Students in the University Chamber Choir had the opportunity to work with one of Britain’s leading composers in rehearsal on Tuesday 28 November, in preparation for singing in the University Carol Service in Canterbury Cathedral.

The choir was privileged to welcome Russell Hepplewhite to Colyer-Fergusson Hall, to work on Russell’s Star of the East. It can be a daunting prospect, performing a composer’s work in their presence, but the Choir rose to the occasion magnificently.

Hailed by the Evening Standard as one of the brightest young talents to have emerged in recent years, Russell’s award-winning work has been commissioned to critical acclaim by English Touring Opera, and his choral works are part of the recent Genesis Choral Library series launched by Banks Music Publications. His next work, ‘Moonfleet,’ is set to open at the Salisbury Playhouse in April.

It was a terrific opportunity for the students to get to grips with contemporary music with the composer offering them insights into the creation of the work and its realisation; huge thanks to Russell for coming down from London especially for the event.

The Student Learning Advisory Service would like to invite all International Students to a traditional New Year’s Dinner on Friday 5 January 2018 (during the winter vacation), 18.00-20.00 on the Canterbury campus. The venue will be confirmed nearer the time.

This is a great opportunity for you to enjoy an evening of traditional British food, to meet up with the other ‘stay on campus students’, to enjoy some music and break the monotony of the winter holiday. The dress code is smart casual, but feel free to dress up if you wish.

This event is FREE, but please book a place online by 7 December at the latest. Tickets will be issued on 8 and 11 December 2-17 on a first-come-first-served basis. You will receive a reminder email to collect your ticket.

If you are around during the holidays, book a place here.

The School of Politics and International Relations is very sad to hear of the death of Professor Colin Seymour-Ure.

Colin was one of the founder members of the study of politics at the University of Kent, joining the University on its establishment in 1965.

He served as Dean of Social Sciences and Head of Department. He was one of the world’s leading scholars of political communications and mass media.

His publications cover the role of the press and broadcasting in a wide range of issues and institutions: Downing Street and White House news management; election campaigns; images of Tony Blair and John Major in the Sun and Daily Mirror; press partisanship; the power of media barons; media policy; political rumours. He wrote the biography of the great cartoonist David Low and helped the British Cartoon Archive, founded by Dr Graham Thomas, prosper.

Professor Seymour-Ure was a Council member of the Hansard Society and Chairman of the Study of Parliament Group, made up of parliamentary staff and academics. In the 1970s, he spent two years with a Government Press Commission. Later, he worked at Harvard and in Washington, Australia and Canada. For six years, he chaired the Independent Television Commission’s committee responsible for advising on ITV’s advertising rules. He was an Emeritus Professor from 2002 and until his death in November 2017.

We have lost not only a scholar and colleague but also a friend.

Professor Richard Whitman
Head of the School of Politics and International Relations

Celebration of Life Reception

Colleagues are welcome to join a Celebration of Life Reception on Wednesday 20 December at 14.00 at Canterbury Cricket Ground (Harris Suite), Old Dover Road, CT1 3NZ.

The reception will include tributes to Colin from family and friends, and a light finger buffet will be served. All are invited to attend and, as this is a celebration of Colin’s life, you are invited to wear something cheerful.

To help with catering, please email judy@seymour-ure.org.uk by 10 December if you are able to attend.

A Christmassy 3.5km fun run through Parkwood and along the Crab and Winkle Way finishing at The Pavilion where you can reward yourself with a free hot chocolate and mince pie.

The run is open to all! Staff, students and alumni, individuals, sports teams and departments are welcome. So grab your friends, get on your best Santa costumes and come and get festive.

Register from 12 noon on 6 December at the Pavilion, warm up from 12.45. 

Cost: suggested £2 donation. Proceeds to CoppaFeel – a breast cancer education charity aiming to prevent late detection of breast cancer and misdiagnosis. The Uni Boob Team will be at the event talking to participants about the importance of boob/peck checking habit from an early age!

Prizes:
• Best dressed individual
• Best dressed Club Team
• Best dressed Staff Team
• Best homemade costume
• Best shop bought costume

To enter please:
• Register at the Sports Centre or Pavilion receptions
• Email sportsdevelopment@kent.ac.uk
• Book through www.letsplay.simplybook.me

This popular annual event, featuring choirs including the University Chamber Choir, takes place at Canterbury Cathedral at 20.00 on Monday 11 December.

Entry by previously issued ticket only.

Free student tickets will be distributed from the Grimond Foyer on Monday 4 December at 12.45 and Tues 5 Dec at 17.45. One ticket per student ID presented. Demand is high, with queues forming well before the advertised times.

Staff requests for tickets are being received at s.c.e.laird@kent.ac.uk until Friday 1 December.

For further details (including student volunteering opportunities at the Carol Service with special entry arrangements) see the Chaplaincy webpages.

This year’s appeal is for East Kent Homelessness charity Porchlight,

The Centre for Critical Thought is delighted to invite you to a lecture, entitled ‘Realist Aesthetics Contra Rancière’, to be delivered by Dr Steve Klee (Lincoln).

The lecture takes place on Friday 1 December 2017 at 17.00 in Darwin Lecture Theatre 2. It will have broad appeal for those interested in the current turn towards realism in philosophy, in the work of Jacques Ranciere and in debates within contemporary aesthetics.

All are welcome (University staff, students and the general public) and no booking is necessary.

The University’s LGBT+ Staff Network is working with the Gulbenkian to support World AIDS Day on Friday 1 December.

Two films are being screened to promote the day, which is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV, to show support for people living with HIV, and to commemorate those who have died from an AIDS-related illness. Founded in 1988, World AIDS Day was the first ever global health day.

Over 100,000 people are living with HIV in the UK. Globally, there are an estimated 36.7 million people who have the virus. Despite the virus only being identified in 1984, more than 35 million people have died of HIV or AIDS, making it one of the most destructive pandemics in history.

Today, scientific advances have been made in HIV treatment, there are laws to protect people living with HIV and we understand so much more about the condition. Despite this, each year in the UK around 6,000 people are diagnosed with HIV, people do not know the facts about how to protect themselves and others, and stigma and discrimination remain a reality for many people living with the condition.

World AIDS Day is important because it reminds the public and government that HIV has not gone away – there is still a vital need to raise money, increase awareness, fight prejudice and improve education.

Red ribbons will be available from the Gulbenkian Box Office for a donation to support the National AIDS Trust, and two LGBT+ films are being screened to commemorate this important day:

• Call me by your name
• Thelma

Find out more at www.thegulbenkian.co.uk.

The deadline for the next Pride Award is 12.00 on Wednesday 6 December.

The Pride (‘Personal responsibility in delivering excellence’) Award recognises members of Kent Hospitality staff who go out of their way to deliver excellent customer service.

Any Kent Hospitality staff (permanent or casual) may be nominated from Canterbury and Medway campuses. The award is given in October, December and April, and with each winner receiving £100 of shopping vouchers, a certificate and a badge.

Nominations can be made by any member of University staff, students or visitors. Make your nomination online or alternatively you can pick up a paper form next to the red nomination boxes located in all Kent Hospitality’s catering outlets in Canterbury and Medway, as well College reception areas.

Please make your nominations detailed, providing as much information as possible why the nominee is being put forward for a Pride Award. The panel are looking for staff who achieve more than just what is expected in their role (ie hardworking, professional, positive and friendly attitude).

Congratulations to September’s Pride Award winner – Steven Lambert, Cargo Bar and Bistro Supervisor on the Medway campus. Pictured below receiving his certificate from Kevin Stuckey, Director of Commercial Services (interim).

For further information please contact: pride@kent.ac.uk

The University of Kent Players will be back at the Gulbenkian on the 12-14 April 2018 with Arnold Ridley’s ‘The Ghost Train’.

We will be holding a script read through at 17.30 on Thursday 7 December 2017 in Grimond Seminar Room 1. This will be an opportunity for people to sit together reading through the script aloud.

Auditions will be held at 17.30 on Tuesday 12 December (in Grimond Seminar Room 1) and 12.00 on Thursday 14 December (in Grimond Seminar Room 2). No experience is necessary; we are a group made up of all ages and abilities and are very welcoming.

More information on the play, auditions, and characters.

We are always looking for new members both on stage and off stage and so if you are interested in being involved in this production in any way then please contact us on players@kent.ac.uk

The University of Kent Players are the amateur dramatics group for staff at Kent. We put on two shows per year at the Gulbenkian. Our latest productions include Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, Wyrd Sisters, and Pride and Prejudice.

More information on the group or like us on Facebook (uokplayers).