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A legacy to Sheffield your2003/2004 A generous bequest to the University from Dr Marjorie Shaw is enabling our undergraduates to study abroad. University Dr Shaw, a lecturer in French strong impression of her presence, Language for over 30 years, died energy, love of the French in 2000 and left a gift of £150,000 language and enthusiasm for to her old department. “Her life teaching it.” was devoted to undergraduate By leaving a gift to the University, students,” said colleague and friend Dr Marjorie Shaw has ensured that Professor David Williams. Her gift her positive influence will continue. was made without conditions, enabling the Department of French The Development and Alumni to decide the most effective way to Relations Office is here to provide advice for alumni who wish to The first Dr Marjorie Shaw Bursary use the legacy. holders: (left-right) Dale Meath, make a gift or leave a legacy in Rick Webb, Danielle Fortier and Dr Marjorie Shaw The gift has been translated into their Will to the University. Jennifer Hutchinson bursaries to help students who find Photo: Miriam Garner themselves in need of financial With your support. Each Dr Marjorie Shaw help we can Bursary, worth £1,000, will support a student during their study year continue to abroad, a crucial part of the French promote undergraduate degree. excellence, Dr Shaw’s long and successful diversity and career at the University, including her close association with Tapton opportunity. and Halifax Halls of Residence, has given many hundreds of alumni Pleasurelands good cause to remember her with gratitude. David Bradshaw all the fun of the fair OBE, one of her very first students in 1947, remembers her with great respect and fondness. He recalls “a 175 years of

To request a copy of our Legacy Brochure or for further information Medicine at Sheffield about supporting the University, please contact:

Miles Stevenson In search of dark matter Director of Development Development and Alumni Relations Office The University of Sheffield 277 Glossop Road Sheffield S10 2HB Tel: +44 (0)114 222 1071 Fax: +44 (0)114 222 1044 The University Email: [email protected] The magazine for alumni and friends of of Sheffield Website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni The University of Sheffield Master/Sheff_Alumni_Aug03_V2 22/9/03 11:26 am Page IFC1

youralumni travel programme contents

175 years of Medicine at Sheffield 2 The University of Sheffield, in association with Collette Worldwide Holidays, presents an exciting, specially-selected range of tours for Your news 6 Sheffield alumni and their travelling companions. Pleasurelands 8

The Alumni Foundation 10

Discover Switzerland Old friends – new technology 12 Departing 8 July 2004 7 days What makes a Vice-Chancellor tick? 13 Tw in: £899 per person Single: £999 Collette offers you the opportunity to relax and enjoy the beauty, charm and history of U Sport – top of the league 14 Switzerland. Our base is the medieval city of Berne and our home for the week is the four-star Hotel Bristol. Day trips include the shores of Lake Geneva and the Castle of Your news 16 Chillon, Montreux, Interlaken, Grindelwald and Lucerne. Highlights include a ride on the The Development and Alumni Relations team (left-right Andy, Miriam, Helen, Ruth, Miles, Kevin) Panoramic Express Train from Montreux to Gstaad and insightful guided tours of Berne and Photo: Bridget Hannon Lucerne. You will also have plenty of free time to explore on your own and experience the Filming the conquest of Everest 18 local fine food and wines. Flights are available from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester or Birmingham at WELCOME to the first issue of your Sheffield’s green and pleasant land 20 no extra cost. For full details, call Collette Worldwide Holidays on freephone 0800 092 1888, People in the news 22 quoting ‘Sheffield Alumni HE’. Photo: www.swiss-image.ch annual alumni magazine, Your University Your University, produced by the new Development and Alumni Relations team at the In search of dark matter 24 University of Sheffield, aims to keep you informed about, and involved in, the life and work of your University. Your news 26 China & the Yangtze Whether you graduated recently or many years ago, we hope you’ll enjoy reading about what’s happening at the University today – from academic and research Centenary 2005 28 including Shanghai, achievements to the renowned student life, from the development of new buildings Guilin, Xian, Beijing River Cruise and facilities on campus to plans for the future. Giving something back 30 March 2005 18 days and Hong Kong Here at the Development and Alumni Relations Office, our role is to help you stay The global perspective 32 Tw in: £2,599 per person Single: £3,349 connected with your University and your fellow alumni around the world. We also offer you a range of alumni benefits and services. Whether you’d like to reconnect with old Honours and awards 34 Experience the culture and history, the sights and sounds of friends, use University facilities, benefit from discount offers or find out about China. Begin in Shanghai with the famous Bund and Art Deco Canadian Rockies supporting your University financially, we’re here to help. Convocation 37 featuring the Rocky buildings. Next is a five-day cruise on the Yangtze including a We’d love to hear what you think about this magazine, and we welcome your tour of the Three Gorges Dam Site. We then travel to Guilin Mountaineer Train suggestions for new services to alumni. Please do complete and return our and take a relaxing boat trip on the River Li. At Xian, we visit Highlights questionnaire so that we can keep our records up-to-date. Or you can update your Departing 3 October 2004 10 days the fascinating Terracotta Warriors. On to Beijing, seeing the Forbidden City, Tiananmen Square and Summer Palace. details online at www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni. Experience the Great Wall. Finally we visit Hong Kong, with a Since the office was set up a year ago, we’ve spoken to many alumni and have been Tw i n : £1,599 per person Single: £1,849 Editor Kate Horton Public Relations farewell dinner at the Café Deco overlooking the harbour. delighted by their affection for the University. We hope that you, too, are proud to be Experience the magnificence of the Canadian Rockies. Flights are available from Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, part of the network of Sheffield alumni and will want to stay in touch. Design The Bright Partnership Ltd This trip combines fabulous hotels and stunning scenery. We Birmingham or Southampton at no extra cost. No matter where you are in the world, Sheffield is still Your University. Cover start in Calgary and then travel to the heart of the Rockies For full details, call Collette Worldwide Holidays on photograph The Edgar Allen Building, the with two nights at the Chateau Lake Louise. Spend a night freephone 0800 092 1888, quoting ‘Sheffield Alumni CL’. at the Banff Springs Hotel before heading into the heart of the first purpose-built university Rockies aboard the Rocky Mountaineer Train for a two-day library in the country, was journey. With an overnight stop at Kamloops, you will spend opened in 1909 and is named two days viewing coastal forests, roaring rivers and lofty after its generous benefactor, mountain peaks. We finish with a two-night stay in Vancouver William Edgar Allen, who and an optional day trip to Victoria Island to see Butchart Miles Stevenson donated £10,000 for its Gardens. Director of Development construction. It now houses Flights are available from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Manchester administrative offices. or Leeds/Bradford at just £60 extra. For full details, call Collette Worldwide Holidays on Thank you to Ian Spooner, freephone 0800 092 1888, quoting ‘Sheffield Alumni RL’. Development and Alumni Relations Office, of the University’s Public The University of Sheffield, 277 Glossop Road, Sheffield, S10 2HB Relations Office, for this and many other photographs All holidays are operated by Collette Worldwide Holidays, used in this magazine. ATOL 4832, and include round trip air from London, hotel Tel: +44 (0)114 222 1071 Advertisements are carefully vetted, but the University can take Fax: +44 (0)114 222 1044 no responsibility for them. transfers and departure tax. ©The University of Sheffield 2003 Email: [email protected] Website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni YOUR UNIVERSITY 2003/2004 1 Master/Sheff_Alumni_Aug03_V2 22/9/03 11:26 am Page 2

Professor Tony Weetman, Dean of the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences, reflects on the development of Medicine at Sheffield.

175 years of Approaching the entrance of the Medical School by the Royal Hallamshire Hospital, the curious observer will notice some old carved stone letters – Top left: The Medical Institution on Surrey Street Top right: Pre-clinical instruction in a study bay in the Perak Laboratories Ars Longa Vita Brevis – set into a low wall. This Latin inscription, meaning Middle: Students in the Dissecting Room Medicine at Bottom: Medical School cricket team from the last quarter of the 19th century “The art is long, life is short”, was once above the entrance to the original Medical School in Surrey Street. It provides a direct link back to the start of Sheffield the formal study of Medicine in Sheffield in 1828. his year the University is celebrating 175 years of Medicine at The last century witnessed several landmark medical discoveries by both Sheffield. Changes over these years have, of course, been dramatic staff and alumni, including two Nobel Prize-winners. Sir Hans Krebs, and our teaching methods and research will certainly continue to Professor of Biochemistry, for his explanation of the pathway of energy Tdevelop at an ever-increasing pace. A milestone such as this production in cells – the Krebs Cycle – in 1953; and Chemistry graduate provides an opportunity to reflect on what has been achieved and to Dr Richard Roberts (BSc 1965, PhD 1968) for his discovery of split genes plan for the future. in 1993, which has revolutionised genetics. Dr Roberts disproved the The roots of the Sheffield Medical School began early in the 19th long-held theory that genes in plants and animals are made up of century with two rival medical schools. In 1828, through the generosity continuous segments of DNA. This finding has important biological, of subscribers, The Medical Institution in Surrey Street was established medical and evolutionary consequences. Another Nobel Laureate with with a library and a programme of regular lectures. During the next 50 strong Sheffield connections is former Professor of Pathology, Lord Howard years it became apparent that the School had to expand and provide of Florey, who was jointly awarded the prize in 1945 for his work on the specialist courses. In 1883, a fundraising appeal was launched to raise isolation and application of penicillin. £5,000 to incorporate the School with the newly created Firth College. The appointment of Dr (later Sir) Edward Mellanby as Professor of When the University of Sheffield opened in 1905, Medicine was one of Pharmacology in 1920 was of great significance. It was the first time 11 subjects available at the new buildings on Western Bank. One of the that a full-time professor had been a member of staff at one of the first decisions taken by the Faculty of Medicine was to admit female teaching hospitals. Mellanby had his own clinical wards for his patients medical students, a move not made by some older universities until at the Royal Infirmary and, thus, Sheffield became one of the first much later. The total intake for degree and diploma courses in 1905 was English universities to institute a full-time clinical chair. Mellanby’s only 114 students, of whom 38 were studying Medicine. The Medical discovery of vitamin D deficiency as the cause of rickets led directly to School still possesses the first register, which includes details of the eradication of this disease. After he left Sheffield, he became head Sheffield’s first female medical students – Lydia Manley Henry and of the Medical Research Council from 1933 to 1949. Florence Elizabeth Millard. Another early graduate was William Barnsley Today’s Medical School is associated with the Sheffield Teaching Allen (MB ChB 1914), who was the first Sheffield citizen to win the Hospitals Trust, serving a population of nearly half a million, and has Victoria Cross. close links with Sheffield Children’s Hospital and many surrounding NHS

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Win a luxurious break for two in the Peak District

Complete and return our alumni questionnaire by 30 NOVEMBER 2003 (either by post or online at www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni) and your name will be entered in a draw to win a break for two at the Cavendish Hotel in Derbyshire.

Located in Baslow, on the Chatsworth Estate, the Cavendish The Cavendish Hotel houses 23 en-suite bedrooms. All rooms Hotel was originally owned by the Duke of Rutland, until it overlook the Chatsworth Estate and are luxuriously appointed became the Duke of Devonshire’s property around 1830. It was with twin or double beds, direct-dial phone, television, hairdryer, rebuilt in the 1970s by the Chatsworth Estate when the original refrigerated bar and beverage facility. The Cavendish’s facilities Hospital Sunday, 1920. Medical students are seen raising money for the hospitals, Margaret Hodge MBE MP, Minister of State for Children, looking on as a local Year 9 particularly to combat Tuberculosis, as part of the Medical School’s first RAG student takes part in a clinical skills exercise character was preserved. The Duchess of Devonshire selected the also include the renowned Cavendish Restaurant, a board room decor and furnishings, some of which came from Chatsworth and private dining room for segregated meetings and a putting House itself. green. For more information about the hotel, please visit www.cavendish-hotel.net

The Cavendish’s sister hotel is the George Hotel in Hathersage (www.george-hotel.net), which dates from the 14th century. One of its most distinguished visitors was Charlotte Brontë, who was so enchanted by Hathersage that she used it and its characters as a model for Jane Eyre, “The development of the Medical School is at the naming the book’s heroine after the Eyre family who previously owned The George. heart of the University’s strategic plan.”

Trusts. In the most recent national Research Royal Hallamshire Hospital. Part of this Assessment Exercise, the School achieved an initiative is being funded by generous legacy yourreunion overall score of 5 for hospital-based medicine, gifts left by former students and grateful with the Inflammation, Infection and patients in their Wills. Philanthropic gifts have Immunity group receiving the highest possible played a notable role in the history of the Medical Reunion rating of 5*. Medical School since its foundation and will and Open Day continue to do so in the future. IT's a fantastic opportunity Throughout the Medical School, research of Thousands of students have come international importance is taking place in The development of the Medical School is at through the doors of the Medical with Viglen and the Sheffield Alumni Programme many fields. Examples include work on von the heart of the University’s strategic plan. School and gone on to practise Willebrand’s disease, the most common There are ambitious plans to ensure that, by Medicine throughout the world. Viglen and the University Would you like to get your work done faster? | bleeding disorder in humans, coronary artery 2006, the School is a truly international centre We want to re-establish contact Want more time for fun? | With your own PC disease, which leads to heart attacks, and of excellence for medical research and with our medical alumni and in you have the freedom to work when you want of Sheffield Alumni motor neurone disease. Sheffield is one of the education. To reach this goal, my colleagues | Not only will we make sure you get the right the spring of 2004 are planning Programme are proud to solution, we will also make IT easier on your world’s leading centres for research into and I would welcome the involvement and to hold a major reunion and offer you fantastic pocket! | IT’s as simple as that | Viglen and osteoporosis, the disease which reduces the support of our alumni, many of whom care open day. the University Alumni Programme, together density and quality of bone, leading to deeply about the Medical School and its future. So that we can let you know discount prices on a we can make IT happen | weakness of the skeleton. It affects one in more, please make sure we have three women over the age of 50. The range of desktops, "Viglen has been a major supplier of PCs to the University of Widening Participation your up-to-date contact details Sheffield for over 15 years, during which time they have University is the focal point for prostate by filling in a questionnaire at: Sheffield has pioneered a programme to make notebooks and upgrades. provided many thousands of computers. They have always cancer research in the UK. Prostate cancer is www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni provided quality computing equipment with a flexible a career in Medicine possible for able students approach. On-site maintenance support is very good and we the second most common cancer in men after from all backgrounds. Sheffield’s Outreach and are fortunate in having plenty of their engineers in the lung cancer, with over 21,700 new cases and Sheffield area" Access to Medicine Scheme (SOAMS) is approximately 9,000 deaths in the UK every Peter Armstrong, Team Leader - PC Procurement - a partnership venture with 82 local schools The University of Sheffield. year. Nationally, Sheffield receives almost a and colleges. It encourages students from third of all prostate cancer funding, the largest For information on the great discounted offers available to you, go to backgrounds under-represented in the medical proportion for any UK city. www.viglen.co.uk/specialoffers/sheffield or contact the professions to aspire to study Medicine at Education Sales Team on 08705 386 386, quoting ST015-S Plans for the future include a total university. It provides Years 9-13 school pupils refurbishment of all research facilities in the with coaching and guidance to help them Tel 08705 386 386 Email [email protected] Web www.viglen.co.uk Medical School and the co-location of all basic succeed and with support while they are at science research onto one site, adjacent to the the University.

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Briefly...

yournews Annual research income rockets THE UNIVERSITY’S research income for 2001/2002 amounted to £99.7 million, a Boeing and Sheffield at 61 per cent increase on the previous year. The figures confirm Sheffield’s status as the competitive edge one of the UK’s top research- led universities. In the official BOEING, THE WORLD’S LARGEST Park – Yorkshire and Humber’s high-tech site for 2001 Research Assessment Exercise, 73 per cent (35 out of MANUFACTURER OF SATELLITES, commercial advanced engineering and metals. Acting as 48) of the University’s jetliners and military aircraft, has forged strong a catalyst, the Centre is attracting a cluster of research subject areas were links with the University’s Advanced aerospace manufacturers and suppliers, creating ranked in the top two grades, Manufacturing Research Centre. The Centre, a world-class community where new 5 and 5*, which indicates that which capitalises on the Faculty of Engineering’s technologies and products are developed for the the research achieves international standards expertise in metals and cutting technology, is now market-place. of excellence. a focal point of Boeing’s UK aerospace research. The University’s special relationship with The key role of the Centre is to develop innovative Boeing stands alongside its other major Major boost to processes for the machining and structural aerospace collaborations, in the form of two analysis of titanium and other novel materials for Rolls-Royce University Technology Centres metals research aerospace applications. This is a crucial area of and a BAE Systems/Rolls-Royce University IMMPETUS, the Institute for research as the aerospace industry strives to find Technology Partnership. Microstructural and Mechanical Process lighter materials to improve the efficiency of both The Aerospace Engineering Programme at the Engineering, has been commercial and military aircraft. University brings together the expertise of awarded a substantial Established on a site adjacent to Sheffield City five engineering departments to provide funding package, worth almost £4 million, from the Airport, the Centre is the hub of Yorkshire a forward-looking approach aimed at solving Engineering and Physical Forward’s pioneering Advanced Manufacturing the aerospace problems of the future. Sciences Research Council. IMMPETUS uses sophisticated analysis of the effects of heat and force on materials to create computer models that The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bob Boucher, and Alan Walker, Professor of Social Policy (left), receive the medal and scroll from Her Majesty the Queen and Prince Philip Blue sky can predict how new materials and products will behave, right down to the University atomic level. A STRIKING NEW PAINTING of the University Library has been created by Professor Brendan Leading the way Third Queen’s Neiland RA, Keeper of the Royal Academy of Arts. Rerum Cognoscere Causas captures the in widening spirit of the University as he experienced it participation and now hangs in the building it represents. THE UNIVERSITY is committed Anniversary Prize to widening participation in The title of the painting is the motto of the higher education. The latest University and means ‘To Discover the Causes Rerum Cognoscere Causas (detail) performance indicators PIONEERING RESEARCH aimed at improving approaches to the care of people who are The importance of this research can be of Things’ (from Virgil’s Georgics II, #490). by Professor Brendan Neiland published by the Government have delivered a vote of the quality of life of older people has gained terminally ill or suffering long-term illness; linked to the fact that within five years confidence in its strategy. the University a third Queen’s Anniversary understanding the causes of homelessness there will be more pensioners in the The percentage of state Prize, one of the UK’s most prestigious in older people; raising the effectiveness of population than people under the age of school students in its intake in educational awards. Part of the national the care of older people in hospitals, 17, for the first time in British history.” Alumni view 2000/2001 was 83 per cent, honours system, the biennial Prize scheme nursing homes and domestic residences; highest of all the Russell Sheffield is one of the few universities to Summer Exhibition Group of leading universities, recognises outstanding achievement by UK investigating the impact of social and have won the Prize on more than two universities and colleges in areas that economic policies on older people; and six per cent above its occasions. The winning entry in 1998 A SPECIAL EVENT FOR ALUMNI was held at the benchmark and 30 per cent benefit both the institution and the nation improving rehabilitation therapies, services described the pioneering work by the Summer Exhibition at the Royal Academy in higher than both Oxford and as a whole. and outcomes. Humanities Research Institute in creating London. The Vice-Chancellor is seen here with Cambridge. The drop-out rate of young first degree students The winning bid addresses key health and The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bob Boucher, electronic editions of literary texts and Dr Peter Williams (BSc 1973, PhD 1978), Group President and Chief Operating Officer for not continuing their studies social care issues arising for older people. commented: “Our work in this field is historical manuscripts; in 2000, its after year one, is just two per These include the introduction of new having a real impact on public policy, successful bid focused on the protection of Danka’s European Operating Group. cent – a result bettered by techniques for the diagnosis and treatment leading to improved services for older underground water supplies and the safe only two universities. of osteoporosis; developing new people, both in this country and abroad. incineration of waste materials. Dr Williams (left) with the Vice-Chancellor. Photo: Miriam Garner

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The first major touring exhibition of fairground memorabilia to be organised in the UK will open in Sheffield. The National Pleasurelands Fairground Archive, housed in the University Library, is a major 1 Oct 2003-18 Jan 2004 Millennium Galleries, contributor to the story. Arundel Gate, Sheffield 24 Apr-5 Sept 2004 Croydon Clocktower, Katherine Street, Croydon 9 Oct 2004-17 Jan 2005 City Arts Centre, Market Street, Edinburgh Pleasurelands Please check with venues for full details. A catalogue, written by the magical, topsy-turvy world Dr Vanessa Toulmin, accompanies the exhibition. It has been sponsored by of the fairground the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain, the Fairground Association of Great Britain and the University of Sheffield’s he fairground has long been a part of The Archive is now a unique collection of of the family shows, including the founder, Texas Alumni Foundation. popular culture and every weekend, from photographic, printed, manuscript and Bill Shufflebottom, a Buffalo Bill impersonator Published by The Projection Easter to October, over 200 fairs still take audiovisual material covering all aspects of the from Yorkshire who masqueraded as the great Box, it costs £10.00. T place in the UK. The tradition is living culture of travelling showpeople: their American showman. An exhibition entitled and dynamic, with a history stretching back organisation as a community, their social history This family is featured in the Pleasurelands Carousel: The Fairground 800 years. Indeed, a fair often predates the and everyday life, and the artefacts and exhibition, a project developed by Kim Streets, and Circus in Art will be town or settlement in which it operates. Many machinery of fairgrounds. The Archive has a dual Curator of Social History at the Sheffield Galleries on display at: of the technological advances of the past 150 purpose. Firstly, it collects and preserves the and Museums Trust, in partnership with Croydon Graves Art Gallery, years were first exploited by travelling history of popular entertainment found on Museum and Heritage Service and in Surrey Street, Sheffield, showmen for commercial gain. They were travelling fairs; and secondly, it acts as an consultation with the Archive. The scale and 15 Nov 2003-7 Feb 2004 responsible for innovations in entertainment archival repository for today’s travelling scope of the exhibition has encouraged many such as the cinema and the widespread use of showpeople. Items are acquired on a donation or private collectors to become involved. This has electricity: always something new and exciting loan system only. Vanessa’s access to the show been especially important where the three- to draw the punters in. community has enabled her to collect material, dimensional items are concerned, as these do National Behind all the spectacle and illusion are the lives both historical and contemporary, from a wide not tend to find their way into public collections. Fairground of the showpeople themselves. At odds with the Many rare and unusual articles will provide a popular romantic perception of the fairground, colourful, contrasting and multi-sensory display, Archive the working fair is bound by a strong sense of “a world where reality is including decorative panels, carved animals, To find out more about tradition and respectability within a highly suspended, where costumes, photographs, archive film and music. the Archive or to make organised community. Someone who knows this visitors shed inhibition Highlights include carved wooden horses from a arrangements to access the better than most is Dr Vanessa Toulmin, founder Vosper ride of the 1840s, films from the collections, please contact: and research director of the National Fairground and indulge their Shufflebottom collection and the story of Billy Dr Vanessa Toulmin Archive and herself a member of a show family. fantasies” Bellhouse, the Sheffield Wall of Death rider. Research Director National Fairground Archive Vanessa completed an Archaeology degree at the The exhibition investigates a world where reality The University of Sheffield University in 1988 and in 1993 returned to start range of sources, including individuals and the is suspended, where visitors shed inhibition and Sheffield, S10 2TN a PhD on the history of travelling showpeople. indulge their fantasies. The fairground is a real national associations linked to the fairground. Tel: 0114 222 7231 She soon realised that “there was no record or melting-pot, where people from all classes come Fax: 0114 222 7299 repository relating to any aspect of the tradition All types of fairs are covered, including charter together to experience illusions, thrills and magic. and culture that I had grown up with and which and prescriptive fairs such as Hull and Memories and anecdotes about real events from Email: was also part of the social fabric of the UK”. The Nottingham, wakes holidays in the North of generations of fun-seekers will bring the displays [email protected] idea for an Archive arose from discussions with England, mop and hiring fairs in the Midlands, to life. The role of technology and innovation in www.sheffield.ac.uk/uni/nfa the Fairground Association of Great Britain and and private business events attended by the the creation of the spectacle will also be the Showmen’s Guild of Great Britain. Vanessa showpeople in association with a local fête or investigated. In addition, the exhibition was already collecting together photographs and gala. A strength of the Archive is the depth of challenges widely-held perceptions of material relating to fairground families. One of Page 8: Texas Bill Shufflebottom material for her research, and storage was showpeople and their way of life. This is also a and his wife Rosina, 1890 becoming a problem. Negotiations with the the principal holdings comprises photographic major theme behind the work of the Archive. As material of the Shufflebottom family, donated Page 9 (clockwise, from top left): University Library resulted in the formation of Vanessa says: “We are seeking to widen public View of Nottingham Goose Fair, 1999, the National Fairground Archive in 1994. Vanessa by Margaret Bird, Florence Campbell and Maisie understanding of travelling showpeople by Vanessa Toulmin completed her PhD in 1997 and in the same year Smith, who were all members of the famous creating greater access to what has historically Alf Testo’s Monkey Show, Hull, 1957 Wild West family. The collection dates from Children on Gallopers at Oxford was awarded the Chancellor’s Medal for her been a closed community.” St Giles Fair, 1958, Lionel Bathe work with the Archive. 1890 to the 1960s and covers three generations

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Top left and left: Two of the recipients of Opportunity Bursaries 2003/2004 – Luke Richardson (Architecture) and Jenna Ostrowski (Law) Photos: Ruth Stanley Top right: The Yorkshire Region Novice Foil event The Alumni New IT centre for Sorby A new approach to counselling students of different nationalities from a range of courses. They joined over 900 participants A new 24-hour IT centre at Sorby Hall of A grant of £1,500 from the Alumni Foundation from around the globe to engage in debates Residence will help to meet the ever- has enabled the University Counselling Service and resolution-writing for various committees, increasing demand for student computer to set up a series of group workshops, aimed such as the International Court of Justice and Foundation facilities. A grant of £10,000 from the Alumni at students who prefer an alternative to the UN Development Programme. Four of Foundation is a significant contribution to the one-to-one counselling. The four workshops aunched in 1989, the Alumni current students. Grants are usually between Sheffield’s students won awards for debating. If someone had given you project. The centre has 70 workstations, a are Increasing Confidence, Drop-In Relaxation Foundation exists to channel donations £500 and £2,000, but consideration is given to team of technical staff, a small workshop for Sessions, Better Relationships, and Looking Up The team agreed that the experience had been from past Sheffield students to provide larger projects. £500 when you were a minor software repairs and a café called When You’re Feeling Down. a unique opportunity to raise global direct help for current students in a L As you will see from the following success Jazzman, the first of a new chain to open in awareness and foster international relations, student, how would you variety of ways. Gifts from alumni have helped stories, the Alumni Foundation is an example the UK. There are currently 1,385 The cut and thrust of competition especially as the conference was taking place to fund scholarships and bursaries, student have felt? Whatever you of how relatively small donations can make open-access PCs for student use around shortly after the outbreak of hostilities in Iraq. services and facilities, and musical, sporting, An Alumni Foundation grant of £300 has large and immediate differences to the lives of campus. The Sorby centre will ease congestion Charles Lowis, a Master’s student in Electronic dramatic and cultural projects. helped the Sheffield University Fencing Club used it for – perhaps Sheffield students. We are extremely grateful in some of the more popular sites, whilst Journalism, said: “The spirit of global to revive the Yorkshire Region Novice Foil books or rent – it would To direct gifts and donations to areas of need, to all our past donors and hope that you will providing a safe, accessible late-night service. togetherness was unforgettable.” the Alumni Foundation has a grant-making enjoy reading what has been achieved through event. The competition was a great success, undoubtedly have made a committee, comprising alumni, staff and your generosity. Opportunity Bursaries attracting 49 fencers ranging in age from nine Supporting Nightline to 43. It even made a small profit, which has significant difference to Today’s students face many financial pressures been put towards new kit and the Nightline is the Union of Students’ confidential and one of the Alumni Foundation’s foremost organisation of next year’s competition. telephone listening and information service, your life at the University aims is to help alleviate hardship. This year, the which operates every night during term time. of Sheffield. And ‘making yourfoundation Foundation selected one student from each of First for Sheffield at Model A grant of £300 from the Alumni Foundation the seven Faculties to receive a £1,000 United Nations has enabled the service to publicise its activities a difference’ is the Opportunity Bursary for the 2003/2004 across the University. Pens printed with the To find out more or to make a donation, please visit session. These bursaries will make a huge This year saw the first delegation of students Nightline logo and telephone number were www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/foundation philosophy behind the difference to the lives of the recipients, from from the University of Sheffield take part in the distributed around campus during exam time. or contact Ruth Stanley, Development Manager helping them to buy books and materials to Model United Nations Conference in University’s Alumni Tel: 0114 222 1075 Email: [email protected] easing the burden of public sector rents. Heidelberg, thanks to a £720 Alumni Foundation. Foundation grant. The 12-strong team included

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youralumni Old friends – What makes a Friends new technology Vice-Chancellor united www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni tick? The network of Sheffield alumni is based on strong friendships Jon Pyle, Head of Communications, made at university. interviewed Professor Bob Boucher to find out

Roy Jeans (left) and Rick Turner The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Bob Boucher PSYCHOLOGY graduate Dr Rick Turner (BSc 1979) is What attracted you to return to Sheffield in the social science community in I particularly want to develop a programme just one of thousands of as Vice-Chancellor in 2001? evidence-based research across all the social of scholarships and bursaries to alleviate former students who are still sciences. We expect its work to have a big student hardship. This is an area where even enjoying the friendships they I’d seen how Sheffield had continued on the influence on national policy makers. modest gifts will make a huge difference to made in Sheffield. Rick trajectory of improvement and success it was individual students’ lives, and we plan to moved to the USA in 1987 on before I left. So the attractions of leading Why the big drive to strengthen the contact our alumni to ask them to consider and has made a successful a successful broad-based university, which University’s links with its alumni? making a donation. career, based on his research Sheffield is, were combined with the chance In the past we haven’t kept in touch with our into the effects of stress on to drive it on to even greater success. Of alumni as well as we should have. I have an How would you like people to describe the the cardiovascular system. course, there’s a personal component too. I emotional attachment to alumni. They’ve been typical 21st century University of Sheffield He has now applied his know what a lovely city Sheffield is. part of the University community, part of the graduate? expertise in the When the bicentenary history of the family, and I don’t like the idea of not having I want our graduates to be noted for being pharmaceutical industry. University comes to be written in 2105 contact with the family. I’m sure many alumni innovative, entrepreneurial – and bright spirits Rick has not been back to how would you like your own legacy as VC have warm feelings towards the University too in the workplace. So if people say that they Sheffield for 10 years, but has to be seen? and would like to have an association with us noticed somebody doing a good, enterprising always found a way to I’ve already nailed my colours to the mast on and maybe help us in some way in the future. job in their company and found they’d come maintain his University this one! I’d like to think that the University So how can alumni support the University? from the University of Sheffield – well, that’s friendships. In an email to the what I want to hear more and more of. had moved well on the way towards, and Firstly, they can act as our ambassadors, University, Rick said: “I would hopefully achieved, the goal of being the Finally, what’s the most valuable lesson like to acknowledge one speaking up for the University and the city leading UK university outside the ‘Golden of Sheffield. Secondly, universities are your experience of leading a top university particularly meaningful ne of the most important and popular contact with, you will be able to send them Triangle’ (Oxford, Cambridge and London). has taught you about life? relationship born during my services that the University of Sheffield an email. increasingly having to look to alternative first weeks in Sheffield. I met provides for its alumni is the opportunity I’d also like to think its contribution to the sources of funding and, of course, I welcome Associate with good people because there’s If, however, you find that the friend you are city’s economic wellbeing would be the support of our alumni in that regard too. little in life you can do alone. Leadership is my friend Roy Jeans (BA Oto re-establish contact with old friends. looking for is not registered with the online recognised, thanks to our successes in spin- One effective way to help is via a donation to about achieving great things through people; 1979) in the lounge at Work has now begun to develop the alumni directory, we may still be able to help you locate Ranmoor Hall, and have kept out businesses and attracting inward the Alumni Foundation. so you need to get good people working for website to make it even easier for you to seek them. By filling in the online Find an Old Friend investment – the partnership with Boeing in and with you. in close touch ever since. He out lost friends and make contact again. form, we can search our database and try to married another University our Advanced Manufacturing Research Centre By Christmas we hope to have upgraded the contact them on your behalf. is a good example. graduate, Lia Marini (BA existing Guestbook facility – where you can 1979), and they were kind For reasons of privacy and data protection, we There are clearly a lot of new-build and leave a message and search other visitors’ will not display or release any contact details. enough to invite me to be a messages – into an Alumni Directory. refurbishment projects going on, or in the godparent to their first child, Emails will be sent by a secure system without pipeline. What’s the thinking behind them? Gabriella. Even though they In this new password-protected area of the displaying an address. website, visitors will be able to access an online High quality research can only be done by live in London, my friendship Other alumni services already featured on the high quality people, and such people want a with Roy and Lia’s family directory of alumni information, and read website include details of alumni membership of messages left by other service users. Entries on good working environment. With state-of- continues to enrich my life Goodwin Sports Centre, library membership the-art facilities we can continue to attract enormously. I’m sure that all the Alumni Directory will be fully searchable and for alumni, and careers information for both when you find someone you would like to make truly the best researchers. The new buildings of you reading this article can graduates and employers. also equip us to do exciting new things, think of similar friendships – especially cross-disciplinary activities. A prime our time in Sheffield has had example is ICOSS (the Informatics a truly special influence on If you would like to get in touch with friends from Sheffield, Collaboratory for the Social Sciences). It will our lives.” enable database expertise from Information visit the alumni website – www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni Studies to join forces with our colleagues An artist’s impression of the Informatics Collaboratory for the Social Sciences at Portobello 12 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni YOUR UNIVERSITY 2003/2004 13 Master/Sheff_Alumni_Aug03_V2 22/9/03 11:27 am Page 14

Page 14: Fitness consultants provide advice and guidance to S10health members Page 15 (clockwise, from top left): The synthetic turf pitches shortly after their completion in 1993; the Matrix Indoor Bouldering Wall; Tracey Baker with Richard Caborn, Minister for Sport, at the 2002 opening ceremony; hockey is just one of the sports played on the new synthetic pitches

This marked the beginning of a new era in national scene, U Sport is supporting sport at the University, the next stage of programmes such as Out of Reach and which was a multi-million pound Active Sports, both aimed at encouraging redevelopment programme and the participation in sport. formation of U Sport. October 2002 saw the The Centre regularly hosts local, national formal opening of the refurbished Goodwin and international events, including the Sports Centre by Richard Caborn, Minister National Malaysian Student Games and U Sport – for Sport and MP for Sheffield Central. The various Yorkshire hockey matches. National centrepiece of the new facilities is a large basketball teams – the Hatters and the top of the league fitness centre – S10health – with 150 Arrows – train at the site. Top sportspeople stations and dedicated physio and fitness are involved in U Sport coaching testing rooms. Other new facilities include programmes, including the Badminton an aerobics studio, the Association and Matrix Indoor Bouldering Sheffield’s High A £5.5 million investment in the Goodwin Sports Centre Wall (one of the largest Performance Volleyball yourbenefits bouldering walls of its “Sheffield is in the squad. Budding British has provided fantastic sports facilities for the University kind in the country), a vanguard of UK Olympians have free multi-purpose activity universities access to the facilities, Sporting opportunities community, the people of Sheffield and top regional room and floodlit tennis in terms of sports via the British Olympic for alumni courts, plus refurbished Passport Scheme. sports stars. They received a top 5* rating in the Sunday squash courts, sports hall provision” Alumni are invited to make use and swimming pool A recent development is of the outstanding facilities Times University Guide 2003. (including new pool-side the relaunch of the at the Goodwin Sports Centre. sauna and steam rooms). University’s Sport Discounted monthly and annual Bursary Scheme. During the 2002/2003 In addition, the two existing synthetic turf memberships of the S10health session, U Sport offered free access to its port has played an important part in swimming pool opened in 1963, the result of pitches have been re-laid. They were joined fitness centre are available. facilities to eight students who are student life at Sheffield for many years, another generous gift from Sir Stuart and Lady in January 2003 by a third with a ‘new The S10health membership competing at national and international starting when the playing fields at Norton Goodwin. It was re-named the Cofield Swimming generation’ surface. The cost of installing the level. Now, a grant of £2,500 from the package includes the use of the were opened in 1910 and the pavilion Pool in 1967, to mark the retirement of ‘Sarge’ pitch was met in part by a grant of almost fitness centre, fitness classes, S University’s Alumni Foundation has meant built in 1928. The Goodwin Sports Centre opened Cofield, the head of the Sports Centre. £300,000 from the Football Foundation, a swimming pool and pool-side that funds are available on application to to great acclaim in 1960, the result of generous funding partnership between the sauna and steam rooms At the time of the opening ceremony in 1960, assist students in their pursuit of excellence. donations from Sir Stuart and Lady Goodwin. The Government (Sport England and the National (proof of graduation required). the full-time student population stood at 3,000. It is hoped that this grant will act as a Centre went on to serve the University for over 30 Lottery) and football (the Premier League). New for September 2003! Forty years later, the figure had risen dramatically catalyst for further donations. years with little development, until a major review to over 17,000. The growth in student numbers Local schools and community groups have Sport facilities, fitness classes and The University is proud of its sporting of the facilities took place in the early 1990s. brought extreme pressures on the sports access to the pitch and to training sessions swimming available on a Pay and facilities, which have been developed to The University was justly proud of the Goodwin facilities and these were addressed by a hosted by the Football Association. Play basis – no membership Professional football clubs, including meet the demands of the 21st century. required. Sports Centre in 1960. The gymnasium could be University task force in 1992. One of the first “Sheffield is in the vanguard of UK adapted for physical training, indoor athletics, steps was the replacement of the red shale Sheffield Wednesday and Chesterfield, are Membership enquiries: universities in terms of sports provision,” tennis, basketball, badminton, hockey, golf and surface on the Bramley Playing Fields by two also making use of the facility. Tel: 0114 222 6969 says Tracey Baker, Head of Sport. “We now cricket nets, indoor football, table tennis and floodlit synthetic turf pitches and a separate U Sport is making huge strides in sport have the capacity to open our doors to the Check the website for further fencing. The facilities were among the best in five-a-side pitch. These were ready for action development and is involved with local information: www.usport.co.uk wider community. I hope that our alumni the country and were a major attraction to in 1993. football partnerships through the Football will come and experience all that the prospective students. The impressive 33-metre Foundation Grass Roots scheme. On the Goodwin Sports Centre has to offer.” 14 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni YOUR UNIVERSITY 2003/2004 15 Master/Sheff_Alumni_Aug03_V2 22/9/03 11:27 am Page 16

Briefly... yournews Celebrating the first fruits of partnership DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY is bringing the The Cistercians, or White Monks, played a THE FIRST cohort 12th century monasteries of Yorkshire major role in the religious and economic of graduates from back to life, allowing visitors to see these life of medieval England. Among the the medical course Rebuilding the at the Perak College of historic sites in a way that has not Yorkshire houses, Fountains and Rievaulx, Medicine in Ipoh, been possible since the Middle Ages. both founded in 1132, are of notable Malaysia, received their The University’s Humanities Research importance and remain popular with degree certificates from the monasteries Institute is recreating the buildings visitors of all ages; Fountains Abbey is a Vice-Chancellor, and their communities for the age World Heritage site. At the centre of the Professor Bob Boucher, in September 2002. of the World Wide Web. Cistercian way of life lay the spiritual The course is a result of Yorkshire The Cistercians in Yorkshire Project team is ideal of settling ‘in the desert’, yet the of a partnership between designing a web-based learning package White Monks were to become significant the College and the University. The students undertook the analysing the life, history and architecture land-owners in Yorkshire (and beyond) and had an enduring impact on their pre-clinical part of the of the Cistercian Order, focusing on five of programme in Sheffield, the Yorkshire houses with significant local environment. before returning to Ipoh to standing ruins: Byland, Fountains, Kirkstall, The Project, led by Dr Sarah Foot of complete their studies. Rievaulx and Roche. At the heart of the the Department of History, is sponsored Project is a series of three-dimensional, by the New Opportunities Fund’s Fourth side virtual reality recreations of their abbey ground-breaking £50 million UK-wide churches and monastic buildings. digitisation programme, which is for Firth Court designed to enable the learning materials THE FIRTH COURT The architecture of each site, explained in QUADRANGLE has finally been the context of other local churches (and and resources currently contained in completed. An award from the European Cistercian abbeys), will open galleries, libraries, museums, universities Joint Infrastructure Fund visual and textual windows onto the and other centres of excellence, to be of £23.6 million, together with directly accessible via the Internet. Visit other grants of £4.75 million, Cistercian way of life as experienced by has resulted in a new building A reconstruction of the abbey church at Roche from the west The ruins of the abbey church at Roche, near Maltby, the monks, the lay-brothers and their the site at: www.cistercians.sheffield.ac.uk South Yorkshire. Photos: Cistercians in Yorkshire Project for the Institute of Molecular secular neighbours. Physiology, and new and refurbished laboratories for the Departments of Molecular Biology and Biotechnology and of Biomedical Science. The new facilities are designed to Meet the Mafia boss of the ant world Dainton strengthen further the University's world-class reputation in the molecular THE LARGEST ANT IN THE WORLD, Dinoponera quadriceps from Archive life sciences. Brazil, measures three to four centimetres long. Researchers from the Department of Animal and Plant Sciences have discovered that Performance the alpha female in each colony gives rivals a ‘kiss of death’ as a comes home The Dainton Building, which houses the Department of increases student signal for their ‘mob’ to punish the offender. Chemistry, has been extensively refurbished numbers The colonies are small, with only one breeding female. This female THE UNIVERSITY OF is the ‘mother ant’ and all the other ants in her group are normally THE PERSONAL AND WORKING PAPERS OF LORD It covers Lord Dainton’s distinguished SHEFFIELD’S excellent her daughters. Male ants play no active role in colony life. DAINTON, Chancellor of the University from 1978 contributions in many walks of life, most notably all-round performance Dinoponera ants are different from most other ant species in that to 1997, have been formally inaugurated as one higher education, scientific research and the as a higher education the alpha ant is not a queen, but a mated worker. This means that of the University’s Special Collections by Lynne library world. provider has been recognised by the Higher Education any female can potentially become the alpha ant, leading to Brindley, Chief Executive of the British Library. Speaking at the ceremony, Lady Dainton said Funding Council for England increased rivalry within the colony compared to other ant species. A special ceremony to mark the occasion was that it had been her husband’s wish that his (HEFCE), which has allocated Francis Ratnieks, Professor of Apiculture, explains: “If the mother attended by Lady Dainton and members of papers should eventually reside in the University: it funding for one of the ant has her position threatened by another female, she will wipe her family. country’s largest increases “Fred’s ties with both the University and the in student numbers over her sting against the aggressor, leaving behind a distinctive The collection, which extends from Lord City of Sheffield meant an awful lot to him, the next three years. chemical mixture. On detecting the scent, lower ranking females Dainton’s early life in Sheffield right up to the and I am sure he would have approved of the An additional 866 will punish the offender. The punishment sometimes results year of his death in 1997, has been collated by excellent job done by the cataloguers.” undergraduate and in death. Our study shows that ants can have similarities to the National Cataloguing Unit for the Archives of postgraduate places will humans in that both police their societies in order to prevent be introduced. This is more Contemporary Scientists, based at the University than 14 per cent of the total Immobilisation in Dinoponera ants. Photo: Dr Thibaud Monnin undesirable behaviour.” of Bath. national allocation and represents £3.9 million in extra funding.

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Tom Stobart Tom Stobart (pictured above at the University in 1934/1935) was awarded an OBE in 1953. Other expeditions followed the first ascent of Everest, including one to find the Abominable Snowman. He went on to establish himself as a leading cookery writer. Herbs, Spice and Flavourings is still in print and is Main picture (left): Tom Stobart with cine camera in the Western Cwm. Above: Tenzing Norgay (left) and Edmund Hillary drink tea in the based on the extensive notes he Western Cwm after their successful ascent of Mount Everest. Hillary is holding Tom Stobart’s mug made on his travels in 70 Both photos: Royal Geographical Society countries. He died in 1980.

graduate of the University of Sheffield, He was the last one of the 13-man core team they got higher and higher, he filmed the “Ed Hillary came out Tom Stobart completed his BSc (Hons) to be allotted his place. Climbing Everest comings and goings. James Morris, in his of the Embassy and I in Zoology in 1936. He then took up pushes even the strongest mountaineers to article that appeared in The Times house filmed his introduction Aa Colonial Service Scholarship at their physical and mental limits. In addition, journal in 1953, noted that: “Tom Stobart, the to Tenzing. I was Cambridge but left to train at the Film Unit at filming the events as they unfold requires an expedition’s cinecameraman, who is a climber Dartington Hall in Devon. “In 1937 the film exhausting effort. Tom was realistic when he of experience, found at one time that taking filming an historic industry was one of the most difficult in the started to plan the trip. “I was far from any pictures at all was a most intolerable bore meeting.” world to get into unless you knew the right convinced that a professional quality film of and mental burden.” Adventurer’s Eye. people. I did not even know the first thing a Himalayan expedition could be made and of Tom was concerned about capturing all the about films, let alone the right people. Everest least of all… There were certain very events. The lightweight cameras were brought The Autobiography of Everest Moreover, what I wanted to do was not even obvious problems. First, the cold. The Film-man Tom Stobart, 1958 into operation and he asked his colleagues: something in the normal line of film work, theoretical low temperature at the top of “When anyone goes for the top see they take and it certainly had never been attempted Everest – and nothing less would do as a basis one of these cameras. Just try…” The final as a full-time job. I wanted to film original for planning – was about 80 degrees of frost. drama took place on 29 May, when Edmund exploration and expeditions – and that was Weight was a much more serious difficulty.” Hillary and Tenzing Norgay reached the not normal work.” He took two main cameras, each weighing summit. The wait at Camp IV was becoming He travelled across Eastern Europe whilst 8lbs, and four ultra-lightweight cameras of unbearable. Finally, a line of climbers was seen 1 putting together his first feature on Rivers, only 2 /2 lbs each. The main cameras were descending the South Col. Tom described his ending up in India where he joined the army, equipped with a 12" Bloomed Telephoto lens, reaction: “I was so excited that I began a founding a unit to make films for the General capable of bringing into full-screen the figure stumbling run towards them. ‘Did you do it?’ Staff: “For two years I worked without stop, of a man at a distance of 100-150 yards. I panted. They all stood there grinning and week-ends as well as weeks, interesting and Figures in clear light could be discernible at George Lowe gave me a silent, but oh, so rewarding work with travel all over India thrown a distance of 4,000 feet. expressive, thumbs-up.” in… I was learning my business in a way Luck was with him from the beginning: “At Tom then filmed Hillary and Tenzing’s meeting Filming the impossible in peace-time.” that time I could give no guess whether or not with the expedition’s leader, Colonel John Hunt. Following the war, he explored further, with our expedition would succeed; who amongst These precious scenes, along with the reels of expeditions to Africa, Antarctica and Australia. all my companions would be important, or film already taken, were safely transported back He commented: “I suppose of all things I ever who become the ‘stars’. So I had to set out to to England where the work on The Conquest of wanted to do, to go on an Everest expedition do the formidable task of filming everyone… Everest began. The film was nominated for an conquest of Everest was it. Now, suddenly, out of the blue had Ed Hillary came out of the Embassy [in Academy award for best documentary feature come news of a fresh attempt scheduled for Kathmandu] and I filmed his introduction to in 1953. Tom described his feelings at the 1953, and the possibility that a film would be Tenzing. I was filming an historic meeting.” London première: “Once more, amidst flashing required. I had sent a cable at Christmas, paid The 175-mile trek from Kathmandu to the diamonds, we made the ascent of Everest from Fifty years ago, Tom Stobart’s ambition led him to record a fleeting visit to London in July, and had been Everest region began on 10 March, Tom’s 39th warm seats, and when we got to the top it provisionally accepted.” birthday. Fighting to cope with the altitude as seemed a pity that it was all over, and that the first ascent of Everest. Everest no longer stood as a challenge.”

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groups. Dr Sue Kohler, Chair of the Friends of the Botanical Gardens (FOBS), comments: “The public have long and very affectionate memories of the Gardens. They were something to be proud of and they badly want the Gardens to be gorgeous again.” The Gardens are listed by English Heritage as a Grade II site of special historical and architectural interest, due to the preservation of much of the original design and the Sheffield’s green concentration of historic listed buildings and structures. After the Heritage Lottery Fund announced its Urban Parks Programme in 1996, the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Partnership was successful in attracting a grant of £5.06 million for a and pleasant land complete garden restoration. In order to access these funds, however, they have to raise £1.25 million of matched funding, of which only £250,000 is still needed. This is being raised by With 150 woodlands and 50 public parks, Sheffield defies its traditional industrial the voluntary sector – the Sheffield Botanical image. The city’s public spaces are now undergoing a radical transformation. The Gardens Trust and FOBS. FOBS is organising a series of events to raise money, including guided innovative Winter Garden and the restoration of the Botanical Gardens are providing tours, children’s days and the ever-popular plant sales, while the Trust approaches charitable and oases of calm in the middle of the urban environment. commercial organisations and manages the fund in a tax-effective way. “A major regional centre of botanical and horticultural excellence”

The University’s Department of Landscape has provided specialist reports on the plantings and their conditions and research on the historic restoration, balancing the requirements of the Heritage Lottery Fund with those of the public. The strategy is to restore the Gardens on the basis of their late 19th century condition, reconstructing the spirit of the layout of this period. The Gardens were originally designed by The restored Pavilions in the Sheffield Botanical Gardens Inside the restored Pavilions. Photo: Helen Scarlett Robert Marnock in the Gardenesque style, the main characteristic of which is that all the trees, shrubs and plants are positioned and managed in such a way that each is displayed to its full The Winter Garden 22 metres high and is glazed with 2,100 square Sheffield Botanical Gardens potential in scattered planting. metres of glass. A temperate greenhouse, the The last decade has seen a dramatic structure is home to 150 species of plants, Just a short journey from the city centre, the The work is due to be completed in September regeneration of the centre of Sheffield. The including palms from Central America, end is in sight for a major rejuvenation of 2004. The first phase was the restoration of the £120 million Heart of the City project was Madagascar and China. Sheffield Botanical Gardens. One of the most Main Entrance and Gatehouse, the Curator’s conceived in 1994 with the aim of providing the dramatic projects has been the restoration of the House and South Lodge. Following the city with a vibrant new focus, attracting people, Sheffield-born Michael Palin – author, traveller, three Pavilions, built in 1836 and some of the completion of the Pavilions, attention is now jobs and investment. The Peace Gardens, next to former Monty Python member and an oldest surviving examples of curvilinear glass focused on landscape restoration and the the Town Hall, were redesigned in 1997; this honorary graduate of the University – is construction in the country. The ridge and reinstatement of key features, such as the Bear was followed in 2001 by the opening of the patron of the Winter Garden: “I love the fact furrow glass corridors that formerly linked the Pit, fountain and Pan Statue. There will also be a yourcity Millennium Galleries. The Winter Garden is the that it’s close to the Millennium Galleries, Pavilions have also been reinstated. Nearly 4,000 major enhancement of the plant collections which is another very striking building. In the project’s final phase and its crowning glory. people visited them on the first day of opening throughout the Gardens. There will be more For further information, past there have been buildings in Sheffield Gone is the old Town Hall extension, known at Easter 2003. The plants they now contain are than 20 areas dedicated to plants from please visit: that have not been that great and it’s fantastic all from temperate regions – Asia and the different parts of the world, from the locally as the ‘egg box’. In its place is the largest that there are two examples of top-class Winter Garden glasshouse in any European city centre. Himalayas, Australasia, South Africa, Central and Mediterranean to the Pennines. “These www.sheffield.gov.uk architecture so close together in the city South America. collections will present different themes which Designed by Pringle, Richards, Sharratt Sheffield Botanical Gardens centre. It’s wonderful.” The Garden was will give a strong foundation for developing Architects, the building provides an indoor Covering 19 acres and first opened to the public www.sbg.org.uk officially opened by Her Majesty the Queen educational projects. The Gardens will become public garden, in contrast to the ‘summer’ Peace on 22 May 2003. in 1836, the Gardens are returning to their Gardens nearby. The dramatic timber frame is former glory thanks to the committed efforts of a major regional centre of botanical and 70 metres long, 22 metres wide and nearly a local partnership of professional and voluntary horticultural excellence,” concludes Dr Kohler. Inside the Winter Garden at night. Photo: Sheffield City Council 20 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni YOUR UNIVERSITY 2003/2004 21 Master/Sheff_Alumni_Aug03_V2 22/9/03 11:27 am Page 22

Champion of Yorkshire’s museums She flies

yourpeople major city in the country to set up a museums through trust. Sheffield was the first in 1997 and Janet was the leading officer to manage the process the air Sheffield alumni in the news of change. She was also heavily involved in the creation of the Millennium Galleries, opened in 2001 as part of Sheffield’s Heart of the City Project. Janet was Honorary Curator of the Turner Museum of Glass for 20 years and was Stamp commemorates Janet Barnes. Photo: York Evening Press involved with the management of the Hawley A noble famous aviatrix Tool Collection of edge-tools and cutlery. Michèle Lainé JANET BARNES, a familiar face to many in She was awarded an honorary degree by the A CAREER AS AN AERIAL ACROBAT Sheffield and a graduate of the University (BA champion University in 2000 in recognition of the isn’t perhaps the first thing that comes 1976), has taken up a new challenge in York – development of Sheffield’s galleries and to mind for most Physics graduates, as Chief Executive of its Museums and Gallery of science museums and of the preservation of the but Michèle Lainé (BSc 1991, PhD Trust. The county capital is only the second University’s own heritage. 1997) was certain of what she wanted Amy Johnson with her De Havilland DH60G plane to do when she left University. She is Lord Porter Photo: Royal Mail now one half of the successful aerial LORD PORTER, who died on 31 with Professor Ronald Norrish THE CENTENARY OF THE BIRTH of Amy Johnson Pitching in as a role model dance duo Viva, performing all over August 2002, made a fundamental and Manfred Eigen of Germany. (BA 1925) has been commemorated on a Special the world at corporate functions and contribution to our knowledge of special events. In 1955, George Porter became Stamp produced by the Royal Mail. Part of the RAISING THE AWARENESS of science and chemical reactions and to the public Professor of Physical Chemistry at Extreme Endeavours collection, the new stamp engineering among young people is what Michèle started gymnastics when she understanding of science. It was at Sheffield, where he gathered together celebrates her solo flight to Australia in 1930. Amy David James (MEng 2000) does when he isn’t was two and reached international Cambridge, following a first degree at a group of scientists who transformed followed a General Arts degree, in Latin, French investigating the standards of English cricket standard in four-piece artistic Leeds and wartime service in the the department into one of the best and Economics, at Sheffield, with a view to pitches for his PhD. He has been selected as a gymnastics when she was 12. A place Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve, that in the country. After leaving Sheffield becoming a teacher. Her legendary attendance at member of the 13-strong BE YOURSELF! Team at University limited the amount of he conceived the idea of using very in 1966 he devoted the rest of his Engineering classes, however, probably had a far by the Engineering and Physical Sciences time she could devote to the sport but short-time pulses of light to examine distinguished career, first as the more long-term effect on her career. Research Council. The project promotes the gymnastics club introduced her to very fast chemical reactions. The Director of the Royal Institution and The University named the building housing science and engineering to young people, the director of a circus company with importance of this work was then as President of the Royal Society, the Department of Automatic Control and giving them the chance to fulfil their whom she has now worked for 12 recognised in 1967 by the award of to championing the cause of science. Systems Engineering as the Amy Johnson ambitions and realise their potential. David is years. Her PhD took four-and-a-half the Nobel Prize for Chemistry, jointly Building in 1993, in recognition of her featured on the NOISE (New Outlooks in years to complete, as she toured with pioneering achievements. Science and Engineering) website at Sheffield-based Swamp Circus for www.noisenet.ws/index.php David James. Photo: Sheffield Newspapers Ltd six months each year. This experience gave Michèle the confidence and contacts to set up Viva with Jane Osborn. They taught Accolades for The Hours The Maltese connection themselves the technique known as aerial silks to create beautiful and THE LATEST FILM to be directed by Workshop and the University THE BRITISH HIGH one-off characters like Mike McColgan, who original aerial spectacles. Examples can Stephen Daldry (BA 1982, Hon Drama Studio. He was a COMMISSIONER to reduced all German literature to an be seen on their website at: LittD 2001) has attracted a charismatic chair of the University the Republic of Malta expression of the class struggle. Saturdays www.vivaaerialdance.co.uk plethora of international awards. Theatre Group and was awarded has strong links with were devoted to the (mis)fortunes of my The Hours gained nine Academy the William Empson Prize for Michèle is the right-hand performer in the Sheffield, both past beloved Clarets (Burnley FC) against the ‘Acrobat’ ident for BBC1 Photo: BBC nominations, including one for Drama. He spent three years at and present. Vincent Owls or the Blades.” Best Director, with Nicole Kidman Sheffield’s Crucible Theatre before Fean (BA 1975) met winning an Oscar for her moving to London, attracting He joined the Foreign and Commonwealth his wife, Anne portrayal of Virginia Woolf. Her attention for his work at The Gate Office straight after graduating. His Vincent Fean Stewart, whilst they success continued at the Golden where he created a commercial appointment in Malta comes after a series were both studying Globes and the BAFTAs, where success out of radical theatre. In of postings to places as diverse as Baghdad, at the University. Their daughter, Catherine, Stephen was also nominated as 1992, he was appointed Artistic Gaborone, Damascus, Brussels and Paris. graduated in 2002 and their youngest child, Best Director. Director at the Royal Court “Our job here is to promote UK interests in Dominic, returns to Sheffield next year after Theatre. His subsequent move into Malta and report back on developments Stephen followed the drama track his year abroad in Bordeaux. “I thoroughly feature films saw his directorial relevant to the UK. There is a lot of scope within his English Literature enjoyed my happy time at Sheffield,” says debut, Billy Elliott, receive three for partnership between the UK and Malta degree, dividing his time between Vincent. “I had good, enthusiastic lecturers Oscar nominations, including one in the European Union, which Malta will join the department’s own Theatre such as Terry Pratt and Annie Rouxeville and Stephen Daldry (second from right) with English Literature students in 2001 for Best Director. next May.”

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“If we are The UK Dark Matter successful in our Collaboration quest, then we are looking at The UK Dark Matter Collaboration a place in the consists of: history books.” The University of Sheffield CCLRC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory Imperial College The University of Edinburgh

Overseas collaborators: Occidental College, USA Temple University, USA Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, USA UCLA, USA In search of Texas A&M University, USA Institute of Theoretical and Experimental Physics, Russia dark matter LIP-Coimbra, Portugal All visible matter in the Universe makes up less than ten per cent of its mass, swirling around in – what? Astronomers believe that the remaining 90 per cent must be invisible ‘dark matter’, in order for stars to move round in galactic islands, for galaxies to cluster together and for the Universe to look the way it does. The way to prove this

theory is to investigate the dark matter itself. First of all, however, they need to find it. Far left: Research Associate, Dr Sean Paling, views readings Left: Scientists on their way to work in the Boulby Underground Laboratory

olving the mystery of the surface facilities to create one of obliged to carry in case of fire. backwards and the recoil energy reducing the radiation by a factor experiment designed to look for missing 90 per cent of the the world’s foremost research These, and their miner’s overalls, released by the atom can be of a million. High-purity materials this modulation. The DRIFT Universe is now one step centres for identifying and helmets and lamps. detected in one of three ways, are used in every stage of collaboration includes researchers Scloser with the opening of isolating dark matter. Although billions of WIMPs are depending on the detector constructing the detector and from Occidental College and the Boulby Underground British scientists, including a team probably passing through us every material: there will be a slight rise careful analysis is carried out on all Temple University in the USA. Laboratory for Dark Matter from the University of Sheffield second, they hardly interact with in the temperature, a slight electric signals recorded to screen out Despite the new advances, dark Research. Over 1,000 metres led by Professor Neil Spooner, ordinary matter and so are charge is released or a photon of those caused by other particles. matter remains elusive and could beneath the North York Moors, the are playing a leading role in the extremely difficult to detect. light is released. As WIMPs so DRIFT (Directional Recoil be so for some time to come. The new facility is located in the worldwide race to discover the Occasionally, however, they do rarely collide with matter, it is Identification from Tracks) is the sensitivity of the detectors is being working salt and potash mine at particles. It will be a major coup knock into the nuclei of atoms, important to screen out as much first experiment to be installed in worked on continually and it could Boulby, near Whitby. Here, a group for UK science if the project and the experiments at Boulby background noise in the small the new JIF laboratory. It is unique take at least five years before a of UK scientists has installed a is successful. are designed to detect these rare signal produced by collisions as as its aim is not only to detect definitive detection takes place. series of experiments to detect possible. The location of the On the face of it, the new collisions. Professor Spooner WIMPs, but also to determine Methods need to be checked and Weakly Interacting Massive compares detecting the elusive laboratory at the bottom of a mine which direction they come from. possible sources of error Particles (WIMPs), a prime laboratory looks like any other screens out particles from space, high-tech environment. Computers WIMP to playing billiards with an The Earth is subject to a steady eliminated. However, the goal is candidate for the missing mass of invisible cue ball: “You don’t such as cosmic rays, and from stream of WIMPs from space as it too important to be ignored. As the Universe. The laboratory has and electronic equipment quietly radioactive substances. The salt work away, while researchers busy actually see the WIMP, or cue ball, moves through the Galaxy, Professor Spooner says: “If we are been awarded £3.1 million from itself; but you can see the recoil of mine has a low natural blowing from the direction of the successful in our quest, then we the Government’s Joint themselves at their desks. Just radioactivity and absorbs most of about the only indication that this the billiard ball as it hits.” motion. As the Earth rotates on its are looking at a place in the Infrastructure Fund (JIF), providing the particles coming in from space. axis, there should be a daily history books. This will be one of enhanced underground is no ordinary laboratory are the When a WIMP collides with the Encasing the detectors in lead or respirators that the scientists are nucleus of an atom, it will knock it modulation of the signal direction. the great discoveries of our time.” laboratories and complementary copper provides more protection, DRIFT is the world’s first

24 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni YOUR UNIVERSITY 2003/2004 25 Master/Sheff_Alumni_Aug03_V2 22/9/03 11:27 am Page 26

Briefly...

yournews Today’s way to a PhD THE TIME-HONOURED WAY of gaining a coveted PhD is set to change. ‘New Route PhDs’ have been introduced by the University in response to changes in the knowledge and skills demanded Echinacea purpurea ‘Magnus’. Photo: Kate Horton of research graduates in a rapidly expanding worldwide market. A prairie on your doorstep These four-year courses combine a specific research FORGET THE DECKING and blue achievable, but is relatively months of the year but, by project with coursework and wood preservative. The latest labour intensive. James and choosing species such as professional skills way to bring innovation and Nigel’s research has shown that Rudbeckia and Eryngium that development. A portfolio excitement into the garden is grass is the greatest inhibitor of look good in skeleton form, the of 14 programmes is on offer across a range of contained in a packet of seeds. flowers, especially in nutrient- meadows provide interest for a disciplines. A full listing of Five years of research at the rich garden soils. Instead, by long period. subjects is available at: University have resulted in densely planting a mixture of Trials are under way at the Eden www.sheffield.ac.uk/pgresearch glorious wildflower meadows colourful annuals and Project and at RHS Garden that provide colour and interest perennials, the team has created Wisley. “It is plain that for best throughout the summer and areas of happily co-existing results such meadows or Your smile can autumn. flowers which do not suffer ‘prairies’ must have a species let you down from competition from grass. Drs James Hitchmough and mix tailored to the site,” FIRST IMPRESSIONS Nigel Dunnett of the Once established, the meadows explains James. “And to an do count. Research Department of Landscape have only need an annual tidy up in ecologist there is no stability conducted by a team from been developing seed mixes and late winter. This gives the plants anyway – no perfect mix of the University’s School of cultivation techniques that time to reabsorb carbohydrates plants, which, once found, will Clinical Dentistry, Guy’s, create spectacular displays. The from the leaves and stalks, so automatically perpetuate itself. King’s and St Thomas’ Dental Institute has romantic notion of a wildflower that none of their energy is Everything is in flux.” revealed that strangers tend meadow that includes a mix of wasted. The result could be to make snap judgements grasses and flowering plants is described as untidy in the later about intelligence, personality and success Professor Tim Birkhead with the rediscovered Darwin letter. Photo: Yorkshire Post based purely upon the Old Bailey court records appearance of teeth. Darwin letter discovered now accessible Time Team a special project directed by published and provide valuable in town Dr Bob Shoemaker of the evidence of the circumstances CHANNEL 4’S TIME TEAM University of Sheffield and surrounding crimes, the lives of and members of ARCUS, the University’s Archaeological in filing cabinet Professor Tim Hitchcock of the the accused and their trials. Research Consultancy, have William Hogarth, Cruelty in University of Hertfordshire, A series of learning packages been working together to A LETTER FROM CHARLES DARWIN, lost for letters and I decided to make a poster have developed into different species on Perfection, plate 3 of The Four Stages of Cruelty, 1751, reproduced courtesy and involving the intensive make the material accessible to create a TV programme 100 years, has been rediscovered by describing our links with him. So I took the the bodies of different races of humans. of ProfessorTim Hitchcock, University efforts of dozens of experts students in schools and about the industrial Professor Tim Birkhead, of the Department letter from our safe. I then discussed the Denny cannot commit himself to a firm of Hertfordshire and transcribers. universities, researchers of heritage of Sheffield, due to of Animal and Plant Sciences. Professor poster with a colleague who, to my view so, in the second letter, Darwin be screened next spring. BETWEEN 1674 and 1834, the Dr Shoemaker says: “The Old family and local history, and Birkhead is also a member of the Darwin surprise, said he had the letter in his filing extends his line of enquiry to species of lice Tony Robinson and Mick proceedings of the central Bailey court records are a users interested in the histories Correspondence Project, which exists to cabinet. When I disputed this, we observed on different species of domestic Aston, presenters of the criminal court in London, the treasure trove of social, legal of individual communities. programme, joined staff publish the definitive edition of letters to simultaneously realised that the University mammals and birds. Old Bailey, were published and family history because they The Old Bailey Proceedings from the University to and from Darwin. The new letter, along had assumed it had one Darwin letter, Henry Denny’s son, Alfred, was appointed eight times a year. These tell us so much about the lives Online website – at present a Bowie knife, which with one already known to belong to the when in fact it had two.” to the Chair of Zoology at the University in records detail some 100,000 of ordinary people, outlaws and www.oldbaileyonline.org – has was made during filming, University, is now published in the 13th to the Hawley Tool Dating from 1865, the two letters are part 1884, remaining in post until 1925. As an individual trials and include life on the margins of London been funded with the support volume of Darwin’s correspondence by Collection, housed of a correspondence with Henry Denny, an interesting coincidence, Professor Birkhead 60,000 pages of text and society.” They represent the of the Arts and Humanities Cambridge University Press. in the Department of entomologist at Leeds City Museum. In his is honorary curator of the Alfred Denny 25 million words. This unique largest single source of Research Board and a Archaeology and Prehistory. Professor Birkhead explains: “I knew that first letter, Darwin wonders whether Denny Museum, containing the University’s resource is becoming information about non-elite £370,000 grant from the New the University owned one of Darwin’s is aware of any evidence that body lice zoology collection. accessible worldwide thanks to lives and behaviour ever Opportunities Fund.

26 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni YOUR UNIVERSITY 2003/2004 27 Master/Sheff_Alumni_Aug03_V2 22/9/03 11:28 am Page 28

The 1905 opening ceremony , held on the site of the new Firth Court building Western Bank in 1952

Centenary 2005 Union of Students, 2003 Firth Court, 2003

the three separate institutions – Medical The project team would be delighted to hear University College, Sheffield, as it was then Above: The fourth side of the Firth Court Quadrangle is now complete. Right: 1905 medal commemorating the opening of the University School, Technical School and Firth College – from any alumni who would like to contribute known. Its discovery, almost a 100 years to the which combined in 1897 to form University reminiscences or who have memorabilia, day since it was buried, has come as a great On 31 May 2005, the University of Sheffield will College, Sheffield, and then the University of including amateur films, which might be surprise. The capsule’s lead casing contained a Sheffield following the granting of a Royal borrowed to help with the text or the glass box holding papers. These include a set celebrate the centenary of the granting of its Royal Charter on 31 May 1905. The book then traces illustrations. To contribute, or to find out more of plans of Firth Court and details of the the development of the University through the about the Centenary History, please email: procession of the Lord Mayor of London from Charter of Incorporation as a centre ‘for the advancement 20th century and into the new millennium. [email protected] or telephone the station to Western Bank to officiate at of knowledge, the diffusion and extension of arts, To shape the History, the University archives Dr John Hawthorne, project administrator, the ceremony. are being researched in depth. However, it is on 0114 222 1206. always the personal stories and anecdotes that Calling graduates of the 1930s sciences and learning, and the provision of liberal, Centenary medal returns bring facts and figures to life. The project team Hossein Farmy was a pre-war engineering professional and technical education.’ is conducting a series of interviews, and over to University student from Iran (then Persia). He graduated 1,000 alumni have already responded to an A special medal was struck in 1905 to in 1938 with a BEng degree and went on to email questionnaire about their experiences commemorate the official opening of the have a successful career in the USA. When he while in Sheffield. This personal approach series of special events spanning the University by King Edward VII and Queen died in 1982, he left a legacy of over £625,000 characterises the reader-friendly feel of the whole of 2005 will highlight this yourcentenary Alexandra. An example, pictured left, has to the University to provide scholarships which book. The earliest memories received so far are important landmark in the University’s recently been acquired by Miles Stevenson, now carry his name. The University would be those of Lydia Manley Henry (one of the very history. The programme of opera, Director of Development at the University. delighted to hear from any graduates who For more information about first female medical graduates, who received concerts,A lectures, alumni reunions, a Centenary He was alerted to the medal’s existence by remember Mr Farmy, particularly if they have a Centenary 2005, please contact: her degree in 1916), and the interviewees’ ages Ball and several formal events will have Dr Melvyn Brooks (MB ChB 1969), who photograph of him from his student days. If Michael Hannon, former University range from 19 to 96. something for everyone – students, staff, spotted it on an online auction. Melvyn and his you can help, please contact Miles Stevenson Librarian and Director of Library The author of the History is Dr Helen Mathers, at the Development and Alumni Relations alumni and friends. Services, who has been appointed wife Roma (née Bharier, LDS 1967) have lived a graduate of the University and a professional Office (see page 1 for details). Particular attention will be paid to two key Centenary Director. He is working with in Israel for the last 30 years. By contacting historian who has already written the popular dates: 31 May, Charter Day, marked by a special colleagues across the University and the the University, he has helped to save an Born in Sheffield, the story of the Jessop thanksgiving service in Sheffield Cathedral; and city to ensure that 2005 will be a year interesting item of University memorabilia. Hospital and women’s health services in the 12 July, Centenary Day, the anniversary of the to remember. You can contact him via yourshop city. She comments: “The aim is to put together opening of the University’s buildings at Western Helena Pinder at: Time capsule discovered Tel: 0114 222 2005 or a serious work of scholarship and at the same Bank by King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra. Perfectly preserved, it lay in the foundations of The Studio shop in the Union of Email: [email protected] time an entertaining and affordable book, Students offers a range of branded lavishly illustrated and produced to a very high Firth Court for a century. Then, during the Centenary History The Centenary 2005 website, with installation of new air conditioning, a builder’s merchandise, including gifts and details of the Centenary Programme, standard. It will be an honest account, not an clothing featuring the University shield. An important event in the Centenary advertising prospectus: this University doesn’t drill went right through the lead and glass is available at: time capsule and its secrets were revealed. In Visit the website at: celebrations will be the publication of a major www.sheffield.ac.uk/centenary2005 need any spin-doctoring.” June 1903, a casket was buried as part of the www.sheffieldunion.com/studio The contents of the time capsule revealed (see new History of the University. The story starts opposite) Photo: Sheffield Newspapers Ltd in the 19th century, with the development of ceremony to lay the foundation stone of

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“It’s incredibly rewarding when you know that you have helped someone achieve their targets.” Student volunteer, Myers Grove Secondary School Giving something back The Union of Students has a strong tradition of community volunteering. For many years organised under the banner of Student Community Action, this element of the Union’s work was relaunched as SheffieldVolunteering in October 2002. The new name was chosen as it reflects the main motivation behind student involvement – “to give something back to Sheffield”.

heffieldVolunteering exists to provide short volunteering short-term projects. A lot of students choose to volunteer between one opportunities for University of Sheffield students. A grant from and three hours regularly. Full training is provided and students receive the Higher Education Active Community Fund (HEACF) has their out-of-pocket expenses. In addition to developing lists of transformed the existing volunteering programme and enabled volunteering opportunities, SheffieldVolunteering also provides support Smany more students than ever before to play an active role in their for students to create and lead projects in the local community. local community. The success of SheffieldVolunteering is due to the energy and The range of activities undertaken by student volunteers has commitment of the student volunteers, the enthusiastic support of dramatically increased during the last year, following the award from partner organisations and the launch of the HEACF initiative. The team is HEACF to fund new projects. Part of the Government’s Active working hard to ensure that student involvement with local communities Community scheme, the fund has been set up to enhance the role that goes from strength to strength. universities play in their local community and to encourage greater Here are three examples of the many activities undertaken by student involvement of students in voluntary activities. SheffieldVolunteering volunteers each year: Photos: SheffieldVolunteering now manages 15 community initiatives and continues to recruit students for 50 local organisations. Student volunteers play an Just Do It important role in helping local organisations to provide services to all sections of the community in Sheffield, including children and young In just two days in March 2003, 75 students gave over 450 hours of people, people with learning disabilities, the homeless, refugees and volunteering time to complete 11 tasks for nine local organisations. asylum seekers and the elderly. SheffieldVolunteering organised the event, provided funding, recruited volunteers and made sure that everyone was where they were supposed The focus of the organisation is in the Union of Students, with a staff to be on time. The local groups planned the tasks, bought materials and of three administrators. They work closely with a student committee supported the volunteers on the day. Just Do It gave students a taste of that meets regularly to decide policy. Kiran Sandhu, Chair of what can be achieved in just a few hours. As a result, many chose to SheffieldVolunteering, reports: “Since October 2002, we’ve dealt with take up regular volunteering. over 920 individual enquiries about volunteering – that’s almost five per cent of the full-time student population.” These students come from a wide range of subjects and year groups. Saturday Playgroup At a time when many students need to find paid employment to help fund An integrated project for three to eight-year-old children with learning their studies, this level of commitment to volunteering is impressive. Many difficulties and their siblings, the Saturday Playgroup was developed by reasons are given for their involvement: “To have more contact with students in 1994 and has been a registered play provision since 1996. To different people in Sheffield”, “To feel that I am doing something positive to meet new OFSTED regulations, the scheme now employs two qualified help others” and “To use my skills to help others, to meet people who are nursery nurses to co-ordinate activities. This change has meant that not necessarily students and to put something back into the community”. volunteers benefit from working alongside childcare professionals. The Playgroup is part-funded by the Union of Students. The remaining funds Many students are also aware that volunteering is an important addition are raised by SheffieldVolunteering and include a grant from the to a CV. Research carried out on behalf of the national volunteering University’s Alumni Foundation. charity TimeBank, by recruitment specialist Reed Executive, found that almost three quarters of employers prefer to recruit candidates with Tutoring and Mentoring volunteering experience on their CV. Over half of the 200 companies surveyed said that voluntary experience can actually be more valuable SheffieldVolunteering created placements for 43 student tutors in four than experience gained in paid employment. schools during the last year. Students were eager to share their subject SheffieldVolunteering offers a programme of hundreds of volunteering knowledge and find a practical application for their studies. A further five opportunities in schools, student-led initiatives and local charities. They students acted as mentors to pupils at two schools, with the aim of are designed to fit in around studies and can be one-off events or raising the pupils’ aspirations, improving their self-esteem and developing better study skills.

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Uncovering writing talent in India

OVER 100 ENTRIES were submitted for a national writing competition run by the University in India for Honorary final year XIIth Standard students. The topic was The global ‘What makes an inspiring teacher’. Standards were graduates from high and the eventual winner of the £500 prize was Dhruv Ahrora. His school, Delhi Public School, was around the world also awarded £500 for educational materials. Dhruv was pleased with his success: “I clandestinely completed my essay in a Psychology class and off it went. It was dedicated to my first teacher ever – perspective Edith D'Souza, who was the kind of woman that every small boy hopes for – kind, understanding and Mrs Anson Chan fiercely funny.” The two runners-up were Siddharth Nayaran of DAV Boys Senior Secondary School, FORMER CHIEF SECRETARY in the Dhruv Ahrora receives his prize from Stephen Parkin Chennai, and Indrapramit Das, of Calcutta Hong Kong Civil Service, Mrs of the University’s International Office International School, both winning prizes of £250. Anson Chan, was awarded the News for honorary degree of Doctor of Laws at a ceremony held in Hong Kong Japanese alumni in September 2002. Professor Calling all Singapore graduates Philip Jones, the Public Orator, said A GROUP OF SHEFFIELD ALUMNI now living in Japan met up for a in his citation speech: “Today, the night-out in Tokyo recently with Tony Ryan, ICI Professor of Physical University of Sheffield confers its THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD Alumni Although only a year old, the Singapore group Chemistry. Tony visited Japan in July to present his Royal Society own special honour on a Association (Singapore), established in May has organised several successful events. All Christmas Lectures series for Japanese television, and took some professional administrator of the 2002, invites local Sheffield graduates to join have been well attended by members and time out to tell Sheffield graduates about the latest developments highest calibre, who has worked us. We need your help to fulfil our aims of: guests, including our inaugural Sheffield at their University. The group enjoyed themselves so much that they tirelessly to enhance the Alumni Dinner and Dance and a Wine and are thinking about establishing a Japanese alumni group. • Organising networking events and reunions reputation of Hong Kong on the Cheese Evening. Singapore alumni have to foster friendship, co-operation and unity international stage.” The ceremony If you are interested in helping to form a Japanese alumni group, worked hand-in-hand with the University’s among members also enabled more than 60 Hong please email Helen Scarlett, at the University of Sheffield: South East Asia Office, assisting in the Kong-based University of Sheffield [email protected] • Maintaining links with the University of September 2002 Pre-departure Briefing for graduates to celebrate their Sheffield and supporting its programmes Sheffield-bound students and the University’s success with families and where possible Graduation Ceremony held in Singapore. friends and to receive the Developing links • Helping to promote the University’s image Please contact us now for more information: Vice-Chancellor’s congratulations. in Singapore with Malaysia C N (James) Oon, President, Across the world, in the Caribbean, • Providing information about the University 5 Jalan Bunga Raya, Singapore 329450, a similar ceremony was held in for prospective students in Singapore. email: [email protected] January 2003 to honour the Governor General of St Lucia, Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy. She received an honorary degree Alumni in the USA of Doctor of Laws in recognition of her distinguished career and ALUMNI who are now living in the USA (or organisation. The University of Sheffield in outstanding contribution to living elsewhere but paying US tax) will be America will enable US tax payers to make educational development in the pleased to hear that we are taking steps to tax-deductible donations in favour of the Caribbean. The event also establish a method of tax-efficient giving in University. celebrated the achievements Sir Sze-yuen Chung’s memoirs The Sultan Abdul Samad Building, Kuala Lumpur. Photo: Miles Stevenson of 55 postgraduate students from America. Plans are underway to set up ‘The If you are an American tax payer and would Trinidad and Tobago and St Lucia, University of Sheffield in America’ as a like to know more, please email Helen Scarlett, many of whom had been studying Students benefit from WITH THE LARGEST NUMBER OF SHEFFIELD ALUMNI outside the ‘501 (c) (3)’ tax-exempt non-profit at: [email protected] UK, Malaysia is proud to have its own Alumni Association, under education-related subjects at the generous gift the guidance and direction of its President, Dato Dr Ikmal Hisham University by distance learning. Albakri, one of Malaysia’s most distinguished architects. In THE UNIVERSITY has more than 1,000 alumni in Hong Kong and one September 2002, the Vice-Chancellor was delighted to meet Developing international Alumni Relations of its most distinguished is Sir Sze-yuen Chung, who took a PhD in alumni in Ipoh and Kuala Lumpur, including members of the THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD has over 100,000 alumni in more than 120 countries across Mechanical Engineering in 1951. Alumni Association of Malaysia. The Association is currently led the world. We are keen to develop new links with international alumni. If you are interested To commemorate his time at Sheffield and his on-going association with by a committee of alumni of diverse backgrounds representing in forming a new international alumni group in a specific country, or perhaps just helping out the University, Sir Sze-yuen Chung has made a generous donation to graduates from different disciplines and walks of life. at student recruitment fairs, please contact: help establish a scholarship fund for Hong Kong students. In addition, he The University wants to strengthen its links with alumni in Miriam Garner, made a gift to establish the Sir Sze-yuen Chung Resource Centre in the Malaysia and to establish an on-going alumni relations Development and Alumni Relations Office, School of East Asian Studies. This centre, which also received support Her Excellency Dame Pearlette Louisy programme. If you would be interested in helping the Malaysian The University of Sheffield, 277 Glossop Road, Sheffield S10 2HB receives her honorary degree from the from the University’s Alumni Foundation and the School of East Asian alumni group, please contact Azmir Abdullah at email: Email: m,[email protected] Website: www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni Vice-Chancellor Studies, was officially opened by the Vice-Chancellor in April 2003. [email protected] 32 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni YOUR UNIVERSITY 2003/2004 33 Master/Sheff_Alumni_Aug03_V2 22/9/03 11:28 am Page 34 honoursandawards Staff, students and alumni

Professor Barry Hancock (Genomic Medicine) Dr Susan Read (Nursing and Midwifery) has Dr Nigel Bax, Director of Teaching in the was one of the first recipients of a Sheffield Star been awarded an MBE in recognition of her School of Medicine and Biomedical Community Award, made in recognition of his significant contribution to nursing research and Sciences, has won a National Teaching dedication and expertise in caring for cancer innovation in health care. Fellowship in recognition of his ability to patients at Weston Park Hospital. Professor Tony Ryan (Chemistry) has been influence and inspire students, staff and Graham Healey (East Asian Studies) is joint awarded the first EPSRC Senior Media the teaching profession as a whole. editor-in-chief of The Iwakura Embassy 1871-73, Fellowship, enabling him to showcase his work Dr Bax’s prize of £50,000 will fund a which has been awarded the Japan Translators through newspapers, TV, radio and the Internet. scheme to recruit volunteer patients who Association Prize 2002. He also delivered the Royal Institution Christmas will be taught to educate and assess Professor Philip Ingham (Centre for Lectures, broadcast on Channel 4, in 2002. healthcare students. He will also be Development Genetics) has been elected a Professor Rod Smallwood (Medical Physics forming a Patients’ Council, which will Fellow of the Royal Society. and Clinical Engineering) has been elected an allow the University to take patients’ Professor David McClean (Law) has been Honorary Fellow of the Royal College of views into account when developing Physicians. the curriculum. elected a Fellow of the British Academy. Professor David Newble (Medical Education) Professor Jim Swithenbank (Chemical and has won the award for Outstanding Research Process Engineering) has been awarded the Publication given by the American Educational Walter Ahlström Prize 2002, for his outstanding Dr Nigel Bax Research Association for his International contributions in the field of sustainable energy. Handbook of Research in Medical Education. He was also awarded an honorary degree by the University in July 2003. Professors Hwyel Davies (Engineering Materials), David Howe (Electronic and Electrical Engineering) and Derek Linkens (Automatic Control and Systems David Moore receives his award from the Chancellor, Sir Peter Middleton Engineering) have all been elected Fellows of the Royal Academy of Engineering. David Moore, a final year medical student, is the winner of the Chancellor’s Medal 2003. The award has been made in recognition of his services to the Medical School and to his Professor Robin Dennell (Archaeology and fellow students. Amongst his achievements are that he was the Founder and Director Prehistory) has been named as a British of the Sheffield Medical Teaching Website, which is used in over 75 countries, and his Academy Research Professor. provision of web design services to the University’s Academic Surgical Unit. Dr John Divers (Philosophy) and Professor Sally Shuttleworth (English Literature) have been awarded British Academy Professor James Underwood (Medicine and Professor Roderick Flower (BSc 1971), of the Readerships. Biomedical Sciences) has been elected John Vane Science Centre, and Professor Professor Paul Dolan (Economics and President of the Royal College of Pathologists. Peter Green (MSc 1972, PhD 1976), of the Professor April McMahon Health and Related Research) was one of Dr Elspeth Whitby (Academic Radiology) has University of Bristol, have been elected the winners of the 2002 Philip Leverhulme received the Flude Memorial Prize from the Fellows of the Royal Society. Professor April McMahon (English Prizes for outstanding young researchers. British Institute of Radiology. Bernard Hogan-Howe (MBA 1999), Language) has been awarded a Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Professor Gordon Duff (Genomic Fellowship of the Royal Society of Emeritus Professor Alan Yates has been Police, has been awarded the Queen’s Police Medicine) has been appointed to the Edinburgh, an honour generally given awarded the International Catalonia Prize by Medal for services to the Police. Department of Health’s Advisory Group on to academics working in Scottish the Institut d’Estudis Catalans for services to Genetics Research. Catalan language and culture. Crispian Strachan (LLB 1973), Chief Jennifer Pritchard universities. She was chosen to receive Dr Matthew Flinders (Politics) has been the award on account of her Constable, Northumbria Constabulary, has awarded the 2002 Harrison Prize by the contribution to life in Scotland. She Alumni been awarded a CBE for services to the Police. A national prize designed to highlight the achievements of outstanding women Political Studies Association. specialises in languages, their sounds Derek Turner (BEng 1974), former Managing engineering students has been won by Jennifer Pritchard, who was awarded a Dr Francis Annett (DEd 1994), an Education (phonology) and why they change. Her Director of Street Management for Transport Professor David Hall (School of Health Master’s degree in Mechanical Engineering in 2003. The Ford WISE Prize, worth £500, Research Manager, has been awarded an research has focused on the for London, has been awarded a CBE for and Related Research) has been knighted was presented to Jennifer at the Young Woman Engineer of the Year Award ceremony MBE for services to training and education in phonology of Scots accents in the services to transport in London. for his services to medicine; at London’s BT Centre in October 2002. By celebrating excellent role models, sponsors the North East. and Professor Ian Kershaw (History) has past, to explain how they come to Ford and WISE (Women into Science and Engineering) aim to attract more young sound as they do in the present day. Brigadier Andrew Farquhar (BEng 1975) received a knighthood for his services women to study engineering. has been awarded a CBE. to history.

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Convocation Annual I’m sure that fellow alumni will be as delighted as I am General to receive this first issue of Your University – a sure sign Meeting that change is afoot in alumni relations at the University NOTICE is hereby given that the of Sheffield. Convocation gives the new magazine the Annual General Meeting of The Convocation for the year ended CLUB WITH ANINTERNATIONALDIMENSION warmest of welcomes. It means Convocation News will 31 July 2002 is to be held at the cease to be published, but we remain committed to University of Sheffield (exact venue to be notified when Royal 50% joining fee regular contact with all our members. numbers attending are known) on Saturday, 15 November 2003 at Over-Seas discount for 11.00am. League The University of Sheffield alumni NOTICE is further given that the Annual General Meeting of Convocation for the year ended The Royal Over-Seas League (ROSL) has a long history of welcoming members 31 July 2003 is to be held at the from the UK and overseas to its London and Edinburgh clubhouses and University of Sheffield on Royalorganising a variety of arts and classical music projects in Commonwealth Saturday, 15 November 2003 at countries. 11.00am or as soon thereafter as practicable. The London clubhouse is in a prime location bordering Green Park and has a Business to be conducted will private garden, al fresco dining, restaurant, buttery for light meals, bar, drawing include a presentation by Michael Hannon on the proposals for the room, 77 en suite bedrooms and seven conference and private dining rooms. The A view of Firth Court University’s Centenary Celebrations Edinburgh clubhouse is centrally situated at 100 Princes Street. in 2005 and an Interim Report he newly-established team at the Another way to keep up-to-date is via the from the Commission on the Benefits of membership include economical pricing due to not-for-profit status, University’s Development and Alumni Convocation website, so make Elections for Court. events programme, quarterly journal, in-house art exhibitions and concerts, Relations Office is hard at work developing www.sheffield.ac.uk/convocation/ a bookmarked Nominations are invited for: evening speakers and short term access to over 50 other clubs around the world Tthe best alumni relations programme that favourite on your screen. The Convocation site is 1 Chairman and Vice-Chairman in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Singapore, Hong Kong, Malaysia, India, South this University has ever had. It is only right that, as now professionally managed and will help to 2Secretary & Clerk and the University approaches its centenary, it makes keep members involved in the work and thinking Africa, Kenya, Gibraltar, Spain, USA and elsewhere. ROSL has honorary Treasurer efforts to reconnect with its former students. of Convocation. Indeed, a Commission is 3Members to serve on the representatives in 78 countries. currently deliberating on the election of I can vouch for the intensive efforts being made Executive Committee members of Convocation to serve on the Court University of Sheffield alumni may enjoy specially discounted joining fees which to contact as many alumni as possible and to 4One member to serve on the Over-Seas bring your contact details up-to-date. Last year of the University and I hope that it will propose range from £22 (resident overseas) to £51 (resident within a 50 mile radius of University Council nearly 18,000 alumni completed a questionnaire an electronic electoral process. If you would like Members are also invited to Charing Cross, London). Annual subscriptions range from £80 - £198 and are sent out by the University and all the resulting to play a more active role in Convocation, please submit items for consideration or halved for new members joining for the second half of the year. (New 2004 information has now been added to the new do contact me. resolutions in accordance with memberships are effective from 1 November 2003.) alumni database. This is far more than just The next few years will be challenging and the By-Laws. a mailing list. It will make it much easier to exciting for the University and its alumni. The Nominations for election or organise events and reunions and will help University will need the support of its alumni in For those aged 17 to 25 and students in full time education (up to the age of 30) business to be considered are to members of Convocation to keep in touch. a variety of ways. We all have something to the joining fee is waived and the half-year subscription is £32.50. be sent to the Secretary & Clerk, offer, so please don’t be shy in coming forward But out there are many more of you we still Convocation, Freepost SF456, with that offer. The first and probably most For further information please contact the Membership Department, would like to hear from; so please get in touch if 9/12 East Parade, Sheffield important thing you can do is to talk to us. remembering to quote THE UNIVERSITY OF SHEFFIELD you are a former Sheffield student but aren’t on S1 1AY, to be received no later the mailing list for this magazine, and complete Please do so. than Saturday, 18 October 2003. an alumni questionnaire. You can now even In order to obtain the papers and Over-Seas House, Park Place, St James’s Street, London SW1A 1LR update your details online at: be given details of the precise www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni/services/update.html Tel: 020 7408 0214 Fax: 020 7499 6738 venue and agenda, would any Or, if you’re in touch with friends you made at Peter R Downey member hoping to attend the (Enquiries: 9.00am-5.00pm Monday-Friday - exts. 216 and 315) Sheffield, please make sure they, too, let the Chairman, Convocation AGM, please notify the Secretary Website: www.rosl.org.uk Email: [email protected] University know where they are now. [email protected] & Clerk either at the above address or by email at: [email protected] League Nominations for election or business to be considered are to be sent to the Secretary & Clerk, Convocation, Freepost SF456, 9/12 East Parade, Sheffield S1 1AY, to be received no later than Saturday, 18 October 2003. 36 www.sheffield.ac.uk/alumni