project by offering workshops and advice to Project Sense.

Business lecturer Lucy Griffiths said: “The Swansea Business School at Swansea Met is fully supporting the project. As the School’s Academic Champion for Enterprise, I believe this is a fantastic opportunity for our students to collaborate with their peers on a live project that will not only benefit the wider community, but will help them hone their business skills and develop their

Sarah Roberts, WMC Learning and Participation Manager, said: “As Wales’ national centre for the performing arts we are delighted to be involved in Project Sense and to be able to support the participants’ professional development in a practical way. Staff across various departments at the Centre will be involved, offering guidance and support where needed.” Lucy Beddall said: “I am so excited about Project Sense. I am also a recent graduate and it’s daunting to start up a business or consider becoming a practitioner. This will give the participants the opportunity to gain real-life experience, skill-share and take ownership of the process of creating a unique show. The results will be disseminated across Swansea Met as an example of good practice in encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and collaboration amongst students.” Kathryn Penaluna, Swansea Met’s Enterprise Manager, said: “Projects like this initiative are critical and that’s why they are at the forefront of Swansea Met’s strategies.

People can receive a copy of South Wales Business Review by visiting www.smu.ac.uk/swbr or by emailing swbr@smu.ac.uk The next edition, due out in February 2012, will be a special issue on the economic future for Wales.

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GO WALES WORK PLACEMENT WITH LOCWS INTERNATIONAL

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

Lucy Read a Fine Art graduate from Swansea Metropolitan University took part in a 10 week GO Wales Work Placement this summer with Locws International; an artist led organisation working on visual arts projects for public and accessible places across the city of Swansea. During the project Lucy provided support for the ‘Art Across the City’ event which ran for four weeks; Locws invited five worldwide artists to Swansea to create artwork that related to Swansea’s history, culture or landscape.

able to work in a creative environment and the placement enhanced my confidence. I would recommend the GO Wales Work Placement scheme to others as it gives you the opportunity to either work in a field where jobs are limited or just gain some experience in the work place, this may help you decide if you are on the right career path.” The GO Wales team based at SMU

During the project Lucy coordinated and provided support for the student volunteers whilst they were invigilating and helping to set up the show. Lucy commented “throughout this time I was able to gain first hand feedback from the public about the project and use this information to create a report. I also carried out guided tours for the public three times a week.” “I really enjoyed the experience it was great to be

DID YOU COMPLETE A COURSE AT SMU IN 2011? ANNUAL DESTINATION OF LEAVERS SURVEY (DLHE)

The Destination Survey is undertaken by the Swansea Metropolitan University Careers Service on behalf of the Higher Education Statistical Agency (HESA).

offer a range of employment and work experience opportunities to help graduates begin their career in Wales. For more information on the services GO Wales offers please visit www.gowales.co.uk or contact the SMU GO Wales team on 01792 481109.

ALUMNI NEWS WHERE ARE YOU NOW ALUMNI

Rebecca Griffiths PGCE 1995-1996

Lorraine Hawkins

“Following completion of my PGCE Upper Primary in Hendrefoilan in 1996 just to update that I now have just completed my first year as Head Teacher of Dunvant Primary School in Swansea. Following the PGCE taught in Penclawdd, Hafod and was Deputy Head in Portmead Primary Swansea.

Wrote “it is almost 25 years since I attended West Glamorgan Institute of Higher Education, now Swansea Metropolitan, and I was reminiscing with my husband on how we enjoyed our time in Swansea.

I love my job and enjoy the challenge of leading one of the largest Primaries in the County. I also got my M Ed with Dr Sue Lyle. Keeping Education in the family as my Dad, Mr Bruce Denley Jones is Senior Science Lecturer in SMU for Secondary PCGE Biology.

(nee Cash)

I studied Business studies and since have had a successful career at Sony UK as Senior Buying Manager Home Entertainment. I am still friends with many of my course colleagues and they also have successful careers, one of which is my husband who is a Director of Finance”.

A pleasure to work with SMU, we even have your PGCE students for observation and Practice”.

Letter Box Service If you have lost touch with an old friend from the University we may be able to help reunite you. We will try our best to put you in touch with other graduates with whom you have lost contact. Just forward your request to the Alumni Office with as many details as possible (eg name, (maiden name if appropriate) subject studied, graduation year)

Every year leavers from UK higher education institutions are contacted to find out what they are doing six months after graduation, whether they are in employment, continuing their education etc.

Alternatively you can email us with your message asking for it to be forwarded. If we do not have a current contact address we will let you know.

We would be really grateful if you would complete your questionnaire and return it as soon as possible to us in the pre – paid envelope provided by the Careers Service

All information held is in accordance with the Data Protection Act 1998 and therefore personal information cannot be released without consent.

AN UPDATE FROM LECTURER JACQUI JONES ON THE SUCCESSES AND ACHIEVEMENTS OF JUST SOME OF THE GRADUATES OF THE SCHOOL OF LEISURE AND TOURISM Damian Jenkins is now Food and Beverage Director with Marriot Rennaisance in Palm Springs California and married to another of our students Donna Bray who was Guest Service Manager with Ritz Carlton in Doha but is now full time mum to their 2 children Gavyn and Iestyn. Belinda Edwards (now Ostler) is now Assistant to the General Manager of Jerome Hotel in Aspen Colorado and is married to an American and they have a baby boy.

Christian Davis is Spa Director of the Ritz Carlton Westchester New York. Iwan Rees is Events Manager at a new hotel in Dubai. Mark Gallagher is General Manager of the Bluebell Hotel in Neath. Louise Hatch returned to the UK after working in Human Resources with Ritz Carlton in Colorado, Cayman Islands and Boston and transferred to Marriott where she is now a Human Resources Manager.

Marleen Foulouis is now working on the graduate program at Solis Lough Eske Castle in Ireland where she is running the events program and joined by last summers grads Becky Morse and Gemma Walters. Robert Jones and Shuetling Tsang are both working on the opening of West Paces Hotel groups first UK hotel the Raithwaite Hall in Yorkshire. Danna Morgan is now Front Desk Manager at St Brides Spa Hotel in Pembrokeshire – Harriet

Rees was working there with her but is now working in the Gallery at St Davids. Aimee Pearcey spent a winter working at the Capella In Telluride but is now back in the UK. Nella Bause has also completed a year working in a Kessler Hotel in USA and is now back in Germany. Eleri Williams is working as a 5x60 officer with Schools in Pembrokeshire and coaching girls cricket.

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RUGBY SOCIETY 40TH ANNIVERSARY REUNION DINNER-DANCE

SWANSEA COLLEGE OF EDUCATION

SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY

RAMADA JARVIS HOTEL SWANSEA SATURDAY 9TH APRIL 2011 ‘character’ and those who met him would not easily forget him. He was a talented rugby player (mainly at fly-half) and played many times at ‘first class club’ level eg Swansea and Bath.

Following the success of the Dummy Club 40th anniversary reunion in March 2010, Derek Williams, who was Captain of the Rugby Society in 1971, decided that he would like to organise a reunion for the 40th anniversary of the Rugby Society, in Swansea, in 2011. Derek asked John Davies (who had made a small contribution towards the Dummy Club reunion organised by Malcolm Evans and Arfon Hughes) to assist him. Prior to the Dummy Club reunion, Derek and John hadn’t seen each other for 40 years. They had known each other since 1966, prior to entering Swansea College of Education together (and on the same course) in 1968 and even shared the same accommodation for most of the 3year course. Tragically, with preparations for the Rugby Society Reunion in full swing, only a few days after his 65th birthday in November 2010, Derek was suddenly taken ill and died within hours of arriving in hospital. It was a huge shock to his family and friends, many of whom had only recently (in March) become reacquainted with him. Although relatively small of stature, but sturdily built, Derek was a huge

Following Derek’s funeral (which was attended by most of the Dummy Club) and after due consideration and consultation, it was decided to go ahead with the Rugby Society Reunion – it would have surely been what Derek would have wanted. John Davies, with Geoff Evans (1971 Rugby Society Treasurer) assisting, carried on with the preparations for the event which ultimately, 43 people managed to attend. Live entertainment was provided by Derek’s daughter Kerry (stagename Kerry Clare) who sang beautifully throughout the evening. There was one other soloist – Rhydwyn Ifan (‘Mock’ as he was known in College) – who was persuaded to sing ‘Old Shep’, an Elvis number which he always sang with great passion in college – and he did not let us down on the night. Speeches were made by a number of people, including Geoff Evans, Tim Morgan and John Davies but probably the funniest and certainly the most poetic was that made by Mel Morgans. It has been generally agreed that the event was a big success. What of the future? By consensus it has been decided to ‘merge’ the two concepts

of ‘Dummy Club’ and ‘Rugby Society’ into a single bi-annual reunion which will be referred to simply as the Swansea College Reunion (1967-1972), to which everyone (from that era) would be welcome to attend. The next reunion will therefore take place on 3 March 2012 at the Marriott Hotel, Swansea, with most people staying overnight. As at October 2011 approximately 60 people have indicated their intention to attend the event, which means that it promises to be even better than the previous reunions. The organisers of the event are:- Arfon Hughes, Malcolm Evans and John Davies. If anyone from the 1967-1972 era is interested in joining us on 3 March, then please contact John Davies on 07825670881 or at jgdpwllyrhebog@hotmail.com

ALUMNI

At the recent 1971 Rugby Society reunion thoughts turned to the bands that had appeared at the Townhill Campus. Everyone there assembled their thinking caps and came up with the following very impressive list of bands that played on the Townhill campus. They recalled a Freshers dance in the late 60’s where a then little known band played called the Bee Gees. Just some of the other bands that came to mind were Deep Purple, Manfred Mann, Genesis, Small Faces, Supertramp, Hollies, Amen Corner, Love Sculpture, Chicken Shack (Lead vocalist Christine Perfect (McVie)), Easybeats and Simon Dupree and the Big Sound. Thanks to Geoff Evans – (graduate of the College of Education 1969-71) for sending the list.

MEMORABILIA

Swansea Metropolitan University Memorabilia can be purchased via the Ede and Ravenscroft Website

www.edeandravenscroft.co.uk

A call to all Alumni please update your contact details/ email address by emailing the Alumni Office at: alumni@smu.ac.uk

REUNION The Alumni Office is happy to help with arrangements for Reunions. We can assist with the mailings of any lost contacts, help with the venue, catering etc. Out of term overnight accommodation can also be arranged at discount prices.

If you are planning a Reunion get in touch and we will give you all the support we can. We hope that all Swansea Metropolitan University graduates will remain interested and involved in the long term development of the University. We welcome members’ suggestions for new services and activities. We would also like to hear from you with your news, achievements and reminiscences. If you have a ‘good story’ to tell please let us know.

LIFEStyle New for 2011/12 Keep physically active try Circuits or Z u mba Improve your core try Stability Ball or Pilates Shape up try Fat Burning or Ab Attack Learn self defence try Wing Chun Need to relax try Qi Gong

visit www.smu.ac.uk/life As a member of the alumni organisation you will be able to use the following facilities and services free of charge:  Use the University Libraries for reference purposes.

 Use the Townhill Fitness Centre – so long as we have space!

 Have continuing Careers counselling, find out about job opportunities throughout Wales and the rest of the UK, and use the Careers ICT Service.  Get the latest information about University Bursaries Scholarships  Use our student accommodation, when available at low,low rates.

 Use the University’s conference, catering and other facilities for your events at reduced rates.

 Gain the latest information about business incentives in South West Wales  Intellectual Property Rights Advisory Service

CONTACT: Julie Reed, Alumni Officer, SWANSEA METROPOLITAN UNIVERSITY Tel/Fax: 01792 481217 E-mail: alumni@smu.ac.uk

www.smu.ac.uk

Registered Charity Number / Rhif Elusen Gofrestredig 1139800

Cover picture copyright City and County of Swansea

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