King's College London newsletter

KING'S CHOIR HAS IT TAPEDThe College Chapel Choir, the King'sCollege Singers, has broken new ground bymaking its first ever recording. Availableon CD or cassette Carols in Advent is ofthe complete Advent Carol Service and en­capsulates the essence of Advent in tradi­tional and modern carols, readings, prayersand the Advent Antiphons (The Great'O's).

The Advent Carol Service, first held in 1945by Eric Abbott (then Dean of King's andlater Dean of Westminster) is an importanttradition in the College calendar. Apopular occasion, it is repeated three timesbefore Christmas so as many people aspossible have the opportunity to attend.

The Choir, composed of students of theCollege, and directed by Ernie Warrell, theCollege Organist, already enjoys a highreputation and has performed publicly onmany occasions, including recently to theArchbishop of Canterbury and the LordMayor of London. It is fitting that at lasttheir talents have been recognised and puton disc.

To mark this unique occasion, a reception

was held in the Committee Room after thefirst of this year's Advent Services, whichtook place in the College Chapel. Thereception was attended by past and presentchoristers, the recording producer andmembers of the College.

The Principal, Dr John Beynon, said a fewwords to mark the event. He warmly con­gratulated the Choir on their recording - hehoped it would not be their last and wishedthem great success. Thanking them andErnie WarreU for the splendid contributionthey made to the life of King's, he notedhow, while working in his office, hefrequently enjoyed the sounds of the Choirrehearsing.

The recording is of outstanding quality anda top producer, Gary Cole, was used toensure that the highest standards were ob­tained. It was actually made in July, whichwas a little disconcerting for all involved to

be singing carols when the sun was blazingdown outside!

The CD at £8.50 and cassette at £4.50 can bepurchased from the AJurnnus Office - anideal Christmas gift.

SERC FUNDINGDIFFICULTIESThe Science and Engineering ResearchCouncil at a recent meeting reviewed itsfmancial position. It was estimated thatthere would be a short-fall of approximately£40m for 199112.

This will obviously have an impact upon thesupport it gives for research and postgradu­ate training in universities and polytechnics.Announcing this Sir Mark Richmond,Chairman of SERC, said that this had 'ledto the need for a sharp cutback on ouractivities next year' and 'that much excellentwork will be jeopardised.'

The situation has arisen due to higher thanexpected inflation, exchange rate effects oninternational subscriptions, and inadequatecompensation for salary increases.

A preliminary series of cost-cutting meas­ures right across the Council's activities hasbeen agreed and further measures are beingconsidered. Immediate savings will be madeby freezing recruitment and delaying theannouncement of research grants, suspend­ing the 'Instant' studentships scheme anddeferring a number of substantial projects.

For further information please contactSERC directly on (0793) 41125617.

Norman EvansDepartment of Pharmacy

The official opening ceremony performedby Professor T G Booth, Professor ofPharmacy Practice at Bradford Universityand past President of the Royal Pharmaceu­tical Society, was followed by a reception.

Professor Geoff Booth seen cutting the ribbon to formally open the studio.

ship from Intercare Products Ltd. The 'in situ', and for making advertising filmsshopfittings were supplied and installed by and commercials. Intercare Products willWoodstyle Ltd, who also contributed be using the facility regularly, and has com-generously to the project. Further financial missioned the Department to set up ahelp was provided by Fisons and Kirby training course to improve the technicalWarrick. product knowledge of their sales represen­

tatives and to help them sell effectively topharmacists.The main purpose of the studio is the

training of pharmacy undergraduates in theskills of responding to symptoms, recom­mending over-the-counter medicines,counselling patients on dispensed medi­cines, and offering health care advice. It willalso be available for commercial hire atcompetitive rates, and is particularly suit­able for training sales representatives whopromote or detail products to pharmacists,for the photography of medicinal products

PHARMACY

Training Studio OpensWhat is believed to be the first purpose builtstudio in the UK for teaching pharmacystudents communication skills and how torespond to requests from patients for adviceon minor illnesses, officially opened at theDepartment of Pharmacy on 7 November.

NEWS FROMDEPARTMENTS

The set is fitted out as the medicines counterarea of a community pharmacy. The shelvesare stocked with packs of typical pharmacyprescription and over-the-counter medi­cines and associated health productsdonated by a wide range of pharmaceuticalmanufacturers. The studio is equipped witha wall-mounted and a free-standing videocamera, with a VCR and monitor forproviding play-back facilities. Microphonesare mounted unobtrusively in the ceiling topreserve the authentic air of the set. Thereis seating for an audience of up to tenpeople.

The studio has been set up by the Depart­ment of Pharmacy with the aid of sponsor-

SCHOOL SHARES INERASMUS PRIZE

The Erasmus Inter-University CooperationProgramme (ICP) in Biology, in which theSchool of Life, Basic Medical and HealthSciences is a participant, has been awardedone of the prizes to commemorate the firstthree year phase of the Erasmus Pro­gramme, which began in 1987 and nowincludes 2,000 exchange schemes.

In the first three years of the ErasmusProgramme 40,000 students have benefitedfrom Erasmus grants in order to pursue partof their course in another Member State and8,000 lecturers have taught in other ECcountries.

The prize, Laureat Erasmus, was awarded

for the quality of the academic activities, theorganisation of the exchanges and thereception and integration of the students.

Contributing to the success of our Biologyprogramme have been Dr Alan Bittles ofAnatomy and Human Biology and Profes­sor Peter Gahan of Biosphere Sciences, whohave coordinated King's contribution to theICP. This currently involves seventeenuniversities from eight EC countries and isco-ordinated by the Vrije Universiteit,Brussels.

The Laureat Erasmus was presented to theBiology ICP at a ceremony in Brussels on 5December when the prize was presented bythe Minister for Human Resources,Madame Papandreou. On this occasionprizes were also being awarded to anindividual student from each EC countrywho has achieved a distinctive success in the

Erasmus Programme, and to one academicor university administrator from eachcountry who has made an outstandingcontribution to the success of the ErasmusProgramme.

As an indirect result of the School's involve­ment in the Biology ICP, a EuropeanAssociation of Deans of Science has beenestablished, which will hold its inauguralmeeting in April 1991 and for whichProfessor Harold Baum, Head of Schoo~ isUK coordinator and a member of theCouncil. The Association's aims are toadvocate and promote support for scientificresearch and science education throughoutEurope.

Alastair PettigrewSAD, School of Life, Basic Medical andHealth Sciences

Manon P MurphyAssistant College Safety Officer

Safe places of assembly in an emergencyfrom College buildings are as follows:

We would ask all permanent staff familiarwith evacuation procedures to encourageand instruct students and other staff tomove to a safe assembly point. Thank you.

buildings were: flrstly, staff/students usedtheir normal exit from the building ratherdun the nearest available exits. This causedcongestion on centnl stairways. Secondly,having exited the building staff and studentscongregated around tbe building exits. It isessentiAl that everyone moves away fromthe building exits to allow other peopleegress from the building and to enable theemergency services to have access.

POSTROOM

LIBRARY NEWS

Overseas facts:- some countries have low weight limits so

check with the postroom before packingyour parcels

- all small packets and parcels requirecustom forms

- please do not seal down any printedpaper packets containing items such asbooks or magazines

Postman Pat's PointsA fe r~minders, please don't:- use staples on any letters or packets

use labels on any items of registered post- British or overseasput stamped mail in red boxes, use theGPO box in the Strand lobbyput rubbisb in the red boxesput College prospectuses in brownenvelopes instead use the clear envelopesand don't use a department stamp asthey have a special code

Fines to be Reintroduced forNormal LoansWhen the UBERTAS system was installed,the Library tried dropping fines for normal(ie six-week) loan books, in the hope thatthe extra control provided by the automatedsystem would ensure efficient circul;uion ofmAterial. Unfortumtely, this hasn't workedand LibrAry staff are swamped by an ever­increasing flood of overdues, to which usersappear to be paying little heed. We feel thatwe have no option but to reintroduce finesand have advised the Library Comminee ofthis.

And finally, don't forget:- there is no van service to Halliday Hall,

King's College Hall, Wellington Halland Polytechnics

- keep us informed of any changes in staffby sending updated lists, if possible.

From 1January 1991 the fine for overduenormal loan books will be lOp per day, upto a maximum of £10 per book. One week'sgrace after the date for return will beallowed before the fines take effect. Thedate on which the book must be returned is

Assembly Area

Duchess of Bedford Walk

Campden Hill

Manresa Road/CarlyleSquare

Away from building

Main

Kensington

Main

Atkins

ChelseaManresa Rd

Macadam

552 King's Rd

SitelBuilding

Strand

Strand

East Wing169-172 Strand

NorfolkChesham33-35 Surrey St

152-158 Strand(Music & Law)

Drury Lane

Surrey Street, SomersetHouse or Quad car parks

Temple Place via StrandLane exits, Surrey Streetvia Surrey Steps, VictoriaEmbankment via Em­bankment or Embank­ment Terrace (unhitchchain by cycle sheds)

Surrey Street or VictoriaEmbankment

Surrey Street or Mainbuilding via link bridge

Surrey Street, Mainbuilding via link bridge orMacadam building

Somerset House or Quadcar parks

Away from building orArne Street

Cornwall House Doon Street or StamfordStreet

Peter HoffmanCatering Officer

Credit salesCustomers are advised that the Departmentis happy to provide hospitality and functioncatering on a credit basis, but this servicewill only be provided on receipt of a JIDorder form or written request.

SAFETY OFFICE

CATERING

Merry ChristmasThe Department would like to thank all ourcustomers for their support throughout theyear and wish Comment readers a HappyChristmas and a prosperous ew Year.

Club 552,Cornwall House AnnexThe Justices Licence MS recently beengranted ;u Club 552 and the bar is now openfrom 12 pm to 2 pm and 5.3 pm to 8 pm,

onday to Friday. College members andtheir guests are cordially invited to visitClub 552 and enjoy a drink in comfortablesurroundings. The Club is ideal for a pre­theatre drink being close to the Old Vie,Festival Hall and ational Theatre.

Christmas LunchesThe traditional Christmas lunch will be heldon Friday 14 December 12 pm for 12.15 pmat the Main Refectory, Manresa Road,Chelsea. The price this year is £5.25 perhead.

Also, Christmas lunches can be arranged atKensington on a departmental basis. Pleasephone the Catering Office on ext K4362 forfurther information.

John BossinoCatering Manager

A couple of difficulties common to several

Evacuation DrillsThe emergency evacuation systems for mostCollege buildings have now been tested bymeans of pre-arranged evacuation drills.Many thanks to the evacuation marshals fortheir role in this.

the one stamped in the book or, if the loanperiod has been reduced because otberreaders require the book, the date notifiedto you in writing. Fines apply equally to illcategories of user. To avoid fines, check thereturn dates regularly and return or renewyour books on time. Why not renew themnow, before Christmas, to be on the safeside?

Once you have asked the Library for yourexclusive PIN number, you can checkreturn dates easily by logging into theLibrary computer from any terminal Linkedto the College network as follows:PAD>CALL LIB (or CALL LIBRARY)USERNAME>LIBRARYSelect 'your own use of the Library' and youwill find a List of books you have on loanand the dates they are due for return.

The handling charge levied to cover the costof acquiring, cataloguing and processingreplacements for books which have beenlost by users is to be raised to £4.

Charges for Interlibrary Loanand Intersite PhotocopyingIt is now clear that if the Library is to keepwithin the law as laid down by the Copy­right Designs and Patents Act, 1988, the costof photocopies must be passed onto the userfor whom they are supplied. From 1January 1991 there will be a charge of £1 forall satisfied interlibrary loan requests. Toavoid putting obstacles in the way of sup­plying material by the quickest availableroute, this charge will apply to all interli­brary loans, whether a loan or photocopy issupplied, and to all intersite photocopies.

The charge will be due when the item iscollected in the Library. The normal meansof payment will, we hope, be by deductingvalue from the user's flexicard, to whichvalue can be added either by a charge to adepartmental code or by using cash at oneof the value-loaders in the Library.

Library PhotocopyingChargesThe charge for copies on the Libraryphotocopiers will rise on 1 January 1991 to7p for A4 copies and 9p for A3 copies.There are no plans at present to increase thecharge for copies made on the reader printerin the Old Library or to pass the cost offlexicards (as opposed to value loaded ontothem) on to departments.

Online Search ServiceThe Library performs several hundredsearches for users each year on commer­cially available online databases. Thisservice represents a real bargain to research­ers, as the running costs are met from theLibrary's funds. Users are asked to payonly for references in excess of 30 which aredisplayed, downloaded or printed OUL Thecharge for these references is to be raised to25p each with effect from 1January. Thesame charge will apply if searches areperformed by Library staff using CD-ROMdatabases. For further information on theOnline Search Service, contact Ann Lees onen S2186.

Does Your Research CoverSpanish or Latin AmericanMaterial?The Library is looking for academics andresearch students whose area of interestincludes material published in Spain and/orSpanish Latin America to participate in aproject to be undertaken with SpanishLibraries under the auspices of the ConsejoSuperior de Investigaciones Cientificas.The project will give access, usingJANETand IRIS/IXI, to the catalogues of theInstituto de Informacion y Documentacionen Ciencia y Tecnologia (ICYT), and theInstituto de Informacion y Documentacionen Ciencia Sociales y Humanidades (ISOC),as well as to a database of articles indexing260 Spanish language journals in the medicaland health sciences.

The objective of the King's end of theproject is to assess the value of thesecatalogues and databases to researchersbased outside Spain. We hope during theexperiment to build up proficiency in usingthese catalogues and databases but atpresent we still have a great deal to learn.

The project will start during January andrun for about three months. We should liketo hear from anyone who is interested inparticipating - even if you are only curiousto have a quick look at the catalogues.Please contact Ann Knock ext K4498 orAlaine Simpson ext S2137.

Science Citation Index onCD-ROMTraining sessions in the use of databasesheld on CD-ROM and in the use of theCD-ROM edition of Science Citation Indexin particular, are available each weekday

during term at 2.30 pm in the StrandBuilding Library. Bookings may be madeby contacting the Issue Desk, ext S2132. Ifyou cannot attend a session at this time,please contact Information Services extS2186 to make alternative arrangements.

Training sessions continue at QueenElizabeth Library, Kensington, on Mon­days, Wednesdays and Fridays at 2.30 pm.Please contact the Kensington Issue Desk tobook.

Libertas DemonstrationsLast session the Library was pleased to offerdemonstrations of the full range of LIBER­TAS's potential to groups of staff fromvarious departments. These sessions werevery successful and any departments orother groups who would like to attend asimilar demonstration are invited to contactAnn Knock en K4498, e-mailhazel::udyI014 or Ann Lees en S2186, e­mail cluster.:udyI024, or their ReadersAdvisers to make suitable arrangements.

RESEARCH NEWS

EC FUNDEDRESEARCH 1991-94

The EC has recently completed its researchstrategy proposals. A summary of these canbe obtained from Ken Groves or BridMcDaid at KCL Research Enterprises,Kensington campus. The summary Lists 15headings:

Information TechnologyCommunications TechnologiesTelematicsIndustrial and Material TechnologiesMeasurement and TestingEnvironment Programme .Marine Science and Technologies (MAST)BiotechnologyAgriculture and Agro-industrial ResearchBiomedicine and Health ProgrammeLife Sciences and Technologies for Devel­oping CountriesNon-nuclear EnergiesCommunity Fusion ProgrammeNuclear Fission SafetyHuman Capital and Mobility

The information has been sent to many

members of academic suff. If you have notreceived a copy and wish to have onetelephone ext K4394/4-649.

Ken GrovesDirector, Research Enterprises

JOSEPH ROWNTREEFOUNDATION

The ]oseph Rowntree Foundation haspublished a new edition of a bookletdescribing its current research and develop­ment programme. This consists of about200 projects within the broad fields ofhousing, social policy, social care, disabilityand local/central government relations.

The booklet also gives details on how to setabout proposing projects to the Foundation,which spends approximately £5m onresearch and development each year. It isnow the largest independent funder of socialresearch whose resources do not derivefrom public funds.

Free copies are available from the Informa­tion Office, The]oseph Rowntree Founda­tion, The Homestead, 40 Water End, YorkY036LP. Telephone 0904629241.

On 9 October at the Westbury Hotel, London, Eleanor MinshaLl ofthe Department ofPharmacolagy received her Glaxo Research scholarship to support her PhD on 'Mechanismsoflong-term bronchial hype17esponsiveness'.

AWARDS ANDFELLOWSHIPS

Postgraduate StudentshipsThe University offers a limited number ofstudentships and fellowships for full-timeresearch at Schools or Institutes of theUniversity as follows:

University Postgraduate StudentshipsThese awards in any subject are for one ortwo years with the possibility of an exten­sion for a third year of study. The awardsare currently valued at £4,690 pa pluspayment of tuition fees at home rates.Applicants must be graduates of theUniversity of London holding a bachelor'sdegree with first class honours or secondclass honours, upper division; or a master'sdegree with mark of distinction; or amaster's degree together with a first classhonours degree of any university.

Applicants with a bachelor's degree asabove must have graduated not more thanthree years previously and those with amaster's degree as above, not more thanfour years ago.

Trust Studentships and ScholarshipsThe following Trust awards are admini­stered under similar regulations to those forUniversity Postgraduate Studentships but incertain cases carry special conditions ofeligibility which may enable students otherthan graduates of the University of Londonto receive awards.

Hazel Clifford Studentship(Medicine or Science)Gwynne-Vaughan Studentship(Botany)W F Masom Scholarship(Classics)Edmund Davis Scholarship(Medicine, Law or Engineering)Keddey Fletcher-Warr Studentship(Science)Laura de Saliceto Studentship(Cancer Research)

Further enquiries and requests for applica­tion forms should be addressed to theSecretary of the Scholarships Committee,University of London, Room 21A, SenateHouse, Malet Street, London WC1E 7HUto whom completed forms must be re­turned not later than 1 March 1991

Academic StUdy GroupBursariesThe Academic Study Group is a 12 year oldBritish charitable foundation whichpromotes interchange between Britishscholars and their Israeli academic counter­parts. ASG will offer a block of 12 modesttravel bursaries in 1990-91. Scholars in anyfield of enquiry can apply for an ASGaward.

Priority will be given:to first time visitors to Israelto scholars who have corresponded withcolleagues in Israel; and have receivedpersonal invitations to lecture/explorejoint research programmes in Israelto British scholars interested in

obtaining research data for comparativeAnglo- Israeli studies

Applicants should submit a detailed CV, asummary of reasons for wishing to visitIsrael and names of Israeli academiccounterparts or correspondence to: John DA Levy, Director ASG, 25 Lyndale Avenue,London NW2 2QB.

The next review of applications is due totake pLace on 13 December 1990. Applica­tions can be held over until the next reviewin 1991.

UNION NEWS

Will Europe Affect YourHealth?In 1987 'The Single European Act' waspassed, surely everyone has heard some­thing about 1992 and all that? What mostpeople are unaware of is that in part of theAct it was agreed to 'harmonise' health andsafety at work legislation of the EC memberstates. In 1989 the Council of Europeissued a 'Framework Directive' (89/391/EEC) which lays down the minimum stan­dards a country's health and safety at worklegislation should reach. It also makes clearthat existing higher standards of anymember state should remain and not bereduced to EC minimum. The 'FrameworkDirective' must be incorporated into the lawof each EC state by the end of 1992. Itsaffect has been anticipated in the UK andthe results can be seen reflected within theCOSHH and Electricity at Work Regula­tions introduced in the past couple of years.EC Directives on Lead, Asbestos, Noise,Radiation, Safety Signs and Vinyl ChlorideMonomer have already been introducedinto UK law.

The directive is broad in its scope coveringall forms of work and workers exceptdomestic servants and in certain circum­stances small companies (botb exceptionswere insisted upon by our caring BritishGovernment)! The emphasis of the Act ison prevention of risk rather than protectionfrom risk, the improvement of safety in theworkplace rather than that of the individualworker. It will become a statutory require­ment to train workers in health and safetymatters and for employers to keep up-to-

Travel bursaries to IsraelGraduates or undergraduates are invited toapply for one of the 1990-91 Bessy ErnanuelEducational Trust Israel travel grants.

Each year the Trust, in association withFriends of Israel Education Trust, offersone or two bursaries, each worth up to£500, to students interested in pursuing aresearch project in IsraeL. In recent years,projects have included studies of smallethnic communities; the application ofconflict theory in the Middle East; theeducation of gifted children; care of the aged

date with the latest advances in technologyand information in order to protect theiremployees. The 'Framework Directive' iscouched in slightly blunter terms than muchUK legislation in that the phrase 'as far as isreasonably practical' is notable by itsabsence. There is even a directive toalleviate 'monotonous work and work at apredetermined work-rate.'

As far as I can see there are only a fewdrawbacks to the new 'European' law, themost significant being that in future it couldtake longer to get new legislation on to thestatute book if politicians wait for a new'European Directive' before they act. Inaddition to the 'Framework Directive' otherdirectives will be adopted including legisla­tion on VDUs, personal protective equip­ment and the manual handling of loads.

As far as I can see the new directive will notalter our working lives too much in theimmediate future but, as much of our law isset by precedent, after 1992 there could wellbe a flurry of test cases to establish thelimits of the new laws. If you want to avoidbeing the subject of one of these cases itwould be a good idea to get to know yourrights and duties under the directive now soyou can 'be prepared' for 1992. In general Ifeel that the adoption of the directive shouldhelp to improve safety at work, providedthe government employ enough inspectorsto police the laws. For more informationwrite to: The Commission of the EuropeanCommunities, 8 Storey's Gate, LondonSW1P3AT.

Glyn BakerMSF Safety Committee

in the kibbutz; and research into a variety ofmedical, social and literary issues.

Applicants should submit a brief outline oftheir project idea and furnish details ofpreliminary 'soundings' on the feasibility ofthe project. The closing date for receipt ofapplications is 15 March 1991. The namesof the award winners will be announced inMay 1991. Full details and applicationforms may be obtained from Mrs P Sprin­gett, School of African and Asian Studies,University of Sussex, Brighton, Sussex BNl9QN.

ReviewThe past six weeks has been the busiestperiod ever for staff training at King's. All15 courses and seminars have been full.

I would particularly like to mention twoevents which were initiated and led by staff.The technician seminar on the organisationof teaching laboratories was conducted bySue Holly from the Physiology Depart­ment. Eighteen technicians from variousColleges in the University systematicallyexamined aspects of student practical classso that they could evaluate effectivemethods. The seminar was part of thefederal services designed for university tech­nical staff.

Janine Morton teamed up with MelanieBerenblut, a secretary from Senate House,to design and lead the November course onEffective Writing. The feedback from theparticipants confirmed that the course wasuseful and enjoyable.

I highlight these events as encouraging signsthat non-teaching staff are taking an activerole in the work of the Training Office.They enjoy the experience and probably dono harm to their career prospects. Coursesplanned for next term will be led byassistant personnel officers and technicians.My role is to encourage this activity and tosupply organisational support. If staff areinterested in taking part in this trend andhave training proposals or ideas pleasecontact me.

Future EventsPlease refer to the October and Novemberissues of Comment for the list of trainingopportunities.

We shall run a joint Supervisory SkillsCourse with Imperial College on the 7, 8,14,15,21 and 22 February. This six daycourse will suit anyone who is supervisingstaff or who is likely to take on this role aspart of their career development. Pleasesend your applications as soon as possible.Many of King's staff have attended thiscourse in previous years. It has been highlyrecommended.

A full updated list of courses will bepublished in the next issue of Comment.

Ken BromfieldNon-Academic Staff Training Officer

As Christmas is fast approaching and with itmy birthday on Christmas Eve, I have tothink of something I would really like as apresent from my wife and daughter. As achild Christmas and birthday seemed to

merge into one long celebration and I couldalways have an extra large present if Iwanted to join together my birthday andChristmas present into something reallygrand. This year I am going to ask for awet-suit.

'A wet-suit?' you may well ask, 'Is the idiotgoing in for canoeing? Water-skiing? Wind­surfing? At his age he'll probably drownhimself.' Or, perhaps, (with admiration),'Maybe he has been doing all these things allthe time and his old suit is worn out.'

Neither is the correct answer. My problemis the misfortune that dogs me at the festivetable. The Ides of March may have beenunfortunate for Caesar, but Christmas, to alesser degree, is my Ides of March. I canrecall many instances of the Gods frowningon me at Christmas, but two are memo­rable.

We were seated ten for Christmas dinner. Iwas at one end of the table and my brother­in-law at the other. We had all becomeinvolved in a fairly lively political discussion

and he had monopolised the conversationwith views which, as usual and by custom,were opposed to mine. Several times I hadtried to put my point of view but wasunable to halt his flow. In desperation Iraised my right arm and caUed his nameseveral times loudly. EventuaUy it workedand the conversation was hushed in expecta­tion of my broadside. I lowered my armand rested my elbow on the table and into alarge bowl of cranberry sauce placed thereby some unknown hand (probably mybrother-in-law's). My destruction of hisargument didn't happen but I have aninteresting Batik jacket to remind me ofwhat would have been my undoubtedvictory.

There was another Christmas day when theassembled throng were somewhat mutedbefore we sat down to dinner. Feeling theneed to brighten things up a little r rum­maged in the junk room and found an oldparty hat from one of my daughter'schildhood parties. It consisted of animitation straw hat complete with hugeeyebrows, a red nose and a beard. Unob­served, r placed it beneath my dining chairintending, if the muted mood lasted, to don

it and to continue with my dinner withoutmaking any comment.

Half-way through the soup course itbecame obvious that I would have to do afunny act. I leaned down and extracting thehat from beneath my chair, placed it on myhead and continued with my soup. Thetable erupted into an explosion of laughter.Some were holding their sides unable tostop laughing, others were nearly crying.The soup grew cold and the laughtercontinued so long that I became embar­rassed. My hat wasn't that funny. Hadthey all gone mad? Was there something inthe soup? They couldn't be acting, it was aUtoo real. Then I saw the joke. As I hadleaned forward the end of my tie had dippeddeeply into my soup. As I had straightenedup the soup-laden tie had flopped againstmy white shirt-front and soup was drainingdown it onto my lap.

This year I want a wet-suit as a present orperhaps I should ask for socks and go on aChristmas fast.

Don MindelAtkins Reception, Kensington campus

· LETTER

The Vice-ChanceiUJr pictured in fronc ofhis portrait with his wife andthe artist, Richard Stone.

In response to staff comments, ProfessorStewart Sutherland, who was our Principalat the time, asked the Vice-Principal, MrJohn Muir to consider improvements insocial facilities at the new College. TheVice-Principal then set up the 'WorkingParty on Social Facilities for the Thames­side Campus of King's College London: InFebruary 1989 the Working Party issued areport which contained the followingcrucial statement: •All three (SeniorCommon Room and Social Club at theStrand and Common Room at Kensington)indicated that they would like to continueto promote some of their traditional socialactivities for the benefit of the staff and it isstrongly recommended that every encour­agement should be given for this to happenwithin the new framework: It is fair to saythat the above statement was warmlywelcomed by many of us as an acceptableand constructive guideline for futureimprovement of social amenities at theCollege.

Contrary to the above spirit of cooperationand compromise the College AmenitiesCommittee, under the chairmanship ofProfessor N A Knibb, now proposes to

abolish the Social Club and the SeniorCommon Room at the Strand, the CommonRoom at Kensington and all the SportsClubs and to create a new body caJJed theCollege Staff Association in their place. Wewish to object strongly to the proposeddestruction of the existing and thrivingcommunity units which add so much to thesocial life of the College. If this proposal isaccepted, the life of the College in ouropinion will not be richer but much poorer.

Professor P A Lindsay, Electronic andElectrical EngineeringProfessor 0 I Davies, ChemistryA M Shadrake, Library

NEWS ROUND-UP

PORTRAIT UNVEILED

A small reception was held recently in thenew Committee Room to unveil the portraitof Professor Stewart Sutherland, formerPrincipal of King's and now Vice-Chancel­lor of the University of London.

All present agreed that the artist, RichardStone, had captured a most pleasing likenessand the portrait now sits proudly amongst

GILBART LECTURES

The Gilbart Lectures have been a part of thehistory of King's for over a hundred yearsand represent a link between the Collegeand London's role as one of the greatfinancial centres of the world.

Mr James Gilbart was the General Managerof the London and Westminster Bank,Lothbury in the City of London and he wassomeone who contributed a great deal to

others of past Principals.

In his speech, Sir James Spooner, Chairmanof Council, remarked upon the familyatmosphere of the occasion. This wasreflected by those present, Or SheenaSutherland, Professor Sutherland's wife, andtheir two daughters, Fiona and Kirsty,members of the Vice-Chancellor's oldFaculty, Theology and Religious Studies,and the Senior Officers who had servedunder Professor Sutherland.

The College was pleased to welcome backSir Richard Way (Principal from 1975­1980), the Right Honourable Lord Jellico,past Chairman of Council, and Mr MylesTempany, former Secretary of the College.

the development of modern banking (ahandsome portrait of him hangs in theboardroom of atWest today). He was agreat friend of King's and in 1872 left abequest so that an annual series of lecturescould be given at the College for themembers of his profession. With one ortwo gaps the Lectures have continued tothis day and in recent years have enjoyedthe collaboration of the Chartered Instituteof Bankers.

This year a new series of Gilbart Lectureswas launched with the aid of generous

sponsorship from NatWest. On theevening of the first lecture, given by LordAlexander of Weedon QC, the chairman ofNatWest, and the Principal hosted areception at the College for some of theleading figures in the banking world. Thesecond lecture was given by Sir NicholasGoodison, formerly chairman of the StockExchange and now chairman of TSB, thethird by Professor Jack Mahoney, Directorof the Business Ethics Research Centre atKing's and the fourth by Mr LaurenceShurman, the Banking Ombudsman. TheLectures attracted attention in the fmancialpress and on the first evening there was anaudience of some 300 in the Great Hall.The arrangements and administration wereall in the hands of the Continuing Educa­tion Unit at King's.

The Lectures are to be published in bookform in the New Year by the CharteredInstitute of Bankers. The next series ofGilbart Lectures is already under considera­tion.

John MuirVice-Principal

KENSINGTONRECYCLING SCHEME

Started at the end of last year by a numberof concerned members of King's staff andstudents, the recycling scheme at Kensing­ton aims to minimise waste and to help theCollege present a 'green' face in this decadeof environmental concern. Ideally, visitorsand College members alike should be awareof the sensible measures which King's cantake to minimise its impact on the environ­ment.

Our efforts so far to avoid unnecessarywaste have concentrated on recycling paper,glass and aluminium cans. White paper(photocopier or letterhead type) andcomputer printer paper are saved in separatepiles by participating offices in the MainBuilding and the Atkins Building atKensington. Although mixed, low-gradepaper (newspapers, magazines etc) are bulkyand of low value, these higher-grade paperscan actually earn money to help pay forCollege recycling facilities - they are takenby volunteers to a central storage point andcollected by a West London recyclingcompany.

Aluminium cans are also well worthcollecting, since recycling of scrap alumin­ium involves much less energy than thesmelting of new metal. Collection bins havebeen set up alongside the drinks vendingmachines at Kensington but we need toencourage people to squash cans flat forrecycling - they are very bulky otherwise!Obviously, scrap aluminium is worth muchmore if it is not 'contaminated' with steelcans - can anyone suggest a foolproof wayof collecting 'pure' well-squashed cans?

A glass bottle-bank was ¥t operation atKensington for several months during thesummer and was well-used thanks to thevarious Kensington bars! Unfortunatelythe leasing company went out of businessand withdrew the service but we hope tohave another one soon - preferably withseparate green/brown/clear glass collection.

Collection of dead batteries has been on theagenda (many batteries release pollutingmetals into the environment upon decom­position), but we have not yet located anagent for safe disposal.

Note that the reduction in waste volume asa result of these activities is not onlyenvironmentally sound - it also saves theCollege money!

The recycling scheme is also keen topromote re-use and recycling of the manyscrap items which end up in the rubbishskips. Two skips a day are collected atKensington - obviously some of this is realrubbish which nobody wants but a lot ofscrap wood, metal, computer parts andfurniture gets thrown away every week. Weare organising a Recycling Noticeboard onwhich individuals and departments can'advertise' their c1ear-outs. If this is in aplace where everyone can see it, we shouldbe able to save King's a lot of rubbish space- and probably save many of you a bit ofmoney as well!

We welcome the news that the Students'Union is to promote'recycling and lookforward to hearing about any recyclingactivities on the Strand campus. For furtherinformation (and to advertise your un­wanted throw-outs if you can't find ournoticeboard) contact: ]onathan Scurlock ext4315 or Ruth Okine ext 4329 in BiosphereSciences, Gary Strickland ext 4257 inBiomolecular Sciences, Sue Holly ext 4229in Physiology and Richard Beepat ext 4287in Stores.

CHILDREN IN NEED

My own children, Matthew and Heather,are my motivation for supporting 'Childrenin Need', in aid of children less fortunatethan mine. Realising that I am in theposition of being able to extract moneyfrom the pockets of staff, medical and dentalstudents and Primary FRCS candidates inthe Department of Anatomy, I organised alocal collection in 1987 and gathered arewarding £65. A year later a bit morethinking gave us £200.

Last year Professor Sutherland allowed usto collect at the gate of King's in the Strandand this collection, together with myregular audience, raised a magnificent £500.

23 November 1990 saw the faithful volun­teer collectors at the front gate from 9 amuntil 6 pm, readily identifiable by their'Children in Need' T-shirts and chatteringteeth. Nobody was safe from the rattlingtins - delivery drivers from the Strand,medical and dental students in lecturetheatres and practical laboratories, even thestudents in the Macadam bar. A strongcollecting tin was well filled by staff andstudents at Kensington and another in theSocial Club in Surrey Street at the Strand.

At the end of the day a massive £1,037.20

was counted up and pledged from staff andstudents of King's to 'Children in Need.'My sincere thanks to all who helped sovaliantly with the collection and an evenbigger thank you to everybody who puttheir hands in their pockets so generously.If anyone would like to join in and help tocollect for this charity next year, pleasecontact me.

Donald FarrAnatomy and Human Biology

CONFERENCE

The Centre for New Religious Movementshas organised a conference to be held from10 am until 5 pm on 15 December at King'son: New Age and Goddess Spirituality. Formore details please contact Peter Clarke onext S3796.

After 50 years there was a let ofcatching up to clc at the reunion ofHousehoLd andSocial Science

from telling people to bring their own soapwhen staying in ellington Hall to printinglarge name badges for those older graduateswith failing eye-sight!

The other events were held at Kensington inthe splendid atmosphere of the Old Refec­tory. A 40s style tea provided an extrahelping of nostalgia with such delights assandwiches made with (reconstituted) driedegg powder, potato scones, boiled fruit andcarrot cakes! In the evening, 13 QECgraduates dined and danced the night awayto the 60s music of the Rhythm SectionBand which was joined at one point bymembers of the original QEC band.

eville MarshAJumnus Relations Officer

CHRISTMAS CARDS

KCLA REUNIONSUCCESS

and Social Science graduates who had madethe journey to Leicester during the war andthe 25th Silver Jubilee Reunion of theQueen Elizabeth Class of 1965.

A reminder that College Christmas cardsare on sale from the following outlets:Strand Joe May, Head Porter

Alurnnus Office

On Saturday 29 September, we held ourfirst annual reunion of King's alumni. Thiswas centred on three separate events: areunion of wartime graduates of King's whowere evacuated to Bristol from 1939-1945, agathering of King's College of Household

The King's reunion took the form of adinner at the Strand, attended by some 125alumni and their guests. This was precededby a ramble along the South Bank organisedby the Joint School of Geography Society.A good time was had by all and we learnt agreat deal about running College reunions:

Kensington

Chelsea(Manresa Road)

Cornwall House

Philomena D'Souza,Campus Services

John Wornharn,Security and DomesticSupervisor

Keith Hill,Head Caretaker

AROUND ANDABOUT

INTERNATIONALSCIENCE FESTIVAL

For two weeks next April, Edinburgh willhost a festival that is the only one of its kindin the world - The International ScienceFestival. Now in its third year, this livelycelebration of all the sciences, from astron­omy to zoology, is geared to popularisingscience with the long term aim of encourag­ing more of our youngsters to take upcareers in science, technology and engineer­ing and to provide the scientific community

with an annual forum at which memberscan debate or exchange ideas on topics ofinterest.

The 1991 Festival (1-14 April) will focus onthe Human Body, but many other topicssuch as the plight of disappearing wildlife,what man has done to the world's oceans,artificial intelligence and biotechnology andelectronics will be covered in the extensiveprogramme of demonstrations, debates,exhibitions, ftlrns, workshops, walks andtalks.

King's staff too can become involved byoffering their ideas for future festivals andthese can be discussed with the organisers.For further information about the Festivaland the programme of events please contact:Edinburgh Science Festival Ltd., 20 Torph­ichen Street, Edinburgh EH3 8JB. Tele­phone 031 228 4756. Fax 03 J 225 9613.

A NEW HISTORY

The University of Lonclcn and the World ofLearning, 1836-1986 is a new book,published on 22 November 1990. Out­standing scholars in each field set theinternal history of the University against thewider background of learning. Topicsinclude: the Architectural Image, Women inthe University, the Humanities, the Sci­ences, Law, Medicine, Theology, Engineer­ing, Music, the Social Sciences and Educa­tion.

Special offer price of £12.50 (after 3JDecember J990, £25) is open to lecturers,employees of the University of London,graduates and students. Price includes p&pfor UK orders. For overseas orders please

LECTURES MEETINGS AND SEMINARS

add £1.50. Send your orders with paymentto The Hambledon Press, 102 GloucesterAvenue, London NWI 8HX and makecheques payable to The Hambledon Press.

LEGAL DEPOSITS

The British Library is renaming the Copy­right Receipt Office as the Legal DepositOffice and, at the same time, transferring itfrom London to Boston Spa. The change ofname reflects more accurately the functionof the operation. From I January 1991 theaddress to which all publications other thannewspapers should be sent is: LegalDeposit Office, The British Library, BostonSpa, Wetherby, West Yorkshire LS23 7BY.

From 1January 1991 newspapers should besent direct to the British Library Newspa­per Library at Colindale. For moreinformation write to: Newspaper LegalDeposit Office, The British Library, Unit 3,120 Colindale Avenue, London NW9 5LF.

British and Irish publishers are required todeposit one copy of each of their publica­tions with the British Library within onemonth of publication. This benefitspublishers, the library profession andreaders: works are made permanentlyavailable for reference use in the Library'Sreading rooms; catalogue records are createdand widely distributed.

The changes mentioned above do not affectthe five other legal deposit libraries so theircopies should continue to be sent to: Mr AT Smail, Agent for the Copyright Libraries,100 Euston Street, London NW1 2HQ.

For further information telephone 071 3237176 or write to: Acquisitions Processing &

Cataloguing, The British Library, 2 Shera­ton Street, London W1 V 4BH.

IEXTRAMURAL STUDIES I

The Division of Continuing Education atthe University of Sheffield has beenawarded a grant by the UFC to conductresearch into the various group projects thatare a characteristic feature of the pro­grammes of university extramural depart­ments. It is the aim of our research toconsider the practicalities and effectiveness

of such classes and we believe that ourconclusions will be of help to all extramuraldepartments. We would like to hear fromlecturers who have run such programmes(or, indeed, have decided against doing so).

If you feel you can help, or would likefurther information, please contact: MrsJoan Unwin, Research Associate, Universityof Sheffield, Division of ContinuingEducation, 85 Wilkinson Street, SheffieldS10 2GJ. Telephone 0742768555 ext 4920/1.

STUDY IN SWEDEN

The International Summer Session at theUniversity of Uppsala, now in its 29th yearwill run from 9 June to 16 August 1991.The aim of the programme is to givestudents the unique opportunity to studySwedish in a Swedish environment. It willalso inform participants about the cultural,political and social life in Sweden and givethem the opportunity to meet students from30 different countries.

INAUGURALLECTURES

DEPARTMENT OF HIS­TORYTuesday 29 JanuaryTHE SCOTTISH PARTY IN ENGLISHPARLIAMENTS 1640-1642 OR THEMYTH OF THE ENGLISH REVOLU­TIONProfessor Conrad Russell5.30 pm, New Theatre, Strand campus

DEPARTMENT OF FRENCHThursday 31 January

The word and the WordProfessor Richard M Griffiths5.30 pm, New Theatre, Strand campus

Courses range from elementary to advancedSwedish, there are special grammar andconversation courses as well as courses onScandinavian literature, history, film, socialinstitutions and the arts in Sweden. Sessionsrange from 2 to 10 weeks. The programmealso provides study trips, guest lectures,films, social activities, Swedish cookingclasses, weaving etc. Scholarships areavailable to a limited number of studentsand the latest date for application is ISMarch 1991. Otherwise applications shouldbe made by 15 May 1991.

For more information write to: NellekeDorrestijn, Director, Uppsala University,International Summer Session, Box 513, S­751 20 Uppsala, Sweden

NEW NUMBER

The new telephone number for both theCollege and the University Hospital at theUniversity of Wales College of Medicine is0222 747747.

PUBLIC LECTURES

PORTUGUESE AND BRA­ZILIAN STUDIESTuesday 15 JanuarysAo PA ULO: A PANORAMA OF THEWORLD'S FOURTH LARGEST CON­URBATIONIsaias Alves de Almeida Neto, Consultantto the Municipal Planning Department ofSao Paulo5.30 pm, Room 2e, Strand campus

BRITISH INSTITUTE OFHUMAN RIGHTSTuesday 15 JanuaryRECENT WORK OF THE UNITEDNATIONS HUMAN RIGHTS COM­MITTEEProfessor Rosalyn Higgins, QC, Professorof International Law, LSE1 pm - 2 pm, New Theatre, Strandcampus

As heads of departments will have seen inthe Principal's memorandum, Support forVital ew De-uelopmrnLS, of 3 December,applications are being invited for supportfrom any or all of the following strategicfunds: the Academic Development Fund,the Research Strategy Fund and the Re­search Equipment Fund.

Further information and copies of theguidelines governing the distribution of thefunds are available from heads of depart­ments, heads of schools, school administra­tive officers, as well as Stephen Harrow, extS2791/2634.

All submissions must be made, in the firstinstance, via departments to schools inorder that they can be assessed and ranked.

Guidance on the presentation and submis­sion of applications can be obtained fromdepartments or school administrativeofficers. Schools will have their owndeadlines in order to carry out internalassessment, but the date for submission ofprioritised bids by schools to the ResearchStrategy Committee (c/o Stephen Harrow,Planning Officer) is 14 January 1991.

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STOP PRESS

Comment is the College's regular staffnewsletter, issued by the Information Office(ext 2179) three times a term, with specialeditions if required. Contributions arewarmly welcomed from any member of theCollege. These may take the form ofprofiles of people or areas of interest, newsof events, views on College matters, photos,cartoons, items of sale, puzzles or quizzes.Comment is sent to all staff and made freelyavailable through the Student Union. Copydates and publication dates are published atthe end of each issue. The copy date for thenext issue is 11 January 1991 for publicationin the week beginning 21 January 1991.

:.: .

Flat to LetSelf-contained one bedroom flat withlounge, kitchen, bathroom and centralheating located in South London, nearrailway station. Available 1January - 30April 1991 (or part of). £400 per month.Contact: PS Howe, Department of Mathe­matics, ext S2853, or 071 6394299.

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Merry Christmasto all our readers

For SaleAppleMacintosh equipment - as new. MacSE with 2 MB hard drive at £1,15 ,ImageWriter 11 at DOO and ExtendedKeyboard at £125. If interested pleasetelephone 071 244 6380.

Maisonette to RentLuxury two bedroom maisonette with allfacilities, large lounge, kitchen/diner, centralheating and garden located in East London,near two underground stations. Availablefrom January 1991 on a minimum contractof six months. £450 per month. Familiesand academics welcome. Contact: Rev A RDuce, telephone 0522 529 468

SMALL ADS

Californian DreamRent or exchange your London residencewith a visiting university professor and hiswife. Three bedroom house close toCalifornia Polytechnic State University inthe coastal valley community of San LuisObispo, California, 12 miles from thePacific Ocean. Fully furnished, it is situatednear both the elementary and high schoo~

the city park, train station and airport.Available from 1 April to 30 June 1991.$900 per month including utilities andwater. Contact: Dr Richard Kranzdorf,Political Science Department, CaliforniaPolytechnic State University, San LuisObispo, California, USA 93407. Telephone(805) 756 2842. Or 160 Graves San LuisObispo, CA, USA 93405. Telephone (805)5435578.

SEMINARS

LAWTuesday 29 JanuaryLEGAL SERVICES IN THE 1990SAustin Mitehel~ MP5.30 pm, Room 2C, Strand campus

Monday 21 JanuaryPUNCTUA TION AND PROSERHYTHM IN BYZANTINE PROSETEXTSDr Athanasios Angelou. Joannina

Monday 28 January7WENTY FIVE YEARS OF ARCHITEC­TURAL WORKAT MONEMVASIADr Haris Kalligas, Monemvasia and Athens

-.:: 12

AGE CO CERN INSTITUTEOF GERONTOLOGY

onday 28 JanuaryAGEI G lOUR GE ES ... BUTHOW?Dr Tom Kirkwood, H~d of the Labora­tory of Mathematical Biology at the

ational Institute for Medic~l Research5.3 pm, Gr~t Hal~ Strand campus

CE TRE FOR HELLENICSTUDIESMonday 14 JanuaryCONSTANTINOPLE/ISTANBUL: THEURBAN TRANSITIONProfessor J M Rogers, London

All the above seminars take place at 5 pm,Room B6 (Classics Department), Strandcampus

MECHANICAL ENGINEER­INGThursday 20 DecemberUNIVERSITIES INTERNAL COMBUS­TION ENGINES GROUP MEETINGON TRIBOLOGYTechnical presentations at 10.30 am - 12.45pm and 2.15 pm - 4.45 pm, Room 3B20,Strand campus. For more details contact DrM Yianneskis ext S2428