Venta 25

Issue 25 Winter 2011

New ÂŁ5.6m building Five-star excellence Olympic countdown Zombosium University Professors awarded MBEs

venta For alumni and friends of the University of Winchester

Alastair Stewart OBE accepts Honorary Doctorate Journalism ranked first in National Student Survey 1

Alumni Scholarships Enrol on a Masters or Research programme at the University of Winchester and receive a £250 loyalty discount.

Apply before 30 June 2012 and the loyalty discount increases to £375.

Why not attend our Masters Open Evening 16 May 2012?

Postgraduate courses available for September 2012 enrolment

Who is eligible for the scheme?

All of our former students who have completed an undergraduate degree, postgraduate degree or research degree at the University of Winchester. To check your eligibility please contact the Alumni Office.

What other conditions apply?

For the reduced tuition fee you will need to be accepted on your intended programme of study and be able to satisfy all the normal academic admissions criteria, as well as the University of Winchester’s enrolment and registration conditions. This scheme cannot be used in conjunction with any other sponsorship awarded by the University of Winchester.

Students supported by their employer for professional development programmes, students intending to pursue a PGCE and students applying for a top-up course are also exempt.

• Accounting and Finance (MSc)

• Journalism (MA)

• Archaeology (MRes)

• M anaging Contemporary Global Issues (MA)

• M aster of Business Administration (MBA) • Business Management (MSc) • Creative and Critical Writing (MA) • Cultural and Arts Management (MA) • C ultural and Heritage Resource Management (MA) • Cultural Studies (MA) • Dance: Practice and Production (MA) • Death, Religion & Culture (MA) • Devised Performance (MA) • Digital Media Practice (MA) • Drama: Making Theatre (MA) • E ducation – Early Years, School, College, Workplace & Educators pathway (MA) • E ducation – Medical Educators pathway (MA) • Film Studies (MA) • Global Radio Production (MA) • Historical Studies (MA)

• M anaging Contemporary Global Issues with Environment and Development (MSc) • Marketing (MSc) • Orthodox Studies (MTh) • Popular Performances (MA) • Psychologyical Research Methods (MSc) • R egional and Local History and Archaeology (MA) • Regional and Local Archaeology (MA) • Regional and Local History (MA) • Religion, Ethics and Society (MTh) • Social Research in Education (MRes) • Sustainable Business (MSc) • T heatre and Media as Development (MA) • Writing for Children (MA) • Doctor of Education (EdD) • Graduate Diploma in Law

• Human Resource Management (MSc) • Graduate Diploma in Psychology

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If you have any further queries please contact the Alumni Office: Telephone: 01962 827532 Email: alumni@winchester.ac.uk

VENTA / Winter 2011

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

Welcome Greetings to all alumni and other friends of the University.

There is a real chill in the air as I write this but the autumn sunshine is comforting and Winchester looks as beautiful as ever for the Graduation season. We all enjoyed celebrating Graduation with our students, honorary graduates and families and friends in the arms of the Cathedral, and the procession of academic staff down the High Street allowed an even deeper sense of ‘Town and Gown’. Next year at Graduation we shall be celebrating the first Alumnus of the Year Award. The award is a demonstration of the University’s pride in its alumni and its commitment to inspiring both current students and alumni, encouraging them to value their contribution to society as highly as their career goals and other aspirations.

The University welcomed the largest number of students in its history this autumn and we continue to build to accommodate and teach the growing population. Two major building projects are described in this issue of Venta.

You will read about a new Learning and

Teaching building with a fantastic piece of art on its south wall, linked to our Christian Foundation, and an accommodation complex of five hundred beds. I am also pleased with our plans for a piazza area surrounded by The Stripe, the new Learning and Teaching building and the University Centre; it should provide a lovely space for students to meet, discuss, rest and relax.

The University saw a change of Chair of Governors earlier this year when Roger Witcomb was appointed Chair of the Competition Commission. We are deeply grateful to Roger for his totemic contribution to the Board of Governors over some five years. I am delighted to tell you that Richard (Dick) Wilkinson has now taken on the role. A Classics graduate and former diplomat, Dick is ideally suited to the role and is already making an important contribution.

Finally, I have some excellent news to report.

First of all, success for former members of staff, José Chambers and Tom James who have both recently gained MBEs. José and Tom made huge contributions both within the University and in society at large and

we very much value our ongoing links with them. Lastly, it is with much delight that I report success for the University in gaining recently two awards, the European Foundation for Quality Management Recognised for Excellence five-star award and the International Faith and Spirit at Work Award. What greater pleasure could there be for a values-driven, inclusive, Cathedrals Group institution!

With warm wishes as ever to you and your loved ones for the festive season.

Professor Joy Carter Vice-Chancellor

Contents Faith & Spirit Award ........................ page 2 Graduation 2011............................... page 3 London 2012..................................... page 4 New £5.6m building........................ page 5 PADI research.................................... page 6 University excavations..................... page 7 Zombosium........................................ page 8 Actress Lauren Cohan...................... page 8, 9 Roll of Honour.................................. page 10 AoC Chief Executive......................... page 11 Alumni around the world................ page 12, 13 Total Theatre Award......................... page 14 Wii choreographer............................ page 15 Winton Reunion 2012...................... page 16 Front cover: Alastair Stewart OBE Back cover: Graduation 2011

Venta is published by the Student Recruitment and Marketing department of the University of Winchester. No part of this magazine may be reproduced without prior permission of the publisher.

Whilst every care has been taken to ensure the accuracy of editorial content, no responsibility can be taken for any errors and/or omissions. The views expressed in this magazine are not necessarily those of the University of Winchester. All rights reserved. © University of Winchester 2011

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University News

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

2011 International Faith and Spirit at Work Award The University of Winchester has received the 2011 International Faith and Spirit at Work Award for showing a strong commitment to nurturing the faith and spirituality of its students and staff. The award is given each year to a select group of companies throughout the world who decide which organisations should be honoured for best practice.

The Selection Committee was especially impressed with Winchester’s staff development programme which includes sessions on Exploring Vocation, Prayer Styles in a Busy World, Spiritual Intelligence and Supporting Staff in a Multicultural, Multifaith Environment. The judges

also liked how staff have access to the full range of medical, personal and spiritual support offered to students as well as the benefit of a valuesdriven catering policy.

“This award highlights our commitment to valuing religious ways of knowing at the same time as subjecting them to robust analysis and questioning”, said Professor Elizabeth Stuart, Senior Pro-Vice-Chancellor at Winchester. “The University has always made an explicit commitment to celebrating its Christian foundation while at the same time creating a hospitable environment in which staff and students can explore and practise other forms of faith and spirituality and also question the very notion of faith. We’re

Dick joined the Foreign and Commonwealth Office fast stream in 1972 and served in progressively senior posts in Europe, Latin America and London. Posts included Ambassador to Venezuela and to Chile as well as Director for the Americas and Overseas Territories.

After retiring from the FCO in 2005 he joined the Modern Languages Department at Winchester College where he has just stood down after five years as Head of Spanish. He was made a Commander of the Royal Victorian Order in 1991 in recognition of his service at the British Embassy in Paris.

“All universities face uncertainties at present,” explained Dick on taking up his new role. “It can be argued that a relatively small university such as Winchester, oriented towards education, the arts and social sciences, is particularly exposed. I believe we have the assets and the reputation to carry us through, and indeed to flourish. Where there are challenges there are always opportunities, and we intend to grasp them.”

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Forty-five organizations with a presence in 39 countries have been honoured since 2002.

These companies include The Body Shop (United Kingdom), The Times of India (India), ANZ Bank in Australia and New Zealand, Tyson Foods Inc. (United States), Medtronics (United States) and Hearthstone Homes (United States).

The Reverend Professor June Boyce-Tillman MBE, who directed Space for Peace on Holocaust Memorial Day at Winchester Cathedral this year, received the award on behalf of the University in November at the International Faith and Spirit at Work Conference in Arkansas, USA.

Anyone for Good News?

God and the Media

Former British Ambassador is new Chair of Governors The University of Winchester has appointed Richard Wilkinson CVO as its new Chair of Governors. Dick Wilkinson has lived in Winchester for the last 20 years and has been a university governor for the last three years, holding the position of ViceChair since 2010. He has had a varied career in public service as well as the world of academia.

thrilled to be receiving global recognition in this way.”

Dick Wilkinson CVO

The University’s former Chair of Governors, Roger Witcomb, was recently appointed as the new Chair of the Competition Committee by Vince Cable, the Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills.

“It’s a really exciting opportunity for me, although I shall be sad to give up my role at the University,” said Mr Witcomb who was first made a Diocesan Governor in 2004, becoming Chair of Governors four years ago.

“The government is currently consulting on a proposal to merge the Competition Commission and the Office of Fair Trading. If that goes ahead it will be a big job to make it happen, while at the same carrying out our statutory duty to investigate mergers and markets that are not working well for consumers.”

Former BBC Religious Affairs Correspondent, Christopher Landau appeared at The Stripe recently to give a University Foundation Lecture to explore the often complex relationship between the media and religious organisations.

During his fascinating talk, Christopher questioned why the media only seem to have negative things to say about religion, asking if this is the media’s fault or if religious people are too content to play the media’s game. He also asked if the ‘bad news’ on which the media thrives ever contains the ‘good news’ that Christians hope to proclaim.

Christopher is currently undertaking postgraduate research in theology combined with training for the ministry in the Church of England. He has written and presented several documentaries on religion for BBC radio, including the Jerusalem Award-winning Refuge Bethlehem for the BBC World Service and an exclusive portrait of the launch of Tony Blair’s Faith Foundation for BBC Radio 4.

After seven years as a governor at Winchester, Roger confirmed that he will always continue to take a keen interest in the future of the University.

“Roger has been a magnificent Chair of Governors and has contributed an immense amount to this institution,” said Professor Joy Carter, Vice-Chancellor at Winchester. “It has been an absolute pleasure to work with him and we send him our very best wishes for the important new role which he has now taken on.”

For more information about Foundation Events at the University of Winchester visit www.winchester.ac.uk/events

Christopher Landau

University News

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

UK first: University gains fiveJournalism star rating for overall excellence ranked top in The University of Winchester has been awarded the highest possible five-star accreditation rating by the British Quality Foundation under its Recognised for Excellence scheme which uses the EFQM Excellence Model. It is the first university in the UK to gain a five-star rating for overall organisational excellence.

“This is a great achievement for the University,” commented Vice-Chancellor, Professor Joy Carter. “It’s wonderful to be the first university in the country to achieve this recognition for the whole institution rather than individual areas. It reflects the University’s commitment to delivering the highest level of excellence and experience for our students and other stakeholders.”

The EFQM Excellence Model is used by

thousands of private and public sector organisations in the UK and Europe that are well on their way to organisational excellence, recognising successful efforts to implement excellence and good practice. The assessors particularly identified leadership, at all levels of the University, as an area for praise stating: “there is clear evidence that they role-model the values, and actively reinforce the culture of excellence in their normal day-to-day activities.”

The University provided evidence of its sustainable excellence in a submission document dealing with 32 criterion parts of the EFQM Excellence Model. This was reviewed by EFQM assessors who visited the University and used the document as a basis for discussions with some 70 members of staff from across the University, covering all aspects of the organisation.

National Student Survey Journalism at Winchester has been ranked first in England for academic support and learning resources in the 2011 National Student Survey (NSS).

It has also been ranked in the top five in England for satisfaction with teaching, assessment and feedback, and organisation and management, and in the top three for overall satisfaction.

The University’s Education Studies, Dance, and Theology and Religious Studies appeared in the top 10 with Archaeology, Creative Writing, Initial Teacher Education, Business Management, Psychology, and Social Work ranked in the top 20.

Graduation 2011

City procession becomes new Winchester tradition This year over 1,500 students from the University of Winchester graduated in front of family and friends during six graduation ceremonies held from 8-10 November at Winchester Cathedral.

For the first time in the University’s history, celebrations began with a procession through Winchester City Centre, leaving from Abbey House, the official residence of the Mayor of Winchester, travelling along the High Street to

Winchester Cathedral. The line-up included the Chancellor, Professor Dame Mary Fagan DCVO JP, Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Hampshire and senior staff from the University. They were joined by newscaster Alastair Stewart OBE who was to receive an honorary doctorate at the first ceremony, as well as dignitaries from the County of Hampshire, the City of Winchester and the University’s Board of Governors.

Mr Stewart, who lives in Bramdean, is the main presenter for ITV’s ITN News and has family

connections with the University. “I could not be more thrilled when I heard that the University of Winchester was going to honour me in this way,” he said just before the ceremony.

“My daughter Clementine took her degree at Winchester (Teaching 2004-2008) so she got there first but today I will follow in her footsteps.”

He added: “When everything that really matters to you – your home, your family and your community – when it all comes together in this way it is very, very special and there is no other university that could tick all of those boxes for me.”

Other outstanding individuals honoured this year with honorary doctorates were popular television presenter and producer Philippa Forrester, theologian and writer the Revd Professor Andrew Linzey, leading documentary filmmaker Tony Palmer and Artistic Director of the Nuffield Theatre, Patrick Sandford.

Honorary Fellowships were also awarded to local businessman Mohammed Bakhaty, international authority on Drama and Arts and Education, Dr Cecily O’Neill and founder of Laverstoke Foundation, Clare Scheckter.

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University News

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

Run up to London 2012 Olympian launches University’s ‘12 for 12’ project Former Olympic swimmer Kathy Read held a presentation assembly at Castle Hill Junior School in Basingstoke recently to mark the start of a new University of Winchester initiative, the Olympic ‘12 for 12’ project.

School who has been working closely with the University on the project. “They were very excited to be able to hear first-hand what it’s like to compete at both an Olympic and Commonwealth level. We predict that by the end the children will feel a great sense of achievement.”

The aim of the project is to deliver 12 sports celebration events in the run-up to London 2012 that incorporate the Olympic and Paralympic values of respect, friendship, determination, inspiration, equality, courage and excellence.

“The aim of the Personal Best Castle Hill Project is to recognise sporting improvement as opposed to the best athlete,” explained

Richard Cheetham, Sports Coaching Lecturer and ‘12 for 12’ Project Coordinator. “It will also allow pupils to explore the link between sport and culture and focus on determination – one of the essential Olympic values.”

To mark the partnership between Castle Hill and the University of Winchester, Hillier Gardens will be providing 12 trees to establish an Olympic commemorative garden.

The first ‘12 for 12’ event is the year-long Personal Best Castle Hill Project which involves University staff and seven student volunteers from the University’s BA Sports Coaching and Development programme. The volunteers will coach the schoolchildren in preparation for an Olympic sports day held in the summer when the children will aim to beat their personal bests, and those who make the greatest improvement will become medal winners.

“Kathy’s really inspired the children,” said Sarah Wheble, a PE leader at Castle Hill Junior

Athlete Kathy Read with pupils from Castle Hill Junior School in Basingstoke

Sports Psychologist helps Archery GB return with gold A Sports Lecturer from the University of Winchester provided support recently to young Olympic hopefuls in Archery GB at the European Junior Cup in Cyprus.

Jo Batey, Programme Leader for Sports Science at the University of Winchester, has been working with the GBR Junior Archery recurve team as their sports psychologist since last year, attending regular training camps at the National Sports Centre in Lilleshall, Shropshire.

“It was a rewarding championship for our British team,” said Jo Batey, an accredited member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences (BASES). “We took 11 recurve archers and one of them, 17 year-old Kieran Slater, delivered a gold medal in the cadet boys category on the final day.”

Jo Batey’s work with Archery GB involves helping team members to cope with the demands of the competition, equipping them with appropriate mental skills such as imagery, relaxation, concentration and emotional control. As well as spending time 4

with the athletes on a one-to-one basis, she also delivers workshops on issues of general interest including skills for developing confidence, to preparing effectively and using performance routines.

“As a sports psychologist, in theory most of your work has been done prior to the athletes competing at major competitions,” added Jo who leads the Sports Science Consultancy Unit (SSCU) at Winchester. “Athletes should have been practising their mental skills for many weeks and months in order for them to hold up under the additional stress that a competitive environment involves. However, thinking clearly under pressure is not always easy and directive reminders can be helpful, as can the use of motivational or directional cue words for example. Helping athletes deal with under-performance and regaining perspective is also important at competition level.”

Jo Xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Batey

Kieran Slater and Aalin George

University News

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

University gets go ahead for new £5.6m Learning and Teaching Building Planners have given the green light to a brand new Learning and Teaching Building on the King Alfred campus. The £5.6 million development will provide a fantastic new facility for current and prospective students, particularly important as the University enters a time of heightened competition and a new fee regime.

The new building will include eight new lecture rooms as well as a mezzanine floor with open access PCs and social learning areas.

It will also have an atrium connecting it with St Edburga and be surrounded by extensive new landscaping including an impressive new piazza area, skirted by the University Centre, The Stripe and St Edburga.

Demolition of the Exam Hall and the Arts Centre has already taken place and construction work is now underway. It is hoped that work Engine Architects Ltd © 2011 will be completed in time for the start ofDesign the new academic year in 2012.

Student teams offer innovation solutions Winchester Business School at the University of Winchester has set up two exciting new network services to help small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) innovate and expand their business.

The new services use the InnoLab and BusinessLab concepts and involve teams of business students working on development and research-orientated projects tailored to individual needs. The Labs have grown out of the rapid success of the Winchester Enterprise Network which was set up three years ago and

now has more than 200 members drawn from the University and local business community.

“The InnoLab invites businesses to submit their innovation-related project assignments to be completed by our student teams,” says Dr Helena Forsman, Reader in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at the Winchester Business School. “Our new service can help organisations that need new fresh ideas for improving their existing products or services. It can also provide consumer insights for earlystage inventions and assist with identifying real opportunities for your business.”

The InnoLab accepted their first projects at the end of September and will present their proposed solutions in December. At this stage, if firms need help in turning InnoLab solutions into detailed plans, BusinessLab teams will be able to offer support by developing feasible business plans that cover the necessary information required to present to investors.

For further information about Winchester E-network including their new series of lectures please see www.e-network.org.uk

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University News

PADI funding for diving research The University of Winchester has been awarded $5,000 by the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) to extend its research looking into the causes and effects of nitrogen narcosis in divers.

Nitrogen narcosis is a phenomenon that results from breathing air at increased ambient pressures. The symptoms include impairment of coordination, judgment, memory and alterations in mood and behaviour.

Narcosis is most commonly experienced by undersea divers at depths greater than 30m, where it is a significant contributing factor in diving-related accidents and impairment of underwater work performance. An improved

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

understanding of narcosis has implications for diver training, safety and work performance in underwater environments.

“There are many questions as to what exactly narcosis is and how it affects people, especially with respect to their cognitive functioning whilst underwater”, explains Dr Wendy Kneller, Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University.

“We are hoping to find the answers to some of these questions, particularly with respect to how narcosis affects memory underwater.”

The research was initiated by diver and psychologist Dr Malcolm Hobbs who Dr Kneller teamed up with three years ago. Their first joint study appeared in Undersea and Hyperbaric Medicine in 2009 and was followed by a second study in Aviation, Space and Environmental Medicine last year.

The team is currently investigating how divers are affected by anxiety and self-awareness of memory impairment underwater. This research has already received $6,220 initial funding from PADI and additional funding will allow them to extend their investigations.

Professor José Chambers and Professor Tom Beaumont James

MBE Honours Congratulations go to Professor José Chambers and Professor Tom Beaumont James who were both awarded MBEs in the Queen’s Birthday Honours List 2011 for their outstanding services to higher education.

Former Assistant Vice-Chancellor Professor José Chambers is Development Fellow for the Comino Foundation and Director of the Winchester Comino Centre, an educational trust which aims to support the achievements of groups and individuals.

Dr Malcolm Hobbs (left) collecting data from divers in the Republic of Vanuatu in the South Pacific Ocean

Professor Tom Beaumont James, Emeritus Professor of Regional Studies at Winchester, has a long and distinguished career in archaeology and history. In addition to his teaching in higher education, Professor James has done much to popularise history and archaeology through various media including the publication of a prize-winning text to support the BBC Worldwide/Radio 4’s This Scepter’d Isle and the re-writing of the BBC website’s medieval text and timeline.

National awards for sustainable catering The University has been leading the way in sustainable catering within the Higher Education sector, scooping up a number of prestigious national awards for its first class commitment to local and ethically sourced provisions.

This summer Winchester became the first university caterer rated by the Sustainable Restaurant Association (SRA), receiving the highest award – Three Star Champion status.

The SRA Star Rating system recognises the 6

sustainability achievements of restaurants, pubs and now universities and colleges, and provides diners with a straightforward means of identifying places to eat.

Other accolades include the ‘Fish Friend’ award for being the first university outside of London to take the ‘Sustainable Fish City’ pledge. The University is committed to sourcing its fish supply in a sustainable way and ensuring that it never purchases fish from the Marine Conservation Society’s list of species to avoid.

Catering Manager Dave Morton (right) with his team promoting ethically sourced fish in the University Centre Food Hall.

University News

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

University excavations challenge traditional thinking on the treatment of lepers The Department of Archaeology at the University held an Open Day recently for the public to view the latest excavations at the site of the St Mary Magdalen Hospital, a former medieval leper hospital on the outskirts of Winchester.

The site is believed to be the home of Britain’s earliest known hospital and recent findings have been overturning preconceptions concerning how lepers were actually treated and perceived within their community.

“We’re beginning to build up a much bigger picture of how lepers were treated in medieval England and our findings are challenging traditional beliefs,” added Project Director, Dr Roffey. “Far from being treated as sinners and outcasts, our excavations have shown lepers were in fact afforded tremendous dignity as human beings. We have even found evidence that suggests pilgrims might have been buried alongside them. Artefacts and remains reveal

that both physical and spiritual needs were met extremely well for lepers. Far from being shunned, they were revered and respected.”

There has been a lot of media and public interest in the site this year. The Dean of Winchester, the Mayor of Winchester and local MP, Steve Brine have all visited as well as Alice Roberts, presenter of BBC’s Digging for Britain. The BBC’s One Show and ITV Meridian have also filmed at Hospital Field.

BBC presenter Alice Roberts with Katie Tucker, MHARP Osteoarchaeologist

Last year radio carbon analysis at St Mary Magdalen provided new evidence that could redefine history suggesting the site could have been created as a ‘blue print’ in a period that witnessed widespread religious reforms with Winchester at its centre.

Each year the University runs a major research and training excavation as part of its ongoing programme of research and practical training. For more information about the St Mary Magdalen site visit www.winchester.ac.uk/MHARP

The excavations at the site of the St Mary Magdalen Hospital

Historic agreement with Georgian National Museum The University has made history by signing a significant agreement with the Georgian National Museum to further strengthen international ties between the two institutions.

The ‘Memorandum of Understanding for Academic Co-operation’ signed recently in Georgia’s capital city, Tbilisi, will allow researchers at the University further access to the important collections and artefacts held at the museum as well as facilitate an exchange of expertise between archaeologists at both institutions.

The walls at Nokalakevi

“It is a real privilege for Winchester to be one of the first universities in the world to be signing such an official agreement with the Georgian National Museum,” confirmed Dr Paul Everill, Co-director of the British team of archaeologists involved in the Anglo-Georgian Expedition to Nokalakevi (AGEN), who is also co-ordinator of the agreement.

“The Museum is at the heart of modern Georgia, representing a young and dynamic country with a long and proud history. The University has a strong reputation for teaching archaeological methodology and we look forward to working closely with our Georgian colleagues in the teaching of young Georgian archaeologists.”

So far AGEN, now in its eleventh year, has trained over 120 Georgian and British students, including some from Winchester. In 2008 the Georgian Archaeological Commission requested the use of the University’s definitive document for archaeology to use as a model of best practice for teaching applied techniques in Georgia.

Dr Paul Everill (foreground) at the signing with Dr David Lordkipanidze, Director of the Georgian National Museum

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Feature

University ‘Zombosium’ hits the news The University held an international Zombosium in October to examine current research into zombie culture and how it has spread across all types of media. The timing was perfect and attracted a flurry of related stories in the national press as well as BBC radio.

“Zombies now feature widely in film, television, new and social media, gaming, comics and literary texts,” said Dr Marcus Leaning, Lecturer in the School of Media and Film at the University, who organised the conference. “Our Zombosium attracted more than 17 speakers from across the world, all anxious to share their research into this huge phenomenon.”

The keynote speaker at Zombosium was Dr Ian Conrich, one of the editors of the Journal of British Cinema and Television and a leading authority on contemporary horror cinema.

Dr Conrich has written over 16 books and contributed to more than 50 books and journals. His talk was entitled An Infected Population: Zombie Culture and the Modern Monstrous.

Topics for the one-day conference included discussions surrounding the popular television series, The Walking Dead; and regulation, censorship and zombie flesh eaters; zombies and landscapes; zombies and genocide; home in zombie films and zombie apocalypse survivor communities on Mumsnet and YouTube. Also at the Zombosium, Dr Conrich introduced a special film screening of Dawn of the Dead (2004) for both conference delegates and the general public.

Cult US horror-thriller actress Most recognisable for her role as Rose in The Vampire Diaries and Bela Talbot in Supernatural, Lauren Cohan’s acting career has certainly led her into some sinister and ghoulish worlds. Since graduating in 2003 from Winchester with a BA in Drama and English Literature the popular US actress has landed a number of major horror-thriller roles including, most recently, Maggie Green in the second series of The Walking Dead which returned to the UK in October.

“It’s been so much fun, gut-wrenching at times but absolutely brilliant,” said Lauren, speaking from The Walking Dead set in Atlanta, Georgia. “In this series I play a farmer’s daughter, at odds with her Christian beliefs in a zombie apocalypse.”

co-founded a theatre company with fellow students who took their final piece on tour to Edinburgh. “That experience is a big part of why I am doing this job,” she reflected.

“After that I found an agent and started auditioning.”

The series has a huge cult following and in January was nominated for Best Television Series Drama at the Golden Globe Awards.

The second series has already reached number one on the Top Horror-thriller TV series 2011 at Horror News.

Regular appearances in The Vampire Diaries and Supernatural helped to launch Lauren’s acting career.

“The entire cast I’m working with on The Walking Dead are truly my heroes,” said Lauren. “They are so passionate, nononsense and talented. I feel very, very lucky.”

So how did this New Jersey girl with a talent for the supernatural end up studying at the University of Winchester? “My Drama teacher at school had studied at Winchester as a mature student, absolutely loved it and convinced me to go and visit,” she explained.

“As soon as I arrived, I knew I wanted to study there. I have a lot of great memories and friendships from my time at Winchester that are still a huge part of my life.”

“The plays we reworked in our ‘Exploding the Canon’ module inspired the theatre that some of us went on to make after university. Mark Knightley and Danny Frost from my group are doing some really cool experimental theatre in England now.”

In her third year at Winchester Lauren

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“Rose in The Vampire Diaries was a fun character to play, particularly the dementia and rabies from a werewolf. I couldn’t tell you why vamps are so popular, but they sell.

Generally I don’t find the show to be about zombies or vampires per se, more about the way humans behave within those parameters.

In other words, how character reveals itself when we are pushed to our limits, for example towards death, or danger.”

Lauren’s film credits now include Casanova, Float, Van Wilder 2: The Rise of Taj and last year she was cast in Death Race: Frankenstein Lives co-starring Sean Bean and Danny Trejo.

She also starred in the US series Chuck earlier this year.

“Winchester was a very special experience for me; the city, how beautiful it is, the University, our professors, cobbled streets, history, the college, pubs - everything. If I can give one piece of advice to Winchester alumni and students it would be this. Trust your instincts and remember there will always be detractions. It’s your self-belief that will get you through.”

VENTA / Issue 24 / Summer 2011

Haunted by her past‌ Lauren as Maggie Green in the latest series of The Walking Dead 9

Photo: Bob Mahoney/AMC

University News

Alumni News

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

Adam joins select group of male nursery school teachers New findings from The General Teaching Council for England (GTCE) confirm that Winchester Education Studies graduate Adam Stubbs (2005 to 2009) is one of only three qualified male nursery school teachers under 25 working in a state-run nursery in the UK. According to the GTCE’s 2011 Annual Digest of Statistics the teaching profession remains predominantly female – women teachers make up 75 per cent of those registered and in service on census date. However the proportion

of men qualifying to teach has risen gradually in recent years – up 2.4 per cent since 2008.

Men make up 25.6 per cent of all teachers qualifying this year. This year’s figures show only 48 men in total are working as qualified nursery school teachers in the UK. “I started working at Dilkes Primary School in South Ockendon last year,” said Adam who, after leaving Winchester, went on to study for a PGCE in Early Years Education. “Initially there was some playground talk amongst parents who were worried about a man who wanted to be around young children all day. Since we have a new nursery intake each year, these apprehensions come around every time but with the help of my team we are tackling this and most parents are enthusiastic about having a male role model involved in their child’s early education.”

Adam intends to continue working in the nursery environment, promoting awareness and understanding of the Early Years play agenda to colleagues in and around his school.

Adam in his classroom at Dilkes Primary School

“I thoroughly enjoy working in my current classroom. No two days are the same and I love the fact that we have the flexibility to be led by the children, basing our learning activities around what they want to do.

Many people simply believe that early years education is just playing; they don’t understand the vital role it has in children’s development.”

Can you help with WWI photos?

Jennifer Best (Archaeology, 2002 to 2008) is researching Winchester’s Roll of Honour of 1919 in preparation for a publication to be produced before 2014, the centenary of the beginning of the First World War.

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Double first for chartered status Congratulations go to Rob Morris (Geography and Education, 1975 to 1978) who has recently been awarded the status of Chartered Geographer by the Royal Geographical Society.

For the last six years Rob has taught at Shrewsbury School and is now the first person in Shropshire to achieve the award, which is currently only held by around 400 people worldwide.

“In order to satisfy the awarding committee, I had to meet a list of criteria relating to qualifications and experience,” explained Rob who has been a Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society since 1987. “I also had to provide a portfolio of evidence of continuing professional development over the last two years.”

This proved to be fairly straightforward as Rob is an accomplished author of geographical text books, a senior A level examiner, a specialist on urban regeneration and chairman of the Shropshire Branch of the Geographical Association. Amongst other things, he has also attracted a number of distinguished speakers to Shrewsbury, including the broadcaster Michael Palin and Scottish geologist Professor Iain Stewart, both regular contributors to TV and radio.

This study will focus on those from the city who gave their lives in that conflict and also include material on those from the Diocesan Training College (DTC), later King Alfred’s College. Detailed research on the DTC people has already been carried out by alumnus John Hartley (Teaching, 1963 to 1966) but we’re in need of photographs. Jennifer is anxious to find photographs of those from Winchester who died in the Great War. If you have, or know of, such photographs please contact Jennifer (jen.best@hotmail.co.uk) or Tom James (tom.james@winchester.ac.uk).

The on-site contact at Winchester is Dr Mark Allen (mark.allen@winchester.ac.uk).

Rob (left) with renowned geologist Professor Iain Stewart

The University’s own Roll of Honour around the Chapel

“I’m delighted as only half of the people that currently hold this award are teachers and university academics,” said Rob. “The rest are from a wide variety of geography-related posts such as geographical information systems specialists and geomorphologists. I think this might be a first for Winchester too. I don’t think any other alumnus has ever received Chartered Geographer status.”

Alumni News

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

Spotlight on…

Martin Doel, Chief Executive of Association of Colleges Although Winchester alumnus, Martin Doel (Education, 1976 to 1980) began his career as a teacher, his route to becoming the Chief Executive of the Association of Colleges (AoC) has not been a conventional one.

After leaving University and starting a probationary period as a PE teacher, Martin decided on a change of direction and joined the Royal Air Force. He worked initially as an HR specialist and then an Intelligence Officer, later becoming an Air Commodore, running three stations in Bedfordshire and Cambridgeshire.

The armed forces are the largest single provider of apprenticeships in the UK and finally Martin’s service career led him to Whitehall as Director of Training and Education at the Ministry of Defence, responsible for training and education policy and strategy across all three armed forces.

“The armed forces gave me lots of things – probably most important in this role being how to manage pressure and to keep a sense of humour,” reflected Martin who took up his position at the AoC three years ago. “Being

The University Football 1st Team with Martin fourth from left, front row

in Whitehall also gave me some idea of how Government does and doesn’t work.”

Martin now spends his week travelling between meetings with MPs and Ministers in London and his home near Cambridge. “My main challenge is making sure that the critical work that FE and Sixth Form Colleges do is fully understood and that they receive the resources and freedoms to allow them to deliver on behalf of the students and communities they support. Colleges are at the heart of the growth agenda both locally and nationally.

“Whilst I benefited from a ‘free’ education at university and feel somewhat guilty that a new generation has to navigate funding cuts, I remain convinced that a good education and good job-related training are going to be ever more essential in ensuring a ‘good life’. Prospective students need to be more discerning and think

through their choices more carefully – find the course that they feel best suits them and their aspirations, find the pattern of study that suits them and be demanding of tutors and institutions to ensure the provide the service that the student’s commitment deserves.

“I hugely enjoyed my time at university,” added Martin who played for the first team and eventually went on to become Chairman of RAF Football. “For me Winchester was the right fit, not too big but big enough with the right balance between study and play.”

Katie Archer (Business Management and Marketing, 2008 to 2011) has begun a racy new job, working as a marketing intern at the Head Office of Porsche Cars GB based in Reading.

As well as attending regular UK events at venues such as Silverstone, her job involves her in online marketing and providing market research and analysis, building reports and intelligence on the car industry and economic climate.

“My favourite part of the job is liaising with clients. Also, working directly with the product – especially the sports cars – is a very exciting part of the business,” said Katie. “It’s great to be able to provide information and reports as well as project work that directly impacts and

photo: Paul Kearns

Full speed ahead for Katie Katie with a Porsche GT1 at Silverstone

effects the marketing decisions made by the company. I hope I can make a good impression this year, applying myself the best I can and showing what skills I can offer.”

Katie puts her internship success down to plenty of work experience whilst at University and a proactive approach to possible marketing opportunities for graduates.

“I didn’t wait to see adverts for internships at any of the companies that I approached,”

she said. “My advice would be to call HR departments, prepare your CV and send it in.

I began at Porsche in August 2011 but I first contacted the company in July 2010 enquiring about internship positions.”

Katie impressed senior managers at Porsche with her research on the company for her final year project. She won the Highest Achiever Award on her course from Winchester Business School for her dissertation which explored how gender affects marketing in the car industry.

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Alumni around the World

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

NZ Woman of the Year for Arts and Culture Author and publisher, Jill Marshall (MA Writing for Children, 2000 to 2002) has been named as this year’s Woman of the Year for Arts and Culture in New Zealand after publishing a children’s book to raise funds for the Red Cross following the earthquake in Christchurch.

Curly from Shirley, the Christchurch Dog went to number four on the NZ Children’s Bestseller list, just one month after the quake and just three weeks after initial discussions with the author, Emma Pullar. This quick response was made possible by Jill setting up her own publishing company, Pear Jam Books.

“I was talking to a client from my writing consultancy about one of her books on the Saturday after the quake, with no idea that she lived in Christchurch,” explained Jill, author of the popular Jane Blonde series and Founder

Director of Write Good Stuff, a company based in Auckland, offering writing programmes, workshops, assessments and coaching. “She explained how difficult things were and said she’d like to put out one of her stories as a fundraiser. I found an illustrator, designer, distributor as well as booksellers very quickly, all providing their services for free. However I couldn’t find a publisher, so Pear Jam Books was born.”

Check out www.pearjambooks.com for further details about how you can order a copy of Curly from Shirley.

Sales of Curly from Shirley have rocketed, boosted further by recent visitors to NZ for the Rugby World Cup.

By May this year, Pear Jam Books had signed up 11 more authors for publication, including two new illustrators.

Jill’s new series, Matilda Peppercorn will be out soon. Pear Jam Books will be officially launched in December.

Award-winning title for Jill

Getting households active ‘Down Under’ Nicola Kearns (Sports Development, 2004 to 2007) has been helping the Government of Western Australia on a large-scale behaviour change programme, designed to get households in the region more physically active.

“A big part of this community inclusion initiative is to get mental health clients to participate in sport and recreation to engage them back into the community,” explained Nicola who works on the government’s ActiveSmart programme in Perth. “My job involves me working with mental health accommodation providers to educate support workers in the use of motivational techniques to increase sports participation.

“As well as facilitating initiatives to provide

pathways for the target group, I have to deliver workshops and training to support groups. My role also involves me networking with a wide variety of community organisations to maximise opportunities for clients faced with mental health challenges. These include volunteering centres, local leisure centres, universities, sports clubs and the Mental Health Commission.

“It can be very challenging when you have to engage with clients whose motivation can vary on a daily basis. Although sport is a great feel good factor, severe depression and anxiety can make progress extremely difficult and sometimes clients will completely avoid communicating and interacting. However, it can be extremely rewarding when I see their lifestyles dramatically improve as a direct result of the programme.

“I didn’t want a job where I sat behind a desk all day – getting out into the community is particularly important to me. I’m extremely lucky that my job now not only allows me to fly all over Western Australia but provides an office right next to the beach.”

Nicola in Perth

Supporting education in The Gambia Staff and students at the University have been enthusiastically fundraising for the Hampshire Diamond Jubilee Gambia Project 2012. The project aims to renovate two classrooms at Soma School as well as improve facilities at Tahir School in The Gambia. So far, the project which is led by the University across Hampshire Schools has raised £19,500 – just short of the £20,000 target.

(Education Studies 2002 to 2005, PGCE 2005 to 2006) who has visited The Gambia on a number of occasions.

Of this total, All Saints Junior School in Fleet has raised a massive £6,713. The school has forged strong links with the Soma School since 2000 through fundraising and learning projects. Project Coordinator at All Saints is Carmella Reece

For further information about how you can get involved, see www.winchester.ac.uk/gambia or email gambia.project@winchester.ac.uk

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“Every child in the school was given £1 which they could grow in any way they liked,” explained Carmella. “This fundraising approach was inspired by the parable of the talents. The children thoroughly enjoyed the experience because it gave them the chance to lead a personal project at the same time as exploring our link with The Gambia.”

Children from All Saints Junior School in Fleet raise funds for The Gambia Project

Alumni around the World

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

‘Sing with me happily’ in Mozambique Not many teachers are able to say that they’ve built their own school. But for Rebecca Spencer (Primary Education, 2000 to 2004) that particular dream has become a reality. Her community school in Mozambique has just celebrated its first year and continues to grow and develop, welcoming people of all ages and backgrounds.

“Inhassune is a small rural village with less than 5,000 residents,” explained Rebecca, originally from Bournemouth. “Life is very simple here. Most of the villagers make their living excavating and chipping clay from their soils, farming maize and rearing cattle, goats, pigs and chickens. There are many orphans, single mothers and disabled in the village and like most of Africa, AIDS is a problem. There is no electricity and water is pumped from a bore hole to three taps.”

After initial discussions with local leaders, Rebecca set up the charity ‘Sing with me happily’ so she could work together with locals and international volunteers to help make a positive difference. Over the years she has

been assisted by her university friends from Winchester with fundraising as well as lesson planning.

“Escola da Comunidade opened its doors in September 2010 and as well as a pre-school runs a number of classes for the elderly, babies and orphans. Amongst other things, people come to find out about computers as well as to speak English. On top of this, volunteers come to teach workshops within their skill base. We even have a choir and are supporting the local football team with their training.”

‘Sing with me happily’ also built a volunteer house, attracting international visitors to the area which in turn is helping to generate a lot more business and opportunities. The charity works alongside the local primary school, with the full support of the Mozambican government both at district and provincial level.

For further information about how you can volunteer to help see www.singwithmehappily.com

Rebecca puts her teaching skills to the test in Africa

Child’s play in Japan Saeko Shiina (BA Education Studies, 2008 to 2011) has landed a highly sought after job working at Toys R Us in Tokyo.

The former international student first enrolled on a foundation course at Winchester four years ago so she could learn to speak better English. Now she will be working in the merchandising department for one of the world’s largest toys retailers.

I’ve learned on my course to learning practices outside of the classroom,” explained Saeko whose family lives in Tokyo. “Toys can be great educational tools and affect lives in a good way.

“My dream is to become a buyer for Toys R Us and come back to the UK to discover great new toys for Japanese kids. My four years in the UK was superb – I feel so grateful for everyone who supported me and made my British life so amazing.”

“I love children and want to apply the skills that

Andrew meets President of the United States

Saeko joins the educational world of toys

Andrew Musselman from Youngstown State University in Ohio came to spend a semester at Winchester last year to study Business as part of our Visiting Student programme. It obviously proved to be an international, profileenhancing experience. Here he is, pictured with President Obama, as a member of a hosting/ organising team at a recent US political event.

13

Alumni News

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

Join us as a Governor Do you like the idea of being a ‘voice’ for fellow alumni? Are you interested in getting more involved with alumni affairs?

All registered members of the Winton Club, the University of Winchester’s Alumni Association, are entitled to vote a former student onto the University’s Board of Governors, to serve for a period of three years, with eligibility for reelection on not more than two occasions.

This role is currently held by Stephen Baldwin (1963 to 1966) who will continue to serve until the Annual General Meeting and is eligible for re-election. The former student Governor will be

appointed at the AGM on 30 June 2012 and will serve from 1 September for three years.

Any former student who wishes to stand for election for the period 2012 to 2015 must be proposed and seconded by former students and must state her / his agreement to being nominated. Nomination papers may be obtained from the Alumni Office by email to alumni@winchester.ac.uk Further information about this role can be obtained from Dee Povey, Clerk to the Governors by emailing Dee.Povey@winchester.ac.uk or by telephoning 01962 827150.

ShadyJane are ‘Best Emerging Company’ at Edinburgh A theatre company founded by graduates from the University of Winchester scooped up the Total Theatre Award for Best Emerging Company at this year’s Edinburgh Festival Fringe.

ShadyJane picked up the prestigious award for their show Sailing On which was ambitiously set in the ladies’ toilets at New Town Theatre with only ten audience spaces per show.

“We were thrilled to be nominated and wouldn’t let each other talk about or even contemplate winning,” said Charlotte Cassey who runs the all-female company with Deborah Lampard and Victoria Holloway. “It’s such a cliché but we just kept saying how nice it was to be nominated, and we really meant it. We were stunned when they called out our name.”

ShadyJane has been based at The Point in Eastleigh on an Associate Artist Scheme since 2009 and this is the second year that the company has performed at Edinburgh. All three members studied Drama from 2005 to 2008, returning to take MA Devised Performance.

Gags galore at The Attic Scoundrels Comedy Club was launched in September this year by graduates Paul Baker (Social Care, 1999 to 2003) and Matthew Harvey (Drama Studies and Media and Film Studies, 1999 to 2002). The club was set up to attract the very best acts on the stand-up comedy scene and runs every second Thursday of the month in The Attic at The Railway on St Paul’s Hill in Winchester.

“We are determined to book the finest comedians,” said Paul, a former SU President who is now employed as a Finance Officer at the University. “Winchester deserves a quality comedy night and we intend to highlight the best circuit acts at the same time as showcasing outstanding new talent.”

Opening night at the Club was a sell-out 14

and featured Angelos Epithemiou of BBC2’s Shooting Stars. Since then, the club has attracted the likes of Stewart Francis, Justin Edwards and Danny Bhoy.

“We worked together consistently,” added Charlotte. “The staff really encouraged and supported us and we completed the MA as a company which gave us the space and guidance to really shape our practice. Our experience at Winchester has been invaluable to the development of us individuals and the company as whole.”

Since setting up the comedy club, Paul and Matthew have fostered a relationship with Universal Pictures. The comedy duo hopes to see their new comedy venture grow and develop over the next few years.

“We’re making serious plans for the future,” said Matthew, who already runs his own successful talent company. “We’re already looking at putting on additional comedy nights across the southern region as well as large-scale performances at some of the theatres in London. Keep visiting our website to make sure you’re the first to find out!”

Further information on www.scoundrelscomedyclub.co.uk

Lavatorial comedy… ShadyJane’s Sailing On

Alumni News

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

Megan’s Wii steps set to be Christmas bestseller Get Up and Dance, a Wii and PS3 dance game partly choreographed by Megan Price (Choreography and Dance, 2006 to 2009), has been tipped to be one of this year’s top-selling games for Christmas.

The game, developed by O-Games, was released at the beginning of November both in the UK and the States and Megan’s name appears on the credits as Dance Project Coordinator.

budgeted and liaised with other choreographers and people involved in the project.

“The most important skill I learnt was to deliver the project brief within a restricted budget.

There is a need to focus on the success of the project, with so many people involved it is important to reassure yourself that you can’t please everyone.”

“I was approached by one of the games technicians who heard that I had studied choreography,” explained Megan. “I had an initial meeting to discuss the project and provided a video of my work. It sounds naive now but I hadn’t anticipated that meeting would lead to a game being released around the world six months later.”

“My degree at Winchester taught me many invaluable skills.

Choreographing a full performance for my final year project depicting movement, music, costume and set design really prepared me for Get Up and Dance. It allowed me to learn the skills of solely managing a project as well as the responsibility of taking the lead.”

As well as choreographing a large number of routines, Megan organised rehearsal venues, drew up contracts, made arrangements for filming at various locations, hired dancers,

This is the first dance game that Megan has been involved in choreographing. “When the project was drawing to an end I swore it would be the last,”

Great transatlantic deal for debut author Winchester alumna Sarah Lean (English, 2003 to 2006; MA Critical and Creative Writing 2009 to 2010) has landed a fantastic two-book deal from HarperCollins Children’s Books following a hotly contested auction involving seven publishing houses.

“Rarely does a book connect in such a profound and moving way,” said Publishing Director Rachel Denwood who bought the UK and Commonwealth rights. “I have no doubt that Sarah is a future star whose work will captivate young readers as it has captivated everyone at HarperCollins.”

Her first book, A Dog Called Homeless, is based on a storyline developed from an assessment piece submitted for a Children’s Fiction module at Winchester. It follows the story of Cally Fisher, a girl who stops talking after no-one believes that she has seen her dead mother. The only other living thing that sees her is a grey wolfhound which appears every time her mum does.

A Dog Called Homeless is due out in May 2012.

“It was an unexpected and overwhelming experience to have so many publishers interested in my books,” said Sarah who has also trained as a primary school teacher. “It took weeks for the butterflies to subside and they still take flight at the slightest provocation.”

To mark the occasion, HarperCollins even drew up an adoption certificate for Sarah which ties in perfectly with a theme in her book.

she said. “It demanded relentless commitment and towards the final stages felt like a marathon.

But just like a marathon runner, the sense of achievement and pride could see me return.”

Hampshire Writers’ Society The Hampshire Writers’ Society welcomes all writers in Hampshire to join this new society which hopes to reach out to the community, inspiring new writers and fostering an interest in both creative and critical writing.

The Society was launched in September by Barry Cunningham OBE, ‘discoverer’ of J K Rowling and Chairman and Managing Director of Chicken House Publishing. It is an offshoot of the Winchester Writers’ Conference, now in its 31st year at the University of Winchester, and aims to provide a broad range of professional knowledge exchange activities for hundreds of aspiring and published writers. Events include talks by wellknown authors, poets, playwrights, literary agents, commissioning editors and industry specialists, as well as panels, discussions and performances.

Meetings are held from 7.30pm-9pm on the second Tuesday of each month at the University of Winchester. The next meeting on 13 December will feature a trio of Winchester poets: Dr Tom Masters, Peter Dixon and Mark Rutter whose talk and readings will be Silence: Towards Writing the Universe.

For further information please visit www.writersconference.co.uk/HWS 15

Alumni News

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

Reunion 2011 Alumnus of the Year award The University of Winchester Alumnus of the Year 2012 will formally recognise and celebrate the achievements of an alumnus of the University, or one of its predecessor institutions, who have made outstanding contributions to society through:

Ian Hawkins and Marie Dove

As usual, friendships were renewed, familiar places revisited and new buildings explored at Winton Club Reunion. This year the event took place over the weekend of 8-10 July with accommodation provided at Alwyn Hall, Beech Glade and for the first time at West Downs.

The preacher at the Reunion service in the University Chapel was Philip Lewis (1968 to 1971), Chaplain of Junior King’s School, Canterbury, and the luncheon that followed was attended by over 150 people. When the roll was called the first Wintonian to rise was Ian Hawkins who was at King Alfred’s College from 1939 to 1940 and completed his course after the war. Second to rise was Marie Dove, a representative of the Auxiliary Territorial Service (ATS). The ATS took over the College buildings after the Intelligence Corps and were present until 1945. Both guests were very warmly greeted.

• Considerable community/voluntary dedication • Career success in any area with a number of notable achievements • Exceptional courage in the face of adversity • Heroism or dedication to others Nominations procedure: • Nominations may be made by alumni, staff, students and governors of the University of Winchester and must be received by 31 January 2012 • Nominations should be sent in writing (maximum of one A4 page) by post to the Development & Alumni Office, University of Winchester, Winchester, Hampshire SO22 4NR or by email to alumni@winchester.ac.uk

Winton Sports Weekend 25 and 26 February 2012 Winton Club Reunion 29 June to 1 July 2012 Enterprise Lectures Series 14 March 2012 Geoff Holt Following changes to the University timetable, Reunion 2012 will be held on and around Saturday 30 June.

Details will be finalised by the Winton Committee in February. Despatch of Reunion notices will take place in the week of 16 April.

After a buffet supper, to commemorate 40 Years On, Wintonians were entertained by Te Deum, a band from the seventies.

Howard Horstead Honorary Secretary, Winton Club 16

The award will be conferred at Graduation each year.

Reunion 2012 What’s on…

The toast ‘The University of Winchester and Winton Club’ was proposed by Professor Tom James (1976 to 2008) with responses by the Vice-Chancellor Professor Joy Carter and Peter Sargent (1968 to 1971).

In the afternoon Sheila Bowers opened the Bowers Building, dedicated to the memory of Douglas (Dougie) Bowers who passed away in February last year. Dougie joined the Physical Education Department in 1956 becoming Head of Department in 1974. He maintained strong contact with the University and the Winton Club up until his death. The Bowers Building adjoins the Centre for Sport in the former Human Movement Centre.

• N ominations should include details of how the nominee has made a significant contribution in one or more of the above categories. Additional brief information, such as press cuttings or a CV, may be included in support of your nomination • The competition is open to all graduates of the University of Winchester, University College Winchester and King Alfred’s College worldwide • Please note that self-nominations are not accepted • A panel of judges will shortlist nominees and select a recipient in February 2012

If you haven’t received a notice by Monday 30 April please contact the Alumni Office on 01962 827403 or email: alumni@winchester.ac.uk

In memory of We have recently been notified of the death of the following alumni. We send our condolences to their families.

Mr G Yates Mr R F Jones Mr D G Pickles Mr J V Offord Dr H G Moses Mr S R Carrell

1936 to 1938 1939 to 1941 1945 to 1947 1948 to 1950 1951 to 1953 1952 to 1954

Winchester Foundation Lecture 24 May 2012 Dr Peter Vardy Institute for Theological Partnerships (ITP) conferences at the University 3 March 2012 Awakening to a New Consciousness II: The Impact of Somatic Knowing in Theology 16/17 March 2012 Voices from the Diaspora: Black Christians in the UK 5-8 April 2012 Re-visioning Easter within the Earth Story For full details of ITP events, please email Lisa.Isherwood@winchester.ac.uk All dates correct at time of print.

Please check the University’s Public Events Calendar for further details and confirmation: www.winchester.ac.uk/events

Alumni News

VENTA / Issue 25 / Winter 2011

Fond farewell to Roger Richardson The University said goodbye to Emeritus Professor Roger Richardson this summer at a retirement party in the Chapel which celebrated his 34 years of service to the day.

Uni sweethearts tie the knot On 25 June, Jenny Rhodes and Jamie Stokes (Primary Education, 2007 to 2011) celebrated their marriage at St Mary’s Church in Lytchett Matravers, near Poole.

The couple met on the first day at University when they discovered they would both be commuting daily to Winchester from Dorset.

“I saw Jenny walking to the station and offered her a lift,” said Jamie. “We soon became good friends, regularly travelling in together for lectures. We both thoroughly enjoyed our time at University.”

The happy couple, who both graduated this year, are now working as teachers; Jenny at her old school, Lytchett Matravers Primary School and Jamie at St Ives First School in Ringwood.

Ringing the changes The University was recently reunited with a set of 22 handbells which were accidentally thrown in a skip during building work in the 1970s. Fortunately, they were rescued by former member of staff and alumnus, John Vincent Davis (Teaching, 1948 to 1950, staff 1963 to 1976) who took them home for safekeeping. Nearly four decades later they have been rediscovered in his loft and returned to the Deputy ViceChancellor, Tommy Geddes.

“King Alfred’s College had a handbell-ringing team from 1928 to 1963,” explained Hannah Curtain, Director of Foundation Music at Winchester. “We have every intention of getting the handbells ringing again but they are in need of a fair amount of restoration.

They are a beautiful set of instruments which will in time be an unusual and delightful addition to our music-making activities.”

If you can help with further information about the history of the handbells or their restoration, please email: Corinne.Mackenzie@winchester.ac.uk

local history and in the historiography and philosophy of history,” said Tommy Geddes, Deputy Vice-Chancellor. “He has also generously donated hundreds of books to the library that will enrich the experience of many students to come.”

Roger stepped down from his full-time career as a historian some years ago but has been working tirelessly since, enhancing the University’s partnerships with a wide range of international universities and recruiting international students. Over the years he has held a wide range of posts, including Head of Department of History and Archaeology, Director of International Relations (USA) and Head of the Research and Graduate Centre.

“Roger has truly been one of the University’s academic stars with an international research reputation in seventeenth-century English history, English local and comparative

Roger Richardson (left) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor Tommy Geddes

King Alfred’s Foundation Rugby Team Music events 1961/62 Gospel Choir Concert 9 December 7pm The S.O.N.G – Sounds of New Gospel support the London Community Gospel Choir Winchester Family Church (tickets from www.winfam.org) Christmas Musical Gifts 11 December 7pm Southampton Guildhall (tickets from www.livenation.co.uk/southampton) University of Winchester Carol Service 13 December 6.15pm University Chapel, King Alfred Campus, Sparkford Road, Winchester Space for Peace 26 January 2012 7pm Winchester Cathedral The Myth of the Titanic 4 February 2012 11am New piece written by The Revd Professor June Boyce-Tillman MBE with Southampton City Orchestra. Central Hall, St Mary Street, Southampton Further details about all events can be found on www.winchester.ac.uk/events

This year marks the 50th anniversary of one of the most successful seasons in the Club’s history. The team remained undefeated, winning 27 of the 28 games played and scoring 751 points; the achievement was widely reported in the national press.

During the season a number of the team were selected to play for the Hampshire County side and on leaving College many played first class rugby including Bob Taylor (Teaching, 1961 to 1964) who represented England and the British Lions.

Dave Lewis, (Teaching, 1960 to 1962) would be interested to hear from anyone associated with the team on davidlewis@oldfarmcottage.freeserve.co.uk.

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VENTA / Issue 22 / Summer 2010

The University of Winchester a Fairtrade University www.fairtrade.org.uk Please choose products with FAIRTRADE Mark.

Venta is printed on Greencoat silk 50 per cent recycled.

PLEASE RECYCLE