Latest news with #UniversityofGreaterManchester
Yahoo
30-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Writer on Waking the Dead behind fascinating exhibition in Bolton
A screenwriter behind series such as Waking the Dead and DCI Banks, has recently shifted his focus to sculpture, unveiling his debut exhibition at the P5 Gallery on Bolton Train Station. Heralding from Painswick in Gloucestershire, Laurence Davey moved to South Manchester five years ago after accepting a position at Bolton University (now the University of Greater Manchester) teaching the undergraduate course for Film and Television Production. SCENE took Laurence around a year to fully complete. (Image: Leah Collins) The opening night for his debut exhibition, SCENE, which was unveiled at the P5 Gallery on Bolton Train Station, was a roaring success. The monumental wood ensemble, the tallest being 12 feet high and eight feet across, has evoked powerful and conflicting feelings in spectators. SCENE was unveiled on May 22 at the P5 Gallery on Bolton Train Station. READ MORE: There is a fascinating tension exuding from the exhibit. Laurence's 10 sculptures are made from trees all over the UK, including his hometown. One of the key themes that SCENE explores is the idea of bringing the rural back to one of the centres of the Industrial Revolution, to the train station that once brought so many rural people to cities to make commodities and perhaps be commodified. Laurence said: 'I've had a life-long interest in sculpture, but I decided to study English Literature at Oxford University, which put me on a different path entirely. 'Growing up in Painswick, famous for its 99 Yew trees in the Churchyard next to my primary school, these trees left us frightened and enchanted. They were menacing and had presence. "Each sculpture is made from a different wood; Sycamore, Birch, Holly, Apple wood, Cherry wood, Pine, Walnut wood. The sculptures are vastly different in size, with each one made from a different type of wood. (Image: Leah Collins) 'I used power tools in addition to gouges to create the sculptures, which were then finished with a beeswax polish. I'm a father of two and have a full-time job, so this was certainly a jobs" target="_blank">work in progress. Overall, it took around a year to complete. 'Initially, I sketched an outline, two orbs pulling away from one another but still connected. In this piece, the sculpture as made from a walnut log from Staffordshire. 'I wanted to create this feeling in the viewer when they held the sculpture, interacting with it, of a solid form that becomes fragile and infantile – a collision of protectiveness and violence. 'One of my personal favourites is the maternal figure, placed on the left of the circular exhibit. It has a womb-like body with a protective hand-like figure protruding from it. A mother turned out violent and religious with wings. 'The largest of the figures, passive and male, I first took inspiration from the idea of a crown. It's made from a sawn up birch tree. This figure is mounted on a steel bolt to give the appearance that is erupting from the void.' The largest of the figures was initially inspired by the form of a crown, Laurence adds. (Image: Leah Collins) Each sculpture is placed on a suspended black circular base, which Laurence says was painted with an expensive paint, the closest to military-grade Vantablack in order to absorb the surrounding light and create the impression of a 'void'. Laurence added: 'SCENE explores the return of animism; the combined sculptures are anthropomorphic and zoological. 'It's also uncanny; there's resonance between structures of our sentience – perhaps aspects that we would rather deny. There wasn't a direct inspiration for SCENE and each viewer responds to the sculptures differently. 'Part of the meaning of SCENE comes from the space in which it is exhibited: trees have been bought into Bolton Railway Station. The viewer experiences various encounters with Guardian Trees, Sentinel Trees and Trees of animism.' SCENE is available to view at the P5 Gallery on Bolton Railway Station until June 15.
Yahoo
29-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Focus on children's mental health in Bolton as specialists lead conference
How to look after the mental health of children will take centre stage at a conference in Bolton this summer. The conference will showcase The Hummingbird Project, a six-week Positive Psychology course designed to empower young people to flourish and thrive. The course is delivered free of charge to schools by children's charity MedEquip4Kids in partnership with researchers from the University of Greater Manchester, the University of Chester, and the Open University. So far more than 8,000 primary and secondary pupils across the region have taken part in the project, reporting increased wellbeing and happiness, as well as reduced signs of anxiety and depression. MedEquip4Kids (Image: MedEquip4Kids)READ MORE: The conference is set to take place on Friday July 11 from 10am at the Deane Lecture Theatre, Senate House in the University of Greater Manchester. The course covers the following topics: happiness, kindness, gratitude, mindfulness, character strengths, resilience, and growth mindsets. Each session includes interactive and engaging activities. At the end of the course, schools receive a box of resources including books, sensory toys, and games to reinforce their learning. The conference takes place on July 11, starting at 10am. Attendance is free to register visit : With mental health challenges said to be at a record high among children and teenagers, the Hummingbird Project is designed to offer a solution to support emotional resilience in schools. It is thought to be the only multi-component programme of its kind in the UK offered entirely free to both primary and secondary schools. The event will be chaired by Professor Jerome Carson from the University of Greater Manchester, who is a leading authority in Positive Psychology and mental health. Professor Carson said: 'Rising problems in children's mental health have been an increasing concern over the last decade and especially since the pandemic. 'The Hummingbird Project incorporates the latest research from Positive Psychology to improve young people's wellbeing, help them thrive and get the most out of life. 'The project is a great example of Knowledge Exchange between the university and the charity MedEquip4Kids for the benefit of thousands of young people.' The conference, which will be attended by the Mayor of Bolton, will bring together local educators, psychologists and other healthcare professionals. Attendees will have the opportunity to: - Hear insights from the staff and academic researchers behind the programme. - Discover how the course is delivered and evaluated in schools. - Learn how to bring the Hummingbird Project into more classrooms across the region.
The Guardian
13-05-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
University of Greater Manchester suspends vice-chancellor amid investigation
The vice-chancellor of the University of Greater Manchester and two other members of staff have been suspended as police confirmed an investigation is under way into 'allegations of financial irregularities'. The university, which was known until recently as the University of Bolton, confirmed that Prof George Holmes, who has been its vice-chancellor for 20 years, the provost and a third senior member of academic staff have been suspended. 'These suspensions are a precautionary measure and do not imply any assumption of guilt,' a statement from the university said. 'The university has taken this step to ensure a fair and transparent process.' The university, which has nearly 11,000 students, gave no further details. A police spokesperson said: 'Greater Manchester police can confirm an investigation has been launched into allegations of financial irregularities at the University of Greater Manchester. 'This follows a review of allegations published in The Mill [an independent news site] and subsequent PricewaterhouseCoopers(PwC) report commissioned by the university's fraud response panel.' An interim leadership team has been put in place, led by Dr Greg Walker, pro vice chancellor (academic) who assumes the role of acting vice-chancellor and interim accountable officer while the investigation is under way. In an email to staff, the chair of the university board, Prof William Morris, said: 'These suspensions are a neutral step, taken to protect the integrity of the process and to allow a full and fair process to take place. 'As this is a live investigation, we are limited in what we can share at this stage, but we are committed to keeping you informed appropriately and transparently. 'We understand this news may be concerning. Please be assured that the university's core functions and academic activities will continue without disruption.' In March, Lucy Powell, the leader of the House of Commons, told MPs that police and the higher education regulator for England, the Office for Students, were looking into allegations at the university. Phil Brickell, the Labour MP for Bolton West, asked Powell to give MPs time to debate allegations that had emerged from whistleblowers and detailed reporting by The Mill, claiming racism, financial misconduct and bullying at the university. Brickell said on Tuesday: 'We need to let the investigation run its course. I will continue to monitor developments closely and engage with the university and relevant authorities in order to ensure the university best serves its students, staff, the people of Bolton and it's surrounding communities.'
The Guardian
07-03-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Police look into claims of racism and financial misconduct at University of Greater Manchester
Police are investigating 'serious allegations' at the University of Greater Manchester, including financial misconduct, racism and bullying, MPs have been told. Lucy Powell, the leader of the House of Commons, confirmed that the police have joined the Office for Students, the higher education regulator for England, in looking into the allegations at the university, known until recently as the University of Bolton. Phil Brickell, the Labour MP for Bolton West, asked Powell to give MPs time to debate the allegations that have emerged from whistleblowers and detailed reporting by the Manchester Mill, an independent news site. Brickell told MPs: 'Recent reports published by the Manchester Mill about racism, financial misconduct and bullying at the University of Greater Manchester in Bolton have significantly damaged the reputation of that institution over the last few weeks. 'Those reports have also led to a significant number of whistleblowers contacting me with further allegations highlighting concerning practices at the university. 'Given the university's position as a key institution in Bolton, and that it is receiving significant public funding, it must be transparent and accountable, as must the Office for Students.' Powell said the claims were of 'huge importance' for people in Bolton. 'The Office for Students are looking into these very serious allegations and are engaging with the provider. And I'm aware the police are involved as well,' Powell said. A spokesperson for the University of Greater Manchester – which has nearly 11,000 students – said it has launched an investigation into the allegations. 'The university has commissioned PricewaterhouseCoopers to conduct an independent investigation into recent allegations reported in the press relating to the conduct and affairs of senior personnel working for or, on behalf of, the university. 'The investigation will be overseen by the university's audit committee. Until we have the outcome of that investigation, it would be inappropriate to comment any further,' the spokesperson said. Brickell has also written to Bridget Phillipson, the education secretary, outlining his concerns about the financing of an 'off-campus site' in Morocco and what he described as credible allegations of bullying and racism. Brickell said he had been 'inundated' by complaints 'highlighting concerning practices within the university' and asked for an investigation. 'The accusations I am receiving from whistleblowers and in anonymous emails and letters reveals what seems to be a systematic misuse of public funds,' Brickell told Phillipson. Neil O'Brien, the Conservative shadow education minister, last month questioned ministers in parliament over 'the extremely concerning reports' involving the university, 'about the attempts to pay huge sums of what is effectively taxpayers' money to relatives of the university's managers, and to what appears to be a shell company in Casablanca'. The University of Greater Manchester was known as the University of Bolton until the Office for Students approved its request for the name change in December last year.
Yahoo
07-03-2025
- Yahoo
Finally, the A555 Manchester Airport Relief Road might not flood
New improvements are planned on the A555 Manchester Airport Relief Road, which includes tackling drainage and maintenance issues. The cash was highlighted in Stockport council's new transport spending programme for the year, which is understood to be part of regular maintenance and improvement works along the road. In total, around £2.5m will be spent 'to address drainage and maintenance issues' as well as 'complete land transactions' from agreements when the road was built, according to a council report. READ MORE: 'Key player' among four arrested as police raid block of flats at dawn READ MORE: Police probe 'very serious allegations' surrounding University of Greater Manchester The dual carriageway, located between Hazel Grove and Manchester Airport, was completed in 2018 but has faced regular flooding, often during storms or heavy rainfall. Most recently there were problems in January after major flooding on New Year's Day which caused issues across Greater Manchester. Heavy rainfall left part of the A555 underwater, with cars spotted stranded and submerged on the route. The road is used by people travelling to and from Manchester Airport, and goes on to join the M56 and A6 at separate ends. Coun Grace Baynham, Stockport council's cabinet member for parks, highways and transport services, said there have been several schemes to improve drainage on the road over the years. She added: 'We remain committed to ensuring the A555 remains a safe and reliable route for all road users, and we will continue to work closely with our partners to achieve this goal. 'We have invested in several improvements to the drainage on the A555 and we recognise the challenges that we have faced in recent years. 'We are continuing to develop drainage improvement schemes to enhance the resilience of the A555 between the Oil Terminal roundabout and the A34 junction and as part of this process, our teams are currently carrying out surveys of the highway drainage network in this area. 'The funding allocation in 2025/26 includes costs for land purchase and compensation.'
