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SPRING 2010

Hot water at Warsash

Great Scott Getting down to business

ISSUE 5

1. Scott Mills

2. Flame throwers

4. Sound advice

6. Bright sparks

10. Global goals

12. Film boffs

13. Wearing well

14. Sports star 15. Ocean going

16. Intern scheme

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HOW TO CONTACT US:Send your news, views, queries and comments to:thePressandPROfficer,SouthamptonSolentUniversity,EastParkTerrace,SouthamptonSO140RBT.02380319040E.press.office@solent.ac.uk

Designed and published by:SouthamptonSolentUniversity’sMarketingandCommunicationsService.Printed by:CedarPress.

BywayofintroducingthelatesteditionofISSUE,Iwouldliketobrieflycommentontherecentuniversities’fundingannouncement.

Someofyouwillhaveseenthatmanyuniversitiesfaceacutinfundingnextyear.

Indeed,only29institutionswillreceiveanaboveinflationriseinfunding,mainlyuniversitiesgivenextrafundingforteachingtocoveradditionalstudentnumbers.

Overall,IamverypleasedtoinformyouthatSouthamptonSolentUniversity’sfundingshowsa6.25%increase,thesixthhighestpercentageincreaseofanyHEFCE-fundedhighereducationinstitution.

Thisismuchbetternewsthanexpectedfor2010/11.Iteffectivelygivesusayeartocompleteasignificantnumberofchangeprojects.Italsoenablesustocontinuetoenhancethestudentexperienceanddeliversomewidercostsavingsaspartofthe‘pre-positioning’formoredifficulttimes.

Solent,throughcarefulandeffectivemanagementofstudentnumbersandrigorouscontrolofcosts,currentlyexpectstoachieveahigherthanbudgetedsurplusfor2009/10.Thisisasoundstartingpointforwhatistocomeoverthenextthreetofiveyears,aspublicexpenditureisreinedinsharply.

ItismybeliefthatourUniversity’scommitmenttodeliveringhighereducationthatisintunewithstudents’needsandthecontemporaryagendaisprovingthekeytoourcontinuedsuccess.AndItrustyouwillfindthisamplyborneoutinthecontentofthepagesthatfollow.

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Van Gore

Welcome

SPRING 2010|1

PROFILE | ISSUE 5

BBC Radio 1 DJ and Solent University Honorary Doctor, Scott Mills, talks to graduate intern,

Melissa Lewis, of busy beginnings and an enduring industry.

You have the title of youngest radio presenter in the UK after starting at just 16 at Power FM. What drove you to get and keep that gig?IjustknewitwassomethingIwantedtodo,sinceIcanremember.IwanteditsobadlythatIwasn’tgoingtoletanythingstandinmyway–Iwassodetermined.Igotseveralknockbacks,andrejections,butItrulydidbelieveIcoulddoit–andIworkedmywayupatthestationfromvoluntaryhelperatweekends,topresenter.

How did you hold your nerve when you got the job at Radio 1? Was there anyone you just had to call?IhadbeentryingtogetonRadio1threeyearspreviouslyandhadsentthemsomanydemos.TheymetmeinarestaurantinLondontooffermethejob,andIremainedcomposedthroughoutthemeal,thengotinacabandcalledmymumandscreamedandcried!

After all that time, why do you still love radio?BecauseIwas(andstillam)averyshypersonasakid,andit’sagreatwaytocommunicatewithoutmeetinganyone!

Have you always been naturally talkative? Does a radio DJ need to be a talker or a listener?No,quitetheopposite.Iwasnevertalkative.ButIenjoybuildingupapersonalrelationshipwiththelistener,sotheyfeelliketheyreallyknowyouandyourlife.

Students are notoriously bad at getting up. Any advice to Solent students on how to get out of bed for those early morning lectures?No,becauseIneverdiditandamsobadinthemorningsmyself.Igotupat3amforfiveyearstodoearliesonRadio1andhadfivealarmclocksallattheothersideoftheroomsoIhadtogetoutthebedtoswitchthemoff.FourofthemwerefrommyholidaysinDubaiandweremosquealarmclockswhichwailedthe

calltoprayertomeat3amtowakeme.Itworked!

You skipped the Higher Education route into your career and you’ve been very successful. You’ve got your honorary doctorate, but would you ever be tempted to sign up and study? If so, what would you like to do?IhaveabsolutelynoideawhatIwoulddoifIdidn’tdoradioanditsometimesscaresme.Ican’tthinkofanythingelseIwouldbegoodat.

Did you enjoy growing up in Southampton and do you still go back?IloveSouthamptonandstillknowitsowell,eventhoughIhaven’tlivedthereforyears.Itwassonicetospendaweekthererecently.ItryandgetbackwhenIcan.Allmyfamilyarethere.

What’s Southampton’s top spot and grot spot?IjustliketogotoallthegreatcountrypubsaroundSouthamptonasthere’snothinglikeitinLondonwhereIlivenow.IenjoygoingdowntoHambleandevenouttowardsLocksHeathandWarsashwhereIusedtoworkatPower.IthinkWestQuayisthebestthingtohappentoSouthamptonforawhile!

Grotspot?AscaryplaceIwenttoinTotton!Therewasafight.I’mnotgivingnamesofplaces!

Is radio about the music or the chat?Peopledon’twanttojustlistentosomebodytalking.Idomusicradioandthemusicisveryimportant.However,peoplecanlistentotheiriPods,soIthinkagoodbalancebetweenentertainingspeechandgoodmusicwinsanaudience.

You’re a bit of a prankster. Have you ever hit trouble over your prank calls or flirt divert? Would you ever have used the service yourself?Ihavegivenouttheflirtdivertnumberonce,yes!

Would you do another Most Haunted? Do you scare easily?I’vedonethreeMost Hauntedthingsnow:Most Haunteditself,thenGhost HuntingwithRadio1(samebutonadifferentchannel),andthenlastsummeranotherhauntedhouseformyshowwithDavidHasselhoff.It’sthesameeverytime,sonoIdon’tgetscaredanymore.IfsomethinghappenedwhereIsawaghostorsomethingmyopinionwouldsoonchange!

Is the future bright for radio?Itis,aslongasradiostationsgivetalentedpeopleachancetobethemselves,withouttoomanyconstraints.

DJ Doc sounds off

ISSUE 5|??????

2|SPRING 2010

SPRING 2010|3

TRAINING | ISSUE 5

It’s 3am and a crew member on fire patrol spots smoke coming from beneath a pantry door on

board passenger ship ‘Star Vega’, en route from Los Angeles to Tahiti. The bridge is alerted and

trained fire teams are immediately mobilised to investigate...

Burning bridges

Thisisjustoneofthescenariosgiventoallseafaringpersonnelundergoingpotentiallylife-savingtrainingatWarsashMaritimeAcademy’sFireFightingCentre.

Duringafour-daycourse,traineesarecoachedinthecorrectuseofallfirefightingequipmentusuallyfoundonboardbeforetakingpartinadauntingsearchandrescueexercisewearingfullfirekitandbreathingapparatus.TheexercisesarecarriedoutintheCentre’ssmoke-filled,purpose-built,threedeckfirefightingunit.

JohnAbell,SeniorLecturerinMaritimeandOffshoreFireFighting,pointsoutthatwhilebeingabletooperateportablefireextinguishersisimportant,thecorrectuseofbreathingapparatusiscrucial:“Firesproducesmokeinwhichyoucan’tseeorbreathe,soit’simportantthattraineesarefamiliarandcomfortablewithwearingprotectivefireclothingandbreathingapparatustoenablethemtosafelygetonwiththejoboffightingfire.”

Studentstakepartinasearchprocedureindarkenedconditionstodeterminewhethertheyareclaustrophobic,beforetakingpartinthefinalexercisewherefiresaresetandcasualtiesareplaced.Anystudentswhoarenervousorunsureofwearingthekitaregivenfullsupporttoenablethemtowearbreathingapparatusingoodvisibilitybeforeexercisingindarkenedconditions.

Havingservedasashipsofficeroncontainerandcargoshipsforalmosttwodecades,John–aformerclassof‘64Warsashcadet–knowsfullwelltheimportanceofthefiretraining.

Hesaid:“Ifafirebreaksoutinthemiddleoftheocean,youcan’tcallupthefireserviceandwaitforthemtodealwithit;asashipsofficeryou’reresponsiblefor

yourcrew’ssafetyandrealistictrainingisessential.”

TheWarsashFireFightingCentrewassetupin1970,justbeforeitbecamecompulsoryin1973forallshipsofficerstocompleteafirefightingcourse.TheCentrenowtrainsemployeesfrommajorshippingcompanies,aswellasferries,coastaltugs,fishingvesselsandcommercialyachts,alongsideitsowncadets.Training,firedrillsandothermethodsofearlydetectionmeanthat,withthecorrectinitialreactionbythecrew,mostsmallfiresremainsmall.Wheretherearewelltrainedcrews,today’sseafarersandpassengershaveneverhaditsosafe.

JohnisquicktopointoutthattheWarsashsafetytrainingdoesn’tcomeatacosttotheenvironmentortoneighbouringresidents.“Allsmokeiscontainedwithinthefireunit,brackishwaterisdrawnfromtheadjacentpondandoncethishasbeenusedforfirefightingitfeedsthroughaseriesofseparatorstoafurthersluice-controlledpondbeforebeingreleasedintotheRiverHamble.Theuseofoilsonthefiregroundisminimalasthemainfirepitisfedbypropane.ThewateristestedmonthlybytheNationalRiversAuthority.”

…Ifafirebreaksoutinthemiddleoftheocean,youcan’tcallupthefireservice…

ISSUE 5|??????

4|SPRING 2010

Initssecondyear,SMILE‘10gaveindustryprofessionalsthechancetosharetheirknowledgewithstudentspoisedforacareerinthemusicindustry.

GuestsincludedfoundingDeaconBluememberJimPrimeandauthorandmusicjournalistGarryMulholland,whogaveaninsightfultalkontheimportanceofpersistenceandresearchwithinmusicjournalism,aswellasprovidingentertaininganecdotesoninterviewingPharrellWilliamsandTheSexPistols.

HighlightsincludedRobDaBank,whoinspiredstudentsbyrevealinghowhestartedoneoftheUK’smostsuccessfulfestivals,Bestival,aswellasbecomingaleadingradiopresenter,andrunningarecordlabelandpublishingcompany.

StudentswerealsogiventheopportunitytohavetheirmusicheardbyleadingradiopluggersandA&RmenatademosurgerywhereNickHalkes(IncentiveRecords),TonyThorpe(Moody-Boyz),SteveAger(radioplugger)andMarkHoborough(1917Promotions)gavepreciousfeedbackontracksprovidedbySolentmusicstudents.The‘judges’–whohaveworkedwithtopartistssuchasMuse,OasisandTheProdigy–wereimpressedwiththequalityofproductionandplannedtoattendlivegigsforsomeoftheacts,includingFireFarmandLeMartells.

TherewereeclecticperformancesfromUniversalRecords’newsigning,LaurenPritchard,theaward-winningForeignBeggars,andamesmerisingsolosetfromcharismaticfestivalfavourite,Rodney‘twoguitar’Branigan.Musicalmulti-taskingwasgivenanairingastheTexandemonstratedadeftdisplayofplayingtwoguitarsatonce.Afterasoulfulcoverof‘Creep’andaguitarstuntfrom

standingpositiontoseated,hevowedtore-visitSolentforfuturegigsandmasterclasses.

SMILEorganiserandSeniorLecturerinPopularMusicStudies,DrMartinJames,said:“Studentsreallyappreciatedmeetingprofessionalswhosecareerstheyhopetoemulate.Thisyearwecoveredalltheareastouchedonbydegreesthatmakeupthepopularmusicprogramme,sotherewasarealsenseofrelevance,andweonceagainshowedwhySolentisfastbecomingthefirstchoiceuniversityforstudentswishingtoenterthemusicindustries.”

SMILE ‘10!

…Studentsreallyappreciatedmeetingprofessionals…

Solent University staff and students were treated to live

performances and talks from top names in the music industry

at this year’s Solent Music Industries Live Event (SMILE).

Fate SMILEs on Widowmaker AsadirectresultofSMILE,PopularMusicJournalismstudentIanEaston,akaTheWidowmaker,hasbeeninvitedtoperformatCampBestival.AlongsidenewUniversalsigning,LaurenPritchard,andUKhip-hopgroup,ForeignBeggars,IanperformedatSMILEtoapackedaudience.

Radio1DJandBestivalfounderRobDaBankspottedTheWidowmaker’stalentandinvitedhimtoperformatthisyear’sCampBestival,joiningaline-upwhichincludestheFriendlyFires,ExampleandRobDaBankhimself.

IanhasbeenperformingasTheWidowmakerformorethantwoyearsandhasrecentlyrecordeddebutalbumSoundtrack to a Reality.Thealbumtakesinfluencesfromthe1960sfolkrevival,suchasJoniMitchellandPentagle,aswellasmodernperformersFleetFoxesandMumfordandSons.

Iansaid:“Ican’twait.WithoutSMILE,IwouldneverhavegotthechancetochattoRobDaBankandgetthisfantasticopportunity.”

Top: Foreign Beggars. Middle: Lauren Pritchard. Bottom: Rob Da Bank

?????? | ISSUE 5

SPRING 2010|5

Multi-tasking Texan: Rodney ‘two guitar’ Branigan

ISSUE 5|??????

6|SPRING 2010

Morethan35teamsspent36hourssolvingrealbusinessproblemsunderthewatchfulgazeofsomeofthecountry’stopbusinessbrains.TheywerethenjudgedinanApprenticemeetsThe Dragon’s Den-styleseriesofbusinesspitchesandchallenges.

FiveofthemajorplayersinteamSolentwere:

James Headspeath – BA (Hons) Marketing with AdvertisingJames’practicalknowledgeofthemarketingindustryand‘neversaydie’attitudeprovedtobeakillercombination.CurrentlytrainingforanIronmanTriathlon,Jameslovesachallengeand,thankstohiscourse,believeshehastheknowledgeandskillstocomeupwithwinningbusinessesstrategiestoforgeasuccessfulcareer.

Denise Holden – BA (Hons) Tourism Management with Cruise and Travel OperationsWithherpassionfortravelandthetourismindustry,Denisehelpedtosteertheteam.Thesecond-yearstudentenjoyedputtingherpublicspeakingandproblemsolvingskillstothetest.

Ibrahim (Ibby) Azam – BA (Hons) Football Studies with BusinessIbbyaspirestoownhisowncompanybutwillsettleforworkingforManchesterUnitedfootballclubinthemeantime!Thesecond-yearstudent–whoisakeenboxerinhissparetime–sayshehas‘businessintheblood’andhisabilitytodevelopanddeliverhighqualityworkas

anindividualandateamplayershonethroughatFLUX.

Steven Davies – HND Business ManagementAstheoldestmemberoftheteamwithpreviousbusinessexperienceandknowledge,Stevenwaswell-equippedtohelpguidetheteamthroughthechallenges.Steven–whohopestoonedayrunhisownhotelconsultancyandinspectioncompany–saidtheteam’sindividualskillsinresearch,strategyandtimemanagement,producedaconfidentperformance.

Tim Benson – BA (Hons) Television and Video ProductionAsastrongteamplayer,TimrelishedtheprospectofgettingstuckintoFLUXandtacklingthebusinessproblemsthrownattheteam.Tim–whohopestoproduceanddirectliveeventsinhisfuturecareer–enjoyedthepressureofthethree-dayFLUXevent.

This spring, for the first time, Solent University flexed its

entrepreneurial muscles at FLUX 500 – the annual inter-

university competition aimed at bridging the gap between

education and the work place.

Bright Sparks

From left to right:TamarahAckland,IanAttard,MajHartmann,LiamCamps

Solentstudentsgotauniqueopportunitytointeractwithpotentialemployers.ThedemandingelementsofFLUXechoedthoseatrecruitment‘assessmentcentres’,helpingstudentsprepareforinterviews.

Why FLUX?

SPRING 2010|7

BRIGHT SPARKS | ISSUE 5

ISSUE 5|??????

8|SPRING 2010

Gela’s15-minutefilmofthelegendofSirBevois–whichwastoldbystorytellersacrossRussiaandEuropeupuntilthe17thcentury–isafascinatinginsightintoSouthampton’sheritage.

ItfollowsthelifeofSirBevois–sonofSirGuy,EarlofHampton–soldtoslavemerchantsbyhismotherandendingupinthecourtofErmyn,KingofArmenia.

Accompaniedbyhispage,Ascupart,SirBevoisencountersmanyadventures,withthehelpofamagicswordandcharmedhorse.HefallsinlovewithMuslimprincess,Josian,beforereturningtoEnglandtoreclaimhisfather’sland.

Althoughmuchoftheoriginalstorymay

havebeenlostintranslationoverthecenturies,evidenceofitcanbefoundinthemedievalAuchinleckManuscript,attheNationalLibraryofScotland.Southamptonitselfbearsplacenames–BevoisValley,JosianWalk,AscupartStreet–thatharkbacktoitsorigin.Thestonelionsatthecity’sBargaterepresentthetwolionsBevoisisreputedtohavekilledwhiledefendingJosian.

Gelahasspentmanyhourspouringoverold-Englishdocumentstopiecethestorytogether:“It’sfascinatingandintriguingandI’vedonealotofresearch.”

Thestory–setjustbeforetheCrusaderwarsintheMiddleEast–isgivenamodernspinbyGela,whosaid:“TheBevoistale

istrulyepicandverydark,afilmmaker’sdream,andveryrelevantinthecontextofpost-9/11andtheperceptionandrepresentationofMuslim/Christianrelations.”

Thefilm,usingSouthamptonactors,wasshotaroundthecity’smedievallandmarks,includingtheundergroundvaultsandGod’sHouseTower,homeofthecity’sarchaelogymuseum,and,byspecialpermissionofQueen’sCollege,Oxford,insideStJulien’sChapel.

Thefinishedproduct–developedbySolentproductionexperts,filmexperts,andlocalhistorian,GenevieveBailey–willfeatureinthisyear’sCannesShortFilmFestival.

A little-known tenth century legend – said to be behind the origin of the city of Southampton – is

making its screen debut in Cannes, thanks to a project headed by Solent lecturer and film director,

Gela Jenssen.

…TheBevoistaleistrulyepicandverydark…

Filming a

LEGEND

?????? | ISSUE 5

SPRING 2010|9

NishaChand(PrincessJosian)andLeoRand(SirBevois)

10|SPRING 2010

ISSUE 5|DEVELOPMENT

NEWS IN BRIEF

Holt’s heroic achievementSolentUniversityalumnus,GeoffHolt,hasbecomethefirstquadriplegicsailortocompleteasolovoyageacrosstheAtlantic.

GeoffsetoffonhisepictrekfromLanzarotetotheVirginIslands,arrivingatCaneGardenBay,whereadivingaccidentlefthimparalysed25yearsago.

ThevoyagewasthefourthAtlanticcrossingforGeoff,buthisfirstasadisabledsailor.In2007,hebecamethefirstquadriplegictosailsinglehandedaroundBritain.

Help for young rowersPupilsfromBridgemaryCommunitySportsCollegetestedtheirfitnessatSolent’ssportsciencelabs,aheadofacompetitiontosearchforyoungrowerstorepresentHampshireatnationallevel.

Theeightyoungrowers–fromtheCollege’snewlyformedindoorrowingteam–wereputthroughtheirpacesattheUniversity’ssportssciencelabs,aheadoftheHampshirecountytrials.

Theprogrammetestedthe14-16yearolds’endurance,strength,power,flexibilityandoverallsportsspecificfitness.Thepupilswerealsogivenexpertadviceonfitness,nutritionandtraining.

As the most highly paid sportsmen descend on South Africa for the

world cup, the chasm between rich and poor will be brutally visible.

Fair play

Footballisplayedallovertheglobebytherichestandpoorestpeople,butasthelikesofWayneRooneybookintotophotelsandenjoytopnotchtrainingfacilities,childreninthelocaltownshipswillbeplayingthebeautifulgameinthedust,withballsmadeofplasticbags.

ItisbecauseofthepivotalplacesportoccupiesinsocietythatSolent’snewMASportandDevelopmentissuchastepforwardforsocialjustice.

ItishopedthattheMAwillhelpprepareleadersbothintheUKandabroadtoshapethefutureofsport,fosteringdevelopmentandpeacetocreateamorelevelsocialplayingfield.

Thecoursewillgivestudentsthetoolstomakepositivechangesinthedevelopingworldanditsfocusonresearchaimstofosterknowledgeandscientificevidenceofhowsportimpactsondevelopment.

Theywilllearnhowtoincreasesportparticipationinthedevelopingworld,andexaminewaysthatsportcanbeusedasaneffectivetoolforsocialinclusion,health,educationandconflictresolution.

ItisasubjectclosetotheheartofZambian-bornSociologyofSportlecturer,andcoursedeveloper,OscarMwaanga.He

said:“AsasportscaptainathighschoolinZambia,Icanrecallmanyoccasionswhenweusedsporttoaddressproblemsaffectingplayers.Throughmonetarycontributionsandpeersupport,wehelpedeachother.TheseweretheyearsIbegantoappreciatesportasatoolforsocialchange

“DuringtheearlyyearsofZambia’sHIV/AIDSepidemic,itwasnaturalformetolooktosportforanswers.Ibegantoexplorewaysinwhichsportcouldcontributetothefightagainstadiseasethatwasravagingmycommunity.Tostandasideandwatchfeltlikeaspiritualcrime.”

Overthepast15years,Oscar–anationalZambianbasketballcoach–haspioneeredworld-renownedcommunitydevelopmentprogrammesinsub-saharanAfrica,includingKickingAIDSOut,GoSistersandEduSports(EducationthroughSports).HeheadsZambia’slargestfootballacademy,whichprovidessportpsychologyandcounsellingforyoungZambianfootballersandhechairedtheUNforumonproductiveyouthdevelopmentthroughsportinKenya.

Above: Oscar with Auma Obama and Tegla Chepkite Laroupe at the UN forum on Productive Youth Development through Sport, Nairobi, Kenya 2009

SPRING 2010|11

DEVELOPMENT | ISSUE 5

Fair play

…Thecoursegivesstudentsthetoolstomakepositivechangesinthedevelopingworld…

12|SPRING 2010

ISSUE 5|AWARDS

TheRTSSouthernRegionprizeforBestStudentEntertainmentProgrammewasawardedtoMotive–acrossbetweenDeal or No DealandCluedo.

TomStewartandRobSnelgar–directorandproducerofthewinningshow–receivedtheirawardsfromhostsFredDinenageandSallyTaylor,attheprestigiousawardsceremonyatWinchesterGuildhall.

Thefilm,whichgoesforwardtotheRTSnationalawards,waspartofthefinal-yearprojectfor20BA(Hons)TelevisionandVideoProductionstudents,whowereaskedtocomeupwithanoriginalideafora25-minuteliveTVshowthatwouldfilltheUniversity’shighdefinitionstudio.

RecentgraduateTom,theshow’screatoranddirector,said:“IstudiedtheDeal or No Dealformatandplayedaroundwiththeideaofamurder-mysterythemedshow,whereacontestanthastodecidewhothemurdererisinfrontofalivestudioaudience.

“Itwasourfinalstudentshowandwewentallout,hiringprofessionalactorsandpresenters,perfectingthetechnicalrequirements,andcreatingawebsitetocaptureanaudiencefortheliverecording.”

SeniorLecturerinTelevisionandVideoProduction,TrevorCurtis,added:“Motivewaspraisedforitsoriginalconceptandoutstandingprofessionalproductionvalues.Thehardwork,productionqualityandcreativefocusthestudentshaveshownwillcertainlyhelpthementertheindustry.”

Sincegraduatingin2009,TomhasworkedatGlastonburyandonOne Born Every Minute–Channel4’sdocumentaryseriessetonamaternitywardofSouthampton’sPrincessAnneHospital.

“SolentwasthebesteducationaldecisionIcouldhavemade,”saidTom.“Themixtureoftheoryandpracticalexperiencehasgivenmetheknowledge,skillsandattitudeIneedtoworkintheindustry.”

A Solent murder mystery film has scooped the South’s top

student award from the prestigious Royal Television Society.

Competition killer

NEWS IN BRIEF

Numbers swell at Warsash Theshippingindustry’scontinuedcommitmenttocadettraining,anditsfaithintheUniversity’sWarsashMaritimeAcademy,hasbeendemonstratedbyanabove-targetintakefortheyear.

Morethan320potentialofficercadetsattendedthisyear’sannualcareersopendaytohearaboutsponsoredtraining,professionalqualificationsandcareerprospects.DirectorofWarsashMaritimeAcademy,JohnMillican,said:“Shippingisavitalinternationalindustrythatisstillofferingsponsoredtraining,leadingtorealjobsandexcitingcareers.Inthecurrenteconomicclimatethisisreallygoodnews.”

TofindoutmoreaboutcareersintheMerchantNavyvisitwww.warsashacademy.co.uk

…Itwasourfinalshowandwewentallout…

Ernie bags top awardSolentUniversity’s‘eco-float’,Ernie,hasbaggedatopnationalawardforhelpingcleanupthecity’sstudentarea.

TheErnieproject–apartnershipbetweentheUniversity,SouthamptonCityCouncilandcharity,BagItUp–encouragesstudentstorecycleunwantedend-of-termrubbish.There-commissionedmilkfloatclinchedthebestcommunityinvolvementprojectattheLocalGovernmentChronicleawards,dubbedthe‘Oscarsoflocalgovernment’.

SolentandCouncilstaff,studentsandvolunteerswithErnie.Southern Daily Echo

Pictured above (L-R): Sally Taylor (BBC South); students Rob Snelgar and Tom Stewart; RTS Southern Centre Chair, Jan Beal; and Fred Dinenage (Meridian) at the RTS Awards ceremony

SPRING 2010|13

FASHION | ISSUE 5

Stacyhassetherselfthe‘ClothingCastOffChallenge’,whichwillseeherwearingonlypre-ownedclotheseverydayforthreemonths.Sheisdocumentingher‘lookoftheday’bypostingphotosandcommentstoherblog.Oneaimoftheprojectistoraiseawarenessoftheethicalissuessurroundingthrowawayfashiontrendsandtheenvironmentalimpactofover-consumption.

Theself-confessedshopaholicwasinspiredafterreadingaboutthe‘UniformProject’,anongoingexperimentinwhichNewYorker,SheenaMatheiken,iswearingthesamedresseverydayforayearintheformofsevenidenticalcottontunics.

Tokickstartherchallenge,Stacystoredherclothesatherparents’home–outofthewayoftemptation–and,usinga£60monthlyclothingallowance,beganbuyingonlycharityshopstuff.“I’velearntthatyoudon’tneedmanyclothestocreateadifferentlookeachday.InthelastcoupleofmonthsI’veonlyworn

thesameoutfittwice.Youjustneedafewkeyitemsandaselectionofaccessoriestocreateadifferentoutfit.It’sdefinitelycurbedmyshoppinghabits!”saidStacy.

Stacyisalsoinvolvedinsomeverypractical,hands-onresearch,workingonedayaweekinaHeartFoundationcharityshop.

The21-year-oldpointsoutthatyoudon’tneedtobeafashiondesignertocreateedgyoutfitsfromcharityshopfinds.“Iboughtafloralskirtfromonecharityshopand,withminimalneedlework,createdagreatoff-the-shoulderdress,”shesaid.“It’sjustaboutbeingopen-mindedwhenselectingyouritemsandseeingthepossibilities.BecauseIcan’tpickupnewitemsofclothingfromhighstreetstores,IlookatwhattheyhaveandthenscourcharityshopsforitemsthatIcanusetorecreatethelook.”

BytheendofthechallengeStacyhopestopromotetheideaofrecyclingoldclothing,seeifit’spossiblefora‘fashionjunkie’

toliveinsecondhandclothingandraisemoneyforcharity.

TofollowStacy’sprogressandpickupsomehandytipsvisitherblogatwww.clothingcastoffchallenge.blogspot.com

Pictured above: Stacy with Twiggy at London Fashion Week

Solent Fashion and Media Styling student Stacy Vallint is a

woman on a mission. As part of her final-year project, she has

vowed to kick her high street retail therapy habit in favour of

charity shops and hand-me-downs.

Cast off

14|SPRING 2010

ISSUE 5|SOLENT PEOPLE

KickstartSports Writing Lecturer, John May, on how he gets his kicks...

In the beginning...Untiltheageof12IwantedtobeacartographicdraughtsmanfortheOrdnanceSurvey.I’vealwayslovedmaps.Later,IrealisedIenjoyedwriting.MydecisiontobeasportsjournalistwaspromptedbyseveralprofessionalfootballclubsdecidingIwasn’tgoodenoughtobeaprofessionalplayer.Idecidedthenextbestthingtoplayingprofessionalsportwasbeingpaidtowatchit.

WhenIstarted,therewasnodirectpathintosportsjournalism.Youhadtoworkonthenewsdeskanduseyourelbowsandkneeswhenasportsvacancycameup.MyjournalisticcareerbeganontheBexhill Observer,whereIdidthetrainee’sroundsofcouncilmeetings,magistratescourts,andflowershows.Ilovedeveryminuteofit.

Your first pieces of writing – and your most important early lessonAboutaweekin,Igotacallat1.30amtogotothebeachwhereadeadwhalehadbeenwashedup.Itwashuge,andtwodayslaterwhentherapidlyrottingcorpsewasstinkingthewholetownoutIhadabetterstory.

Ialsorememberhavingtoputmyheadinaguillotine,aspartofapieceaboutafamousmagician.Nomatterhowmanytimesthetrickwasexplained,Ihadanaggingfearmyheadwouldendupinthebasket.

ThebestlessonsIlearnedwere:assumenothing,believeevenless,andcheckyourfacts.Andthencheckthemagain.

How you got into sports journalismIvolunteeredtogotoSussexCountyLeaguematchesonSaturdaystosubmitreportsandIendedupplayingforoneoftheteams.Imademyselfusefulonthesportsdesk,andwhenavacancycameup,IwasinlikeFlynn.

IstartedcoveringsportattheHastings Observer,principallylocalclubfootballandcricket,alongwithathletics,motorsportandracketsports.Coveringsuchawiderangeofsportsstoodmeingoodsteadlater.

Best job/worst job WorkingforBBCSport.Whowouldnotwanttoworkforsuchaprestigiousorganisation?Ispent10yearsthere,movingbetweenBBCSportwebsite,andproductionstintswithRadioFive,MatchoftheDay,andFootballFocus.

BesteventwastheOlympicGames.Ihavebeenluckyenoughtocoverthree,ofwhichthehighlightwasMichaelJohnsonwinningthe100/200mdoubleinAtlanta.

Weallhaveourbaddays,butifyoucan’tenjoyworkinginsportsjournalism,youhadbetterfindsomethingelsetodo.

Memorable sports personJohnMcEnroe.Ihada20-minuteone-to-oneinterviewwithhimwhenheopenedanLTAinitiativeatatennisclub.Acharming,eruditeandintelligentman.Wehardlytalkedabouttennis,itwasmostlyaboutart.

What you enjoy about lecturingPassingonmyknowledge.Aftera27-yearcareerinsportsjournalism,Igetakickoutofseeingmystudentsunderstandaconcept,andthenputitintopractice.

Student projectsCoursecolleaguesandIcontinuetoworkintheindustryandhavegoodcontacts.We’redevelopingourcoursewebsite(www.solent-news.com/sport)andourpartnershipwithHampshireCricket

Club,wherestudentsspendtheseasonworkingwiththeclub,providingmaterialfortheirwebsite.We’realsodevelopingagraduateschemewithSkySports.

The future for sports journalistsChallenging!Despitealltheapparentdoomandgloom,sportsjournalismisnotdying.Butitischanging.Themediaplatformsareconverging,whichmeanssportsjournalistsneedawiderrangeofskills,includingtheabilitytoshootandeditvideo,torecordandeditaudiomaterial,torunawebsitecontentmanagementsystem,aswellaswriteprintandtextversionsofthestory.Weteachalltheseskillsandareconfidentthatourstudentsemergeequippedtoworkinanysportsdeskenvironment.

There’salsothebattleformediaaccess.Clubsandsportingbodiesincreasinglycontrolaccesstoplayersandcoaches.Thenextgenerationofsportsjournalistswillneedtobeinnovativeandinventiveinthewaytheyaccessinterviews,andthewaytheyuseinformationtotelltheirstories.

Advice for future sports journalistsDiversify,adapt,andfindaniche.EveryonewantstocoverPremierLeaguefootball.Noteveryonewillbeableto.Makesureyouhaveadeepknowledgeofawidearangeofsports.IwasluckyenoughtogotothreeOlympics(aswellasCommonwealthGames,WorldCupsandothertopsportingevents)becausemybossesknewIcouldcoverjustaboutanysporttheyaskedmeto.

SPRING 2010|15

SOLENT PEOPLE | ISSUE 5

SailforceSenior Lecturer in Yacht

Design, Giles Barkley, on

success and super yachts.

In the beginning....WhenIwas11yearsoldIpesteredmywoodworkteacherfatherintobuildingaplywood10-foot,10-inch‘Mirror’dinghy.Helaterhadthedauntingtaskofsailingitwithme.Afterwinningthewoodenspoonseveralyearsinarow,hegavemethehelm.Mymother’ssideofthefamilyhaveaseafaringbackground,aspilots,orpirates!Myfather’ssidearefurnituredesignersandartists.This,andmymathematicsandphysicsledmetoyachtdesign.

AsastudentIwassponsoredbyBritishShipbuildersandgainedalotofexperienceinshipdesignandmanufacture.Ievenhaveadownhandweldercertificate.IwentontobeagraduatetraineewithLloydsRegisterandinbetweenstintsinBelfast,SouthamptonandMaltaIspecialisedinyachtstructuralplanapproval.IjoinedSolentin1991topassonmyskillsasalecturer.

Best projectsMyspecialistareaistanktestingmotorvesselsandsailingyachts.Iveertowardsthedesignof‘hightech’racingyachts.TheOpen60singlehandedVendeeGlobeyachtsandtheVolvo70raceyachtsarebothbeingracedbyourgraduates.I’minvolvedinprojectsrequiring3Ddesignofhullsandhightechnologyprototypingmethods.

ItestedaseriesofhullsforalargemotoryachtmanufacturerandI’vehelpedsmallbusinessestestideasintheUniversity’stowingtank.I’vehelpedgraduatestestcraftrangingfromclassicsailingyachtstoanamphibiouscarforasuperyachttender.Itwasrathersleekandbrokemostspeedlimitsbothonandoffthewater.

The shape of the maritime industryItneedstoregaincustomerconfidencetogetbacktothelevelsofdesignandmanufacturingexperiencedin2007/8.Theindustrytookabighitwiththedeclineinsalesof30–40footcraft.Hopefullythisareawillre-emergeasquicklyasitdisappeared.

Onapositivenote,newmanufacturingmethodsshouldleadtoimprovedjobprospectsforYachtProductionandSurveyinggraduateswhowillbeabletoadvisetheindustryonsafer,cleanermethodsofhulllaminatingtechnology.

Student employmentOurgraduatesareleavingSolentwiththedesignandmanufacturingskillsrequiredforthe21stcentury.TheYachtandPowercraftDesignandYachtProductionandSurveyingcoursesareworldrenownedandmanygraduatesarebeingsnappedupbyglobaldesignofficesrunbyourgraduatesfrom20yearsago.Withdeterminationandperseverancemostfindworkinthiscompetitivemarket.Thescopeforanexcitingfutureisoutthere.

NEWS IN BRIEF

New jobs celebrated by city consortium Southampton’skeyemployershavecelebratedthecreationofmorethan100jobsforyoungstersinthecity,afterscoopingagovernmentfundingaward.

TheSouthamptonSkillsDevelopmentZone(SSDZ)–setupayearagobythecity’smajoremployersandtrainers–hasclinched£1.76millionfromtheGovernment’sDepartmentofWorkandPensionsFutureJobsFundtohelpyoungpeopleintoemployment,whileretainingandboostingtheregion’sskillsbase.

Theaward–followingasuccessfulbidfromSouthamptonCityCouncil–willcreate274jobsforyoungstersnotinemployment,educationortraininginSouthamptonby2011,largelythroughapprenticeships.

Itwillprovideanewapprenticeshipschemegivingyoungstersthechancetogainsixmonthsofpaidemployment,training,mentoringandsupporttoprogressintopermanentemployment.

Solent’sVice-Chancellor,ProfessorVanGore,said:“Thenewapprenticeswillhavetheopportunitytoprogressandgainfurtherqualificationsandhigherskillsincollegesanduniversities.Thegraduateretentionstrandoffersapprentices,andgraduates,arangeofjobopportunitiesinthelocalareathroughitsstrongcontactswithemployers.”

The274placesinSouthamptonwillbecreatedatSouthamptonSolentUniversity,NHSSouthamptonCity,SouthamptonUniversitiesHospitalTrust,SouthamptonCityCouncil,GroundworkSolentandtheWheatsheafTrust.

16|SPRING 2010

ISSUE 5|EMPLOYMENT

Graduate gainThe region’s graduates and local employers are set to benefit

from a successful funding bid to run a Hampshire-wide

internship scheme.

SouthamptonSolentUniversity–inpartnershipwiththeuniversitiesofSouthamptonandWinchester–hasbeenawardeda£128,000sliceofCentralGovernmentfundingtocreate80internshipsintheHampshireareabytheendoftheyear.

TheGovernmentfundedinternshipprogramme–supportedbytheFederationofSmallBusinesses–willsupportbusinessestorecruitandgetmaximumbenefitfromagraduateintern.

SolentUniversity’sVice-Chancellor,ProfessorVanGore,said:“Thisisgreatnewsforgraduatesandthelocaleconomy.Theschemewillboostgraduatejobprospectsandhelpretainmuchneededhigherskillsthatwillbenefittheregion’sbusinesscommunity.”

GraduateJobsSouth–theregionalgraduateretentioninitiative–willco-ordinatetheschemeinHampshire.Eachinternshipwillrunforaminimumof12weeks.2008–9graduateswillbe

targeted,andtheschemeisopentoanyunemployedgraduatewhowishestofindemploymentinSouthampton,WinchesterandtheSouth.Businesseswillreceive£1,350towardstheintern’ssalaryandGJSwilladvertiseandshort-listprospectivecandidatesforemployers.

Morethan60businesseshavealreadyexpressedaninterestintheschemewhichisnowliveontheGJSwebsite:www.graduatejobsouth.co.uk.ForfurtherinformationabouttheschemecontactGJSProjectManagerMeredithSmithon02380319734oremailmeredith.smith@solent.ac.uk

NEWS IN BRIEF

UK Enterprise Alliance Solent’sBusinessSchoolDirector,DrSimonBrown,deliveredaspeechattheHousesofParliamentrecentlytosupportthelaunchofTheEnterpriseAllianceUK.

Theevent–hostedbyMarkPrisk,MP–broughttogethermorethan70delegatesfromacademic,business,political,educationalandstudentcommunities.

Thelaunchencapsulatedthebeliefsofthethreefoundingorganisations–EnterpriseEducatorsUK,TheInstituteforSmallBusinessandEntrepreneurship,andNationalConsortiumofUniversityEntrepreneurs–thatthereisaneedforastrongerfocusonentrepreneurshipandenterpriseeducationwithintheUK’suniversities.

DrBrown–ChairofEnterpriseEducatorsUK–emphasisedtheimpactthatentrepreneurshipeducationmakesinimprovingtheemployabilityofstudentsandgraduates,andstudents’abilitytocreatejobsinarecoveringeconomy.

Hesaid:“TheEnterpriseAllianceUKissettobecomethemostpowerfulvoiceforthepromotionofenterpriseandentrepreneurshipeducationintheUK.OurinvolvementreflectstheUniversity’scommitmenttosupportandnurtureentrepreneurialtalentwiththestudent,graduateandregionalbusinesscommunities.”

…greatnewsforgraduatesandthelocaleconomy…

SPRING 2010|17

DEGREE SHOWS | ISSUE 5

As the 2009–10 academic year draws to a close, the University’s final-year students will be putting their talent on public display in showcases ranging from fashion to fine art, product design to photography.

ThedegreeshowscanbeviewedatSouthamptonSolentUniversity,EastParkTerrace,SouthamptonSO140LYfrom11–17June2010.Forfurtherinformationemailask@solent.ac.uk

Degree Shows 2010

ISSUE 5|??????

18|SPRING 2010

20.05.10 @ 6.30pm

Southampton City Cruise Terminal

Solent Road, Western Docks, Southampton, SO15 1AJ

Tickets available from: www.solent.ac.uk/fashionshow £10

‘

Graduate Fashion Show

Photographers: Lisa Stanbridge, Pippa Gower, Rachel Brookes. Model: Lisa Stone. Stylist: Alexandra Rigby. Make-up artist: Lucy Barnes.

D10020104 GRAD FASHION SHOW POSTER:Layout 1 22/03/2010 10:32 Page 1