Legendary British TV show to celebrate 50th anniversary in Chichester 18/03/11

Stars from the hit TV series The Avengers will be reunited for the first time in 40 years at the University of Chichester this summer to celebrate half a century since the programme’s launch.

For two days in June, the University’s Bishop Otter Campus in Chichester will be transformed, giving fans the chance to get up close and personal with big name stars from the series and experience some of the classic scenes from the series with life-size recreations. For media studies experts, the opportunities to hear from a wide range of actors, producers and directors in one place over one weekend will be a valuable aid in understanding how one of the most successful TV series of its time was developed.

Events on the main stage will be hosted by TV presenter and Avengers fan Paul O’Grady, and in front of a live audience of 300 people each day, he will be interviewing guests including Honor Blackman and Linda Thorson, who played Cathy Gale and Tara King respectively in the series. Exclusive video messages will be played at the event from Patrick Macnee, who played Steed, and Joanna Lumley, who starred as another of Steed’s sidekicks, Purdey, in the New Avengers. Other major names at the event includes Brian Clemens, who wrote series 1-6, producer Leonard White, directors Don Leaver and Gerry O’Hara, and Cyd Child, stunt double for Diana Rigg and Linda Thorson in series 5 and 6.

The Avengers was produced between 1961 and 1969, and as its peak, it was shown in more than 90 countries, giving it a worldwide following that has continued this day. Guests at the reunion event are coming from across Europe and America, as well as in the UK.

As the University of Chichester is the main organiser of the event, it is more in-depth than the average fan event. Guests will talk in detail about their experiences working on or starring in the show, and how it influenced their later careers.

Other highlights of the weekend in Chichester will include an exhibition of memorabilia, including the Lotus that Emma Peel used in the series. There will also be a number of signing sessions, and an opportunity to visit a recreation of the Hellfire Club for a night out with a difference.

The event takes place on Saturday 25 and Sunday 26 June, and tickets are on sale through the University of Chichester. Accommodation is available on campus or in Chichester city centre. Further information is available by visiting www.chi.ac.uk/theavengers.

Psychology courses get seal of approval from external body 09/03/11

Courses in psychology at the University of Chichester have been given the backing of the British Psychological Society.

The University offers two undergraduate courses – BSc (Hons) Psychology and BSc (Hons) Sports and Exercise Psychology, and both have been judged to meet the standards required for accreditation by the industry’s professional body following a visit from an inspection panel.

The panel, made up of British Psychological Society members, praised the University for the opportunities it gives to its students to apply their understanding to day-to-day experiences and to develop their practical research methods skills. The high level of support provided to the students because of small class sizes was also singled out as an area of good practice.

The University already has a society-accredited Masters course in the Psychology of Sport and Exercise, but with undergraduate courses now receiving the seal of approval from the British Psychological Society, the quality of this subject area at Chichester is assured.

Dr Nik Chmiel, Head of Department for Psychology and Counselling, said: “We are proud and delighted to have achieved the standard required for accreditation by the British Psychological Society. We are a new but growing discipline at the University, and this badge of quality is a sign to prospective students that the courses we offer are of high quality.

“The two courses share core parts of psychology, allowing our students to grasp the principles of the discipline and apply it to their area of interest, whether it be sport and exercise or something else. We strive to find practical contexts for students in everything we do, helping to engage them and lead them to a greater understanding and passion for the subject.”

Series of book launches underlines University of Chichester as centre of literary importance 04/03/11

Three authors have chosen to launch their new books at the University of Chichester in March, underlining the institution’s place as a leading literary centre.

Tina Smart, Christian DeFeo and Steve Haywood have all had previous connections with the University, and Tina and Christian are both graduates of the MA in Creative Writing.

The three book launches will take place in the Cloisters Chambers at the University’s Bishop Otter Campus, and will begin at 5.15pm.

The first takes place on Monday 7 March, and will see the launch of Tina Smart’s book ‘Tomorrow Insha’allah!’. Tina set up her own small press, Green Sunset Books, after graduating. She has lived a colourful life, becoming fluent in English and eventually leaving her native Germany. She once built her own home in the Moroccan countryside, an experience fictionalised in her new novel. As well as reading from her book, Tina will pass on practical tips about setting up and running a small publishing house.

On Monday 14 March, Christian DeFeo will take centre stage at the University with the launch of ‘Mister Shah’. Like Tina, Christian is a globe-trotter, having emigrated to Britain from the USA as a teenager. ‘Mister Shah’ is a fast-paced thriller that focuses on the innocent victims of the ‘war on terror’. The novel is a rare thing – a book written by a Western author that looks out through Islamic eyes. It raises many questions about pressing contemporary issues, and is a wonderful, risk-taking example of what writers can achieve when they take on unfamiliar viewpoints. It is published by Green Sunset Books.

Steve Haywood’s launch on Monday 21 March completes the trio of events. A former associate lecturer at the University, Steve has lived a fascinating professional life as award-winning TV producer, film maker, novelist, teacher, and travel writer. He was also the editor of the BBC’s acclaimed ‘Rough Justice’, a hard-hitting series that investigated high-profile miscarriages of justice. His latest book, ‘Too Narrow to Swing a Cat; Going Nowhere in Particular on England's Waterways’, is the fourth of his canal travel books to be published by Chichester-based outfit, Summersdale. It shows another side of Steve, the narrowboatman, who cruises England’s network of inland waterways in search of characters and stories.

Members of the public are welcome to attend any of the launch events, which are free of charge. To confirm your attendance, please email whatson@chi.ac.uk.

New faces join the Board of Governors at University 02/03/11

The University of Chichester has welcomed new governors to its board to provide strategic direction for the West Sussex institution.

The five new external governors bring to the University expertise in marketing, finance, IT and estates planning to the board, while two new staff appointments were made at the same time.

Their appointments were confirmed at a Governors meeting in November 2010, and they formally began their roles at the beginning of 2011. Senior officers of the University have already provided induction sessions to assist the new Governors to develop their knowledge of the institution and the way in which higher education institutions operate.

The new Governors are:

Helen Bray - Head of Communications for the 2011 Census.

Jim Dicks - Managing Director, International Finance and Operations and Vice President of John Wiley and Sons, based in Chichester.

Richard Hornby – Director of Finance and Performance, West Sussex County Council.

Nicola Nageon de Lestang- part-time lecturer and staff governor at Fareham College, Hampshire.

Robin Smith – former Chief Executive, Havant Borough Council, and design and planning consultant.

Sam Baeza (staff governor) – lecturer in social work, worked at the University for five years.

Rob Abbott (staff governor) – tutor in childhood studies, worked at the University for ten years.

Derek Jenkins, Chair of Governors, said: “The University advertises for new Governors from time to time, and I am delighted we have been successful in attracting new members to the Board who bring such excellent skills and very relevant experience.

“Universities need to draw more than ever on the collective contributions from staff, students as well as Governors as institutions face the challenges of public sector funding changes. The University is well placed to navigate through these and already the new Governors have made a valuable contribution.”