New Chancellor Gyles Brandreth Page 6
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2017 The official magazine of the The Cestrian University of Chester alumni community NEW CHANCELLOR GYLES BRANDRETH PAGE 6 SKY SPORTS’ ROB PADGATE TEACHING GRADUATE WOTTON INTERVIEWED TIME TRAVEL HELPS REFUGEES PAGE 9 PAGE 11 PAGE 17 Introduction WHAT’S INSIDE? Canon Professor TJ Wheeler DL 10 12 Welcome to the 2017 edition I am also pleased to announce of The Cestrian, the University’s that the University of Chester has magazine which helps our alumni been ranked first in the North community to stay connected. West, and fourth nationally, for the After the sad passing of proportion of its academic staff Foundation Chancellor, Gerald who hold a recognised teaching Cavendish Grosvenor, 6th Duke of qualification. We pride ourselves Westminster, I can now provide on our teaching quality and you with an update on his teaching excellence is at the heart successor’s appointment. Gyles of the institution’s 178 year history. Brandreth, one of the staunchest The Energy Centre at 15 19 supporters of the benefits of Thornton Science Park is now higher education for the city of open for business. This provides 4 Duo’s desert 21 Doctoral student Chester, is our new Chancellor. His a flexible space where industry challenge hoping to make installation took place, watched and academia are able to come a change by Executive Committee members together to innovate, develop 14 Former student of the University of Chester and demonstrate new intelligent 23 Diversity Festival finds dream career Alumni Association, as part of the energy technologies. 24 Year Notes March graduation ceremonies in The new Annual Review 19 New website for Chester Cathedral. 2016 (https://www.chester. foodie fans 29 Obituaries It has once again been a ac.uk/annual-review) showcases busy year for the University. The the wealth of inspiring students Business School has launched we have here and the scale of WELCOME TO THE 2017 EDITION a Professional Faculty, to play activities undertaken during a OF THE CESTRIAN MAGAZINE. an important and strategic single year at the University. The Being part of the alumni community role in the development of Review also demonstrates the means an opportunity to reconnect banking, accounting and finance impact that the University had last with old friends, and each year we programmes. The University year on the wider world, whether help alumni to reunite, whether at the has also linked up with two in terms of its £386 million annual reunion or via other options of American universities, in the economic contribution, its work communicating - be that email, Facebook or phone. We hopes of extending academic with schools and colleges, the are delighted to play a part in helping you to get together, scope for research collaborations ‘careers of service’ embarked upon and as always, we love to hear your stories. and student exchanges. This by our graduates, or the 33,226 This year will see the return to printing one issue marks the beginning of an volunteer hours undertaken by of The Cestrian per annum, due to the launch of our exciting new opportunity for the students and staff. new blog! (See page 16 for more information about University to build and develop The University is always this.) This will enable us to be more proactive in our its international reputation. happy to welcome back alumni, communications and we will be able to keep our alumni A strategic alliance with whether you wish to return much better informed, as the news happens. We welcome one of the country’s foremost to study, continue with your contributions from guest bloggers, so if you have an idea land-based colleges, the newly- scholarship, or would just like to that you would like to write about, or a topic that you named University Centre visit your former place of study. would like to see us cover, please get in touch: Reaseheath, will enable the My colleagues in the Alumni and [email protected]. We look forward to hearing from establishment of a Faculty of Development Office would love you and your friends. Agriculture and Veterinary to hear from you. Fiona Roberts, Alumni and Development Manager Science, the culmination of a 25-year relationship between the Professor Tim Wheeler, DL two institutions. University Centre Vice-Chancellor and Principal, University of Chester Shrewsbury continues to go from CREDITS: Alumni and Development Chair, UCAA Office contact strength to strength. Editor: Hayley Naldrett and Fiona Roberts, Corporate information: Communications Fiona Roberts, Helena Astbury, To obtain this publication Design: Gary Martin, Graphics, LIS Hayley Naldrett ISSN 1750-6662 Photography: University staff Email: [email protected] in an alternative and other contributors Telephone: 01244 511091 format, please call www.chester.ac.uk/alumni 01244 511450 or email [email protected] 9 771750 666006 2 The Cestrian 2017 Left to right - Colin Telford, David Thomson and Jordan Stachini. Alumni return to Warrington Campus Current students at Warrington Campus were excited to welcome back Colin studied for a degree in Marketing and Business and was a trio of alumni, who revisited their place of study to share tips and also Warrington SU President 1999-2000, before spending four advice on how to secure a graduate role. years at a media buying agency in Manchester. After growing an Jordan Stachini, Marketing Manager at Select Property Group; extensive network of contacts, Colin launched The Candidate, a Colin Telford, Managing Partner at The Candidate and David digital marketing recruitment agency, also based in Manchester. Thomson, Business Development Manager at Manchester City Colin said: “For me, the integration of business theory Football Club, talked about their experiences in the world of work throughout my course really helped prepare me for the working and how they themselves started out in an event organised by the world. Beginning to make contacts and grow a network started at University’s Careers and Employability team. Warrington for me and I have built on that throughout my career.” The question and answer session was the perfect opportunity He added: “I can’t stress enough the importance of building for students to gain an insight into the alumni’s experiences since a network as soon as possible which will ultimately drive the leaving University, and find out what companies look for in their direction of your career.” future recruits. Brian Taylor, Careers Consultant at the Warrington Campus, Jordan, who graduated with a BA (Hons) in Advertising, said: “As said: “Running the event was an excellent opportunity for students the most recent graduate on the panel, it was great to come back to engage with former graduates, who are now involved in and give some advice I wish I had been given, or perhaps taken on recruiting graduates.” board, in my final year of University. I use the skills that I learnt at The University is always delighted to welcome back alumni University on a daily basis to ensure the campaigns I oversee for the and appreciates the opportunities they may be able to offer our company are delivered to the best standard possible.” current students. The Cestrian 2017 3 Alan and Lynton with their finishers medals. The MdS camp. Lynton Dawson. Alan Critchley. Lynton Dawson at the finish line. 4 The Cestrian 2017 DUO COMPLETE THE TOUGHEST FOOTRACE ON EARTH FOR CHARITY Former student, Lynton Dawson, and a member 50° of the Facilities team, SAHARA DESERT Alan Critchley, faced the biggest physical challenge 6 days of their lives as they 156 miles Rationed water competed in the Marathon des Sables (MdS) in April. The Marathon des Sables takes place in the relatively common birth defect of the brain year break due to injuries. He said: “I wanted Sahara Desert every year and is described which can often affect facial features - and to come back with a goal that would really as the toughest footrace on earth. The MdS related brain malformations. make me push myself. I turned 40 in March is a gruelling 156 mile, six-day adventure Alan spent five months training for the and, having two beautiful children, I wanted – in temperatures exceeding 50°C. The ultra-marathon and, prior to the MdS, he to do something special to mark the occasion rules require athletes to be self-sufficient, completed three ultra-marathon distances and inspire them in the future. I also saw carrying enough supplies, including food of 30 miles, 32 miles and 40 miles. He also it as a chance to raise some much needed and emergency equipment, on their backs. practised hill training on Moel Famau, in awareness and money for a fantastic charity.” Communal goats’-hair Berber tents are North Wales, and sand running on West He added: “One of the goals I set is to pitched every night for the athletes to sleep in Kirby beach on the Wirral. present my finisher’s medal to a young girl and water is provided, though rationed. If they Alan completed the marathon in 43 who I am in contact with who suffers with exceed the ration, they receive a time penalty. hours over six days, finishing in the top 400 HPE. She will turn four this year and she Alan and Lynton were put in touch and placing 88th for his age group. He said: continues to defy odds with her enthusiasm with each other by staff at the University “Before taking part in the Marathon des for life and courageous approach to living it on discovering that they were both taking Sables, I felt nervous as so much could go to the fullest.” part. The two athletes have raised money wrong; but training went well and sponsorship Lynton completed the marathon in just for two charities which are close to their was steady.