SHOWTIME!The m

agazine for alumni and friends of Bishop G

rosseteste University C

ollege Lincoln | Issue 01

| July 2007

NEWS… LATEST DEVELOPMENTS… INTRODUCING THE NEW BUILDING… NOTES FROM THE CHAPLAINCY… SUPPORTING US…

Grosseteste, we are delighted to offeryou the opportunity to read all our newsand developments, including informationabout the new building which is currentlybeing erected (page 7), and a newFoundation Fund which has been set upto provide financial support to aid currentstudents who are participating involuntary projects this summer (pages10-11). We also give you a round up ofwhat has been happening within theWidening Participation team, (pages 20-21) and the opportunity to follow BGTouring’s preparations for the annual

Edinburgh Fringe Festival inAugust (pages 22-23).

Two BG graduates havekindly contributed to thisfirst edition by giving anaccount about what theyhave been doing sincegraduating (pages 12-

13). I do hope thiswill become a

regular feature,so pleasekeep yourstories

coming! There are many other ways youcan contribute to BG Talk too – send usyour views and opinions, share yourmemories, search for a long lost friend,or why not advertise a reunion you areplanning?

The latest University College and BGGenerations news and developments willbe a regular feature in BG Talk – wewant to keep you informed and involvedas much as we can! I am also delightedthat the Old Students’ Association will becontributing to BG Talk in this first issue(pages 18-19), and in future editions

I do hope you enjoy reading BG Talk –YOUR magazine - and that you find itboth informative and entertaining.

Best wishesJohannaAlumni Development Officer

Contact details:Johanna SchofieldAlumni Development OfficerBishop Grosseteste University College LincolnLincoln LN1 3DYT 01522 583609 | F 01522 530243E alumni@bishopg.ac.ukwww.bishopg.ac.uk (click on alumni)

WELCOME… to the first ever edition of BG Talk – BG Generations’ alumni magazine!

Since my appointment as the AlumniDevelopment Officer, I have been verybusy building up an alumni activity whichwill appeal to you – our graduates andfriends of Bishop Grosseteste. I do hopeyou enjoy being a BG Generationsmember.

AIMS FOR THE FUTUREMy initial aim is to develop alumnicontacts and to retain positivecommunications between BG and itspast students and friends. I will bekeeping you informed about the latestnews and developments, organisingreunions, fundraising initiatives andinviting you to our many events,productions and concerts, as wellas offering you as many benefits aspossible as BG Generationsmembers – including this free bi-annual magazine! Details of themany other benefits on offer toBG Generations members areon page 9.

Because this has been anexciting and eventfulyear here at Bishop

a valued source of news for OSAmembers. However, it is clear that for thealumni of the past thirty years or so, theOSA is not the preferred route to stayingin touch – many more recent students arelisted on Friends Reunited than on theOSA membership lists, and while it isgreat to see that so many people dowant to keep in touch through FriendsReunited, it seemed to us that we werenot being pro-active enough as aninstitution in providing a way for all thosewho have had contacts with usover the years to stay intouch, to keep up to datewith what we are doingand to continue to playan active part in our livesif they wished. Now thatthe university college islarger than ever- 1500students this year,with over 500 inthe first year anda graduatingcohort thisyear ofaround 600 -

it seems more important than ever to finda new way of keeping in touch, using thebenefits of new technology as well as thetraditional paper-based contacts and faceto face reunions. This is why we haveinvested in a new full-time appointmentfor alumni support, and in providing anew opportunity through BG Generationsand BG Talk for you to let us know whatyou want from us.

So- do read the magazine, pass it on toyour friends who may not yet have

signed up for BG Generations, andhelp us make the next editioneven better by telling us whatyou think, letting us know whatfeatures you want to see and

providing news of your ownto go with our stories of lifehere in Lincoln. And do come

back and visit us when you can!

Professor Muriel RobinsonPrincipal

It is a great pleasure to be writing for thisfirst issue of our new magazine for paststudents, staff and friends of BishopGrosseteste University College Lincoln. Ithink you will find this first edition has agood mix of news and photographsabout life at Bishop Grosseteste past,present and future. We hope this will bea long-running and successfulpublication, and that many of you willtake up the offers elsewhere in themagazine to become contributors.

I’d like to take this opportunity to explainwhy we have taken the step of launchingthis new magazine and the associationwhich it supports, BG Generations. Weare now nearly 150 years old as aninstitution, and the tradition ofencouraging past students to stay intouch dates right back to the earliestdays- our archives contain fascinatingaccounts of the first reunions! Ourexisting Old Students’ Association (theOSA) has worked hard over the years tomaintain the tradition of keeping paststudents in touch with each other, and itsannual publication The Chronicle remains

“WE HOPE THIS WILL BE THE FIRST EDITION OF A LONG-RUNNING & SUCCESSFUL PUBLICATION…”

Three of our BSc EducationStudies and Science studentstook part in the ‘Lab-in-aLorry’ project which is beingrun by Lincolnshire andRutland SETPOINT. SETPOINTpromotes Science, Technology,Engineering and Mathematicsto young people by involvingthem in activities that

demonstrate how interestingand fun these subjects can beand how the curriculum linksto the world of work.

Pupils from YarboroughSchool, Lincoln participated inthe day’s events which kickedoff with a briefing from TheInstitute of Physics followed

by a range of activities andexperiments led by Scienceand Engineering Ambassadorsand our three BG students.Experiments includedinvestigating viscosity, surfacetension and oil extraction,testing resonance andexamining scattering. Theschool pupils were split intogroups of 6-8 and rotated 3interactive experiments. Allreported that they thoroughlyenjoyed themselves and feltthat the event hadencouraged them to learnmore about science. ■

Two of our Heritage Studiesfinalists have done so well ontheir placement that they’vebeen offered jobs! Theplacement involvedconducting a listed buildingsurvey and identifingpotential buildings at riskwithin Sleaford as part of theNorth Kesteven District

Council Listed BuildingSurvey. Mike Purvis (43) andIan Fisher (21) so impressedthe council with theirmeticulous attention to detailthat they have now beenoffered a six month contractto create a similar system forplanning applications.

A spokesman for NorthKesteven District Council said:"The council enjoys workingwith students as they bringinnovation and new ideas.The work that Ian and Mickhave done has been a greathelp, and we are lookingforward to working withthem in the future." ■

A couple who created asoftware product to helpchildren learn to spell arehoping it will be snapped upby a manufacturer.

Bev and Mark Gormley, fromRuskington, won an EnterpriseChallenge run by BishopGrosseteste University College.

Their idea stemmed from theirown experiences of helpingtheir children Calum (seven)and Eve (five) to learn theirspelling.

The software allows theparent, teacher or child torecord the words which needto be learned. The correct

spellings are then typed in.The computer then speaks thewords back to the child, whotypes in how it believes it isspelled. The computer willthen say if they are right ornot and will display the correctspelling.

Mrs Gormley, who is aHeritage Studies student atthe college and also runs herown events business, The BigBang Balloons, said: "The nextstage is to get a digital artistto make it look more pleasingto the eye. The kids havehelped by testing out theprogramme and offering theirinput." Her husband, acomputer analyst at RAF

Waddington, lent his technicalexpertise to the project whichhas taken 18 months todevelop.

The Gormleys received their£500 first prize afterpresenting their idea in aDragon's Den-style scenario toCarole Jones, BusinessDevelopment Manager at theuniversity college, and KevinCumpsty of Lincolnshire andRutland Education BusinessPartnership.

The software has been trialledat Chestnut Street PrimarySchool in Ruskington and nowthe Gormleys are looking intocopyrighting it. ■

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BGNEWS03 BG News06 Climate News07 BG’s new building07 Keeping it local08 BG Generations12 Beyond BG

15 BG Profiles15 Book Talk16 Notes from the

Chaplaincy17 A Tribute to

Dr Jim Johnston

18 News from the OSA20 The Next Generations22 Showtime! BG at the

Edinburgh Festival

BG STUDENTSMAKING THEIRMARK IN HISTORY

EXPERIMENTING TOGETHER IN THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

INVENTION SPELLS OUT WHOLE NEW BUSINESS

BG TALK | Contents

JANE JOHNSTON, READER IN

Education and Programmeand Subject Leader of BG’s BA(Hons) in Early ChildhoodStudies, has been awardedChartered Science Teacherstatus. Jane is one of the firstof five practitioners to begranted Chartered status bythe Association for ScienceEducation (ASE) and theScience Council.

Chartered Science Teachersare professional teachers andeducators who are practisingand/or advancing scienceteaching and learning at thefull professional level and areindividuals for whomknowledge of scienceeducation and science areessential elements at that levelin their role.

"I have been passionateabout primary scienceteaching and learning since Iwas a child at infant schooland involved in the NuffieldPrimary Science Project. Ibelieve that this award is awonderful acknowledgementof my efforts to improveprimary science andrecognition that goodteaching is underpinned byresearch." Jane Johnston ■

AT THE 2007 GEOGRAPHICAL

Association's Annual Conference in April,John Halocha, Reader in GeographyEducation and Head of Geography at BG,was elected to the Presidents' Group ofthe Association.

John will serve on the Group for fouryears and will be President of the GAthroughout the third year. The Presidents'Group is responsible for leading the GAand in particular for, its core purpose of

furthering the learning and teaching ofgeography in primary and secondaryschools in England.

John says "I am very much lookingforward to my role at the GeographicalAssociation over the coming four years. Ibelieve it is vital that teachers help youngpeople to develop a clear and informedinterest in the world, both in their localcommunities and at a global scale.“ ■

OVER THE PAST 18 MONTHS, THREE NEW PROFESSORS HAVEgiven their inaugural lectures at Bishop Grosseteste UniversityCollege Lincoln.

The first lecture, in November 2005, was given by the Principal,Muriel Robinson, Professor of Digital Literacies. ProfessorRobinson’s lecture, “When Worlds Collide”, traced key ideasaround digital literacies and the ways in which children’sencounters with new technologies may be creating a markeddivide between past and future generations. Having engaged theaudience by asking them to consider their own communicativepractices as children and now, Professor Robinson introducedsome of the key theories around the area before exploring datafrom her own research, including a longitudinal case study of

BGNEWS

LECTURER IS HONOURED WITHCHARTERED STATUS

PROFESSORIALAPPOINTMENTS AT BG

BG LECTURER TO TAKE IMPORTANT NATIONAL ROLE

▲

one child and studies of student teachers at Bishop Grossetesteand elsewhere which seem to suggest that change in schoolswith regard to new digital literacy practices may not be able tokeep up with the fast-moving world outside school.

Second in the series was ‘‘Space… the final frontier!” in whichJohn Sharp, Professor of Education Studies, explored his researchinto children’s ideas about the solar system and wider Universe.The lecture, which was enriched by students in role as well as byProfessor Sharp’s very smart kilt (John was born in Edinburgh),allowed those present to consider something of the evolution ofideas on this topic from about the time of the ancient Greeks toNewton. Professor Sharp also explained what we know of thejourneys children take as they go about developing theirunderstandings. The audience was given a taste of how you getfrom Newton to neurons by way of the emergence of chaos incognition, a new idea underpinning children’s ideas research inscience education.

The third lecture, in November 2006, was by the UniversityCollege’s Head of Research Mike Cole, Research Professor inEducation and Equality. In “Maintaining ‘the adequatecontinuance of the British race and British ideals in the world’:contemporary racism and the challenges for education”Professor Cole raised many issues around education and socialjustice. The lecture began with a brief overview of racism inBritain from the days of the British Empire up to 7/7 and beyondbefore taking us into an analysis of the concept of racism itself,along with those of Islamophobia, xenoracism, racialisation andxenoracialisation, all in the context of New Labour’s acquiescencein the pursuit of the New American Empire. In the final part ofthe lecture, the audience was challenged to consider what canbe done in education, in order to combat and undermine racismand racist practices.

These three professorial lectures are just one aspect of theburgeoning research culture at Bishop Grosseteste today. Allthree lectures were well-attended by staff, students, and externalfriends of the University College and led to lively ongoingdebate. See the University College website for details of theseand other current research activities. If you would like to beinvited to any future professorial lectures or to have details of ourresearch seminar series, please contact our ResearchAdministrator, Melanie Bullock, on 01522 583765 or by email atmelanie.bullock@bishopg.ac.uk ■

IT ALL STARTED TOWARDS THE

end of 2006 when my friend Josuggested we take part in “TheThree Peaks Challenge”.Without taking too much timeto think about it, I made a splitsecond decision, which is a bitunusual for me as I like toweigh up the pro and cons,and said “Yes, why not? I needa challenge for 2007 as it willbe my 30th year working at BGand it’s my 50th birthday inDecember 2007.”

The group will consist of 15walkers plus support personnelfrom the Lincoln area and agroup of 14 from Fort William;we intend to walk the threemajor peaks of England,Scotland and Wales, which areBen Nevis, Scafell andSnowdon. The event will startat Ben Nevis at 5.00pm onSaturday 9 June 2007. The aimis to complete the task in 24hours. The groups decided thatthe event should be used toraise funds for local charitableorganisations in our respectiveareas. The Lincoln groupdecided that we should

support the Lincolnshire &Nottinghamshire AirAmbulance and our Scottishcounterparts are raising fundsfor Save the Children and theRonald MacDonald House.

The original idea came fromDave Carter, Lincolnshire SportsPartnership Officer. Both Jo andI know Dave throughYarborough Leisure Centre,where I have worked part-timefor the past 17 years.

Training started in January2007 using the gym atYarborough three times aweek, and at the beginning ofMay I purchased a new bike tohelp with the training; I willalso be walking the five mileshome from work a couple oftimes a week in May. Theweekend of the 19 May, Jo andI will be attempting a trial runup Ben Nevis, to see if thetraining has paid off. For moreinformation check our website:www.threepeaksventure.org.uk

By the time this issue of BGTalk is published, Jane andher team will havecompleted their challenge.You will be able to read allabout their adventure in thenext issue – so watch thisspace. If however, youcannot wait that long,please visit their website formore information.

BGNEWS

JANE’S THREE PEAKS 24 HOUR CHALLENGE(or “How not to say yes without thinking”)

“THE GROUPS DECIDED THATTHE EVENT SHOULD BE USEDTO RAISE FUNDS FOR LOCALCHARITABLE ORGANISATIONSIN OUR RESPECTIVE AREAS”

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OVER 1,000 BUSINESS LEADERS PLEDGED

to take action on climate change at theSummit and the event began a nationalmovement of businesses taking a lead inmoving the UK toward a low carboneconomy. On the day, businesses madeover 5,500 pledges to take action withintheir companies and with theiremployees, suppliers and customers. Inaddition, nearly 600 businesses signed upto become a May Day Company –committing to work with Business in theCommunity, the Carbon Trust and itspartners, and to report progress againsttheir pledges.

THE EVENTHosted by HRH The Prince of Wales, theSummit uniquely networked one hubevent at St. James’s Palace and nineregional events across England throughvideo conferencing technology.Companies discussed the science behindclimate change and the businessimperative of taking action on the issue,

travel by public transport where possible.For those delegates who could not avoidcar travel, the sharing of cars or taxis wasencouraged as was offsetting travelthrough the Carbon Neutral Company,which offered a reduced rate for Summitdelegates.

ACTION AT BGWe are currently engaging with BITC tobenchmark our performance incommunity and environmentalperformance as a way of confirming ourcommitment as a University College tosustainability.

HOW CAN YOU HELP?Climate change and sustainability are bigissues, so big in fact that it is difficultsometimes to see how little things canhelp and how much a difference you canmake. Small steps are the key. Forexample, turn your light off when youleave the office – even if it is just for 15minutes - and your PC screens too. ■

BUSINESS LEADERSPLEDGE TO TAKE ACTIONON CLIMATE CHANGEOn the 1st May 2007, JimDurrant, Vice Principal(Corporate Services) wasinvited to the Prince of WalesMay Day Business Summit onClimate change.

with contributions from Jonathon Porrittand Sir Crispin Tickell. Companies werealso polled on their attitudes towardclimate change. 76% of attendeesbelieved that industry and business couldinfluence the climate change agenda,with 87% seeing climate change as anopportunity for their business.

THE OUTCOMESA Summary Report of the Summit isavailable at www.bitc.org.uk/what_

we_do/may_day/the_summit/index.html

MINIMISING THE CARBON FOOTPRINTOF THE EVENTBusiness in the Community (BITC) workedwith the Carbon Neutral Company tomake the Summit carbon neutral.Unavoidable Co2 emissions produced byeach venue were offset through twoclimate-friendly projects which reduce theequivalent amount of CO2. To helpminimise the footprint of the eventfurther, delegates were encouraged to

“SMALL STEPS ARETHE KEY. FOREXAMPLE, TURNYOUR LIGHT OFFWHEN YOU LEAVETHE OFFICE”

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BISHOP GROSSETESTE’S PRINCIPAL,

Professor Muriel Robinson, and HenryRuddock, Chairman of Ruddocks(Design and Print company) recentlywatched as the final copies of the newprospectus rolled off the presses atRuddock’s printing works.

The design for the University College’snew visual identity, by Sean Coleman ofthe Ruddocks design team, drawstogether the past and future, with alogo made up of the BG initials, the Bin a traditional font (Garamond) lookingback to our tradition and the G in amodern sans serif font looking forwardto the future. The purple colourpresents a clean and fresh image whilstalso echoing the diocesan links and ournamesake Robert Grosseteste. Theprospectus builds on the design tocreate an innovative, interactive andfunctional product that is already going

down well with prospective students atrecruitment fairs. The brief forRuddocks included a requirement totake into account environmental issuesfor paper supply. All the new stationeryhas been printed on recycled paper.

Henry Ruddock, Chairman ofRuddocks, said: “We were delighted tobe given the opportunity to create thenew image for Bishop GrossetesteUniversity College and to create andproduce the prospectus.”

Karen Booth, Assistant AcademicRegistrar (Marketing, Recruitment andAdmissions) commented “Many Y12students are being extremely positiveabout the new prospectus and taking acopy to show their parents/carers andfriends. This new, tactile design willenable us to stand out from other HEinstitutions.” ■

Building the FutureTHE NEW ADMINISTRATION BUILDING

and Laundry facilities are well under wayand now that the foundations arecomplete, we can see progress almostdaily. The building contractors, TaylorPearson, have settled in well on campus,and although there has been some noisefrom time to time from heavy machinery,there has not been any significantdisruption to our day to day activity.

The new building will bring much neededextra office space for our supportservices. Marketing, Registry, and theQuality Department will be based on theground floor; College Services, Estatesand Finance on the first floor; and twooffices for Vice Principals and their PAswill be housed on the second floor.

But this is only half of the story. The newbuilding, when complete, will enable usto create space for two School officesand to improve our teaching and officespace usage. ■

“THIS NEW, TACTILEDESIGN WILL ENABLEUS TO STAND OUTFROM OTHER HEINSTITUTIONS”

KEEPING IT LOCAL:innovation on our doorstep

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What is BG Generations, BishopGrosseteste University CollegeLincoln’s alumni association?Every year the number of studentsgraduating from Bishop GrossetesteUniversity College and pursuing theirprofessional careers increases. But oncestudents leave BG it is easy to lose touchwith former colleagues and friends, andto keep up-to-date with the latest newsand developments. This is why BGGenerations has been set up! We wantto be your point of continuing contact!

As a registered member you can access arange of benefits and services. We alsotake pride in offering you opportunitiesto contribute to alumni activity; sowhether you wish to write an article forthe magazine, or choose to help out atfundraising events, we welcome andvalue your involvement.

Do I have to pay to join?NO! – Membership is FREE!

Who can join?All graduates of Bishop GrossetesteUniversity College Lincoln and itspredecessor colleges, friends and pastcolleagues are welcome to join.

What are the benefits of joining?Not only is membership FREE, as aregistered member you will be entitled totake advantage of the numerous benefitson offer!• Free bi-annual magazine• Discount rates on MA in Education

courses• Discount rates on a number of BG

campus facilities, including gymmembership, use of the conferencesuite; and a selection of events, theatreproductions, and concerts

BG GENERATIONS

HELPINGYOU TOSTAY INTOUCH!

BG Generations has been setup for YOU. But what doesbecoming a member actuallymean? Alumni DevelopmentOfficer, Johanna Schofieldexplains what BGGenerations is all about, andanswers your questions.

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• Discount rates on a number of local hotels, B&Bs and National Car Rental

• Exclusive invitations to events, reunions, productions and concerts,lectures and seminars, and conferencesat Bishop Grosseteste University College

• Careers service advice• Membership and access to the Sibthorp

library• Opportunity to be involved in

fundraising events/activities

• Opportunities for you to be involved in the alumni magazine

• Find old friends by placing a request or advertise your planned reunion in this magazine.

How do I join?For life-time membership all you have todo is complete the BG Generationsmembership application form and returnit to the alumni office. To request anapplication form please contact thealumni officer, or alternatively you candownload it from our website:www.bishopg.ac.uk, and click on‘alumni’.

Do I have to renew my membershipregularly?BG Generations membership is for life,and we are delighted to welcome newmembers regardless of their graduationyear.

Keeping us informed!Please inform BG Generations if there areany changes to your personal details,(including postal and e-mail address,name changes…) – via e-mail:alumni@bishopg.ac.ukOr you can update your details bydownloading a ‘up-dating your currentmember details’ form from our websiteat: www.bishopg.ac.uk and click on

‘alumni’. Please remember to tick the boxindicating that you are up-dating yourdetails.

How you can help us!There are a number of ways you canremain involved in Bishop GrossetesteUniversity College life – we welcome yourinvolvement in as many areas as you wish:• Supplying testimonial which we could

include in the magazine• Being involved in and contributing to

the bi-annual magazine• Advertise your business in our

magazine (rates may apply, but atdiscount cost – please enquire for moredetails)

• Participating in and contributing to Fundraising initiatives

• Becoming a mentor to our current students

• Offering your assistance (and experience!) at our Open Days

• Lecturing for a day• Offering financial support by

contributing to:i) Foundation Fundii) Piano Projectiii) ‘150’ Fund

How to contact us:Please refer to page 2 for contact detailsof the alumni office.

JENNIFER TARLING (COLLEGE SERVICES MANAGER) RETIRED IN MARCH

after dedicating 25 years of service to Bishop Grosseteste. Jenniferjoined Bishop Grosseteste in 1982 as resident Domestic Bursar. She wasswiftly promoted to Domestic Manager less than a year later. In 1994,and again in 2003 Jennifer’s duties increased further after herpromotion to College Services Manager.

Jennifer was treated to a lavish (and much deserved) retirement lunchwhich staff and friends of BG attended in her honour. The buffet had afitting ‘Lincolnshire’ theme with produce from around the county. Wewere entertained during lunch by a wind ensemble of music students.

Jennifer used her farewell speech to talk of her very happy memories ofworking at Bishop Grosseteste which she will treasure. She emphasisedthat the community spirit within BG is precious and hopes it will neverbe lost.

BG is sorry to lose Jennifer, and we do hope that she will visit us in thefuture. We wish her and her husband well in their new life in Scotland.

“AS A REGISTEREDMEMBER YOU CANACCESS A RANGE OFBENEFITS ANDSERVICES”

ON TO PASTURES NEW

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Your generosity goes a long way…

…from BG to two underprivilegedvillages in South Africa, and the MiddleEast, in fact! Your generous donationshave already helped three of ourcurrent students embark on voluntaryprojects around the globe, with morestudents applying as we go to press.

In February 2007, BG Generationslaunched the BG Foundation Fund tooffer financial aid to BG students whoparticipate in voluntary projects both athome and abroad.

BG TALK was designed and printed by

Ruddocks Design and Print, Lincoln.

56 Great Northern Terrace | Lincoln LN5 8HL

T 015522 529591

Because this is the first year we areable to offer such a scheme to ourstudents, it has been a very excitingexperience for all involved. We hadan encouraging response fromstudents, who were extremelygrateful and somewhat relieved atthe prospect of financial aid.

It was agreed that it was only fittingto involve current and past studentsand staff in the naming process, soa competition was set up.

From December 2006 to January2007 the alumni office begancontacting past students, as well asdishing out competition entry formsaround campus, and e-mailing staff,current students, and past studentswho had remained in touch. Thesuggestions came in rapidly – muchto our relief.

In March, a panel of judges had thedifficult task of selecting our twowinning entries. We all felt that thechosen entries were excellent, andcaptured what the new alumniactivity is all about to a T!

Amy Broad, a past student whograduated from BG in July 2005,came up with a winning name, andBG Generations was officiallylaunched.

Amy came up with the idea because“just like a family, there are manygenerations of BG students outthere, with new individuals applyingand arriving all the time.”

BG Talk, the inventive name for thenew magazine, was the winningsuggestion made by Sally Bentley,Head of BG’s School of Culture,Education and Innovation.

Amy and Sally were presented with£25 High Street gift vouchers fortheir brilliant and innovativesuggestions on 18th March.

LAURA GILL‘Youth and University Project’,Amman, Jordan:

Laura, a year 3 Drama in theCommunity student, is volunteering onthe Youth and University Project inAmman with the charity HighwayProjects for 15 days for a third time.The project works with disadvantagedpeople from across the religious divideand aims to unite Christian and Muslimpeople. Laura will help to run aweekend retreat for young Christians.She will also be teaching ChristianEducation lessons in two local schools,helping them apply Christianity to theireveryday lives.

“Our presence allows the church to seethat they are not a minority, but part ofthe global Christian faith and this bringsthem hope and encouragement topersevere in their efforts.”

MEET OURSTUDENTS

WHAT’S IN A NAME?

BG FOUNDATION FUNDFUNDING THE FUTURE!

Up until March 2007, the alumni office had no officialname for BG’s new alumni activity. It seemedinappropriate to continue to refer to it simply as ‘thenew alumni association’ since we wanted to emphasisethat it is not just for alumni, but for past staff and otherfriends of BG.

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GEMMA WATTS‘Soul in the City’ – Durban,South Africa:

Gemma, a year 2 Drama in theCommunity student, will be travelling toDurban as part of the Soul in the Cityproject. Three Christian organisations(Soul Survivor, Soul Action and TearfundTransforms), aim to serve communitiesby continuing to build friendships withchurches and various communitygroups. Gemma is hoping, along withher fellow volunteers, that year on yearthe project will continue to help thelives of the communities in Durban.Gemma is particularly looking forwardto teaching life skills in schools, andfeels that this experience will equip heras a volunteer to set up projects in herlocal community – “The project willenable me to experience a new cultureand hopefully will give me lifelong skillsin care and community work.”

SARAH PEARSON‘Willing Workers in South Africa’– Kurland, South Africa:

Sarah, in her second year on the BA(Hons) Primary Education with QTS, willbe following her ambition of becominga teacher when she visits Kurland. Thevoluntary work she will be undertakingwill enable her to experience teaching adifferent community of children fromthe ones she is used to. The schoolwhich Sarah has been assigned to byWilling Workers in South Africa has agreat need for more teachers andsupport, and Sarah feels very stronglythat this needs to be addressed: “Justbecause these children come from anunderprivileged area does not meanthey should not get the sameeducational opportunities as anyoneelse – they should be given the chanceto succeed too!”

Sarah is also keen to help out at a localorphanage during the weekends andevenings when she is not teaching.

FUTURE REPORT

Luckily for all of us, Laura, Gemma

and Sarah have agreed to write

their own reports during their

ventures and will share their

experiences in the next issue of BG

Talk – so watch this space!

If you’d like to support students

like Laura, Gemma and Sarah in

future projects, you can do so by

making a donation to our

Foundation Fund.

“THE PROJECT WILL ENABLEME TO EXPERIENCE A NEWCULTURE AND HOPEFULLYWILL GIVE ME LIFELONGSKILLS IN CARE ANDCOMMUNITY WORK.”Gemma Watts

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DID I EVER WANT TO BECOME A PRIMARY

Strategy English Consultant? I didn’t evenknow what one was! When I started mytraining at BG in 1996, I was sure that Iwanted to become a successful primaryschool teacher, something I believe I haveachieved. So, how then have I got whereI am today? Let me explain!

On starting my 4 year course, myGrandad took me to one side and said“I’m not sure if I will still be around infour years when you finish, but enjoyevery minute.” I suffered from incrediblehomesickness during my first fortnight orso at BG. It was only some quality advicefrom my tutor, Roger Sadler, which mademe stick it out! I have to say he wasabsolutely right in everything he said andI thoroughly enjoyed my four years inLincoln. It has had a massive influence onmy life in so many ways, openingdoorways and creating paths I wouldnever have considered following.

During my time at the college Iparticularly enjoyed my role asEntertainments Officer, creating thelegendary ‘Countryfile’ trips andintroducing live acts to the bar. It was awonderful time with so many peopleenjoying the social aspects of the collegeexperience and making life long friends.

I graduated in 2000, Grandadcommenting “Well I wasn’t sure I wouldstill be around to see this day but I am.Now I’m going to stick around to annoyeveryone.” I stayed on at the college,after finishing my BA English QTS, to bethe Sabbatical President of the StudentsUnion - a decision that was going tohave a huge impact on my personal life.The year or so running the Union gaveme many skills that I took into my first

teaching position; communication,confidence, teamwork and leadership.More importantly, it also gave me theopportunity to meet the person who wasto become my wife.

I could never really let go of theEntertainments side of the Union,interfering where possible! I booked afemale singer, to appear in the Union bar.Love at first sight, without a doubt.Within months I was applying for jobs inher local area and secured a position atOld Clee Junior School in Grimsby. Soonafter we married! Undoubtedly thehappiest times of my life, culminating inthe birth of our beautiful daughter Isabelin November 2004.

I strongly believe that the friends I madeat BG, and the career path I chose,helped me to get through what has beenthe most difficult part of my life, the lasttwo years. My marriage ended,something I had never envisaged

happening. Isabel, my college friends, myschool and the opportunity to move intomy current job, gave me a focus to carryon.

I started my current role as EnglishConsultant in September having beenseconded from my school. I really enjoyworking with the many primary schoolsin North East Lincolnshire, sharing goodpractice and raising standards for all ofour children. My job has also brought meback to college, running phonics coursesfor some of the teacher training students.As far as the future goes, I am in the laststages of my NPQH and in time hope tosecure a Headship near my home inDoncaster.

My time at BG has shaped my life, givenme countless opportunities, and providedme with the skills to now direct myselfalong my own pathways. Andincidentally, Grandad is 90 and stillsupporting me in so many ways.

BEYOND BG

STEVE WOODHOUSE

BG Talk caught up with someof our former students to findout what they’ve been doingsince graduating from BG.

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I LEFT BISHOP GROSSETESTE IN JULY

2005. Upon graduating I went for aninterview with a supply agency and wasthrown straight into the deep end! Iworked as a supply teacher for 18months working in a variety of schools inDerby (my home town). I worked in some inner city schoolsand some schools in thecountryside and withonly some exceptionsenjoyed it. Being sent ona variety of teachingplacements while at BGcertainly helped me copebetter with this fairly stressful side of teaching. However, Ifound supply work was neitherpredictable nor great in giving me asense of fulfilment in my chosen careerand I just decided that it wasn’t for me.So throughout the 18 months that I wasa supply teacher I applied for severaljobs. In December 2006 I finally got thebreak I was waiting for and landed a

brilliant job for two terms covering aMaternity leave in a little village churchschool in Derby. I have been there 7weeks and absolutely love it! On my firstday at my school (teaching a class of 22mixed reception and year one children) Idiscovered that one teacher associated

with the school is alsoan ex BG student, whohas fond memories ofthe ‘stuffed animals’around the oldbuildings! I alsodiscovered that for manyyears my school and BGwere closely linked with

teacher training (sending students to myschool to train) and residential weeks.The experience of working in this schooland putting all I learnt at BG intopractice has reminded me of how much Ilove being a full time teacher andhopefully with this experience under mybelt finding another job in the futurewon’t be so hard!

If you would like to let old friends

know what you have been up to

since graduating from BG, or you

have a fascinating story you would

like to share, please get in touch and

tell us your news.

EVERYONE COUNTS!

AMY BROAD

BEYOND BG

“BEING SENT ONA VARIETY OFTEACHINGPLACEMENTS WHILEAT BG CERTAINLYHELPED ME”

“DURING MY TIME AT THECOLLEGE I PARTICULARLYENJOYED MY ROLE ASENTERTAINMENTS OFFICER,CREATING THE LEGENDARY‘COUNTRYFILE’ TRIPS”

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EX-STUDENT IS PRODUCER OFWEST END SHOW – EQUUS

BEYOND BG

THE PRODUCTION HAS HAD A

lot of publicity because ofRadcliffe’s nude scenes, but didyou realise that the play has aBG connection? Its producer,David Pugh, is one of our ownalumni.

David studied here from 1978to 1981, training to teach (notsurprisingly, his main subjectwas drama), but even thenshowed signs of a career in thetheatre, leading a verysuccessful student productionof Mary Poppins at the TheatreRoyal.

Since leaving us, David has hada successful career producingmany successful West Endproductions and musicals suchas: Steel Magnolias (West End– Olivier Award nomination –Best Comedy); The BluesBrothers (West End and Tour -Olivier Award nomination -Outstanding Achievement); Art(West End, Broadway, LosAngeles and Tour - OlivierAward, Evening StandardAward, New York Critics'Award, Tony Award - BestPlay); The Play What I Wrote(West End, Broadway and Tour

- Olivier Award - Best Comedy,Tony Award Nomination -Outstanding Achievement);Rebecca (UK Tour) amongstmany others.

He has also maintained linkswith BG. He is one of ourhonorary graduates, havingreceived the honorary degreeof Doctor of Letters from theUniversity of Hull at our degreecongregation in July 2003. Hehas also endowed the David

“DAVID HAS HAD ASUCCESSFUL CAREERPRODUCING MANYSUCCESSFUL WESTEND PRODUCTIONSAND MUSICALS”

Some of you may have read about the recent production

of Peter Shaffer’s play Equus. In this production, the main

character, Alan Strong, is played by Daniel Radcliffe,

better known to most of us as boy wizard Harry Potter.

Pugh prize for drama, awardedeach year to the dramastudent who has made thebiggest contribution to thedepartment. This year’s winneris Ben Newstead.

We wish David continuingsuccess – and would love toknow of any other alumni withsimilarly successful careers. Oh,and David – any chance oftickets for your nextproduction? ■

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1. Mike Cole (ed)(2006)Education, Equality &Human Rights: issues ofgender, 'race', sexuality,disability and socialclass, 2nd Edition,London: Routledge

To what extent did the twentieth centurycreate equality for all? What has been andwhat could be the role of education inthis?

Education, Equality and Human Rightsaddresses the issue of human rights andtheir relationship to education in thetwenty-first century. Issues of gender,‘race’, sexuality, disability and social classare covered as areas in their own right aswell as in relation to education. Thechapters trace the history of the variousissues up to the present and enablereaders to assess their continuingrelevance in the future.

With a new Foreword by leadingeducationist Peter McLaren, thethoroughly updated second edition of thiscomprehensive book provides animportant educational perspective onworld-wide equality issues for studentteachers and teachers at all stages. It is anaccessible and thought-provoking text forall those studying or interested ineducation, equality and human rightsissues.

“Education, Equality and Human Rights,2nd edition, is an urgent and importantcontribution to the social justice literatureas it intersects with current educationaldebates and struggles.” Professor PeterMcLaren, University of California, LosAngeles, USA

2. Mike Cole (ed)(2006)Professional Valuesand Practice: Meetingthe Standards, 3rdEdition, London:David Fultonpublishers

Clearly structured around the Standardsfor Qualified Teacher Status (DfES 02/02),this book explains each of the eightrequirements for Professional Values andPractice and how they can be fulfilled inthe classroom.

Thought provoking and engaging, thisbook is relevant for any student orpractising teacher concerned withdeveloping professionally in the forever-changing world of education.

A fourth edition of this book byProfessor Cole, designed to meet thenew Qualified Teacher Standards whichstart in September 2007, will bepublished by Routledge later this year.

BG PROFILES

BOOKTALK Just two of the recent publications by BG staff – see the display in the library to appreciate thefull range of published activity!

“THE CHAPTERS ENABLEREADERS TO ASSESSTHEIR CONTINUINGRELEVANCE IN THEFUTURE”

STAFF PROFILE: Hannah Clipsham Events Officer

Remember your graduation day and how wellorganised and smoothly the day progressed? Well,meet Hannah Clipsham, who works tirelessly allyear, to ensure that every graduation is asmemorable as possible.

Hannah joined Bishop Grosseteste 10 years ago asa receptionist until four years later an opportunityarose to cover Events Administration. Months latershe was offered the post as a permanent role,before becoming Events Officer. This role involves,as the name suggests, organising universitycollege events – including Graduation, AdventCarol Service, ITT Careers day, DepartmentEvents, Staff Celebration, the Lincolnshire Show,the College Concerts, and Open Days to name afew! So as you can imagine, there is never a timewhen she is not busy planning and preparing foran event.

During the months of May to July(Hannah’s busiest time), a typical

day revolves around the preparations for graduation, which is“the biggest annual event from the university college

calendar to organise.” During this time Hannah has to bearound to talk to students about their special day andassist them with enquiries. The graduation office is openaround the clock to book in payments for theirceremony and celebration tickets, which Hannah then

has to record and file. By this stage, the majority ofthe preparations are secured and in place –

including the venue (Lincoln Cathedral), thereception and catering, robe hire,memorabilia, professional photographersand so on.

Does Hannah enjoy it? – “Yes, I do enjoyit, especially when I see the end results.It is gratifying when all my hard work,and weeks and months of planningcomes together, especially when yousee the smiles on the students faces ongraduation day – it makes it allworthwhile.” ■

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AND WHAT PRECISELY HAS THAT GOT

to do with Chaplaincy? Well, as someof you may know and others may not,it is the name which during this yearwe gave to our new Chaplaincy socialspace in the Sky Centre (also newlynamed).

If nothing else it provoked a numberof interesting and amusing e-maildialogues about both the “Pie in theSky” pun, which was intended, butalso about the more hidden symbolismof Pi, which can be described inmathematical terms as both amathematical “constant” and a“transcendental” or “infinite” number.These more subtle connections werealso intended.

In one sense Bishop Grosseteste as aninstitution and a place of learning wasbuilt upon and around a Churchfoundation and ethos, and thereforecontinues to have an inherited identitybound up specifically with the Churchof England and more generally with anunderstanding of faith as fundamental

to our thinking and living, our learningand growing. In another sense, of course,we know and rejoice that students andstaff today come to Bishop Grossetestefrom a wide variety of differentbackgrounds and bring with them avariety of different understandings of,and responses to,the issues ofreligion, belief andfaith.

The challenge ofChaplaincy,therefore, is to go on seeking to buildrelationships and to make connections;relationships with people and betweendifferent areas and communities withinour ever growing University College;connections between the everyday andthe transcendent, the things of our owndaily endeavours and those of the widerworld, the immediate and the infinite. Itmay sound grand, but in reality it meansstriving to be constant in our offering ofworship, in our gestures of hospitalityand support to all, and in our willingnessto get involved in all the ordinary stuff of

student and staff life. Where elsewould you get asked to a JazzConcert, a Wallpaper Exhibition and asuccession of Drama Productions inthe same week? Where else wouldyou find yourself appearing in a“Murder Mystery” in the SU Bar as the

Reverend Green,processing throughthe Cathedral in aflowing purple cape,running acrosscampus flipping apancake, and singing

the music of Vaughan Williams in acandle-lit castle? Well, it’s all in a year’swork!

Meanwhile, on a fortnightly basis our“Open Pi” has become a place wherestaff drop in for a Fairtrade HotChocolate, Tea or Coffee accompaniedby the sharing of stories and laughter– and they dare to complain that ourmugs are too big!

■ Carolyn (The Reverend Carolyn A. James,Chaplain & Senior Warden)

ALL IN A YEAR OF CHAPLAINCY!

“WHERE ELSE WOULD YOUFIND YOURSELF APPEARINGIN A ‘MURDER MYSTERY’IN THE SU BAR AS THEREVEREND GREEN?”

3.14159265358979323846264338327950288419716939937510 …and soon! What is it? Well, asall you bright, intelligentBishop Grossetestepeople know, it’s Pi ofcourse! Or rather, it is �

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“FIRSTLY, YOU MAY WELL ASK

who am I to write an articleon the great late Doctor Jim(as we used to call him)? Well,I am a recent graduate of theHeritage Studies programmethat Jim taught on and in factI was in the last group to havebeen taught by him for threefull years. I knew Jim as alecturer but I like to think thatover the duration of thecourse that we all came toknow him pretty well. I alsoknow a little about Jim’spersonal life through accountsof his life, not to mention thereferences to his family duringlectures.

I have a number of memoriesthat make me giggle when Ilook back. The first was Jim’sinsistence on taking groupson uphill tours of historicLincoln. This was all well andgood but come rain/shine/hail/hurricane or earthquakewe would still have to go.Year after year Jim led eachmotley crew (sorry guys)round the sites, followingbehind him like a gaggle ofgeese. At lightning pace Jimwould march on ahead

having no mercy forstragglers. At the point whenwe reached our destination -panting and usually half-soaked - we awkwardlyrustled our note pads out ofour bags and proceeded

diligently to take notes. Andthen we were off. Jim wouldtake no prisoners as he strodelithely on!

I loved palaeography(transcribing old documents)with Jim. It was like learning anew language. However, afterweeks and weeks ofinnumerable amounts ofphotostats (as Jim calledthem), someone grumbledabout the waste of paper. Jimretorted dryly, “These are anaccumulation of handoutswhich I photocopied more ofthan I meant to over the lastten or so years, the odds andends that I need to get rid of.

Besides, my wife needs thespace!” Hilarious!

Jim clearly doted on hisgrandchildren, family and wifeand often alluded to them inhis lectures. But he also made

his classes feelspecial. Jimpromised ourgroup hewould fly usall to thesouth ofFrance to take

in the fantastic vernaculararchitecture if he won theLottery. I believed him but I dowonder a) how many othergroups he had promised thisto and b) how his poor wifewould react with potentiallyhundreds of BG studentsclaiming their right toaccompany the Johnstons onholiday! Lucky (or unluckilyfor us) Jim never won thelottery.

I learnt more from Jim’slectures than from any otherteacher. Jim had a way ofgetting things to stick in yourhead by drawing comparisonswith today’s society or making

them funny or obscure. Jim’ssense of humour was shownthrough his delight inshowing us scenes frommedieval timber and stonecarvings. These were oftenshocking, ridiculous ordisgusting. Misericords were afirm favourite of Jim’s toprovoke discussion and ofcourse laughter.

During one particular heritagetrip Jim ran ahead of us intothe church and stationedhimself at the pulpit. He thengave his lecture from thisposition – and later told us hehad always wanted to dothat.

Jim was a great teacher,amusing and conscientious,and he is greatly missed by hisformer students. I am by nomeans the only student tohave special memories of Jimand feel grateful that I havebeen given the opportunity toshare my experiences withyou.”

Victoria BlythBA (Hons) Heritage Studies2003 – 2006

A TRIBUTE TO DR JIM JOHNSTONFor the many of you who remember Dr Jim Johnston who sadly passed away in2007, a former student, Victoria Blyth, pays tribute to a well loved and respectedacademic, colleague, and gentleman:

Dr Jim Johnston (5thfrom left) with studentsat Southwell Minster.

“JIM PROMISED OUR GROUP HEWOULD FLY US ALL TO THE SOUTHOF FRANCE TO TAKE IN THEFANTASTIC VERNACULARARCHITECTURE IF HE WON THELOTTERY”

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THROUGH THE CHRONICLE WE HAVE TRIED

to keep people with that special interest inLincoln in touch with each other. We havetried to provide a channel through whichwe can all exchange news and reportevents as the years go by after qualifyingat Lincoln, and so continue that specialbelonging that I am sure we all feel.

I was especially touched to hear that thenew Association being formed along sideour OSA is to be called BG Generationsbecause this name indicates a sense ofpast students linked by time and changeas the generations come and go fromLincoln, a sense that all who have been tostudy within the walls of that College,throughout its changing names, havebeen touched by something that theycannot and would not ever forget.

As I write to you, Sonia (OSA Secretary) isbusy preparing for Reunion 2007, whichwe all hope will be another excellentoccasion as usual. Perhaps we will havetraditional Reunion weather again, whichover the past few years has meanttemperatures of 24oC, and counting.

Reunion has become one of thehighlights of our year in the OSA onlymatched by the publication of our annualChronicle magazine.

The news from the Branches is that all isgoing well and they are indeed thrivingand providing local links and lunchmeetings; these are important occasionsfor members who are unable, for variousreasons, to be at the Reunion in July.

I was very fortunate myself to beat the Grimsby BranchLuncheon at the WalthamWindmill Golf Club, Soniawas unable to attend thisyear. It just so happened thaton that day Douglas and I werestaying at our caravan in Saltfleet,and so I enjoyed driving the shortdistance to Waltham, where I enjoyedan excellent lunch and chat with friends,Betty Hillman and Jennifer Easthaugh-Waring and Wendy Webb. Members ofthe Sheffield and District Branch shouldnot worry - we will be having a BranchLunch sometime during the summer,

CHRONICLESOF THE OLDSTUDENTS`ASSOCIATIONEx-student Jane Robinson catches up on the Old Students’ Association

I feel really thrilled to be able to write for the first edition ofthe University College’s new magazine, BG Talk. I have beenwriting for many years for the OSA Chronicle but now I feelthat I may at last be reaching a wider audience.

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perhaps possibly a city centre venue thistime.

In writing news I cannot forget tomention the retirement of Jennifer Tarlingfrom her post as the College ServicesManager at Bishop Grosseteste. Jenniferhas been a wonderful link person for theOSA over the years; she has supported anumber of OSA Secretaries and organisedmany Reunions for us at Lincoln. Overrecent years she has always made Sonia,Merryn and I most welcome when wehave visited BG to work on theorganisation for Reunion and prepare The

Chronicle. Sonia, Merryn (Treasurer) and Iwere privileged to be at Jennifer`sPresentation and Celebration Lunch tomark her retirement at the end of March.We are hoping that Jennifer will bejoining us at Reunion in July, when I amsure many of you will want to give yourown personal good wishes to Jennifer forher retirement.

I must mention the beautifulrefurbishment of the University CollegeChapel. The OSA has had much inputhere. Our members have bought andpresented many of the new chairs, some

in memory of ex-students who werelong and treasured friends who

have passed away. Last year atReunion we saw the dedication

by the Bishop of Lincoln of thenew Altar for the Chapel,presented in memory of MaryTrotter. Mary was a longserving OSA Secretary,Leader of the GrimsbyBranch and the personwho kept the OSA inbeing when it was at avery low ebb. The Chapelhas received some newaltar cloths, these having

been hand-made by paststudents of the College, one

nearby in Lincoln itself and one fromAmerica.

At the moment we are looking forward tothe Homecoming Weekend at the end ofMay, more about that in the next issue,and the presentation of the Dulcie DukeAward on June 6th in BG. This award isgiven to 2 First Year Students for excellentwork on their Local History Project. Thisaward has been set up in memory of MissDulcie Duke who was History lecturer atBG from 1952 to 1977, when she retired.She is remembered and loved by many forher dedication to Bishop Grosseteste and

the students and her enthusiasm forHistory and Teaching. Dulcie was also agreat supporter of the OSA and a pastVice President. The Award takes itsphysical form in the shape of a piece ofstone carved by one of the Cathedralcarvers and decorated in gold leaf.

Sonia, Merryn and I continue to attendthe many functions at BG to representthe OSA at: The Advent Carol Serviceand other services in the College Chapel,meetings with Prof. Muriel Robinson andUniversity College staff to prepare forReunion and the publication of TheChronicle, also Graduation and themusical occasions, and this year theHomecoming Weekend and the ArtExhibition. We hope to be able tocontinue these important links withBishop Grosseteste University College inthe coming year. ■

HELP US WITH THE HEADLINES!

Please keep your news and letterscoming in for publication in the newmagazine BG Talk. Send them to me;

Jane Robinson e-mail:janeyrob1940@yahoo.co.uk

or to Johanna Schofield at BG: alumni@bishopg.ac.uk

“THE NEWS FROMTHE BRANCHES ISTHAT ALL IS GOINGWELL AND THEY AREINDEED THRIVINGAND PROVIDINGLOCAL LINKS”

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IN PREVIOUS YEARS THEY WERE CALLED

summer school mentors, but this yearthey are called Ambassadors –because that is what they are –excellent ambassadors for BishopGrosseteste University College Lincoln.

Every year the University College runsresidential summer schools for schoolsfrom across the East Midlands, and toensure their smooth running abouttwenty –five undergraduates arerecruited to work with the youngpeople attending.

The Ambassadors go through arigorous recruitment and trainingprocess to ensure they have all theright characteristics: responsibility, athorough knowledge of the UniversityCollege, empathy with young peopleand a good sense of adventure andhumour, to name just a few. Oneneeds to have a great sense ofhumour when allowing six teenagersto dress you up as an imaginary super-hero using a variety of pieces ofplastic, material, paper and other bitsof junk! Ambassadors come in all ageranges from first years straight out ofschool to mature students who areyoung at heart and have their ownchildren at home.

During the summer schools theAmbassadors assist, and in some caseslead, the academic workshops,providing hands-on help to theyoungsters and assisting them to

understand what life is like at university.In the evenings they lead the socialactivities – karaoke being a favourite -ensuring that no one feels left out. Ifsomeone feels homesick or unhappy,the Ambassadors are on hand to help.Some of the favourite activities for bothpupils and Ambassadors are theoutdoor events that include kayaking,raft building and crate stacking.

But the residential summer schools arenot their only duty. The University

College is undertakingmore and more one daytaster events such as theY10 ExtravaganzaExperience Days (seearticle opposite) and thefeedback from bothteachers and pupils is thatthe Ambassadors madethe day. And this view isalso held by theacademics running theevents. “The StudentAmbassadors workingwith me on the Year 9Science and Maths

Discovery Day helped the day runsmoothly. They worked with smallgroups and allowed us to undertakeseveral practical activities with excellentresults,” commented John Barrow.“They know how to work with youngpeople, and as many of them aretraining to be teachers, it gives them anopportunity to try out their classroomskills. The success of the day was in alarge part down to the Ambassadors.”

So when you are on campus and seesomeone in a bright purple t-shirt withThe A Team printed on the back, theyare not extras from the l980s hit TVseries, but our own students ensuringthat prospective students enjoy theirtime and learn what makes BG such agreat place to study! ■

THE NEXT GENERATIONS…of potential BG students?

Committed to widening access to Higher Education for all, we share with you thelatest news and developments from BG’s Widening Participation team.

Ambassador Glen Durkin with his A Team backing group

“THE SUCCESS OFTHE DAY WAS IN ALARGE PART DOWNTO THEAMBASSADORS”

BEING A SUPER-HERO ISJUST ONE PART OF BEINGAN AMBASSADOR!

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BG’S WIDENING PARTICIPATION

team are currently involvedin an exciting project to givehundreds of 15 year oldsthe experience of being anundergraduate for a day.The project, funded byAimhigher Humber, involvesschools from North andNorth-East Lincolnshire,Humberside and the EastRiding of Yorkshire. The Y10pupils spend a day at BG,where they work alongsideour Student Ambassadorsand experience a lecture onHigher Education, a seminaron student life, an activelearning session around thecampus and also theopportunity to do some

independent research intowhat Lincoln has to offerwhile practising managing abudget.

The first two UndergraduateExperience Days havealready taken place andwere a great success. Oneof the temporary‘undergraduates’commented: “It was a goodday…the university has anice environment and agood feel.” Project co-ordinator, Ben Newstead(who is also a third yearstudent on BG’s BA (Hons)Education Studies andDrama course) said, “Thesedays give pupils who might

have previously thoughtHigher Education was notfor them a chance to seethat they would fit in.Coming to BG shows themthat universities can besmall and welcoming places,while still offering the samerange of experiences as alarger institution.”

Seven more ExtravaganzaExperience Days are due torun before the end of June.Over four hundred pupilswill have taken part in theproject, which is just one ofseveral wideningparticipation initiatives theUniversity College isinvolved in. ■

“UNIVERSITIES CANBE SMALL WHILESTILL OFFERING THESAME RANGE OFEXPERIENCES AS ALARGER INSTITUTION”

EXTRAVAGANZAEXPERIENCEDAYS

THE NEXT GENERATIONS…of potential BG students?

Readers who attended Bishop Grosseteste University CollegeLincoln in the last couple of years will probably be familiar withthe name BG Touring. Particularly for those who studied a dramadegree, the name may evoke fond memories of an unforgettable,if hectic, week spent in Scotland’s capital city. Even if you don’trecognise the company by name, the chances are you stumbledacross its members around the campus at some point. Giantgnomes ring any bells? Singing nuns?

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Inspired by this success, last year BGTouring revisited the festival with TheVoyage of the Dawn Treader. Again, theshow was a triumph and was awardedsell-out status by the festival’sorganisers; quite a coup since, asmanaging director Kate Atterbyenthuses, with the average Fringeaudience being just six members, tohave 96 people in attendance is anamazing achievement, and testament tothe skill and stage presence of theseyoung actors.

BG Touring returns to the EdinburghFringe Festival this August with anenergetic, physical interpretation of TheLion, the Witch and the Wardrobe. BGTalk caught up with Kate, and GemmaMitchell (Mr Beaver), MatthewDodsworth (Father Christmas/theProfessor), Rosie Temple (Peter), SarahBateson (Mr Tumnus) and Nikki Williams(Edmund) and put it to them thatalthough the audience who watch theproduction in Edinburgh will have noconcept of the preparation leading up to

FOR THE UNINITIATED, BG TOURING IS

fundamentally a travelling theatrecompany, operated professionally byBG’s second year drama students. Inaddition, fragments of the companyoften appear locally, whetherentertaining crowds with street theatrein the city centre, performing at Lincoln’sChristmas Market, participating inceremonies at Lincoln Cathedral, orrunning children’s workshops.

For over a decade, BG drama studentshave enjoyed visiting the annualEdinburgh Festival to perform on theRoyal Mile, take part in local festivalsand work with the neighbouringcommunity. In 2005, this experienceacquired an exciting new dimensionwhen BG Touring secured the chance tostage a full-length production as part ofthe internationally acclaimed FringeFestival. To everyone’s delight, theirpresentation of The Flood was a greatsuccess, receiving the high accolade of afour (out of five) star review in ThreeWeeks newspaper.

PREPARETO BE FRINGED!Andrea Johnson, BG’s Drama ResearchProject Worker, reports on BG Touring’s(BG’s travelling theatre company)preparations for the Edinburgh FringeFestival this August.

“IT’S A VOYAGEINTO THEUNKNOWN ONALL COUNTS”

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BG's Musicals Society has been successfulagain this year in their production of WestSide Story. The Society has produced anannual high profile production for the pastfew years, and this year was no exception.The Exec 06/07 built on last year’s successand have worked extremely hard with acast of 35 (and 27 band members) as wellas the backstage crew, to present this year’schallenging production. The Show broughtin large audiences throughout its 3 day run,filling over 160 seats of the theatre eachnight. The audiences were made up equallyof students, relatives, staff and the generalpublic. This year’s Exec focussed on theprofessionalism of the production andopted for professional publicity, as well asstudio photography, all of which added tothe event’s success. The show ran fromApril 20th-22nd in Bishop Greaves Theatre.Thank you to all who were involved.

Luke Tinley BGSU Musicals Society President 06/07

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the event, it must be quite amonumental task to get everythingorganised beforehand?

The main headache initially, Sarahrecalls, “Was adapting and re-workingthe dynamics of what was a ratherwordy script to make the show vibrantand magical, to engage the youngermembers of the audience.”

Once this had been overcome, eventhough, as Gemma adds, “the full castdidn’t actually work together for thefirst few months, things soon began tofall into place in terms of the theatricalside of the production. It was themanagement of the company thatappeared to be more of a challenge,and a rather daunting prospect.”“We’ve never done anything soprofessional before,” says Sarah, “Andit’s a big responsibility; it has to goright” continues Gemma. “Thedifficulty,” adds Rosie, ”is the fact thaton top of it being a new experience interms of developing the production, BG

Touring’s members have never been tothe Edinburgh Fringe, so it’s a voyageinto the unknown on all counts.”…“Plus,” explodes Matthew, making avery valid point, “we’re trying to do adegree!” Admirable then, that they findenough hours in the day.

Despite struggling to juggle so manytasks, the team agree that it is aremarkable and beneficial experience,unprecedented in the opportunitiesroutinely offered to performing artsstudents. As Sarah explains “It’s not justsomething to put on your CV; that’s notwhy you do something like this!” ForRosie, it has been a confidence builderin terms of discovering that a group ofpreviously inexperienced students can,together, succeed in such a venture,whilst Gemma regards the opportunityto perform at this level as “the chanceto live out a dream.” Sharing thissentiment, Nikki feels that afterperforming at the Edinburgh FringeFestival she will have credentials toparallel respected professionals, who cite

appearing at the Fringe in their ownachievements, such is its acclaim.

The Fringe Festival has provided avehicle for community drama; as Nikkipoints out “With street theatre, you getto be out there, doing things within thecommunity,” and, as Sarah is eager toadd, “The material for the street theatreroutines is written by the studentsthemselves and is not as easy as itlooks!”

This year, it will take the form of lollipopladies, painters and decorators, 80sfitness freaks and ‘happy campers’, sopack up your rucksack, put on your legwarmers and head on up to Edinburgh!

The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobewill run from 14th – 17th August, at theAugustine’s venue of the EdinburghFestival, with a further performance atthe Bishop Greaves Theatre on the BGcampus on 12th October. Contact ChrisOlney on 01522 583761 for furtherinformation. ■

BGSU Musicals SocietyContinues Success

“THE WORLDIS OUROYSTER!”Jo PartridgeBG Touring’s operations manager