2010 Spring / Spring inspireCanterbury Christ Church Magazine

International author Kazuo Ishiguro speaks at spring public lecture series

Broadstairs Campus Celebrates its 10th anniversary

St Gregory’s Music Centre underway Welcome to our first edition of Inspire, the new Canterbury Christ Church University magazine

Inspire aims to keep staff, partners renowned author Kazuo Ishiguro, and friends in touch with what is who recently visited Christ Church happening here at Christ Church as part of our popular public lecture throughout our University network. series. You can also read more about We felt it was important to introduce the impact of our Broadstairs Campus a new and improved publication as it celebrates 10 years in the Isle of which reflects the breadth and Thanet, how plans for our St Gregory’s quality of the work of our staff and Centre for Music are taking off and students and their involvement with hear why newscaster John Suchet the wider community. This full-colour will be visiting us next month. magazine will be published three times a year, informing, challenging Whatever your interest or connection and hopefully entertaining readers with Christ Church University, we along the way. hope you enjoy what you read.

Features in this edition include a Professor Michael Wright CBE DL conversation with internationally- Vice Chancellor

Inspire magazine has been designed and produced by the Department of Marketing, Canterbury Christ Church University

02 inspire / Canterbury Christ Church Magazine CONTENTS

04

In conversation with Kazuo Ishiguro...... 04 One of the most celebrated authors of our time returns to Canterbury to speak with Andrew McGuinness from Canterbury Christ Church University.

Bringing music to our ears...... 07 When the idea for a new University Centre for Music was conceived, the vision went far beyond the bricks and mortar.

Broadstairs Campus celebrates its 10th anniversary...... 12 Having first opened its doors to 60 students in 2000, the Broadstairs Campus has grown in both reputation and facilities. 12 16 07

Funding the future...... 15 10 20 Augustine House and Christ Church Sports Centre...... 16 The doors to both Augustine House Library and the Sports Centre have now been open for more than six months. Meet the team Q&A Business Focus...... 18 Perfecting performance...... 10 John Suchet...... 20 Bringing you the latest news from our business teams. Interview with the team in the Sports and Renowned newscaster John Suchet Exercise Science Laboratories. launches his campaign at our Canterbury Campus for more Admiral Nurses to be Book Reviews...... 19 made available nationwide. Events...... 22

Spring / 2010 03 In conversation with Kazuo Ishiguro

azuo Ishiguro, one of the most celebrated authors of our time, returned to Canterbury to speak with Andrew McGuinness, Lecturer K in Creative Writing here at Canterbury Christ Church University.

His talk at Augustine House was part of our spring public lecture series, in partnership with Faber and Faber, to mark the publication of his most recent work, Nocturnes: Five Stories of Music and Nightfall.

Four of his six novels have been nominated for the Booker Prize award, including his third novel The Remains of the Day, which was awarded the Booker Prize for Fiction in 1989 and was made into a successful film in 1993, with Anthony Hopkins and Emma Thompson. He has also worked as a writer of screenplays, the latest of which was Merchant Ivory’s The White Countess. The film is based on his Booker-shortlisted novel Never Let Me Go, starring Keira Knightley and Carey Mulligan, and is due for release in October 2010.

04 inspire / Canterbury Christ Church Magazine He was awarded the OBE in 1995 for “I haven’t been back here since 1990, “I lived in Whitstable for most of my time. services to literature and is a Fellow of the when I came to receive an Honorary It was a great place for a student to live. Royal Society of Literature. Doctorate at the Cathedral. I could see It had a thriving music culture and some then that a lot had changed since my time eccentric thespians, which made for a very Before Andrew McGuinness talked to him here in the mid 70s. I’m very interested to lively environment. I was very much into the about his works, we asked him how it felt to see all the ways in which Canterbury has folk music scene, writing and performing at come back to Canterbury, if he had been back changed further today. I have very fond the various folk clubs and imagined I would since graduating, his memories of the city and memories of my time in this area. be the next Bob Dylan. However, this was what he thought of the changes he found. not to be! I am quite glad of this now, as I realise that a musician’s life is quite hard.”

“I have very fond memories of my time in this area.” Photograph: Jason Dodd Jason Photograph:

'Bath of Knowledge', 2008 – Vanessa Mancini Mancini Vanessa – 2008 Knowledge', of 'Bath

Spring / 2010 05 Andrew: It’s interesting that the setting Andrew: You have said before in interviews Kazuo Ishiguro and the history is one of the features of that the use of language is really important In conversation with your writing. when appealing to a wider, international Andrew McGuinness audience. Are there any dangers in authors Kazuo: I start with an almost abstract trying to write for international audiences? story that could be set almost anywhere. I start off by saying something like ‘I want Kazuo: Yes I think there are great dangers. to write a story about a guy whose loyalties However, I have found that in the last are completely misplaced’, now where 20 years, for writers like me and younger should I put this story? I do go location- generations, if you are published in any hunting through history to find a time significant way, you will be asked to talk and place that best serves my purposes. about your book to audiences who have An obvious danger is that you don’t just read it not only in translation but from use history, you abuse it. When I started their own cultural perspective. They will not to write in the 1980s, my generation of understand English in-jokes for instance. writers felt almost disadvantaged because we lived in a comfortable, politically stable Andrew: I would like to discuss the humour country that hadn’t really had a major war which comes across in your writing. You are for a long time. We felt compelled to travel known as a serious writer of literary fiction, in our imaginations, either geographically but in your most recent book Nocturnes or else to a time when things in Britain there is a great deal of humour to counter­ were up for grabs much more, for instance balance the tragedy with the human experience. Is this a conscious decision to Andrew: I was going to ask you about during the world wars. do something new with comedy? music and songwriting. People might think that you had your first inklings of Andrew: A lot of that was re-imagined Kazuo: Well it’s not a general trend, but being a writer when you studied English at from memory too, was it not? You used a I did want to write short stories in between University, but actually it was writing music lot from memory as you left Nagasaki when the novels. I have always enjoyed the type and performing songs. you were five and a half. of humour that is almost impossible to separate from sadness and pathos, which Kazuo: Yes very much so. I arrived at the Kazuo: A lot of the motivation to write in people like Woody Allen at his best always University of Kent in 1974 and left in 1978 the first place was something to do with gets right. and back in those days writing didn’t seem exploring memory. I was always told I was a particularly exciting or sexy career at all going to return to Japan in a year or two Andrew: If there was another Kazuo in the same way that it seems to be to and so I didn’t actually adopt the attitude Ishiguro and he didn’t grow up to be a young people today. All the action seemed of an immigrant kid. I wanted to get my famous writer, what would he like to have to be happening in the fringe theatre in personal Japan down on paper so that it been? Based on some of the characters in London or television drama with people would always be safe and always exist. your book, would he have been an artist, a like Dennis Potter and the more literary end classical pianist, a private detective, a jazz of music was the singer/songwriter scene. Andrew: An interesting theme associated musician or a film director? A lot of us were trying to write songs in with your writing is that you are very much those days, including me. It really was my an international writer – your work is Kazuo: All these characters have first experience of trying to create anything. published in at least 40 other languages. But it was your third book set in England, something unresolved which they try I had no real ambitions at all to be a writer, and resolve through their vocation. I’m so songwriting served as my apprenticeship The Remains of the Day, which truly put you on an international stage not just particularly interested when they try very for becoming a fiction writer later on. hard but, through no fault of their own, all I wrote over 100 songs in that time. in terms of fiction but in terms of film. How do you account for your huge their efforts are wasted, or even worse they have contributed to something bad that After a short spell working with international success? Andrew: they disapprove of and it’s too late at the the homeless in London you went to UEA end of their lives to have another go. and took a MA in Creative Writing. Did Kazuo: I can’t, I have no way of accounting A Pale View of Hills grow out of that time? for my success. I mean, success is often down to luck and being in the right place at the Kazuo: In a way, yes. I had written a right time and having good movies made couple of short stories when I first got of your book. So leaving the success thing to to UEA, but suddenly one day I decided one side – when I decided to write a book to write a story set in Japan. It was very set in England, with no Japanese characters different to anything I had thought to whatsoever, I feel what I was doing was do before and this one decision alone taking a kind of international myth of seemed to completely open a door for Englishness. I wasn’t actually writing about me and everything suddenly came the England I had grown up in. I was writing together. I began a novel and before my about what I thought people abroad who year at UEA was finished, Faber and Faber had never been to England thought England gave me a contract and advance to finish might be like. They still imagined it, in the the novel when I left UEA. So, I kind of late 1980s, as grand country houses and a slid very nicely into my writing career. green and pleasant land.

06 inspire / Canterbury Christ Church Magazine When the idea for a new University Centre for Music was conceived, the vision went far beyond the bricks and mortar.

Bringingmusic to our ears

For many, including the man in charge of the project, the Centre has been ambitiously viewed as a catalyst for social change.

Now, others beyond Canterbury Christ Church University are starting to share this vision, including Classic FM, the first major partner to champion the mantra “more than a concert hall”.

Spring / 2010 07 “ Music is such an important part of our everyday lives and is so essential to our wellbeing.”

The building, sensitively designed around the trees on the old St Gregory's Church site, promises to open up world class classical music to people across the South East, from nervous discoverers to connoisseurs. As well as a city-based and regional venue for performance, the new Centre will also be a new home for aspiring musicians looking to study in Kent and offer unique facilities for music therapists. For a small plot of land, measuring just under four acres, it has big plans.

Grenville Hancox MBE, (pictured) the St Gregory's Project Director, is the driving force behind the project. He sees the project’s true value in making music accessible to communities.

having a purpose-built venue for music here support. There isn’t a purpose built concert This is like throwing a in Canterbury city centre, which provides a hall in the whole of Kent, which I find very pebble in the pond and the well deserved home for acoustic music.” strange, but St Gregory’s will fill that gap. rings are extensive. In fact Canterbury Christ Church University has “It will be a place where you can hear had a head start in achieving all these chamber music in a lovely environment, they become waves, and ambitions in one venue. It has a music which has just not happened before in the that’s what we’re hoping to department with a reputation for national region. I’ve been quite involved with the achieve with St Gregory’s. and internationally-renowned research; two new concert halls as part of the Kings a passionate, respected and well known Place project in London and St Gregory’s project director; is a significant investor is going to be of the same standard. “There are so many opportunities beyond in arts and health research and practice; I love the designs and I know this is going making this Centre a destination for and has Sir Peter Maxwell Davies, Master to be something very special among national and international performance. of the Queen’s Music, as patron of the concert venues.” With partners like Classic FM, we want to St Gregory’s project. encourage regular participation in music by Even before building work begins later working with schools, community groups Sir Peter said of the project: this year, Grenville is busy negotiating and local residents. “About six years ago I was asked to new and interesting partnerships with compose ten pieces for the Maggini St Gregory’s – many of which will support “My experience, and those of colleagues String Quartet – they became known the University’s widening participation particularly in the Sidney De Haan Research as the ‘Naxos Quartets’. For each piece agenda. These include the Orchestra of the Centre for Arts and Health, is that music I composed we would come to St Gregory’s Age of Enlightenment, the Classical Opera can bring enormous benefits. We want as Church for public rehearsals and to host Company and the Southbank Sinfonia, which many people as possible to enjoy music by open workshops. During this time, I made are all ready to team up with St Gregory’s bringing it directly to people’s doorsteps. a very strong connection with St Gregory’s for residency at the city centre venue, or Church, Grenville Hancox and Canterbury project-based activities with young people. “And whilst we do organise community Christ Church University. singing groups and stage student and staff Meanwhile, archaeology will begin on the performances throughout the year, there “When Grenville told me about this project heritage site later this year with building will be something incredibly exciting about I couldn’t have been happier to offer my full work following shortly after.

08 inspire / Canterbury Christ Church Magazine bringing music to our ears

Essential fundraising continues for St Gregory’s, arts scene, changing the face of music in which is due to open in 2012, the University’s the county and adding to Canterbury’s rich Jubilee year. The University is seeking cultural ambitions. funding from a range of grant awarding bodies, but the support of individuals is also Sir Peter added: a crucial part of the project. Please refer to “The Music Department at the University, the back cover for more details. with all the work that Grenville has done and is doing in the community, has been wonderful and achieved real outreach. It promises to open They have brought serious classical music up world class classical of all kinds to different people. St Gregory’s music to people across will undoubtedly help to introduce music to more people. the South East. “There are people out there who are “It is vital that communities have access frightened of classical music or feel that it’s We see classical music as to venues which are dedicated to music just not for them. But these fears should be ‘‘being relevant to 21st century performance and education and therefore overcome and they ought to see classical life. St Gregory’s will be able

music as something for them too. There is a an important part of this project is creating to show all people, of‘‘ all ages, a sense of ownership of the Centre in the whole world of glorious experience and their how classical music can be lives can be infinitely enriched by music.” local and regional community by giving part of their lives. individuals the opportunity to actually invest in its creation.” For more information about becoming a Darren Henley, Friend of St Gregory’s and contributing to Managing Director of Classic FM St Gregory’s signals the University’s growing its exciting future, please telephone reputation as a major contributor to Kent’s 00 44 (0) 1227 782995.

Cross section of the new centre, showing the 350-seat concert auditorium with its gently raked

seating and balcony. Architects: Hazle, McCormack, Young LLP ...it will be yet another wonderful reason to attract students to this excellent ‘‘ ‘‘music course as it will offer the musicians of tomorrow the opportunity to learn and grow from the experience and example of other established musicians.

Rebekah Mahon, Year 1, BMus Music

Spring / 2010 09 Meet the team Perfecting

performancein the Sport and Science Exercise Laboratory

Matt Cole Dr Damian Coleman Laboratory Technician/ Instructor Laboratory Director

Natalie Goldring Laboratory Technician/ Dan Tolhurst Instructor Laboratory Technician

10 inspire / Canterbury Christ Church Magazine On a daily basis, our technical team in the I teach a BTec Sport at The Canterbury High Perfecting performance Sport and Exercise Science Laboratories are School and conduct research for my PhD. through scientifi c helping people – from students to researchers and athletes – perfect their performance. Natalie: Like Matt, I give technical support analysis, whether for the teaching and research which takes First and foremost, the team provides top place, teach at The Canterbury High School for sports or health level support and analysis for the teaching and am also completing my PhD. reasons, is something and research programmes undertaken in the Department of Sport Science, Tourism and Do others have pre-conceptions that the team in Leisure. However, their work also involves about what you and your team do? scientific support for athletes helping them to Most people think that sport science is just the Sport and enhance their performance and achieve their about playing a sport. It is the application Exercise Science goals. This work is all the more significant as of biology, chemistry and physics, to human the UK prepares for the London 2012 Olympics movement, exercise and sport. You don’t Laboratories helps and its focus on elite sports performance. have to be good at sport at all. The majority students, researchers of the degree is theory and the practical skills This support covers a wide range of sport and complement this to provide an insight into and athletes do. exercise science disciplines to give the athlete the way scientific support is integrated into the edge they need to be the best in their the real world of top-level sport. Our field. The laboratories have developed rapidly graduates have a number of options open to over the last few years. From a humble them. Some go on to teach in schools, others beginning of one small physiology laboratory into the area of health, performance analysts, it now boasts a network of labs with state-of- or into the fitness and leisure industry. the-art equipment and computing software to support the many activities undertaken. What do individuals within the team enjoy most and least about their roles? We spoke to the team to fi nd out what Damian: Most: it’s a really enjoyable place they do and what their working day is like. to work, buzzing with students and athletes Damian: The increased interest in sport and and there is a lot very interesting research Dan Stretch exercise in the run up to the London 2012 going on. Least: students who don’t turn up Senior Laboratory Olympics has benefited the sport related for organised laboratory sessions which help Technician programmes at the University. The resulting their learning experience. increase in students over the past three years has led to an expansion of the sport and Dan Stretch: Most: working with external exercise laboratories for our department. people – conducting school and college visits There are primarily three types of activities and inspiring young people in the world of that take place in these laboratories. Firstly, sport and exercise, and helping athletes from they are used to deliver the Sport and all disciplines to improve performance. Exercise Science programmes offered by the Least: the admin. department. The work undertaken facilitates Most: the variety of work the academic lectures and gives the students Dan Tolhurst: with the challenge of supporting this work. substantial experience in the practical Least: Equipment that breaks down and techniques associated with assessing human needs fixing immediately. responses scientifically. Our second major role is to provide an Natalie: Most: the opportunity I have been environment where staff can conduct given to work as a laboratory technician, research. The laboratory-based research has teach and do a PhD. Least: at least one secured significant funding through recent student per year doesn’t adhere to the ‘don’t Research Assessment Exercise submissions. eat before your practical session’ guideline. We also conduct research for external agencies. Consultancy work is the third aspect, with Matt: Most: variety – teaching and giving the equipment available for athletes to sport science support to athletes. use supported by scientific and technical Least: unsociable hours at times. support from us to help them perfect their What big team projects are coming up? performance and achieve their goals. Student applications are strong once again, Apart from overseeing the running of the so we are expecting to increase the support laboratories, I also lecture on Physiology. we give to the programmes. There is an increase in research projects and we plan to Dan Stretch: The team is responsible for making sure the equipment is calibrated and increase our visits to schools and colleges. measuring accurately so that assessments can be interpreted with confidence by staff, How does the team unwind after a students or external athletes. I also give busy project? technical support for analysis. We all unwind by actually taking part in recreational sports, whether it’s cycling, Matt: Apart from supporting the football or hockey. We can take the Photograph: Jason Dodd Jason Photograph: programmes and research taking place, opportunity to just purely enjoy it!

Spring / 2010 11 Having first opened its doors to 60 students in 2000, the Broadstairs Campus has grown in both reputation and facilities. Broadstairs

round one thousand full-time and part- Having first established itself in the areas of time students are now studying at the business and of health, the Campus rapidly University’s Broadstairs Campus. expanded and now offers programmes A ranging from Commercial Music and The creation of the Campus was an Photography to Policing and Early Years important step for the Isle of Thanet, as an Education. area with less than average participation in higher education and with special economic Overseeing the development of the Campus status. Its development provided an is Dr Andrew Gower, who became Campus important regenerative injection, welcomed Director in June 2007. He came to the by the local authority, schools and colleges. position from a background in music, but his vision and ambition for Broadstairs Campus is all encompassing.

12 inspire / Canterbury Christ Church Magazine Broadstairs celebrates its th 10anniversary

We asked him about his plans and “The decision to locate the Campus in “These are exciting times for Thanet and our aspirations for the Campus. Westwood has proved well judged as it’s at Campus in particular. We have built upon the centre of the Isle, with new amenities the strong foundations and developed a “The opening of a Campus on the Isle of such as the Westwood Cross shopping range of courses which sustain a strong Thanet 10 years ago is clear evidence of and leisure centre nearby. I think we’re core of public service provision, diversified the University’s commitment to widening also well positioned to contribute to major through specialist study in applied areas of participation in higher education and its local projects, such as the regeneration Business Management, Media and Music.” wish to contribute fully to the communities of Margate, which of course includes the it serves. opening of the new Turner Contemporary Art Gallery next year.

Spring / 2010 13

The University’s work in Margate has helped us develop our

‘‘regeneration plans. Both students and staff are involved in some of the flagship projects, such as Dreamland‘‘ and the Turner Centre. We feel that the University is crucial to the future of Margate and hope to build on our earlier successes.

Derek Harding, Programme Manager, Margate Renewal Partnership.

“I’m delighted, for instance, that the of our students as well as the contribution in the two locations, with Broadstairs Department of Media has decided to forge made by staff. In order to produce focusing on Music and Media, and new ground with the introduction of exceptional creative work there are excellent Folkestone on Performing Arts and Visual courses in Web Design and Graphic Design. facilities which include a photographic Arts, with the Quarterhouse Theatre as a studio and dark room, specialised particular focus. “Our confidence in shaping new academic computing suites, music rehearsal rooms, areas is undoubtedly strengthened by our and three multi-track recording studios. “Whilst celebrating the first 10 years of our links to industry. For example, in recent years Campus at Broadstairs we look forward to the Campus gained status as both an Apple “In terms of the future, the imminent an exciting future. We’ll continue to build and Adobe Accredited Training Centre. opening of the Turner Centre will open on our achievements, and develop new This accreditation allows students to take up opportunities for our music and media postgraduate opportunities. The well- additional professional qualifications that students, as will the redevelopment of supported, collegiate student experience at are certified by these companies alongside Dreamland Heritage Amusement Park, Broadstairs is proving to be very popular, their studies, which will enhance their which is planning to include an exhibition of and we’ll continue to increase the number employability after graduation. popular culture when it reopens. of students – international, national and “Our Policing, Early Years Education, “We’re also currently contributing to local – who choose to study here. and aspects of Health and Social Care discussions about the development of programmes have proved to be really training in the area of renewable energy. “It’s also important to continue to enhance popular as well with local students and Thanet is benefiting from substantial the ways in which the Campus serves as a clearly meet particular local needs. investment in wind farms by international civic centre for the community.” energy companies such as Vattenfall and “Our Early Years Education programme, with Dong, and it’s therefore important for us There will be a service to celebrate the a focus on the Government’s theme of ‘every to consider, with Thanet College, how we 10th anniversary at Holy Trinity Church, child matters’, is locally relevant as Thanet might serve the future training needs of this Cliftonville at 5.30pm on Wednesday 2 June, has the highest level of ‘looked after’ children growing sector of employment. and then a Reception on Campus, with in the county. And interestingly, applications music performances by students and staff. for our Policing Studies programmes have “Continuing our links, we are actively working grown. I think this signifies the ambition of with the University Centre Folkestone and For details, contact Debbie Byford by email, people to serve their local community. growing a complementary range of courses [email protected].

“We have also built, and are continuing to build, a great reputation in music and now Hartsdown Technology College is proud of their Partnership Accord which has have our own record label, C3U Records. benefited many students who have gained places on Canterbury Christ Church Music by four bands drawn from the ‘‘ Commercial Music course has been released University courses. We have also been very grateful for the use of the campus

this year, via iTunes and Amazon, and the for our National Challenge Maths and English days. The students benefited

bands have just completed a six date tour of from working in a University environment which raised their aspirations and venues within the University network, as well grades. Thanks as well to Andrew Gower from the Thanet‘‘ Head teachers for as three venues in London. allowing us to use the University’s facilities for the 14-19 Planning Forum meetings and the Thanet Headteacher meetings. “The University’s reputation in the creative arts is very much down to both the success Andy Somers, Principal Hartsdown Technology College

14 inspire / Canterbury Christ Church Magazine Funding the future

As the UK comes to terms Q: What is your response to news The Higher Education Council for that Higher Education funding is England did recently announce an with the implications of the reducing? 8.3% increase in our recurrent grant, however this is only a quarter of our recession, Higher Education, Clearly people are acutely aware of A:  overall funding (our other income like many other sectors, what has been happening around streams come from the Training and the world and the financial problems faces the pressure of funding Development Agency – TDA – and the being felt in this country in particular. NHS). So we do need to look at the uncertainty. This is bound to have an impact on bigger picture when we prepare the HE funding. Whichever Government budget for 2010/11. We spoke to the is elected, this position is not going to Vice Chancellor, Professor change. Higher Education institutions Why did we receive this increase? will need to look carefully at their Q:  Michael Wright, about how balance sheets and undoubtedly look at A: The position almost entirely reflects Canterbury Christ Church areas which provide additional income. additional 600 funded places for is preparing for the future 2010/11 which colleagues have worked Q: Has the University experienced hard to secure over the last year. funding challenges. anything like this before? These numbers have been allocated for a range a purposes including There’s no doubt it is a challenging A:  support for our work at our Medway, time and it may continue, but it’s not Folkestone and Broadstairs Campuses the first time the University has faced and also supporting a range of subjects local or national financial pressure. including the Health Sciences. Some time ago my predecessor was told that the then College needed to Q: We have invested heavily in new close, so in that context our challenge buildings and facilities in the past is nowhere near as difficult. There year. Will this set our budget were also national reductions in public back for the future? funding in the early nineties due to recession, and we had to deal with A: No, these developments are part of a significant cuts. Again, we are in a longer term vision of capital investment stronger position this time, but it is up which is critical to our future success. If to us to demonstrate our value now we hadn’t invested in our library, sports and in the future. and student facilities, we would be in a much weaker position in the future Q: How is Canterbury Christ Church in terms of attracting students and positioned? staff and providing them with services needed by a modern university. A: Like most, we have been aware that these reductions were on the horizon. The analogy I use is that we have known there is a cliff face somewhere out there and our strategy has been to arrive at these reductions as well placed as we can be, so the cliff is not as high and not as steep.

Spring / 2010 15 Augustine House and Christ Church Sports Centre six months on...

Photograph: Peter Cook

The doors to both Augustine House Library Augustine House is now used by thousands and the Sports Centre have now been open of students as part of their day to day for more than six months. study, while the Sports Centre is building up a healthy membership list of sporting Both buildings were part of an exciting devotees. All in all, both centres are making programme of investment for the University, a real impression. as it realised a major phase of its ambition for improved facilities for students and staff. But have these new facilities lived up to student and staff expectation? We asked students and staff using Augustine House and Canterbury Christ Church Sports Centre how the new buildings are impacting on their studies and sporting life.

16 inspire / Canterbury Christ Church Magazine Generally, everyone is impressed by the The new Sports Centre has helped me ‘‘design of Augustine House and its light and ‘‘personally helping me with my strict and airy feel. Feedback from students has been intense pole vault strength, conditioning and very positive – they like the space and the weight lifting training programme. I use the variety of places they can work which can gym’s weights a lot and it is great facility to be adapted to suit themselves and the mix work out in. of facilities such as computers and books located close to each other. They feel that Its vast range of equipment, facilities and the building is very much a student space. weights, along with a friendly, welcoming

and supportive staff, who are entirely

Library staff like the fact that there is a lot interested in my progress and well-being,

more space, which gives them the chance make the Sports Centre one of a kind in the‘‘ to interact in new‘‘ ways with both the local area and, in my opinion, no other venue students and colleagues in other support comes close within the South East area. departments. Nick Moore, student Wendy Sage, Academic Services Librarian Sport and Exercise Science with Geography and Sports Scholar

Being a third year, I experienced the The new Sports Centre has contributed to ‘‘old library for two years and can really ‘‘raising the bar for sport and physical activity appreciate the new Augustine House at Christ Church. Recently I watched the building and what we, as students, have highly competitive Varsity fixtures from the

been provided with. gallery. For the first time, Christ Church

students had sports centre facilities that Even though it is located off the main they could call their own – this gave them‘‘ campus, it has made a positive impact on added confidence and there were more my studies. I am never put off going there opportunities for crowd participation! as I know there will always be a free space to work, plus there are no more queues for Kim Debling, Sports and Recreation Officer a computer thanks to the i-borrow laptops.

The spacious and bright areas allow for Some anonymous comments were: ‘‘ ‘‘ a more relaxed and sociable atmosphere ‘‘ The place has got a buzz about it – I look which you don’t mind spending all day in... ‘‘forward to coming here but sometimes it ends

This has been perfect for revision days! in disappointment if I can’t find a computer. Jessica Potter, student Would like more desks available in the library –‘‘ Human Resource Management with Marketing ‘‘room to spread out papers and use laptop.

Spring / 2010 17 BUSINESS FOCUS Each issue, we’ll be bringing you the latest news from our business teams. Based at Hall Place Enterprise Centre, our Business Services team provides a single point of contact – making it easier for businesses to get in touch with the University. The new Business Services web pages, launched in November 2009 to coincide with the launch of the Faculty of Business and Management, give our business contacts a clear overview of the services we can provide. Our Hall Place team is expertly trained to manage enquiries from businesses looking for student placements, consultancy or knowledge transfer opportunities with our wide range of academics. For more information email: [email protected] or visit our website: www.canterbury.ac.uk/business-services

BUSINESS FIRST SUCCESSES

A recession-busting scheme, matching intensive two-week training to ensure the ‘‘ skilled graduates with Kent’s small and graduates are prepared for the project-based First class project medium sized businesses, is proving a great placement. So far, four graduates have ‘‘to beat the recession success with 46 graduates who have been successfully secured permanent positions successfully placed in companies. within their placement company, and another More than 110 businesses have submitted five have gone on to acquire permanent jobs. bids for graduates through Business First, a With nine graduates due to complete their project funded through the Higher Education placement at the end of March, it is anticipated Funding Council for England’s Economic that permanent employment will continue. Challenge Investment Fund. The expectation by the end of the project The scheme, run by Canterbury Christ Church (September 2010), is to have trained 90 in partnership with the Universities of Kent, unemployed graduates and to have placed Greenwich and the Creative Arts, involves 60 of the trained graduates into placements.

IBM BUSINESS CHALLENGE A team of business students from Canterbury Consultancy for the Faculty of Business and Christ Church University are celebrating after Management, said: beating off competition from 270 teams to It’s a wonderful result for the students win fourth place in the 12th Annual IBM involved. They have displayed excellent University Business Challenge. ‘‘ teamwork, drive and commitment

The IBM University Business Challenge is one throughout the competition, and

of the biggest undergraduate competitions thoroughly deserve the success they in the UK with over 1,300 students have achieved so far. The students have ‘‘ taking part from 75 university faculties. been excellent ambassadors for both Dr Wim van Vuuren, Director of Business the Faculty and, indeed, our University.

18 inspire / Canterbury Christ Church Magazine BOOK REVIEWS A Portrait of the Behaviour Arsonist as a Young Man for Learning by Andrew McGuinness by Simon Ellis and Janet Tod

When a publishing house is razed to the This book supports teachers and other ground and a Ukrainian cleaner dies in the professionals in maintaining an evaluative blaze, no one suspects young bookseller, stance in Simon and Janet’s work in schools. Ben Tippet. Beneath his charming facade The Behaviour for Learning approach has there lurks a compulsive liar with a chronic been developed from funded research and personality disorder. Exposed by his need to is grounded in the work of the Faculty of be famous, betrayed by his novelist lover and Education. The book offers an alternative about to stand trial for murder, Ben begins to the dominant discourse of behaviour his darkly humorous autobiography: tales management through the use of the term of a dysfunctional family, secrets, loves and ‘learning behaviour’. It presents a conceptual losses. Scratch the surface of his portrait framework that focuses attention on the and a bolder canvas shines through; the development of three interdependent landscape of a celebrity-obsessed world. relationships – with self, with other and Is Ben a criminal or the wannabe victim of a with the curriculum – that underpin the society we’ve all created? development of learning behaviour. Andrew McGuinness is a Lecturer in Creative Simon Ellis is a Senior Lecturer in the Writing in the English Department. Department of Professional Development and Professor Janet Tod is a Consultant to A Portrait of the Arsonist as a Young Man is the Education Research Directorate. published by Bluechrome, 2009 and costs £10.99. Behaviour for Learning is published by Routledge and costs £21.99.

Spooks: The Understanding Unofficial History of MI5 Criminal Investigation by Tom Hennessey and Claire Thomas by Steve Tong, Robin Bryant and Miranda Horvath ‘PO Box 500, London W2’ – the nondescript address from behind which one of the Understanding Criminal Investigation presents world’s most famous secret services hid: MI5. a critical in-depth analysis of key issues in Drawing on previously secret sources, this criminal investigation. The book focuses on key book lifts the lid on Britain’s Security Service issues and debates surrounding the history of in its battle against German and Soviet policing, performance management, theories espionage. It tells the sensational stories of of investigations and reasoning. Contributions the officers and agents and the enemies they from a psychological perspective include eye– confronted, from MI5’s creation in 1909 witness testimony, interviewing and profiling under the direction of Vernon Kell, Britain’s and the broader impact of the criminal justice first spymaster. The book also reveals MI5’s system on investigative practice. greatest failure: despite an outstanding record against German espionage, it failed Other topics addressed include the to prevent Soviet agents like Anthony investigation of sexual offences, the use of Blunt penetrating the heart of the British forensic science, and issues relating to police establishment, including MI5 itself. Finally and detective training and professionalism. the authors look at MI5’s role in the post- This book provides the essential insights into Cold War world; in particular, they consider the challenging issues faced by contemporary its changing role as it took on the main law enforcement professionals. responsibility in countering terrorist threats Steve Tong is a Principal Lecturer and Robin to Britain, including the failure to stop the Bryant is Director of Criminal Justice Practice, 7/7 bombings in London in 2005. in the Department of Law and Criminal Tom Hennessey is a Reader in History. Justice Studies.

Spooks: The Unofficial History of MI5 is published Understanding Criminal Investigation is by Amberley Publishing and costs £30. published by Wiley & Sons and costs £32.99.

Spring / 2010 19 Renowned newscaster John Suchet launches his campaign at our North Holmes Campus, Canterbury, for more Admiral Nurses to be made available nationwide.

Q&A John Suchet

John Suchet is one of the most recognisable We spoke to him about his career, his Have you had any embarrassing newscasters in the country, having graced passions and his involvement with dementia. moments? our screens for over 30 years. He will be As a reporter, a well known supermodel speaking at Dementia Care – A Positive What inspired you to go into journalism? threatened to “smash my bleedin’ face in”, Future conference in May at our North when I suggested her newborn baby Holmes Campus, Canterbury, where he will My grandfather was a press photographer daughter didn’t have her looks. As a also launch his campaign for For Dementia for more than 50 years. When I was a newscaster, there are embarrassing and Admiral Nurses. child he used to fill my head with stories moments every day. The sound breaks of far-off places he had been to and down, or the picture freezes, or you turn John started his career as a reporter for events he had covered. to the wrong camera, or your earpiece Reuters and, after a short time with the falls out, or autocue breaks down, or you BBC, joined ITN, covering major events Which role did you enjoy most – cough, or sneeze, or (worst of all) laugh… around the globe. He remained with ITN reporter or newscaster and why? for more than 30 years before taking a It was never my ambition to be a What is the best part of your job? break in 2004 and then returned to newscaster. All I ever wanted to be was newscasting with Channel Five in 2006. Knowing you are going into millions of a reporter, and when the Editor of ITN living rooms, and the people watching you told me he wanted me to stop reporting He has been honoured for both roles. He won trust you (hopefully). to become a newscaster, I resisted. In Television Journalist of the Year in 1986 and the event, it was a perfect transition. Television Newscaster of the Year in 1996. The What is the worst? Newscasting gives you just as much of an Royal Television Society (RTS) awarded John adrenalin rush as reporting, but with no Knowing you are going into millions of its highest honour – a Lifetime Achievement bullets flying over your head. living rooms, and you say something you Award. At the RTS’s 2008 annual awards didn’t mean to say. for excellence in television news, the judges praised John’s 35 years as a television Is there any event you covered which particularly stands out in your memory? Which media do you prefer first thing journalist, as both reporter and newscaster. in the morning – newspaper, radio or Two events above all others. The Iran television, and why? Another of his passions is music and, in revolution of 1979. I flew back with particular, Beethoven. He has written and Ayatollah Khomeini from exile in Paris to It used to be the Today programme on lectured on this subject and now gives talks, Tehran, and witnessed the first modern BBC Radio 4 every morning. Now it is Sky with piano accompanist, in theatres and Islamic fundamentalist revolution. The News. We live in a visual age. Radio cannot concert halls around the country. following year I was in Afghanistan compete with television when it comes to events like the Iraq war, the tsunami, the covering the Soviet invasion. On one Pakistan earthquake, 9/11, 7/7… More recently, John has immersed himself occasion my crew and I were captured by in supporting the charity For Dementia and Soviet soldiers and put up against a wall. Admiral Nurses, who are specialist nurses We thought we were in front of a firing When did you become interested in music? working with families living with dementia. squad. I must also mention the Philippines I am a failed musician. At school I was a John’s wife, Bonnie, was diagnosed with the revolution, the last major story I covered good trombonist, played the hymns on disease four years ago and he has spoken before becoming a newscaster, for which the piano at evening service, and made out about the frustration and despair it can I won the Royal Television Society up my mind to become a professional cause to families. Journalist of the Year award. musician. Fortunately for the world of music

20 inspire / Canterbury Christ Church Magazine Photograph: Rhonda Smith

I changed my mind. Whether the world of there are only around 70 Admiral Nurses Looking back on your life, what is your journalism has reason to be grateful is for in England and Wales, none in Scotland proudest achievement? others to judge. or Northern Ireland, and that I only had access to one because I happened to live in To have persuaded Bonnie to share my life. No question. Why Beethoven particularly? an area where the local NHS Trust provides them, I decided to do something about it. At first I only knew the angry stuff, then Is there anything you would change? I discovered the most gentle lyrical music I What effect does the disease have on Yes. I would like to have met Bonnie 20 had ever heard. Whatever my mood, there you and your family? years earlier. Oh yes, and if I could have is always something of Beethoven’s to been a brilliant virtuoso pianist too, that satisfy it. Not much. It just changes your life for ever. would have been nice. Once, I was steaming towards Beirut during You have also written a book on this – the Lebanese civil war on an overnight ferry can you tell us more about it? from Cyprus, when most people would It was the publisher’s idea, not mine. have been going in the opposite direction. After she saw my interviews following my John Suchet will be a guest I had never felt so lonely in my life. A blast of ‘going public’ about Bonnie in February speaker at a two day conference, Beethoven’s Eroica Symphony into my head 2009, a senior editor from HarperCollins Dementia Care - A Positive Future on my battered old Walkman did the trick. (HC) asked me to write ‘the love story’. She Conference which is being held also said HC would donate a percentage Do you enjoy performing live? of their royalties to Dementia UK. I said on Tuesday 25 and Wednesday 26 May 2010 at North Holmes All the television I have ever done has been yes. I finished the book last March. It live. It means you have to get it right first is published on May 27, immediately Campus, Canterbury. time. No second chances, no safety net following this conference, and is called underneath that high wire. Live television, My Bonnie. Every copy sold will bring a The conference is hosted by the or live performing on stage, is the biggest donation to Dementia UK. Dementia Services Development rush in the world. Centre South East, with partners What path do you now see your future Dementia UK and Avante Partnership. Which do you prefer, giving lectures, taking you – have you any unfulfilled ambitions? writing or performing? The international conference will I have given up predicting and planning. Impossible to answer. Take any element of my explore a progressive and person- Who would have thought my relationship life away from me – giving live talks, doing with Bonnie would fall victim to dementia? centred approach to caring for live television, writing – and I will be bereft. I believe that whether you develop people with dementia. dementia, or cancer, or any other illness, You have recently become involved with or whether you get run over by a bus Key speakers include: dementia charities, why is this? tomorrow, is a total lottery. For the rest of Barbara Pointon MBE, My wife Bonnie was diagnosed with my life I shall take each day as it comes. Dr William H Thomas, dementia in February 2006. It changed Dr Trevor Adams and our lives. I was fortunate to have access to Dr David Wilkie. an Admiral Nurse. When I found out that

Spring / 2010 21 EVENTS

Art at the Sidney Cooper Gallery George Rowlett 17 April – 8 May

© George Rowlett – Poppy Field in Wind and Rain, St. Margaret’s, 2007 Immersing himself in the landscape around him, George Rowlett has developed a body of work that captures the essence of light and colour through a direct and inventive application of paint. The richness of the impasto surface that he achieves sets these paintings apart bringing an exciting dialogue between image and surface, light and form.

Euphemia MacTavish 17 April – 8 May BA Degree Show 29 May – 10 June Joseph Sevier 16 – 19 June

© Euphemia MacTavish – The Shoe, 2009 © Joseph Sevier – A Walled Garden Euphemia MacTavish makes drawings and This exhibition highlights the work of Leaving behind the high desert of Santa Fe, prints from an intense engagement with graduating BA Fine & Applied Art students New Mexico, 20 years ago, Joseph Sevier set a specific place. Her observations have from Canterbury Christ Church University up his studio in a beautiful walled garden in become an autonomous signature for Department of Art. Sandwich, Kent. Nature’s thriving generosity everyday occurrences, a personal political and abundance found its way into his unique stance. Her most recent works the Works include ceramics, sculpture, vast canvases. Flowers fill the painted surfaces panoramas and ‘Castles in the Air’ come printmaking and painting. to bursting point. Over the years visitors to from anger about war, destruction and the the studio have agreed to sit for paintings. build-break-build fashion in town planning. This show brings together the people and the imaginative studio world to which they came to be painted.

PGCE Show, In the Making 30 June – 14 July Sidney Cooper Gallery St Peter’s Street, Canterbury Creative Campus Initiative, The Improbable Curve 24 July – 31 July www.canterbury.ac.uk/sidney-cooper Pure Form, Form and Influence 7 August – 21 August

22 inspire / Canterbury Christ Church Magazine

Music programme Public lectures

Sounds New week at The University also holds a series of Public Canterbury Christ Church University Lectures during the year. Still to come in Friday 7 May – Sunday 16 May the spring series: Symbolism and Numerology in Music – The Number 7 Tuesday 11 May | 6pm For full details of films, talks, workshops, concerts visit www.soundsnew.org.uk or email [email protected] The Vice Chancellor’s Lecture: Dr David Starkey Music events are held at St Gregory’s Centre for Music, unless stated otherwise. Augustine House, Canterbury Saturday 8 May | 1pm T Monday 10 May | 6 - 8pm Schoenberg Post-Pierrot Tuesday 11 May | 5.30pm Inner Space Memorial (for JG Ballard) Saturday 8 May | 7pm T sidney cooper gallery The Seven Sisters Monday 10 May – Friday 15 May AUGUSTINE HALL 1pm and 7.30pm A rare performance of Iannis Xenakis’ UCF Arts Festival monumental work for percussion Pleiades played by Britain’s leading percussionists UCf and Quarterhouse, FOLKESTONE led by Julian Warburton. Also works by Wednesday 19 May | 1pm Elliott Carter and John Cage and a world première by Basil Athanasiadis. Composers’ Concert Tickets: £15 (students £7.50). Wednesday 26 May | 1pm First Year Showcase Concert Monday 10 May | 1pm T Wednesday 26 May | 7.30pm T Sequenza No 7 – One man’s Dr David Starkey | love affair with the oboe Choral Concert Historian, broadcaster and writer Canterbury Cathedral Crypt Tuesday 11 May | 1pm T Reservation required, please email Xas Wednesday 2 June | 8pm [email protected] Wednesday 12 May | 1pm T 10th Anniversary Celebration Wednesday 19 May | 6pm 7-UP! Horizons, Broadstairs The future of public health Tuesday 8 June | 8pm T Thursday 13 May | 1pm T OLD SESSIONS HOUSE, Canterbury The Seventh Position Commercial Music End of Year Show Professor Richard Parish | Chief Executive Quarterhouse, FOLKESTONE Thursday 13 May | 6.30pm T Officer, Royal Society for Public Health Klavierstücke 7 Friday 11 June | 7.30pm T Reservation required, please call Maggini Quartet 00 44 (0) 1227 782266 Friday 14 May | 1pm T with David Campbell (clarinet) UK Conservatoires Composers’ Concert Thursday 20 May | 6pm Saturday 15 May | 1pm T Saturday 12 June | 7.30pm T Developing professional practice 0-7 Seven Haiku Prom Concert Chapel (North Holmes Road, Canterbury) OLD SESSIONS HOUSE, Canterbury Saturday 15 May | 7pm T Professor Sonia Blandford | Director The Number 7: of Research and Development, Teach First The Creation and the Apocalypse No reservation required. Sunday 16 May – CoMA Day | 1pm T T For tickets please call our booking line on Sieben Tagen 00 44 (0) 1227 782244

For further information on these events visit: For further information visit: www.canterbury.ac.uk/events/music www.canterbury.ac.uk/events

Spring / 2010 23 Help us achieve our vision

The St Gregory’s Development Project is Canterbury Become a Friend of Christ Church University’s initiative to create a the St Gregory’s purpose-built centre for music in Kent. The centre will include a concert auditorium and a suite of Development rehearsal facilities where music can be studied, Project practised and enjoyed by the whole community.

You can help us achieve this goal by becoming a Friend of St Gregory’s.

Membership costs only £25 per person and, by joining, you will become an associate of the most innovative and far reaching development in music within Kent for decades and directly support the project financially.

For more information, or to register telephone 01227 782995 or visit www.canterbury.ac.uk/morethanaconcerthall