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M 4 Roadshow Antiques 6 Performances Pop-Up 12 Heritage Hub buzz 131 2 VICE-CHANCELLOR’S VIEW CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT 3

YOUR BUZZ Vice-Chancellor’s View Edited by Kate Pritchard University culture

Contact the editor Last year we awarded an honorary visited the Lapworth, savoured the [email protected] doctorate to Barry Everitt, now Professor spectacular architecture, and glimpsed of Behavioural Neuroscience and Master something of our research achievement Professor Ian Grosvenor Your details of Downing College, Cambridge. Barry and academic impact. And that in the Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Cultural Engagement Please let us know if you want extra did his PhD at Birmingham, remembered same week as performances were popping copies of Buzz or if you think we need his time here with great affection, and up around campus, a novel initiative to amend your distribution details. asked if the lunchtime concerts at the which will be repeated. Barber continued. They were, he said, Amidst new ventures, new exhibitions, It has been just over a year since I became This is where the Programming Committee In the opposite direction, images from a Views expressed in the magazine are one of the highpoints of his time here. and new facilities there is much that Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Cultural came into its own and things moved apace collection of photographs taken by Phyllis not necessarily those of the University He would walk across the campus from we perhaps take too easily for granted. Engagement. As I said early on, culture is with the launch of the Blue Plaque trail, Nicklin, a former member of staff at the or a statement of University policy. The his lab to hear Ivor Keys and others talk Does any university have as many fine at the heart of the Birmingham experience. the ‘Arts versus Science’ debate, Court University, are displayed in the current Gas publication of advertisements does not and perform. Yes, I assured him, they did. statues adorning its campus? Lectures, It not only informs the University’s past but on Canvas at the Barber and the very Hall exhibition Home of Metal: 40 years imply any endorsement by the University I also explained that the University was productions, and performances are part is central to shaping its future. So what successful Community Day. June was of Heavy Metal and its Unique Birthplace of the goods or services advertised. making a fresh commitment to promoting of the rhythm of our University life as staff have been the highlights of the last twelve also the month in which we organised a to illustrate 1960s Aston where Ozzy All submissions may be subject to the cultural life on campus. Ian Grosvenor’s and students perform both on campus months? Things started slowly as I spent mini arts festival – Pop-up Performances Obsbourne grew up. editing. The Editor’s decision is final. appointment as Deputy Pro-Vice- and in the city. A highlight this year was the first few months meeting staff and and everyone who attended the Friday So what about the next twelve months? Chancellor for Cultural Engagement has a remarkably committed and moving visiting arts and heritage organisations in night session in the Underground will The big events will be the Children’s been a key part of this, and Ian’s leadership performance of Elgar’s Dream of Gerontius the city. This was followed by Clare Mullett, fondly remember the enthusiasm and Lives exhibition in the spring in the Gas has both galvanized cultural activities at the Town Hall. Deputy University Curator and Alison talent of the Aston Performing Arts Hall (a joint event between the University, Buzz online on campus and led to a new relationship So much is done so well that it merits Darby, Head of Winterbourne joining Academy and especially their rendition Birmingham City Archives and Birmingham www.buzz.bham.ac.uk between the University, the City, still better attendance. Student drama the ‘Culture team’ on a part-time basis. of Thriller, including zombies dancing. Museum and Art Gallery), the Cultural and the wider community. is outstanding, and the Cadbury Theatre For those who like structures we have now One of the elements of the Culture Olympiad in the summer, a music festival Follow us on Twitter Many have contributed to this cultural an intimate and involving venue to enjoy it. put in place two new committees – the strategy is to bring the city into the in the autumn to mark the opening of the www.twitter.com/ renaissance around our campus. In June music students produced Purcell’s Cultural Engagement Committee and the University and vice-versa. Painted by stunning new Bramall concert hall and Winterbourne thrives, the Barber’s visitor Dido and Aeneas. Not an easy opera to Cultural Programming Committee. The Rust, in the Aston Webb Rotunda until in December, the launch of the Barber buzzunibham numbers are buoyant and its exhibitions stage, but their setting in Second World former addresses issues of governance the end of August, is an exhibition by Institute of Fine Arts’ 80th anniversary make national headlines. Our state-of-the- War London was inspired. Never have and the latter is really a discussion forum Birmingham photographer Brigitte Winsor. celebrations. There will also be a lot of Find us on Facebook art home for Special Collections was the witches – here as enemy agents – for planning future events that highlight the At first sight it appears to be a collection smaller events, so keep a regular eye on www.facebook.com/ formally opened this year, and many been as menacing, and Dido’s suicide breadth of our cultural assets on campus. of abstract art, but look closely and what the ‘On Campus’ page and if you have an see the fascinating displays in the foyer was as affecting and tragic as I have seen Having structures and people in place, you see is rusting ironwork in vivid close- idea for a cultural event please write to us buzzunibham of the Muirhead. it. Like many in the audience, I was moved we then started on a series of projects up. But the exhibition is more than this – at [email protected] and we We now have our own Blue Plaque to tears. It was a pity that the Barber including designing new web pages to it is also a collaborative venture with the can discuss it at the next Programming Browse Buzz images trail which combines a celebration of Concert Hall wasn’t sold out. Perhaps better promote our cultural collections School of Metallurgy and Materials. City Committee. www.flickr.com/ the remarkable academic history of our next year it will be. and sharing information about cultural and academy brought into a conversation university with its remarkable architecture. As Barry Everitt remembered long events on campus. With regards to the through a common interest in the beauty photos/buzzunibham A wonderful booklet has been produced, after he had moved on, the cultural life ‘On campus’ events page, which went live of corrosion and seeming imperfection. and I live in hope that all our students of the University is as profound as in June, it is one thing to have a page, but (and staff) will walk the trail at least once. it is memorable. it is totally another to regularly populate it. Much of this was on display at the Front and back cover: L–R above, Clare Community Day, when a staggering Vice-Chancellor, Mullett and Alison Darby, see pages 8–9. 12,000 visited the University, had fun, Professor David Eastwood 4 BLUE PLAQUE 5

OF BI ITY RMI RS NG Joseph Chamberlain’s vision for the University was ‘A school of universal E H IV A instruction, not confined to any particular branch of knowledge but N M taking all knowledge in its province.’ The University’s Blue Plaque Trail, U launched in May, by Research and Commercial Collections, demonstrates how Chamberlain’s vision has been realised. It celebrates those who Antiques have helped shape our heritage as a research university and showcases TheThe BlueBlue the University’s broad cultural offer and its range of unique museum artefacts and archives. PlaquePlaque The blue plaques around campus serve as reminders of the immense Roadshow accomplishments of men and women who have worked here in the past. It is hoped they will inspire those who pass by and will encourage C During April we welcomed BBC’s Antiques Roadshow to campus. Among E TrailTrail T yet greater achievement in the future. Among the 23 blue plaques that L N the diverse array of objects that day were three presented by University staff. E E celebrate Birmingham’s achievement are: B M RA VE TING ACHIE

YMCA Album The Wheatstone Wave Machine 'Miss Clara' Special Collections University Collection of Historic Barber Institute of Fine Arts 3 Sir Norman Haworth (1883–1950) 3 18 ‘Paul Atterbury invited Special Collections Physics Instruments ‘Staff at the Barber Institute knew they had to showcase an album from our YMCA ‘For the Antiques Roadshow we produced uncovered a star in the making when they Norman Haworth, Mason Professor of Chemistry at archive when the Antiques Roadshow an object called the Wheatstone Wave were researching the gallery’s statuary for Birmingham from 1925 to 1948 made his life’s work the visited the campus in April. The album Machine. This was devised by the the exhibition Carved, Cast and Modelled: study of carbohydrates. He made extensive discoveries, was compiled by a young teacher, Jean ingenious scientist Professor Sir Charles Sculpture from the Barber Collection. culminating in the synthesis of vitamin C in 1933. He was Cook, during her voluntary work in World Wheatstone of King’s College London But little did they know that a humble awarded the Nobel Prize for Chemistry in 1937. War 2 as a photographer for the YMCA’s around 1850 to demonstrate features bronze cast of a rhinoceros would have Snapshots from Home League. This concerning the wave nature of polarised Barber Director, Professor Ann Sumner Charles Lapworth (1842–1920) imaginative scheme, first operated in World light. Only a few were made and less than almost speechless at its valuation. 5

War 1, exemplifies the YMCA’s major 20 are known to have survived. Many Recent research by Head of Collections Charles Lapworth FRS was the first Professor of T B Huxley-Jones Plaque of Sir Norman David Lodge at the University contribution to welfare provision for the of these are incomplete or not working. and Learning, Robert Wenley, had Geology at the University and a highly significant figure Haworth. Bronze 1963 of Birmingham troops in both wars. A soldier requested After a baffling year or two, I had managed highlighted the significance of 'Miss across a wide range of geological fields. The Lapworth 5 20 photographs of his family, and the nearest to understand what our machine should Clara' – the world’s first (and possibly Museum of Geology at the University houses his photographer enrolled in the scheme took do and to get it working only a few weeks last) celebrity rhinoceros. geological collection and archive. the photographs and posted them to him. before the Roadshow. I was therefore 'Miss Clara' was purchased for the Jean’s album contains the completed thrilled to be able to demonstrate it to the Barber’s collection in 1942 for £575, Sir Edward Elgar (1857–1934) request forms she received, with copies expert Hilary Kay. By pushing wooden bars although last valued at £20,000. On a 7 of the snapshots she took and the many through the machine, arrays of small white hunch that she might be worth more than Composer, Sir Edward Elgar became the University’s letters of appreciation from their recipients. beads are made to produce a variety of her weight in bronze, if not gold, Professor first Professor of Music in 1905 and founded its Music These photographs are wonderful images travelling wave patterns. These are both Sumner accompanied her to the Antiques Library. Born near Worcester he is regarded as the of families in their home surroundings instructive to a physicist and spectacular Roadshow. Professor Sumner said: greatest late Romantic composer in Britain.

shown just as the soldiers might imagine for anyone. Wheatstone liked the machine “I was determined not to react in that Bernard Munns Portrait of Charles Lapworth. them. The letters of thanks are extremely so much that it features at the centre clichéd Antiques Roadshow way, where Professor David Lodge CBE (b. 1935) Oil on canvas, 1914 touching and, in some cases, very of a stereo portrait of his family, and a the person is amazed by some ludicrously 18 7 humorous, making reference as one copy of this is included in the Roadshow. high valuation. But, when he named his Professor David Lodge CBE is a renowned literary critic

does to his wife’s figure and hairstyle! It is difficult to attach values to rare items price, my jaw dropped. It was noisy in and award-winning novelist. He is Emeritus Professor CCCS publication ‘Annual report 1969 The real value of this album is its social that are not currently on the market; there, so maybe I misheard him – but I’m of English Literature at the University and is best known history significance, something Paul said our machine is not in perfect condition, looking forward to seeing the programme for his ‘campus novels’ which bear an uncanny was impossible to assess in monetary but even in its restored state Hilary Kay just to make sure!” ’ resemblance to Birmingham. terms, but he suggested a valuation of thought £7,000 would be realistic.’ Andrew Davies, £100–£200.’ Robert Whitworth, Barber Institute of Fine Arts The Centre for Contemporary Philippa Bassett, Special Collections Research and Cultural Collections 20 Cultural Studies

The Centre, the focus for British cultural studies, was Sir Edward Elgar founded at the University in 1964 by Professor of English, Richard Hoggart. The Centre made a point of recruiting students from backgrounds under-represented at the University, many of whom would go on to be Professor Lord Robert Winston from Imperial College, London leaders in the field. joined panel members to debate Arts vs Science; Can one exist without the other? to launch The Blue Plaque Trail during May. Learn more You can watch this panel debate at the University’s YouTube www.birmingham.ac.uk/collections/blueplaque.aspx channel www.youtube.com/unibirmingham

Paul Atterbury with Philippa Bassett Hilary Kay (left) with Robert Whitworth Professor Ann Sumner with Clive Stewart-Lockhart 6 POP-UP PERFORMANCES COMMUNITY DAY 2011 7

Fantastic! We loved it all! Please do more!

The words of one happy visitor to this year’s Community Day on 19 June. It is estimated that 12,000 visitors descended on campus, an increase of over 50% from last year. The, now annual, Community Day is a huge success and could only be delivered thanks to a huge amount of hard work from staff and students. Thanks for making 2011’s event memorable, the only question is… how will we beat that in 2012?

During the event we asked some of the general public visitors about the Community Day and engagement with the University. n 58.8% agreed or strongly agreed that ‘the University communicates well with its local community’, 31.9% neither agreed nor disagreed and 9.2% disagreed n 96% agreed or strongly agreed that ‘the Community Day is an effective way for the University to communicate with its local community’ n 66% agreed or strongly agreed that they ‘understand more about the work taking place at the University having attended the During one week in June a variety of events popped up on campus, often in some Community Day’ surprising places. Pop-Up Performances; a week long mini arts festival ran from n 78% agreed or strongly agreed that 13–19 June. Stand-up comedy routines in the Main Library and a performance they ‘know more about University of film shorts in Chancellor’s Court were among an array of music and drama facilities available to them having performances and, exhibitions and installations. attended the Community Day’ This year’s event was a pilot scheme organised by Clare Mullett from the n Over a quarter of visitors, Cultural Engagement Team with help from staff and students. A student, member 27.8%, had never been to the of staff Victoria Watts was instrumental in organising the programme of events. University before Pop-Up Performances will return in 2012. If you have an idea for a Pop-Up Performance contact the team [email protected] 8 CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT CULTURAL ENGAGEMENT 9

If you stroll around our Edgbaston campus you could n Develop strong relationships and partnerships not fail to see symbols of the University’s rich and with Birmingham’s arts and cultural communities diverse cultural heritage. From the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Winterbourne House and Garden, the Collaboration and coordination Lapworth Museum of Geology to the University’s The Cultural Engagement Team will develop a Special Collections and, Research and Cultural coherent cultural strategy that will guide and facilitate Collections there is a wealth of music, sculpture, art, activity across the University. The introduction of this objects and artefacts to explore and enjoy. Further team will enhance the already excellent work being afield there is our internationally renowned carried out at Birmingham and help to identify and Shakespeare Institute and our partnership with the explore potential new collaborations and partnerships, Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust in the Ironbridge both internally and externally. Institute. Teaching and research at Birmingham A new Cultural Engagement Committee made includes subjects such as heritage management, up of representatives from across the University music, art history and archaeology. develops, implements and monitors the strategy on A strong heritage helps Birmingham build for the an ongoing basis. They work together to explore new future. Special Collections recently moved to a new ideas for research, teaching, community engagement, state-of-the-art home; the Cadbury Research Library partnerships, events and projects. A key part of their in Muirhead Tower and the new Bramall music building role is encouraging collaboration, whether internally, will open in 2012. The Heritage and Cultural Learning through cross-discipline or department initiatives or Hub is collaborating within the University and beyond, externally, with existing and new partners in the region. pioneering research to digitise our cultural artefacts The Committee will produce an annual report of cultural and make them interactive for heritage visitors. research, teaching, events and engagement activities. Many of these symbols of our cultural pedigree are In addition, a new Cultural Programming Committee easily identifiable, a painting, an object or perhaps a has been established which is coordinating a University blue plaque marking a cultural achievement. However, programme of cultural events, effectively promoting individually it is impossible for them to demonstrate the variety of existing events across the University and the breadth of cultural activity at Birmingham where developing and enhancing the University’s ‘cultural our staff and students are creating cultural moments, offer’. By coordinating the wide range of cultural be it through innovative research, creative learning, events that take place it will be much easier to internships, partnerships with cultural organisations, demonstrate how culture at Birmingham is realising

L–R: Clare Mullett, Professor Ian Grosvenor and Alison Darby engagement with the local community or extra its strategic ambition. curricular activity such as Guild performances or societies. Culture and the Strategic Framework Culture plays a pivotal role in the University’s ambition The Cultural Engagement Team to be a leading global university. The University The Cultural Engagement Team has been developed collections are a major resource for building research to help bring this activity together under the umbrella partnerships, supporting teaching, enhancing the of a cultural strategy and solidify Birmingham’s position student and academic experience, promoting as a culturally-significant presence locally, nationally knowledge exchange, educating new audiences, and internationally. and supporting global engagement. The Team is led by Professor Ian Grosvenor who was appointed to the role of Deputy Pro-Vice- The future of Culture at Birmingham Chancellor for Cultural Engagement in 2010, and The Cultural Engagement Team is in its infancy includes Alison Darby as Cultural Partnerships Manager but has already made an impact. It has recently and Clare Mullett as Cultural Initiatives Manager. agreed internships with key cultural partners such as Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery and City Thinking Collaborating with colleagues across the University, of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra. It launched the the Cultural Engagement Team aim to: Blue Plaque Trail and held a week long arts festival; n Develop a coherent cultural strategy and make Pop-Up Performances. Whilst culture is certainly it easier for partners and potential partners to not new for Birmingham a more coordinated and engage with the University collaborative approach may be. I, for one, will be n Increase student, staff and visitor engagement eager to see what’s next for the Culture Club. outside with the University’s cultural collections n Significantly enhance the cultural offer for students and staff Have a cultural idea? Kate Pritchard learns how culture at n Support research knowledge transfer and impact Contact the Cultural Engagement Team the frame Birmingham is set to take centre stage through accessible, customised displays [email protected] 10 HERITAGE CAREERS HERITAGE CAREERS 11

The Culture Experience: Heritage career opportunities Opportunities... with the University of Birmingham …with our Cultural Partners More than ever before, curators and archivists at the University are developing in the West Midlands museum and heritage opportunities which both benefit students in terms of hands-on experience and the University in terms of useful museum projects. This autumn we are launching an innovative new Opportunities... Cultural Intern Scheme sponsored by the University and its core Cultural Partners. There are five placements …with our Opportunities... The Lapworth Museum of Geology currently available for a six month paid internship; each offers six scholarships for one month over the offering real opportunities to gain high quality work International Partners …on campus summer vacation. The scholarships give students experience undertaking meaningful projects at leading the opportunity to gain a wide range of museum cultural organisations in the West Midlands region. We also offer the opportunity for our students The Barber Institute of Fine Arts offers six museum experience, including documentation, conservation These internationally renowned institutions include to work with university collections overseas, giving internships a year, designed to provide work experience and display, and the students then work on a part-time Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery, Birmingham them the chance to learn how our international for graduates from the History of Art department who basis through the following academic year. Some years Royal Ballet, Birmingham Opera Company, City colleagues use and work with their collections. are seeking a career in museums and galleries. There the students have the opportunity to work in Dudley of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra, Ironbridge The U21 International Student Projects Program: are opportunities to gain experience in curating and Museum to gain experience of a municipal museum. Gorge Museum Trust, Library of Birmingham Museums and Collections Award constitutes a learning, marketing, press and PR and exhibitions. The scheme is open to all students enrolled on geology and Sampad South Asian Arts. Exciting projects month placement for students from the University Interns work under the direction and close supervision single Honours or joint Honours programmes and which the successful applicant may work on include: of Birmingham and the University of Melbourne, of the Barber Institute’s staff, and each intern is also is highly successful in introducing students to the new and digital media, content production, arts and is unique in that it involves working across funded to attend a relevant seminar, workshop or museum profession. A large proportion have gone performance and production, collections management, a broad range of cultural collections with various conference, as agreed with their line managers. on to PGR and PGT degrees in palaeontology and communication and, learning and access. staff. The student works on a variety of museum- other aspects of geology, and around 10% have The programme is open to University of Birmingham related projects such as exhibition display, This summer Cadbury Research Library: Special entered the museum profession over the 12 years students who have graduated with a first class education, digitisation, documentation, research Collections is hosting a pilot project to offer three that the scheme has been running. Honours degree or Masters degree since 2009. and conservation. They also record a short film University of Birmingham student internships for two Each placement is designed to increase graduates’ about the experience which is shown on the separate schemes: the first to improve research access Research and Cultural Collections hosts placements knowledge and skills, and for interns to gain an University’s website and the Universitas 21 to the athletics materials; and the second scheme to for students from different disciplines across and interesting and valuable introduction to the workplace site. Students get to work directly with curators, enable a student to acquire more in-depth experience outside the University, developing projects which are which will enhance their future employment prospects. conservators, collections managers, archivists, of the work of libraries, archives and conservation mutually beneficial. The students work on solo projects The structure of the programme includes joint academics and the media teams – offering exposure which will include the opportunity to work on small and in groups to gain valuable work experience for training sessions based at the University, a six month to a broad range of museum skills. We hope that independent projects across the spectrum of the developing careers in the heritage sector. Projects work-based placement and individual mentoring. this scheme will soon be opened up to include service. The Cadbury Research Library also host are available across a broad range of arts, cultural and A residential and midterm training sessions will other universities with museums and collections external student placements. science collections. Since 2002 many undergraduates focus on core communication and business skills, from around the world. and postgraduates have developed museum as well as offering an insight into the cultural industry knowledge and skills and the majority of them now through expert speakers and visits. There will also work in the heritage business, in institutions such be the opportunity for interns to discuss projects as the Tate, the National Trust, Manchester Museum and experiences with each other and learn from and the Royal Birmingham Society of Artists. other’s experiences.

Learn more www.birmingham.ac.uk/collections/ opportunities.aspx 12 HERITAGE HUB HERITAGE HUB 13

The Heritage and Cultural Learning Hub Dr Richard Clay using a touch table

Dr Richard Clay describes how academics at Birmingham are collaborating with the heritage and creative industry sectors to bring the past to life.

The Heritage and Cultural Learning through tailor-made, interactive heritage Hub was originally developed by tours with augmented reality bringing the academics in Birmingham’s IBM VISTA past to life in their hands. feedback, helping inform organisations and centre and the Department of History other users. At one end of a touch-table of Art. It has, however, quickly become Exploring with touch someone might be playing an educational perhaps the Hall’s most innovative feature a large, research-driven, cross- The Hub’s ERDF teams will also be game, while at the other people can be is its user tracking system that will map Learn more disciplinary and cross-sector network designing software for multi-user, multi- exploring historical documents and images. and digitally analyse visitors’ movements, and in BMAG’s £10m Birmingham History www.birmingham.ac.uk/facilities/ harnessing leading edge technologies touch tables. These will be used in BMAG, Multi-user, multi-touch technology enriches the direction of their gaze, and their Galleries that will open in 2012. Working hclh/index.aspx to enhance the ways in which we the new £192m Library of Birmingham, visitor experiences, making it even more interactions with the various screens. in partnership with the University of Wales, learn about the past. the World Heritage Site displays of the exciting and sociable to access previously New software can be tested with user they are using another AHRC grant to Ironbridge Gorge Museum Trust and the hidden heritage riches. groups from our region’s diverse, heritage develop 3D multi-touch tools to explore the Smart ideas new £60m Hive; a partnership between audiences, ensuring that the project’s medieval Newport Ship recently discovered The Hub’s rapid development has been The Hub is currently finalising contracts the University of Worcester and A new home for the Hub completed digital outputs suit visitors’ by archaeologists. At the same time a possible thanks to academics, heritage for a £2.4m European Regional Worcestershire County Council to develop The Hub’s ERDF outputs will be informed learning needs and styles JISC-funded team from the Colleges of sector professionals and businesses Development Fund (ERDF) project that a new library and archive centre. Touch- and shaped by Birmingham research and Arts and Law and Engineering and Physical recognising that they can achieve more involves collaboration between academics tables are like enormous iPhones allowing tested in the new Prototyping Hall based in Growing potential Sciences is working on a multi-touch together than they can apart. As a result, in the Colleges of Arts and Law, visitors to browse any number of high the ERI Building on the Edgbaston campus, Earlier this year, even before the ERDF programme that allows researchers and Birmingham academics are gaining new Engineering and Physical Sciences and quality digital images, or 2D and 3D scans due to open in late-2011. The Hall will success, Hub researchers from History of students to use touch tables to magnify and tools for research and, learning and Social Sciences and, creative industry of objects that may have previously been include the world’s largest 3D touch table, Art and the Human-Computer Interaction collaboratively annotate digitised versions teaching and, are getting to grips with new businesses and internationally significant kept in storage for conservation or due purchased with generous alumni donations (HCI) group in Computer Science had of the rare and fragile Islamic manuscripts research questions in collaboration with heritage institutions within the West to a lack of display space. Expanding, through the Development and Alumni already begun work on new multi-touch in the Cadbury Research Library’s Mingana an expanding network of non-academic Midlands. Together, these partners are contracting and rotating such content Relations Office (DARO). A £165k software in collaboration with heritage Collection. Another Hub group is just partners regionally, nationally and combining their expertise to create with intuitive hand gestures, users can alumnus donation and a £150k Garfield organisations. With Arts and Humanities beginning to develop a learning and internationally. In the process, staff from innovative, augmented-reality applications simultaneously have films running on the Weston Foundation grant, made possible Research Council (AHRC) funding they teaching tool for languages;using touch- across the University are finding new for mobile devices. Potentially a user could touch-table or wall, navigate maps, and by DARO and with significant support from are transforming the hundreds of texts tables in ways that will enhance learning for ways to impact positively on the learning hold their smartphone camera in front of access texts that allow them to ‘touch the College of Arts and Law, has assisted and images developed by academics, Birmingham students studying numerous experiences of diverse publics and, an object in the Birmingham Museums and through’ to the information they seek. in funding the Prototyping Hall, contributing curators, archivists and libraries for the subjects. That nascent initiative hints at at the same time, contribute to the UK’s Art Gallery (BMAG), or one of the city’s Visitors can pass whatever they are to the purchase of its 3m x 2m, 3D, multi- AHRC Suburban Birmingham: Spaces how the Hub’s culture of collaboration has burgeoning, creative and visitor economies. historic buildings and have information browsing across the table or wall to touch wall, six wall mounted multi-touch and Places 1880–1960 project for delivery benefits far beyond heritage and has future Birmingham has always been a home of appear on screen that can be navigated another user, download information onto screens, and 40 smartphones and tablets. on multi-touch screens in the Cadbury potential to offer innovative tools for innovation and in that respect it appears by touch. Visitors could then be guided a smartphone or upload their own Whilst the technology will be impressive, Research Library, the Central Library, seminar rooms across the University. that its future rather resembles its past. 14 MY FAVOURITE PIECE MY FAVOURITE PIECE 15

The Japanese Bridge thriving in their natural habitat. replacement which was carved from The bridge fell into disrepair in the local oak. The bridge has given great ‘My favourite feature at Winterbourne is latter part of the 20th century and had delight to many visitors to the garden the Japanese bridge. It represents early to be closed to the public. Thanks to the and I am sure that it will continue to 20th century western gardens that were fundraising efforts of our supporters we do so for many years to come.’ My favourite piece heavily influenced by the Japanese ideal were able to commission a replacement of manicured nature. The bridge was in 2007. We managed to salvage the Lee Hale, Curator, Winterbourne introduced by John Macdonald Nicolson original timbers as templates for the House and Garden who purchased the property in the Staff and students involved in the University’s The Harvest Wagon 1787 early 1930s. He was a keen gardener cultural collections have picked a piece Thomas Gainsborough with a passion for alpine gardening and of art, sculpture or an artifact that they developed many rockery areas with an ‘My favourite Barber Institute painting is still The Harvest eastern influence within the garden, particularly enjoy. Wagon by Thomas Gainsborough – the work I most admired adding the bridge at that time. Visitors’ long before I came to work here. It was the first major loan memories and photos of Winterbourne I ever negotiated for an exhibition back in 1987. I came here often include the bridge and the to discuss the loan with then director Hamish Miles and complementary planting of the huge included it in the Gainsborough in Bath show in 1988 rhubarb like leaves of Gunnera manicata. at the Holburne Museum. The bridge is a gateway to the wilder The painting reminds me of home and autumn in the West areas of Winterbourne which neighbour Country, my favourite time of year there. Gainsborough’s the wet woodland. Here native woodland work is set just outside Bath, in the Shockwick valley where plants such as Butterbur can be seen he loved to ride and sketch. His favourite white horse is shown in the painting, as are his two beloved daughters, who modelled for the figures in the wagon. They lived on Lansdown for a while, where I grew up. My work on Gainsborough has involved reading many of his letters and I feel I would really have liked him, had I met him, and I relate nowadays to his love for his two daughters, as I have a couple of my own! The muted colours and feathery brushwork are masterly. Despite the obvious beauty of the work, it did not sell and, Drinking tea at Esbehiah when he moved to London he gave it to his friend Walter Wiltshire, a successful carrier who helped transport YMCA collection Gainsborough’s paintings to London for exhibitions. ‘I am currently on a six week intern placement with the Cadbury I like to think of his large pictures travelling in wagons, and Research Library (CRL). I applied for the place because I am think how very different it is today with climate-controlled considering a career in archives and heritage and I thought this cases when we move works to exhibitions! would enable me to gain experience and to see if this area was Seeing it in our galleries is still a thrill for me.’ for me. So far it has been absolutely fascinating! As part of my internship I have worked on producing an Professor Ann Sumner, Director of the Barber Institute online exhibition using photographs from the YMCA collection. Barber Professor of Fine Art and Curatorial Practice The YMCA collection contains over 4,500 photographs Drawings by Hans Schwarz his family to make his magnificent gift. Hans Schwarz is well represented charting their work during the First World War. All of these Among the drawings are some made in the National Portrait Gallery, his photographs have been digitised by the CRL and will be made ‘The University’s Research and Cultural in Birmingham – including one of his bed subjects including Sir Nikolaus Pevsner available to the public in 2012 together with my exhibition. Collections have been very generously in his hostel in Bournville – but it is the and the anti-nuclear campaigner Bruce I decided to base my exhibition around the theme of ‘tea presented with a group of 23 drawings portraits and figure subjects that stand Kent. These and the University’s new drinking’, this allowed me to show a wide range of the YMCA’s by the Austrian-born artist Hans Schwarz. out. As a portrait painter Schwarz soon collection of his works reflect Schwarz’ activities and the countries they worked in. I particularly like In 1939 Schwarz came to England, aged found his voice and his metier. His wife expressionist use of vivid colour and this image which shows a fete that was given for convalescent 17, forced into exile by the Nazis. His Lena, whom he met and married in interlocking form. One admirer said solders by the YMCA on Whit Monday 1917 at Esbehiah father, as a central European Jew, was Birmingham, became his lifelong muse of his work: “He got the colour all Gardens in Cairo, Egypt. Its shows the importance of tea sent to Auschwitz where he died. Briefly and model. The collection includes some wrong but it looks right.”’ within the English culture, how it can bridge social divides interned on arrival, Hans found a home studies of Lena, self portraits, landscapes, and unite in a time of conflict.’ in Birmingham, and it was Birmingham’s and portraits including a group of studies Dr James Hamilton, University Curator warm-hearted welcome that prompted of John Betjeman. Sian Evans, Second year Medieval English and History student For Alison Darby and Clare Mullet’s ‘favourite piece’ turn to page 19. 16 UNIVERSITY HOUSE SPECIAL COLLECTIONS 17 From top: Margery Fry by Charles Haslewood Shannon, Residents of University House and The House as it looks today

The story Holding the past of a house in your hands Kate Pritchard charts the history of a University House Kate Pritchard learns how the Cadbury Research Library: that became a home. Special Collections is bringing history to life.

It stands on the periphery of the Edgbaston 1914–1951. Julia Friend became warden campus; an impressive Grade Two listed in 1964 when the House, yet again broke building, surrounded by beautiful gardens. new ground, by becoming one of the first At the heart of the University’s Edgbaston collection including records of the create a gateway for Islamic manuscripts The story of University House starts mixed halls of residence in Britain. From campus is a library like no other. It holds founding and growth of the university in Islamic scripts. Fihrist: The Gateway in 1906 when a University committee, 1974 onwards all wardens were male. approximately 120,000 books dating dating back to 1828 which is important for to Manuscripts in Arabic Scripts aims chaired by Neville Chamberlain, the son from 1471 and three million manuscripts. the ‘corporate memory’ of the institution. to improve access to Islamic resources of the University’s first Chancellor Joseph The war years It offers unique opportunities. Where else The collections themselves wouldn’t be www.fihrist.org.uk. Items from the Mingana Chamberlain, discussed building a Community spirit was the backbone of Plaque was installed at the Business could you read Joseph Chamberlain’s accessible without the hard work and Collection will be included as part of this permanent hall of residence for women. University House during the war years School to recognise Sir William Ashley who thoughts about his meetings with Hitler, enthusiasm from a team of experienced project to create detailed catalogue records By 1907 they had raised enough funds and residents and wardens worked closely created Britain’s first Faculty of Commerce immerse yourself in the beauty and staff and volunteers. They provide a friendly online, this project compliments the earlier and appointed architect Herbert Tudor together to help during these hard times. at the University in 1902. elegance of Persian manuscripts dating and knowledgeable service that helps JISC funded development of the Virtual Buckland, known for his Arts and Crafts In 1915 the House was commandeered Alumni who spent time at the House back to the 12th century or browse first visitors engage with, and learn from, the Manuscript Room where digitised versions houses in Birmingham. The minutes of as a nurse’s home and students were were kept part of the community by the editions of Charles Dickens. rich and diverse collections. An unseen of the manuscripts are made available these committee meetings are cared evacuated. Undeterred they took up University House Association which ran room in the Cadbury Research Library is for research www.vmr.bham.ac.uk for by Special Collections in the Cadbury vocational work such as nursing and held from 1914 to 2008. The Development and A new home the conservation studio where staff and Special Collections regularly acquires Research Library and they provide an sewing parties to make garments for Belgian Alumni Relations Office now help to keep The University’s Special Collections and volunteers meticulously care for the rare books, archives and manuscripts, and interesting insight into the planning refugees and sun blinds for soldiers. former students in touch with each other Archives are now housed in the purpose- collections, protecting them for use by University Archives. Recent acquisitions process of the new building. They returned to the House in 1919. and many were in attendance at a recent built, Cadbury Research Library in Muirhead future generations. include the archive collection of charity During World War II students played event to celebrate the history of the House. Tower. This new home provides a climate The Cadbury Research Library welcomes Save the Children, the archives of the A first for women an even more active role. They took part in University House combines past and controlled environment to protect the all interested researchers, whether a Youth Hostel Association and the records University House became the first lookouts on the roof and evening ground present almost seamlessly. The gardens collections for future generations to enjoy. student, member of staff or an external of the Guild of Students which includes purpose built hall of residence for women walks to ensure blackouts were complete. also bear traces of their past life, such It also enabled the previously disparate visitor. The team often organise guided minutes, photographs and publications in Britain. It was a house that became a They provided a fire watching service for as the bird bath installed in 1921 as a collections to come together in one tours of the facility including their popular from the 1880s onwards .Whether by home with a rich atmosphere of academia, the House and the Law Library. As student memorial to Rose Sidgwick, the first female location with facilities for viewing, lunch time tour, ideal for staff and students. purchase, gift, deposit, bequest or transfer social interaction, and a feeling of close Laura Guest remembered ‘for a whole term lecturer. Memories of a House that, to the teaching and research. these collections find a welcoming new community. The first warden was Margery in 1940 we didn’t sleep in our beds more many exceptional staff and students who Projects and acquisitions home within the Cadbury Research Library. Fry who encouraged social debate and than three nights. We fire watched in passed through its door, was more a home. The role of the collections The Mingana Collections of Middle Eastern Here they are preserved and protected by communication, using painting, literature pairs, drank soup at 2.00am and wrote in University life Manuscripts cared for by the Cadbury a team who ensure that they will continue and acting to create a lively community. entries in a log book.’ The logbook is part Learn more The collections bring history to life for Research Library and designated by the to inspire and educate future generations. Fry left the University in 1914 to organise of the University’s archive held by www.rcc.bham.ac.uk staff, students and visitors and they play government as a ‘collection of national and a Quaker service for soldiers in France. Special Collections. Learn more about an important role in supporting research international importance’ includes a very Learn more Following the war she worked with prison Birmingham Business School and, learning and teaching at Birmingham. early fragmentary Qur’an, written in kufic www.special-coll.bham.ac.uk reform and in 1921 became one of the first University House today www.business.bham.ac.uk It is one thing to read about history but script, recently redated as possibly end of female magistrates. She was succeeded by The House is now home to the internationally another to hold the past in your hands and seventh century. Special Collections has Beatrice Orange, Hilda Walton and Janet acclaimed Birmingham Business School. the collections can inspire staff and received funding as part of a consortium You can view a video of the Cadbury Carpenter who, between them, had to deal In 2004 an extension, with state-of-the-art Lucy Wheeler, a Birmingham students from a wide range of disciplines. with Oxford, Cambridge and Yale university Research Library on the University’s with student evacuations, coal strikes, food facilities for teaching and research, was graduate has produced a historical Special Collections is also responsible libraries, the School of Oriental and African YouTube channel http://www.youtube. shortages and air raids, through the years added to the House and this year a Blue introduction to University House. for the University’s own heritage archive Studies and the Wellcome Library to com/unibirmingham 18 CULTURAL EVENTS

Visit the Lapworth Museum of Geology Question Time

Monday to Friday, 9.00am–5.00pm, The museum is open to staff, students Saturday and Sunday, and the public and can organise group Clare Mullett 2.00pm–5.00pm, visits for schools, colleges, adult Cultural Initiatives Manager Learn more about cultural Aston Webb Building education and community groups. Alison Darby events on campus visit Admission is free. If you would like a tour, Cultural Partnerships Manager Learn more talk, access to additional collections 1  What’s the best aspect of your job? www.birmingham.ac.uk/ www.birmingham.ac.uk/facilities/ or are organising a group visit contact Being inspired by our world class cultural oncampus/index.aspx lapworth-museum/index.aspx the museum prior to your visit. assets and having the opportunity to work with 1  What’s the best aspect of your job?

painted-by-rust-poster-front-2.ai 26/5/11 10:19:04 fantastic colleagues, students and partners who Having the chance to introduce people to the feel the same way. huge diversity of cultural offerings in both the University and the city. People don’t necessarily 2  How do you unwind? think of Birmingham when they think culture Cooking, running, drawing, reading, films, but our whole region is really rich in brand Trivial Pursuit…writing lists. name arts organizations and venues which are known globally. 3 Which book is on your bedside table? The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay 2  How do you unwind?

C by Michael Chabon. My guilty pleasure is computer games, nothing

M

Y trendy, just sudoku and puzzles. I read a lot CM An Exhibition of Photography 4 MY What makes a good night out? and lose hours in books. CY by Brigitte Winsor CMY It would include a great exhibition, live music, K tasty food, fine wine and friends. 3 Which book is on your bedside table? 2 June - 31 August 2011  I don’t have a bedside table, I have a bookshelf. The Rotunda | Aston Webb Building 5 What is your favourite song or piece of music? I’ve just finishedThe Hare with Amber Eyes by University of Birmingham | Edgbaston | B15 2TT I’m going to feel guilty for the hundreds I have to leave Edmund de Waal, but I always have What Ho! Open: Monday - Friday 9am-5pm. Admission Free out. I recently saw Mozart’s Requiem at Symphony by PG Wodehouse to hand for when I need Contact: Research and Cultural Collections 0121 414 6750 Hall and Arcade Fire at the NIA. They were both to switch off. The second hand book stall at SUPPORTED BY THE COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES Exhibition incredible. Winterbourne is costing me a fortune! Court on Canvas; 6 Where in the world would you like to be right now? 4 What makes a good night out? Tennis in Art Melbourne and Tokyo are two of my favourite places Staying in. 27 May to 18 September On The Suburban Front: on earth, but the ultimate has to be Cornwall. World War I in South So I’d be by the sea, eating fish and chips with 5 What is your favourite song or piece of music? Learn more about Barber exhibitions West Birmingham my family in Cornwall. It changes all the time and depends what www.barber.org.uk/exhibitions.html mood I’m in but my car stereo is always

Until Sunday 31 July nd finally … 7 Who are the top three people on your fantasy tuned to Kerrang. Muirhead Tower foyer Summer holiday fun dinner party list? Evening concert The exhibition features archive and Jarvis Cocker, Bill Murray, and David Sedaris – 6 Where in the world would you like a Orchestra of St Paul’s rare book material from the Cadbury For the kids… with Michael Caines (the chef) in the kitchen. to be right now? Research Library selected by members Garden Discovery Trails If it was sunny – Exmoor. If not, one of the Schoenberg’s Pierrot lunaire of the Suburban Birmingham: Spaces A different garden activity trail every 8 If you had to pick a favourite piece barrier islands off the Carolinas. Walton’s Façade and Places, 1880–1960 research team. week during the holidays. £1 each of art what would it be? Friday 30 September, 7.30pm It explores the involvement in the I’ll pretend that I didn’t hear the question and mention 7 Who are the top three people on your 1914–1918 conflict of individuals and For the adults… more than one. I’ll never tire of Rembrandt’s soul- fantasy dinner party list? In association with the organisations living in Birmingham’s Afternoon Tea Offer bearing late self portraits, and Olafur Eliasson’s Stephen Fry, Agatha Christie, William Dampier. Department of English south west suburbs. Throughout August enjoy a free The Weather Project was moving, soothing and Learn more about Barber concerts This research project, funded by second cup of tea when purchasing engaged thousands in the Tate who sunbathed 8 If you had to pick a favourite piece www.barber.org.uk/music.html the Arts and Humanities Research our everyday tea. (from 2.00pm, and picnicked in front of it. Closer to home, I would of art what would it be? Council and led by the University, please show staff cards) choose Van Gogh’s toiling Peasant Woman Digging The Finding of the Saviour in the Temple by is a partnership initiative produced by in the Barber and Peter Lanyon’s Arts Faculty Mural William Holman Hunt. I first saw this painting Birmingham Archives and Heritage, Learn more which brings the Cornish seascape to campus. many years ago at Birmingham Museum and Birmingham Museums and Art Gallery, www.winterbourne.org.uk Art Gallery and I’m always drawn back to it. and University of Birmingham Special more events at Winterbourne visit 9 Describe yourself in three words Collections Cadbury Research Library. www.winterbourne.org.uk/whats-on Really big hair. 9 Describe yourself in three words Driven, committed, stubborn. Learn more about exhibitions 10 What is your personal motto? from Special Collections ‘Brick by brick’: sage advice from my dad 10 What is your personal motto? www.special-coll.bham.ac.uk when faced with a daunting task. Who Dares Gins!