Issue 14 - University of Winchester

The Winton Club - The University of Winchester’s Alumni AssociationIssue 14 - New Year 2006Back to School forChildren’s LaureateWriting for Kidsfresh new talentHE Institution of the Yearwinchester in final four

Children’s laureate Jacqueline Wilson OBE, withDr Andrew Melrose, Director of MA Writing forChildren programmeContentsFeatures3 Fond Farewell from ProfessorPaul Light4 Business Start Up Scheme5 The Stripe open for business7 Tim Norris at the Winchester MusicSchool8 Child’s Play - Winchester’s MA inWriting for Children14 Alumni figures by County andCountry15 Development Fund UpdateRegulars12 Reunion News12 Winton 200515 In Memory of ...16 Blasts from the Past!Contact Venta:The Alumni OfficeThe University of WinchesterWest Hill, WinchesterHampshire SO22 4NRT: (01962) 827403F: (01962) 827548E: alumni@winchester.ac.ukDear Alumni …Welcome to yet another Venta magazine fromWinchester!It’s been a busy six months. We saw our veryfirst graduation under the auspices of TheUniversity of Winchester – a fact thatattracted much media coverage and interestwith an exciting line-up of honoraries thisyear.Take a look at our official opening for TheStripe too. The newly refurbished lecturecomplex has brought quite a buzz to theKing Alfred Campus. We’ve also receiveddetailed planning approval for the brand newUniversity Centre. There are certainly excitingtimes ahead!Many of you will already know that our ViceChancellor, Professor Paul Light will beleaving us this Easter. He will be sadlymissed; his contribution to The Universityand its future has been enormous. Here inGraduation2005This year’s Graduation preparations had to beshared with Hollywood – as WinchesterCathedral became a makeshift WestminsterAbbey for the filming of the Da Vinci Code –starring Tom Hanks. Just as the film sets and thetrailers rolled out – the University rolled in to setup for the first graduation ceremony.If that wasn’t special enough – this was ourinaugural graduation as “The University ofWinchester”, featuring the first sight of theUniversity’s new robes, and it was ProfessorPaul Light’s first and last graduation as ViceChancellor.Venta, he introduces us not only to hissuccessor but also to Winchester’s very firstChancellor.On the Alumni front – check out my rundownof you all by location. You’ll see that most ofyou on the database still live in and aroundHampshire. However, some of you are muchfurther a field, on the other side of the globein fact. I’m pleased to able to introduce ourbrand new International Officer, DavidThornber who’ll be developing linksworldwide.And finally, thanks to everyone who hascontributed to this edition. It’s great to receiveall your news … keep it coming!Happy 2006Ellie BalsonAlumni & Development Officeryears, gaining in 2003 our own powers to awarddegrees, in 2004 University College title, and in2005 full University status,” commentedProfessor Light.The design of the new robes aims to reflect boththe ancient and the modern. The big changewas the design for the hoods – a rich purplewith an ivory satin lining – a combination ofcolours which both reflects and enhances theprestigious setting of the Cathedral.Award-winning children’s writer JacquelineWilson attracted a crowd outside the Cathedralafter receiving her honorary degree. Many hadwaited patiently to catch a glimpse of theirfavourite writer. The bestselling author spoke toher young fans, signed autographs and had herpicture taken with them, before speaking to thelocal press about her award.“Graduation this year marked a very significantmilestone in our history, reflecting on ourcollective achievements over the last threeThe other recipients receiving honorary awardsand fellowships were: Lucy Neal OBE, RevdCanon David Scott, Ken Thornber CBE, and DirkMaggs.

Venta magazine - Issue 14 - New Year 2006The University of Winchester was shortlistedrecently for the top award of ‘HigherEducation Institution of the Year 2005’ in aninaugural national competition organised bythe Times Higher Education Supplement.The other finalists were Dundee, Leicesterand Manchester.The winner – Manchester – was announced ata black tie dinner at The Dorchester Hotel inLondon. As well as an impressive line up ofjudges the Prime Minister even made a prerecordedstatement where he noted thesignificant achievements of all the finalists.“The University of Winchester has moved farand fast over the last few years,” commentedthe Vice Chancellor, Professor Paul Light. “We’redelighted that this has been recognised in ourreaching this shortlist.“The award is for ‘the University that hasadvanced its reputation most substantially overthe past year’ – and this is ground we werepleased to fight on.“Manchester University has a turnover of £500mplus and has just achieved the biggest universitymerger in the sector’s history. However many ofthe greatest university institutions in the worldare very small; our ambition is to compete noton quantity but on quality to show that inhigher education, as in many other spheres,small can be beautiful,”.The awards were more than a year in theplanning and are designed to highlightexcellence across the full range of highereducation institutions.Fond Farewell …New BeginningsThe University of Winchester is thriving! Inleague table terms, we have entered the fray togreat effect, and our new name is becoming afamiliar and recognised one around the sector.Three months after we became a university theSunday Times University Guide listed us in the‘Top ten modern universities’. It fits us in onesense, as the ‘newest of the new’, but certainlynot in another. Founded in 1840, we’re still oneof the ‘oldest of the old’ institutions.A prestigious accolade we all but won inNovember was the Times Higher’s first award of‘Higher Education Institution of the Year’. Froma strong field of entries we made the shortlist offour, but were pipped at the post by theUniversity of Manchester - a mere 20 times oursize.We are certainly doing our bit to establish thatsmall is beautiful though! The first survey ofgraduates’ levels of satisfaction showed clearlythat the graduates of smaller institutions weremore satisfied with the quality of teaching andeducational support they received than weregraduates of large ones. The University ofWinchester was in the top 25% of all universitieson this measure too.Our student recruitment position looks strong,and our finances are in good shape. We’vecompletely refurbished and redeveloped TheStripe lecture block recently and are just aboutto embark on the £9m University Centre project.This will not only radically reshape andenhance the heart of the King Alfred Campus,but will provide the Student Union withfacilities second to none – and about time too,I hear many of you exclaim!For me, the achievement of university statusgave closure to a ‘five year push’ and offered anobvious time for me to hand over to a new ViceChancellor. Professor Joy Carter, currently ProVice Chancellor of the University of Glamorgan,has accepted the post and will join theUniversity after Easter 2006. Joy will be the firstfemale head of the institution in its 165 yearhistory and I’m sure will make a considerableimpact on the way ahead for our newuniversity.I’m also delighted to be able to announce thatProfessor Carter will be joined by our firstChancellor, Mary Fagan, who is currently LordLieutenant of Hampshire. Mary has been a verystrong supporter of the development of theUniversity of Winchester ever since theinception of the idea in the mid 1990s.I will thus be leaving the University in goodheart and in good hands. I look forward tojoining the alumni of the University, andfollowing its development through the pages ofVenta in years to come!3

Venta magazine - Issue 14 - New Year 2006Happily Ever After … Adammarried Lucy Howse (BAEducation Studies withEnglish 1997-2001) last July.They now live in theCotswolds where Lucy alsoteaches.Setting the TrendDeciding to set up your own businesscan be both an exciting and a scary timeas Adam Drake (BA BusinessManagement with BusinessCommunications 1999 to 2002)discovered when he left his job inmarketing two years ago to run BreezeClothing in Cirencester.Today Breeze Clothing is a thriving business,selling top quality sailing and equestrian basedleisure wear employing two members of staff.“The best thing about running my own businessis knowing that I’m doing it for myself and myfamily and not lining someone else’s pockets. Iget great satisfaction watching the businessgrow and feel fantastic when I have a stormingweek that smashes all my targets.”Now Adam’s shop is doing so well that he’sabout to open a new shop in Cheltenham, threetimes the size of his first shop! He also has plansafoot to maybe open shops in Bath and Oxfordas well as starting a range of his own clothing.“I can’t tell you what a great feeling it is to payyourself and truly know you’re only answerableto yourself.”Going it Alone“From a young age, I’d always wanted toset up my own business,” says DarrenWells (BA Business Management 2001 to2004) who runs Original Branding inBrighton.My company provides internet branding andmarketing solutions for small businesses. Thisincludes web design, hosting, logo design andother web based marketing projects.”This month Original Branding is launching awebsite for the Brighton Lanes, hoping topromote a group of businesses with similarinterests.“Brighton is seen by many as the creativecapital of England,” he says. “It doesn’t take longto soak up the creative vibes. It has one of thehighest percentages of young people in thecountry, and with two universities, I’ll have alarge pool of talent to choose from when Iemploy staff.“My time at Winchester gaveme a great insight into what’sinvolved in running a business.Darren is offering a 15% discount onhis services to readers. Visitwww.originalbranding.com to find out more.5

Venta magazine - Issue 14 - New Year 2006Non Fiction: Our latest releasesScreenwriting GeniusDr. Sarah Cardwell (BA Drama, Theatreand Television Studies 1992-1995) hasreleased her new book - “AndrewDavies”, published by ManchesterUniversity Press.This publication follows the success of her firstbook ‘Adaptation Revisited: Television and theClassic Novel’ (2002).“Andrew Davies is one of today’s most prolificand recognisable television screenwriters,” sheexplains. His impressive list of titles includes AVery Peculiar Practise, To Serve Them All MyDays, Pride and Prejudice, Othello and mostrecently He Knew He Was Right. Hisinterpretation of Mr Darcy and his wet shirt hasbecome legendary! He has also written a numberof original drama serials, single plays, films(including Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason)stage plays, and books for adults and children.“Davies has an incredibly strong commitment toconveying characters,” says Sarah. “He reallygets involved with them and places them at thecentre of his work. His female characters inparticular are captivating – think of AlexKingston in Moll Flanders or Natasha Little asBecky Sharp in Vanity Fair.”Sarah’s new book looks at Davies’s work from theearly 1960s right up to the present day. Thescreenwriter has read the book, and says heparticularly enjoyed reading about his early work,some of which he’d almost forgotten he’d done!“I was interested in how much control Davieshas over his programmes,” reflects Sarah. “I wassurprised to find that although he ‘only’ writesthe scripts; he manages to make his mark oneach one. Each programme is distinctively‘Davies’“Thomas Hardy …A Scholarly ReviewRoger Lowman’s new book on ThomasHardy has been taking the literary worldby storm! ‘Thomas Hardy’s theDorsetshire Labourer and Wessex’ setsout to challenge key questions about theway Hardy represented nineteenthcentury rural England.“I’ve been reading Hardy now for fifty years,”laughs Roger who was Head of School ofCultural Studies at Winchester from 1970 to1998. “I rather fell into this particular topicbecause of teaching 16th Century literature,which takes you into Pastoral. I wonderedinitially how pastoral worked in the context ofthe nineteenth–century realist novel, and thisbecame the basis of my PhD thesis.“The first half is an edition of an essay Hardywrote back in 1883 entitled ‘The DorsetshireLabourer’. It’s a convenient way of opening upquestions about how Hardy represented thenineteenth century rural world in his novels,which then becomes the focus of the secondhalf of the book.“The book has received a lot of interest, whichis really nice as it challenges some comfortableand well-established notions that Hardy is areliable and sympathetic recorder of ruralsociety. He isn’t.”Update onStreet Drugs“The drugs industry is changing rapidly,” said former policeman, Dr David Emmett whocompleted his BSc in Psychology at Winchester in 1999 and completed a PhD in cognitivepsychology in 2003. David, who is now a lecturer in Psychology at the University, has workedfor over 30 years for Hampshire Constabulary. He was also awarded the British Empire Medalin the New Year’s Honours list in 1987 for his work with solvent abusing youngsters.The last few months have seen the revision ofhis two books surrounding the issues of drugsmisuse co-written with former colleague,Graeme Nice from the NHS Drug Service inBasingstoke.“A lot has changed since the late nineties whenwe first wrote the books,” said David who hasworked closely with drugs education in schoolsover the years. “Amongst other matters, we’vehad to include areas such as ‘date rape’ drugsand new medical evidence about the linksbetween cannabis and schizophrenia.Obviously, the legal section has had to becompletely rewritten too.”The information handbook, ‘UnderstandingStreet Drugs’ which acts as a companion bookto ‘Understanding Drug Issues’ was alsopublished recently by Jessica KingsleyPublishing.6

Venta magazine - Issue 14 - New Year 2006PERFECTHARMONYTim Norris is Director of the WinchesterMusic School which has been based forthe last ten years on the King AlfredCampus. Tim graduated with a degree inprimary education in 1991 and hascombined his studies with a passion formusic to help create a highly successfulventure.“Winchester Music School was first founded in1993 as ‘The Winchester Music Centre’ situatedin De Lunn Buildings opposite the TheatreRoyal,” explains Tim. “The Centre providedmany services including a music school for thelocal community, music shop and a publishingbusiness – a lot under one roof!“The job is not yourtypical nine to five!”“In 1996, due to spiralling costs the Centre hadto look for premises so I approached the thenKing Alfred’s College and Professor June Boyce-Tillman for assistance and ideas as to how wemight work together. We decided to establishWinchester Music School which was thecreation of Foundation Music and a communitymusic outreach programme – the rest is history.“The music school is linked with theIncorporated Society of Musicians (ISM), andoffers high quality individual and group tuition.Today the school has ten music teachers whoteach around 400 students from the universityand the local community. As well as voicecoaching, we teach a variety of instruments,ranging from the flute to the oboe, the violin tothe guitar, the Indian drums and beyond.“As Director of the Winchester Music School, noday is ever the same - I could be doing soundover work for a BBC Kids Programme orconducting one of the school’s ensembles asthey appear on live TV! My daily routine mainlyinvolves visiting local schools to run musicworkshops, and then it is back to the Universityeach evening until 9pm, where I teach andconduct. The job is not your typical nine tofive, but I wouldn’t want to be doing anythingelse.”In addition to his work at Winchester MusicSchool, Tim is involved in two Winchesterbased ensembles; Wessex Brass and WinchesterWaytes, which has allowed him to performacross the UK and live on Classical FM.Further information on Winchester Music School andFoundation Music can be found on:www.communigate.co.uk/hants/wmswww.communigate.co.uk/hants/meridianwindswww.communigate.co.uk/hants/belgarummusicwww.communigate.co.uk/hants/winchesterwayteswww.communigate.co.uk/hants/wessexbrassquintetLecturer Claire Lewis. She was joined by TonyWalker – a London Cabbie and popular figurefrom the series.Students turned out in large numbers,along with staff and local residents toattend Inside ‘49 Up’ – an event whichwent behind the scenes of the awardwinningdocumentary series.It began in 1964 when Granada Televisionfilmed a group of seven-year-old childrentalking about their hopes and fears. It was called‘7 Up’ and was a one-off ‘World in ActionSpecial’ featuring children who were selectedfrom different backgrounds and social spheresto talk about their hopes and dreams. Everyseven years since then, spanning five decades,Granada has caught up with their lives.The event featured the first ‘49 Up’ episode withcommentary from Producer and Associate“The fascination with the group is that they areordinary,” explained Claire. “These are realpeople and real lives. Every seven years we geta snapshot of their lives and of Britain. Theissues the programme raises about class andprivilege are as relevant today as they were 42years ago.”Not only did Director Michael Apted appear totake questions but Australian TV Channel 9took a transatlantic trip from LA to film theevent.Viewers voted ‘7 Up’ number one in ChannelFour’s 50 Greatest Documentaries last Autumn.7

Venta magazine - Issue 14 - New Year 2006CHILD’S PLAYWinchester’s popular MA in Writing for Children has grown fromstrength to strength over the last five years. With a reputation as oneof the leading programmes for new children’s writers, it’s no surprisealumni are filling the bookshelves with a wealth of new talent. Hereare Venta’s top choices for this season …It’s time to meetBlonde, Jane Blonde!Coming Soon … an exciting new releasefrom Jill Marshall who recentlycompleted her MA in Writing for Children.‘Jane Blond, Sensational Spylet’ is due tobe published by Macmillan this Februaryand was written during Jill’s time inWinchester. Since then she’s moved toAuckland in New Zealand, where herbook advance is rumoured to be thebiggest ever for an NZ children’s writer.Through her company ‘Write Good Stuff’(www.writegoodstuff.co.nz), Jill runswriting courses for business as well aspleasure, and has ventured intotelevision presenting and film-writing.“I’m really pleased with the artwork for JaneBlonde,” she told us. “I can’t wait to see mybook on the shelves. Jane Blond merchandisingincludes a luminous backpack and a very niftykeyring torch shaped like a bullet. My nine yearold loves them! Obviously, I’m ultimatelyhoping for a cartoon spin-off or even a cinemarelease!”Jane Blond has already been chosen as ‘the faceof Macmillan Children’s Books for 2006’. Sowhat next? Jill has already been commissionedto produce books two, three and four bySeptember next year.Spy in themaking!IT’S HERE … Anna Dale’s (MA Writing forChildren 2001 to 2002) latest release forchildren, ‘Dawn Undercover’ publishedby Bloomsbury.“Dawn Buckle is so plain and unremarkablethat no one pays her any attention,” says Annawho has just completed a week long readingtour in Germany. “Then someone from P.S.S.T.(Pursuit of Scheming Spies and Traitors), adepartment of the organisation S.H.H. (StrictlyHush-hush), notices her special talent forbeing invisible and hires her to be a spy. Shesoon finds herself caught up in an incredibleadventure to unearth the wicked ‘spy-gonebad’Murdo Meek.”This book follows on from Anna’s success with‘Whispering Witches’ published last year.“I’m currently working on a third book,” shesays. “This one’s a fantasy adventure, takinginspiration from the New Forest near where Ilive.”8

Venta magazine - Issue 14 - New Year 2006Trouble at Sea‘Stonecipher’, an historical children’sthriller which started life as adissertation for an MA in Writing forChildren in 2002, is now out inbookstores across the country.Written by Judith Heneghan (Anderson) andpublished by Andersen Press, the book claimsto be perfect for anyone who enjoyed ‘Pirates ofthe Caribbean’. A wealth of cunning plotsweave together family secrets, callous villainsand a bold young conjuror who outwitseveryone in an exciting climax on the high seas“Jago Stonecipher is a young boy apprenticedto a cack-handed showman,” says Judy. “Idecided to set up a vanishing trick that goeswrong to bring the pair to life. Character andplace always seem to come first with me. Plotcomes afterwards.“The idea for the book came to me one verycold winter whilst I was living in Moscow. I washomesick for Winchester on a hot day in June.Therefore the opening scene at a summer fairon St Giles’ Hill in the 1870s came almostinstantly – the sights and smells of the Hat FairI suppose, with all that colour and life.”Since writing ‘Stonecipher’ Judy has beenkeeping herself busy on a variety of otherprojects. As well as finishing an historical novelset in Dorset, she is beginning to research anew story set in America in the 1830’s. She hasalso written six information books for childrenpublished by Franklin Watts.CREATIVE WHIRLWINDOUT NOW … the latest edition of Vortex,a University publication with a strongcommitment to introducing English andCreative Writing students to theprocesses and conventions ofpublishing.The full colour magazine, with its own editorialboard, reviews each piece of work submittedand feedback is given whether or not the pieceis ultimately published.The magazine includes poetry, short fiction andeven some work-in-progress along witheditorial comment.“The response so far has been veryenthusiastic,” says Neil McCaw, programmedirector, BA Creative Writing and also Chair ofthe Editorial Board. “Vortex provides a reallyvalued outlet for creative work at Winchester.“The intention is to assist individual students inthe development of their writing through criticalfeedback from a panel. It also illustrates toreaders of the magazine the sort of expectationsand judgements reviewers will be making.”If you’d like to check out some of our buddingtalent, copies are available via theUniversity Bookshop or by contactingNeil.McCaw@winchester.ac.uk. Alternativelyyou can find out more about creativewriting programmes at Winchester onwww.winchester.ac.uk9

Venta magazine - Issue 14 - New Year 2006Winchester –Past, Presentand Future …The Centre for the History of Women’sEducation been gathering studentexperiences to add to existingchronological and pictorial records of theUniversity history. The findings of thestudy were presented to alumni recentlyat a special seminar held on the KingAlfred Campus. Andrea Jacobs (ProjectManager) has sent Venta this specialreport…the University. Extracts were also read from apaper entitled ‘More men would have beenmore fun’ first presented at the History ofEducation Conference in Dublin. Thisexpressed the views of some female studentsand highlighted the friendly relationshipsbetween students of both sexes. Thepresentation concluded with a quote thateveryone felt summed up feelings across fortyyears: “everybody just supported everyone”.The floor was then handed over to former andcurrent students. Three alumnae of KingAlfred’s College, Pat Brockway (Certificate ofEducation, 1960 to 1963), Janice De Souza(B.Ed, 1984 to 1987) and Valerie Chambers(Combined Honours Programme, 1994 to 1997)entertained all with short talks on theirspeakers had a different story to tell, theoverwhelming theme, as one of those listeninghighlighted, and the project findings endorsed,was great camaraderie, a caring environmentand a family atmosphere.We would like to thank all those who took partin the seminar, especially those who sogenerously shared their experiences, formaking the afternoon such a success.”“Everybody Just Supported Everybody”“The afternoon was certainly a lively one!Presentations from the project team included anoutline of findings to date plus a brief history ofexperiences. Then it was the turn of our currentstudents to describe what it is like to study atthe University today. While each of the sevenIf you are interested in participating inthe next stage of research, pleaseemail andrea.jacobs@winchester.ac.ukHISTORY IN THE MAKINGTHOSE WERE THE DAYS …Howard Horstead, Honorary Secretary ofthe Winton Club, has been busy updatingarchive material and storing relevant itemsat the Hampshire Records Office.Back in 1991, to mark the 150thanniversary of King Alfred’s College, a lotof information concerning the history ofthe institution was deposited there for safekeeping.“I was asked to assist in collecting andsorting it,” he says. “In October I alsoplaced on permanent loan hundreds ofpapers relating to the University and theWinton Club – adding to the typed A4 listof material (over 225 pages) that wasdeposited in 1991.“The collection deposited at the HampshireRecords Office includes papers relating toprincipals, chaplains, school practise notes(from the 1920’s), and matters concerningbuildings. In relation to the Winton Clubdocuments include reunion notices, ordersof service, reunion menus and much more.“If you have any information relating toyour time at Winchester that you wouldlike to be included in the archive materialplease contact the Alumni Office.”TRAITOR IN THE RANKSSince Venta has been keeping readersup-to-date with the progress the Centrefor the History of Women’s EducationAlumnae Project, the Alumni Office hasreceived stories from a number of menwho attended the College in the 1960’swho would like to share their stories.Ken Milne (Certificate of Education 1959 to1961) was one of the 50 male students whostaged a three-legged race in opposition to thearrival of women at the College.“Back in 1960 I remember I felt very stronglyabout women joining the college,” he says. “Infact, I was one of fifty students who made theirway from the Westgate in Winchester to theBargate in Southampton on one extremelychilly morning in protest. I remember I was tiedto Barry Nutter. My hair was quite bushy backthen, I’ve since lost my locks thanks to twosons, two headships and two ofsteds!“After the protest we all subscribed to theproduction of a tie, which was black with athree legged motif.“We had our little protest. It fizzled out,however guess whose picture appeared on thefront page of the Times on 29th September1960, happily showing young ladies around thecollege? Yes, me … and wearing THAT tie too!”10

Venta magazine - Issue 14 - New Year 2006TASTE OFTHE EXOTIC“I never thought that I would find mydream job out in the Far East,” saysformer drama student, Jan Icke whograduated back in 1998 and has justreturned from seven years abroad. “Likemany, I chose to go off travelling aftergraduation and had an amazing timevisiting Thailand, Malaysia andSingapore.One Step at a time …Kenya Aid“I was working in a sales job in Singapore whenan opportunity cropped up for me to train as aspeech and drama teacher. I took to itimmediately and soon fell into the life and styleof the country. It really was the perfect job forme. In fact it was so good, the temperature andhumidity even became bearable! I even beganto get used to seeing some of the more unusualfoods: fish head curry, duck neck, chickens feetand even real beef balls with noodles.”From Singapore Jan moved to New Delhiwhere she’d been asked to set up a new speechand drama centre.“This was to be the most brilliant as well asfrightening time of my life. It was unbelievable.Beautiful, opulent, abundant, a cornucopia oftantalising tastes, smells and visions. But foreverything beautiful in India there’s alsosomething vile and revolting. The poverty,disease, mutilation and dirt wereoverwhelming.“I’m grateful for the experiences I have livedthrough – the good and the bad. Now I’m livingback in the UK, still teaching and still lovinglife.”Jan would love to get in touch withAmanda Henocq who studied teaching from1994 to 1998. Can you help? Contactalumni@winchester.ac.uk.For many completing an assignmentis a necessary part of any coursewhich is soon forgotten about onceit’s handed in. But for Reg Wood (BAHons World Music with Media, Filmand Communications 1993 to 1997),an assignment about musicalinstruments used by African tribessaw him and his wife being madeelders of the Akamba tribe in Kenya.“My wife, Wendy and I first visited theAkamba tribe in September 1998, to deliversome presents to the Head Teacher of thevillage’s primary school after he helped megreatly with one of my World Musicassignments. The visit had been a fantasticexperience with both children and parentsentertaining us with song and dance.However, it soon came time to exchangegifts and we were stunned. There was along queue to present us with an array ofbeautiful hand-made gifts.“They treated us like royaltyand offered us gifts theycouldn’t afford to give”“At the very end of the line was a small oldlady, who offered Wendy a very smallchicken’s egg. Wendy was mortified; shewanted to return it but didn’t know it wouldupset the old lady. It was probably all shehad to give, as we had found with all thepeople from the tribe, their generosity isenormous and comes from the heart.“These people had stayed out in the heat ofthe sun all day waiting for us to come. Theytreated us like royalty and offered gifts theycouldn’t afford to give. We were determinedto do something to help them.“Returning back to the UK, knowing of theproblems caused by drought and lack offinancial resources, we decided to set upKenya Aid, a small charitable organisation.The organisation focuses its efforts on theneeds of the Akamba Tribe of Katangi –Machakos, Kenya.“Wendy heads up the organisation and Ifacilitate the operation and fund-raisingactivities. In 1998 we produced a video ofour 1998 visit, setting out the good and thebad, highlighting the problems that thecommunity face. We have been on the roadwith our presentation ever since.“Our main source of funding is through thesale of the villager’s products (mainlycarvings and bags) at our presentations andon market stalls. We also collect donationsand encourage youth groups andindividuals to gain sponsorship at variousfund-raising events.“Since 2000, Kenya Aid has managed tohelp support a number of projects rangingfrom providing water tanks and pumpsthrough to upgrading existing classrooms atthe local primary school.“As for the future – we will continue takingsmall but solid steps, building on thefoundations we have laid. However, it’s awide world out there and we’re currentlylooking into how we can use the internet tobroaden our sales of local crafts.”For information on Kenya Aid, please visitwww.kenyaaid.org.uk11

Venta magazine - Issue 14 - New Year 2006Harry Speaks Out!Southampton Docks. I blessed theThe Alumni office was delighted to receivenews of alumni Harry Barker recently whocompleted his Certificate of Education atWinchester back in 1928.“I write in response to the last edition ofVenta in which the Vice Chancellor said ‘Iam not aware that there are any alumni ofthe Winchester Diocesan Training Collegestill alive’. I thought readers may like to hearmy story….I’m sure the University has changed a greatdeal since I left nearly eighty years ago.Back in 1925 I can’t remember seeing onefemale face; Divinity was a compulsorysubject; attendance was required at the dailyservice; and students started their days witha roll call.My most vivid memory of my time spent atWinchester was the General Strike of 1926,which brought Britain to an industrialstandstill. All students were asked to helpbreak the strike by volunteering to work atopportunity of earning some money andvolunteered to help by unloading the vastWhite Star liner, Olympic.In 1943, I emigrated to South Africa andabandoned teaching for law in 1937 when Iwas awarded the LLB. Following this I wasadmitted as an attorney of the SupremeCourt in 1938. I continued to practise lawuntil I was 96 years old and was then theoldest practising attorney in South Africa.My years spent at Winchester were amongthe happiest in my life and I have remainedintensely grateful for the chance the collegegave me.”Alumni Honourat StakeSilver Reunion 2006ON SATURDAY 22ND APRIL 2006,7.00PM FOR 7.30PMAt West Downs Centre, The University of Winchester, Romsey Road, WinchesterChampagne Reception followed by three course dinner and musical entertainment.Carriages at midnightTICKET COST: £35 PER PERSONRSVP 7TH APRIL 2006The Countdown to the Winton Weekend hasbegun. Last year the alumni beat thestudents 9-3 with over 30 teams playingover the Saturday and Sunday. A tough actto follow!The dates for this Winton Weekend 2006 are17th, 18th and 19th February 2006. Theweekend will start with the traditional Fridaynight party in the Student Union.On Saturday combat will take on the battlefieldsof Bar End and King Alfred Campus. Followingthe battles fought, all players and spectators areinvited back to Bar 22 for the much anticipatedAwards Presentation.For more information log ontowww.winchesterstudents.co.uk/winton or emailPeter.Beard@winchester.ac.ukFormal letters have been sent out to all 1980 to 1986 graduates on our database. If you havenot received your letter in the next month or know of anyone that would like to come, pleasecontact the Alumni Office on (01962) 827403 or email: alumni@winchester.ac.ukPlace are limited – we strongly recommend you reserve a place now to avoiddisappointment later. Cheques can be post-dated to Friday 28th April 2006. Tickets will besent out from March 2006.Summer Days …Winton Date for the DiarySince 1874 The Winton Club has held anannual reunion. This year the WintonClub Reunion will take place on Friday30th June to the 2nd July and will beginon the Friday evening with a specialbuffet supper for those celebratinglandmark years since they graduated.Saturday will begin with the ReunionService in the Chapel followed by theReunion Luncheon.There will be plenty of time for Wintoniansto catch up and renew old friendships andto see both the parts of the University theyremember, as well as reviewing recentadditions.Invitations to Reunion will be sent outduring April. If you would like to ensure youare sent an invitation or require furtherinformation please contact the alumni office.12

Venta magazine - Issue 14 - New Year 2006FRIENDS INHIGH PLACESThe Chancellor of the Duchy ofLancaster, John Hutton MP took timeout of his busy schedule recently tomeet with senior staff and students atthe University.His lightning visit was part of a fact findingmission to see how those who deliver publicservices view government bureaucracy andregulations impacting on their ability to carryout their jobs effectively.The University was approached by the Ministeras it had already contributed to a bureaucracyevidence gathering workshop run by theCabinet Office back in November 2004.Welcome back …class of 951995 – The year Robbie Williams left‘Take That’. It’s also the year whenhundreds of students graduated fromWinchester.In honour of this year, graduates from 1995recently returned to West Downs for a specialReunion Ball complete with the popular musicfrom way back then. The Shakespeare Roomwas buzzing with the sound of everyonecatching up and some even re-lived the‘Winchester Experience’ by staying in Halls.Can’t Wait?Do You Remember 1996?Keep an eye on www.winchester.ac.uk/alumni for all events planned for2006. New get-togethers and datesare appearing each week.Alternatively, if you can’t wait to catchup with University friends and don’tknow where to start – please get intouch with the alumni office, we’rehear to help! All suggestions for futurealumni events will be gratefullyreceived.• The catchphrase of the year was“SHOW ME THE MONEY”• Charles and Diana divorced• Lara Croft was introduced to the worldCome and meet up with old friends at the Classof 1996 reunion on Saturday 16th September2006 at West Downs.The event will begin with fizz and follow with athree course dinner plus entertainment. Comedance the night away! The reunion will beattended by Professor Chris Turner (Pro ViceChancellor) and other members of staff ‘onrequest’.Tickets cost £35, but places are limited. Forthose who wish to stay in Winchester over theReunion weekend we can supply details oflocal B&B and hotel accommodation – there isa limited number of campus accommodationavailable too!Formal Invitations will be sent out to all 1996graduates for whom we have details during May2006, but let friends know: remember we can’tsend an invitation if we don’t have an address.We also ask students from surrounding years, soif you graduated in 1995 or 1997 and know ofother alumni that would like to attend, spreadthe word.13

Venta magazine - Issue 14 - New Year 2006Alumni UK Distribution by County - December 2005CountyNumber of Alumni CountyNumber of Alumni CountyNumber of AlumniHampshire 2702Dorset 464Surrey 448London 386Sussex 334Berkshire 308Kent 295Essex 257Wiltshire 245Devon 186Hertfordshire 166Somerset 163Cornwall 133Yorkshire 132Middlesex 132Oxfordshire 126Buckinghamshire 117Avon 110Norfolk 94Gloucestershire 93Suffolk 78Glamorgan 77Cambridgeshire 75Bedfordshire 75Lancashire 74Northamptonshire 61Lincolnshire 58West Midlands 58Warwickshire 54Leicestershire 42Nottinghamshire 40Shropshire 39Cheshire 36Worcestershire 34Staffordshire 29Derbyshire 28Herefordshire 25Merseyside 22Gwent 18Tyne & Wear 16Cumbria 15Dyfred 12Humberside 8Powys 8Monmouthshire 8Northumberland 7Cleveland 6Clwyd 6Pembrokeshire 6Aberdeenshire 5Perthshire 5Midlothian 4Morayshire 3Wigtownshire 3Carmarthenshire 2Fife 2Galloway 2Gwynedd 2Lanarkshire 2Shetland 2Total 8252KeyMore than 1001501 to 1000251 to 500101 to 25051 to 100Less than 50Alumni UK Distribution by Country - December 2005CountryNumber of AlumniCountryNumber of AlumniCountryNumber of AlumniJapan 60USA 58Ireland 50Channel Islands 40Australia 20Spain 17Canada 17Bangladesh 13New Zealand 9Greece 7France 7South Africa 6Hong Kong 6Germany 5Austria 5Turkey 3Singapore 3Malta 3Italy 3Gibraltar 3Belgium 3Zambia 2Switzerland 2Norway 2Nigeria 2Netherlands 2Korea 2Uganda 1UAE 1Thailand 1Tanzania 1Portugal 1Nicaragua 1Nairobi 1Malaysia 1Kuwait 1India 1Finland 1Denmark 1Czech Republic 1Cyprus 1Costa Rica 1China 1Bermuda 1Total 367Key51 to 10026 to 5011 to 25Less than 1014

Venta magazine - Issue 14 - New Year 2006My name is David Thornber and I haverecently joined the University of Winchesteras the new Head of InternationalRecruitment. The main focus of my role isto develop and manage overseasrecruitment for the University. The creationof the new post is evidence of Winchester’scommitment to welcoming moreInternational students into our community.Greetings from theInternational Desk….In my previous post, as International Officer(China and South Asia) for the University ofPortsmouth, I maintained close ties with theirAlumni.Alumni are so important to a University and canbe the best ambassadors and influencers that aninstitution can have. It is my hope that everyInternational student will have a fantasticlearning and social experience during their timein Winchester and then tell everyone they knowabout it!I am currently planning my travel schedule for2006/7. China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan,India and Pakistan feature amongst thedestinations. I hope I’ll have the opportunity tomeet some of you during my travels. If you’dlike to get in touch please contact me onDavid.Thornber@winchester.ac.uk or 01962827586Development UpdateAs many readers of Venta are aware,the University has established aDevelopment Fund to help raise fundsannually for special projects. To date thecampaign has raised nearly £3,500.“We sent out the first wave of brochures aboutthe University Development Campaign inNovember last year to all UK alumni,” says ProVice Chancellor, Professor Chris Turner. “Wehave already started to receive a steady trickle ofdonations for amounts ranging from 50p to£500.whereby we will be able to ring up thosepeople who have signified that they are happyto have a conversation with us. We will use ourcurrent students to talk to alumni on a subjectby subject basis so that, for example, those whostudied psychology will be rung up bypsychology students.“We have a number of big projects coming up,the new University Centre, the new Arts Centre,a growing need for student bursaries and thatever pressing need for library and IT support inthe areas outside the normal curriculum.In Memory of …We have been notified of the deaths of thefollowing alumni and staff recently. Wesend our condolences to their families.Mr E J Britnell 1929 to 1931Mr A M Trail 1938 to 1940Mr L D Wyer 1938 to 1940Mrs J Digby 1960 to 1963Mr W H F Salmon 1963 to 1966Dame Betty Ridley(Former Governor) 1985 to 1992Joanne Lamper 1987 to 1991“We are very determined to use this money forthe extra projects such as student bursaries,libraries, and special pieces of equipmentwhich will improve the student learningexperience in the University. It is so pleasing tofind that in this day and age there are stillpeople who are able to help those who arefollowing after them and are doing sogenerously and with enthusiasm.“We’ll be writing again to alumni in the springwith another copy of the payment slip becauseI am conscious that with everyone having suchbusy lives these days it is very easy to forget todo something. Most of us are very content tobe reminded on a fairly regular basis!“I do thank you for all your help and supporton this new project and am very happy to talkto anyone about it.”If you would like more information onhow you can help to support theWinchester Experience for generationsto come, please contact theDevelopment Office on 01962 827403or development@winchester.ac.uk“We see this as an annual event and thus therewill be a further mail out of our developmentprospectus in the autumn of next year. We willslowly and steadily move towards a system15

What’s On...Plans are afoot for the following events in2005/2006, so keep your eye out for anexclusive invite coming to you soon!200616th February Graduate Employment Fair17th to 19th February Winton Weekend28th February “Who Killed Diana, and otherStupid Questions” Enterprise Lecture to begiven by David Aaronovitch, the awardwinningcolumnist and broadcaster.22nd April Silver Reunion30th June to 2nd July ReunionWeekend 200616th September Class of 1996 ReunionIf you would like further information on any ofthe above events please contact the AlumniOffice or log onto www.winchester.ac.uk/alumniAlumni GovernorWould you like to be a Governor?All registered members of the Winton Club –The University of Winchester’s AlumniAssociation - are entitled to vote a formerstudent onto the University’s Board ofGovernors. If successful they will be asked tohold this position for a period of three years,with eligibility for re-election on not more thantwo occasions.At present, this role is held by LizBroughton (1974-1977), who will continue toserve until the next Annual General Meeting,which is being held on Saturday 1st July 2006.The new former student Governor will beappointed at this AGM.Any former student who wishes to standelection for the period 2006-2009 must beproposed and seconded by former students andmust state her/his agreement to beingnominated. Nomination papers may beobtained from the Alumni Office.Information on what governors do and thecommitment involved can be obtained from:Dee Povey, Clerk to the Governors, University ofWinchester,West Hill, Winchester SO22 4NR orby emailing dee.povey@winchester.ac.ukContact Venta Now!We’re busy gathering stories and features for thesummer edition of Venta and would love tohear from you all. Old photos are especiallygood. Please get in touch by emailingalumni@winchester.ac.uk.REMEMBER:WE’RE PARTNERS FOR LIFE!Blast from the Past!Hayal Dedeoglu, BA (Hons) Archaeology(1998 – 2001)WEDDED BLISS - Hayal (left) with two of her clients“Having seen my old friend Dan Blythe, BA(Hons) Archaeology (1998 – 2001), in aprevious edition of Venta I thought I would getmy chance in the limelight and let people knowwhat I’ve been up too.“As for what I have been doing sincegraduation, I moved back to Turkey where I setup my own company organising weddings.The weddings are mostly destination weddingsin Turkey for British and Irish people – it wouldbe fantastic to organise a wedding for an excollegemate!“Since moving back to Turkey it has notbeen easy to keep in touch, so if you rememberme and would like to email me or even need awedding organised, contact me onhayal@eggorganizasyon.com”Desperately Seeking...Student Days … (left toright) Trevor Brooks,Peter Keen, NormanPearce, Peter Etheridge,John Sturgess, RobertKemp and PeterThatcher.Norman Pearce“As an old Wintonian I read with great interestthe Venta articles and would now like to sharemy own memories with the hope of getting backin touch with some old friends,” writes PeterThatcher, Certificate of Education (1967 – 1970).“This photo was taken in 1969 by ChrisTrotman, when he and my fellow room-mateswere involved in this memorable raid on myprivacy (I am the unfortunate one being helddown) after a night out at the Albion Inn. Therewere 11 of us that spent our second year ‘out’ inthe Eagle Annex, which was on the top floor ofthe Eagle Hotel in City Road.Sasha Chown-Dunne, BA (Hons)American Studies and Performing Arts(2001 – 2004)“After graduating from University CollegeWinchester in 2004, I got a job as a Fee RateMailing Advisor at Denplan, Winchester. TheJob involved advising dental patients abouttheir fees. The office environment was a newstep from my student days!“Since leaving Denplan in February 2005, Ihave been living and working as a Hostess atThe Banff Caribou Ski Lodge in Banff, Alberta,Canada.“I have met people from all over the worldand have even found the time to fit in a littletravelling across the West Coast and down theInland Passage towards Vancouver. The RockieMountains is a totally exhilarating place to workwith lots of activities. My duel-citizenship alsogives me the opportunity to work for othercompanies in Canada. As Venta goes to print, Iwill be starting a new job as a Bus Escort forCanadian Mountain Holidays, one of the largestHeli-Skiing and Heli-Hiking companies in NorthAmerica – I’m really excited about the timeahead!’“It surprises me now how we managed tostudy, but we did, all with much success, boththen and in the future. As for me, I retired earlyfrom being a Head of a Primary School, and I amnow a relief driver librarian for CambridgeshireLibraries and a coach driver after my friendTrevor Brooks persuaded me to take my P.S.Vtest all those years ago!”“I am still in contact with many of therevellers in the photograph, Trevor Brooks (isnow self-employed after setting up his own smallcoach firm), Peter Keen (who is now teachingthe deaf), Keith Hutchins (is still teaching), PeterEtheridge, John Sturgess and Robert Kemp (whowrote a small piece in the last edition of Venta).I am also still in contact with Chris Trotman.However, if anybody has information regardingNorman Pearce I should love to hear from them.”Please contact alumni@winchester.ac.uk ifyou can help!