New Insight 16/4/07 16:15 Page 1 sight KING UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL OF THE SPRING 2007 SKIES in Meet the man at the centre of one of the greatest aviation success stories New Insight 16/4/07 16:15 Page 2 CONTACT US THE FIRST WORD THE PUBLICATIONS TEAM Suzanne Elsworth T: +44(0)151 794 6992 E: [email protected] Sophie Wilcockson Welcome to the new look insight. T: +44(0)151 794 2250 Thank you to all of you who took the time E: [email protected] to fill in our readership survey in the Autumn. We had a fabulous response and hope we Janis Morgan have managed to take on board most of your T: +44(0)151 794 2251 comments concerning the content and design E: [email protected] of the magazine. One of the major themes to the comments was colour. Many of you loved the bright THE ALUMNI RELATIONS TEAM colours we use, but more of you told us you I was delighted to accept the position Karen Brady couldn’t read some of the text because the of Alumni Development Manager for Alumni Development Manager colours clashed. We hope we’ve managed to the University of Liverpool and am (overall responsibility for the strike a balance. Alumni team) In terms of content, the feedback was eagerly anticipating the challenges T: +44(0)151 795 2348 great and, overall, was very positive. Please and opportunities which will be E: [email protected] keep your comments coming. presented in 2007. We know we can’t please everybody all of Since joining the University in October Emma Smith the time, but hope you like the new design as 2006 I have been privileged enough to meet Alumni Officer (general enquiries, much as we do. If you have more suggestions many of our alumni at the Officers of the Guild events and reunions, services and about how we could improve the Dinner and the November Young Alumni benefits) magazine, please don’t hesitate to events in both Liverpool and London. I was T: +44(0)151 794 6940 contact us. also thrilled to have the opportunity to be E: [email protected] So ... what are we featuring this involved in the recent December graduations issue? One much repeated and would like to extend a warm welcome to Sue Irvine suggestion from our survey was all new graduates to our alumni community. Alumni Co-ordinator (general enquiries, requests for more news about how 2007 is promising to be a significant year UK and overseas alumni associations, the city and the campus had for the Alumni Relations team with lost alumni) changed. With billions of pounds of several new initiatives being T: +44(0)151 794 2269 money being invested in the city, launched over the next 12 months. E: [email protected] and many millions being spent on capital These include four reunion events in projects at the University, we thought now was China which we hope will be the Sue Evans the perfect time to update you. Have a look at first of many, the launch of our Database Assistant (general enquiries, pages 11-15. Annual Giving Campaign and the mailing lists, updating contact We also know how you love a bit of University of Liverpool Net information) nostalgia so turn back the clock on pages Community, which I understand has T: +44(0)151 794 2270 16-19 and see if our look back at the life of been a long awaited development E: [email protected] the Guild brings back memories. for many of you; look out for news of this in One of our profiles this issue is kitchen- the Autumn edition of insight. CONTRIBUTORS: creator to the stars, Charlie Smallbone. He As always we have a comprehensive Sophie Wilcockson told insight how he started out by selling a events programme which includes an event at Janis Morgan second-hand chest of drawers for just £15 Tower Bridge in June and the second Alumni Kate Spark and now manages a multi-million pound Reunion Weekend which will again extend a company. Read Charlie’s story on page 10. special invitation to those alumni who And don’t forget to check the events pages graduated 25, 30, 40 and 50 years ago. at the back of the magazine. We think there’s I hope to meet many more of you at these YOUR STORIES something to appeal to everyone in some events. Please see page 50 for further details. Have you got news for us? insight great venues, plus there’s another reunion I do hope that many of you will take the welcomes your ideas and suggestions. weekend this Summer. opportunity to stay in touch with us and Please contact the Publications team on: Finally, please update your address update your details via our new look website: +44 (0)151 794 6992 details. We’ve included our usual form on the www.liv.ac.uk/alumni. or email: [email protected] back of the enclosed carrier sheet. I very much look forward to an exciting Enjoy! year ahead. YOUR DETAILS If any of your contact details are Suzanne Elsworth Karen Brady incorrect, or you have any other insight Editor Alumni Development Manager admin issues, please contact the Alumni Relations team on: +44 (0)151 794 2270 or email: [email protected] New Insight 22/3/07 2:06 pm Page 3 sight UNIVERSITY OF LIVERPOOL SPRING 2007 in Regeneration 11 CONTENTS 04 University news 06 Faculty news 08 In focus – Geography 10 In profile – Charlie Smallbone 11 The regeneration of Liverpool 15 In profile – Jonathan Falkingham 16 A history of the Guild of Students 20 20 Liverpool’s pop history Liverpool’s 24 In profile – Diana Farragher pop 25 Lights, camera, action history 26 King of the skies 28 Fundraising 29 In profile – Helena Jackson 30 In touch 36 Back to the future 38 Alumni reunions 40 In the post 26 King of the Skies 42 Alumni news 44 Benefits and services 45 International news 48 Student eye 49 In memoriam 50 Dates for your diary New Insight 22/3/07 2:06 pm Page 4 UNIVERSITY NEWS New look for logo Striving for a healthy city The University has updated its corporate identity, giving it a stronger, more The University has launched a new of the country as a whole but it still lags consistent image. Last updated 14 years ago, it was felt the logo needed a initiative to address the growing disparity behind other regions. There are fresher, more contemporary feel to reinforce the University’s reputation for between the Liverpool city region’s fast- significant gaps between rich and poor world-class teaching and research. growing economy and the long-term and nowhere is this more evident than in Vice-Chancellor, Professor Drummond Bone, said: “We want the poor health of the population. people’s health status. University to have a strong image which is instantly recognisable. Our new ‘Health is Wealth’ involves the Dr Ruth Hussey, North West Regional identity reflects the University’s history and tradition but also communicates creation of a dedicated Director of Public Health, said: that it is forward-thinking and vibrant. Commission backed “A healthy community enables “This is about more than just updating a logo. Higher education is by the region’s each healthy individual to becoming increasingly competitive and market-driven – particularly universities, local participate fully in work which following the introduction of tuition fees. Universities, as with any business authorities, Primary in turn brings social inclusion, or outward-facing organisation, need to make sure they stand out from the Care Trusts, the NHS, economic independence and crowd with a strong corporate identity.” economic development health benefits. The challenge The new logo will be seen on everything from the University’s signage to agencies and education for the Commission will be to its recruitment literature and will be ‘soft-launched’ over the next 12 months and business interests. ensure that average life expectancy to minimise any financial impact. It will address the burden of increases in Liverpool but also that the ill health in the Liverpool city difference in life expectancy between region which sees people in the area live rich and poor in Liverpool itself is three years less than the England reduced. This is an excellent next step average. In stark contrast, the economy for a city that is already making much of the region is growing faster than that progress on these issues already.” Blair praise for Landmark’s key role in 2008 The University will play a key role in celebrations specifically at the public, it is Europe’s biggest Cockcroft Institute to mark Liverpool’s year as Capital of Culture. science festival and attracts around 400 of the best A £7.5 million restoration project will see the international scientists and science communicators The Cockcroft Institute – the UK’s National Centre University of Liverpool’s famous ‘redbrick’ Victoria to reveal the latest developments in research. for Accelerator Science, based at Daresbury in Building transformed into an art gallery and Another highlight of the celebrations will be a Cheshire – has received enthusiastic praise from the museum to coincide with the city’s special year. literary festival at the University called ‘Shipping Prime Minister. The restoration will open one of Liverpool’s Lines’ on Saturday 8 and Sunday 9 November 2008. The Founding Director of the Cockcroft Institute is most iconic landmarks to the public for the first An exciting programme of events is planned Professor John Dainton, Sir James Chadwick time.