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DEEP WATER

Solent’s summer of

FESTIVALSBLACK STYLE

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Word is getting out that Southampton Solent University students are getting the best breaks in industry and doing some quite extraordinary things.

It’s hardly surprising that there is such a buzz about the place. Our students are showcasing their skills at the UK’s most exciting music venues and turning

heads in the world’s most testing sporting campaigns. They’re honing their professional skills with the biggest names in industry and using their creative energies to tackle the challenges of today’s world.

In this edition of ISSUE you’ll be, forgive the pun, blown away by our students. Oscar Mead and Katie Miller have broken records completing the gruelling Original Singlehanded Trans-Atlantic Race (OSTAR). At 18, Oscar was the youngest ever to complete the race, while Katie, who set off days after completing her finals, was OSTAR’s youngest female competitor.

On dry land, too, our students are getting noticed. A few times now I have heard Solent referred to as ‘the festival university’ because of the way our students are dominating the coverage, staging, production and performance of these giant outdoor events. It may seem like a whole lot of fun out there on the field, but for our students, it’s not a trivial pursuit. It’s an intense, pressurised and thrilling real-life work experience, as they rub shoulders with industry professionals, learn by doing and deliver added value for the organisers.

It’s great to see creative ideas come alive in the community and in industry. A graduate animation studio is utilising Solent students past and present to clinch top contracts; while fashion students are planning an exhibition, based on a progressive idea which took black style onto the catwalk amid rapturous applause.

We are still a fairly new university, and these stories – and many more like them – make me feel proud and confident about the future. We are sailing competitively in a new and thrilling direction that can only benefit our students, industry and the community.

It’s proof that investing in higher education is even more important during an economic downturn, and we’re committed to helping our students to make the most of their talents and play a part in the country’s recovery. Right now we are recruiting 25 Solent interns, as well as launching various initiatives to ensure that Solent is at the hub of a sustainable future. Keep watching us!

Vice-Chancellor, Professor Van Gore

WELCOME1. HENRY REMEMBERED

2. FASHION ICONS

4. UNIVERSAL PRAISE

6. BRIGHT SPARKS

8. O’ STARS

10. SOLENT PEOPLE

12. URBAN LEGENDS

14. IN DEEP

15. MODEL MOVES

16. ERNIE CLEANS UP

17. FESTIVAL FEVER

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HOW TO CONTACT US:Send your news, views, queries and comments to: the Press and PR Officer, Southampton Solent University, East Park Terrace, Southampton SO14 0RBT. 023 8031 9040E. press.office@solent.ac.uk

Designed and published by: Southampton Solent University’s Marketing and Communications Service.Printed by: Cedar Press.

HENRY REMEMBEREDIt was with deep sadness that Southampton Solent University

learned of Henry Allingham’s death, on July 18, aged 113. Just

weeks before, Henry had been guest of honour at Warsash

Maritime Academy, where he was presented with an Honorary

Doctorate of Engineering – his first formal engineering

qualification.

War veteran Henry Allingham lived in three different centuries, under six reigning monarchs and 22 Prime Ministers. He predated the Wright Brothers’ first powered flight, and watched WG Grace play cricket.

As Chancellor Lord Alan West conferred the doctorate he cited Henry’s contribution to Britain during two World Wars and his continuing efforts to honour the sacrifices of his fellow veterans.

Henry, who lived to be the oldest man in the world, was, at the time of his visit to Warsash, the last living member of the Royal Navy Air Service, and the last founding member of the RAF.

During WWI Henry was an air mechanic supporting anti-submarine patrols. He also helped launch reconnaissance sea planes from the naval trawler, HMT Kingfisher, during Jutland – the largest naval battle in history.

Henry went on to serve in reserved occupation during WWII, where he used his engineering expertise to develop a system to neutralise German mines.

Henry had spent much of his incredible life educating younger generations about the experiences of the world wars, ensuring that the sacrifices of his contemporaries were not forgotten. He became the public face of the World War I Veterans Association, and in 2003 he launched the Royal British Legion Poppy Appeal aboard HMS Belfast.

Henry was decorated with the British War medal, the Victory medal and the Gold Medal of Saint-Omer and was made an Officer of the Legion d’Honneur – the highest decoration in France.

On receiving his doctorate from Solent, Henry made a point of shaking hands with young Warsash Maritime Academy cadets and wishing them well in their future careers.

Chancellor Lord West said: “It truly was an honour to bestow such an award on Henry Allingham, who gave so much during his remarkable long life.Henry, will be remembered for his wonderful spirit, impish humour and great courage that touched so many.”

NEWS

NEWS IN BRIEF

HEFCE funding award The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) has awarded the University £7.8 million, following a successful bid to its Strategic Development Fund. The one-off funding is earmarked for a range of specific initiatives that will accelerate the development of Solent as a distinctive and sustainable new university for the 21st century.

It is a welcome endorsement for the University’s plans to provide inclusive and flexible forms of higher education that enhance the experience of students and meet the needs of employers.

Internship programmeSouthampton Solent University has been awarded a six figure sum to support graduates on its new internship scheme.

The £160,000 from the Economic Challenge Investment Fund (ECIF) will match fund 25 internships for new Solent graduates. It comes after Solent made a successful bid to the Fund, designed to offer practical help to thousands of people and businesses during the economic downturn. Through Solent’s internship scheme, graduates will be offered paid work experience within University departments for a 12 month period. They will be supported through a mentoring programme and be given the opportunity to continue their professional development through either professional qualifications or postgraduate study.

Henry Allington meets cadets during the ceremony

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FASHION ICONSThe Black History ‘Heroes’ segment – put together by second-year Styling, Make-up and Hair Design students with Southampton’s Black History Month organisers – was a stunningly visual way to promote black fashion in an industry that comes under repeated fire for its lack of black representation.

For although Italian Vogue took the groundbreaking step of featuring only black models in its July 2008 issue, there is a long way for the fashion world to go to cater adequately for the black community.

“Despite heightened awareness, there is still scope for fashion magazines and designers to work with more black models and consider the interests of black communities. The Black History project was an excellent way of encouraging our fashion students – the new generation of fashion industry movers – to consider the issues,” said Philip Clarke, Programme Leader of the Media and Fashion Styling courses.

The idea of putting a ‘Black Heroes’ segment into Solent’s Graduate Fashion Show was conceived when second-year students helped style the models for the first ever Black History Month fashion show at the University last year.

The University’s fashion department felt inspired to expand the project, by working a brief into student work and giving Black History Month its own section in the larger and much celebrated annual graduate fashion show.

Students were asked to create original looks by fusing the individual styles of separate black icons. The final designs included sartorial and shocking blends, combining black statesman Nelson Mandela with R&B singer Ebony Jones and legendary boxer Mohammed Ali with Flava Flav.

Southampton Black History Month key organiser, Don John, said: “The project looked great on paper, but seeing it come alive on the catwalk was fantastic. The styling, music and messages came together to create a truly electric and memorable evening. It was a superb example of the twin themes of education and entertainment which is so often a feature of Black History events.”

Solent’s Media Styling team is now working with members of Southampton’s black community to produce a series of styled images reflecting their own fashion ideas and stylistic aspirations. The results will form a photographic exhibition in the University’s Concourse gallery space in October. Contact events@solent.ac.uk for more information.

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When the styles of black icons Nelson Mandela, L’il Kim and Mohammed Ali were fused together on the catwalk for the biggest surprise of this year’s Graduate Fashion Show, the whooping and whistling brought the house down.

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Bringing the house down: Black style fusion on the catwalk

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Universal praise

The team has just finished working with film and music giants, Universal, who commissioned them to produce an animated history of Britpop after seeing a piece of work they had done for Beautiful South star, Paul Heaton.

It’s the latest coup for Adam and his team of BA (Hons) Animation graduates and students, whose studio, Pew36, is making successful films and music videos for a growing list of clients, including Discovery Channel and British rock band, Hundred Reasons.

Universal and Pew36 are now developing a teaching model for other young animators.

Universal’s Julian Fernandez said: “Working with Pew36 was fantastic and we are keen to develop other projects. It’s wonderful to have a business that allows us to work directly with graduates and students. They tend to come to projects with fresh creativity and no inhibitions – so you end up with something very different.”

The Universal project – part of an innovative online marketing campaign targeting artists, industry colleagues and fans – involved Solent students working on four films using stop motion, 2D and CGI animation. Emma Driscoll worked on the first 2D section, set to the Stereophonics’s Bartender and the Thief. She said: “It was a steep learning curve, but in the first week I learnt an incredible amount about practical animation.”

Animation course leader, Adam Comiskey, set up his studio less than a year ago, but it’s already clinching contracts from top industry players and giving students and graduates a spectacular career start.

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GRADUATE SUCCESS

Karl Impey worked on the second 2D section, which drew heavily on the ‘cool Britannia’ vibe of the late 90s, including Union Jack imagery and the Liam Gallagher swagger. He said: “It was great to be able to be so creative on the project. The most challenging part was fitting everyone’s ideas in!”

Dan Tyler worked on the CGI section of the animation, which included girl band robots and the fall of Britpop. He said: “The Universal project was fantastically

inspiring. I learnt so many industry techniques from the guys at Pew36 and gained a few contacts along the way.”

It’s all great news for Adam Comiskey, who helped set up Pew36 to give young animators a better chance of finding work in their specialist areas. He said: “I was mindful of how difficult it could be for students to get their first break and I wanted a solution that didn’t see talent go to waste. The fact that

the studio is already able to give present students the chance to work on real-life projects with big name companies is an added bonus.” Postgraduate student, Nick Murray-Willis couldn’t agree more. He said: “University courses are often criticised for not preparing students for work in industry. That has certainly not been true of our course. We learnt skills that are allowing us to compete with top professionals.”

Meeting their makers: Gruesome characters and their creators

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BRIGHT SPARKS

Wasif CheemaBA (Hons) Finance with Business ManagementWasif came to Solent as Pakistan’s tennis number four. Following a gold medal win as part of the Pakistan tennis team at the Islamic Solidarity Games, he received a presidential welcome by then-president Pervez Musharraf. He also led Solent’s tennis team to victory in the Southern University League 2a, last year.

James EllisBA (Hons) Business ManagementJames is the latest sailing talent to emerge from Solent, at the helm of a double-handed 470 dinghy. At just 18 years old, he’s a double Olympic medallist – picking up bronze medals at the Youth Olympics in the 29-er and SL16 classes.

Andrew YatesBA (Hons) Events Management and SportEagle-eyed Andrew is a big gun in the British Universities and College Sports (BUCS) Clay Pigeon Shooting Championships. He notched up a Championship victory in 2007, and a second place finish last year. Andrew – who also shoots for Somerset – is funded by the Olympic Development Squad, with London 2012 in his sights.

Tom MortonBA (Hons) Sports Development and Marketing Tom, 23, is captain of Solent’s cricket

team, competing in the British Universities and College Sports (BUCS) Premier League alongside the best university cricket teams in the country. The wicket-keeper batsman has played for Hampshire’s second XI, but now puts willow to leather in the Southern Premier Cricket League for South Wilts.

Jessica EdenBA (Hons) Sports StudiesJessica is gunning for London 2012. At just 16 and having been shooting for just six months, the Air Pistol shooter was placed on the Olympic Development Squad. Two years down the line she’s shooting in British Pistol Club tournaments and is in training at the National Shooting Centre in Bisley.

Jon FearneBA (Hons) Sports StudiesJon showed his true ‘mettle’ at this year’s Ironman South Africa. Set in the spectacular Nelson Mandela Bay, Jon swam 2.4 miles, cycled 112 miles and ran 26.2 miles against 1500 world class professionals and amateurs, and in temperatures topping 30ºC. In only his second full Ironman competition Jon came 83rd out of a finishing field of 1,350 and has now set his sights on qualifying for the Ironman World Championship in Hawaii.

BRIGHT SPARKSSolent is a great place to be if you’re sporty. Solent’s Talented

Athlete Network Development (STAND) scheme is supporting an

incredible range of students – regardless of the courses they are

studying – to succeed academically and soar athletically. Here’s

a snapshot of some of the stars of Solent’s STAND scheme.Wasif Cheema

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Andrew Yates

Jon Fearne

Tom Morton

James Ellis

Jessica Eden

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SAILING SUCCESS

Solent sailors Oscar Mead and Katie Miller raced into the record books as they joined legends Michel Desjoyeaux and Ellen MacArthur to complete the world’s oldest solo sailing challenge, the Original Singlehanded Trans-Atlantic Race.

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SAILING SUCCESS

At just 18 years old, Oscar was the youngest ever OSTAR sailor, and went on to finish the 3,000-mile solo slog in seventh place overall.

Just two places behind him was Solent’s Katie Miller, who, at 22, was the youngest ever female competitor.

Oscar, a first-year BEng (Hons) Yacht and Powercraft Design student, single-handedly overcame some of the world’s most challenging sailing conditions aboard his 35ft yacht, King of Shaves.

Testament to the tender age at which Oscar embarked upon his Atlantic adventure, he left just three days after completing his first-year exams!

In a field of 36, Oscar tacked and gybed his way into the overall top ten, and was pipped to first in his class by just half an hour – having led for long periods of the race.

Arriving in Newport, Rhode Island, 21 trying days after setting sail from Plymouth, Oscar said he was chuffed.

He added: “I feel unbelievable. It’s a mixture of relief and pride. It’s a big thing to get across the Atlantic, and in a reasonable time is even better. To be the youngest person to complete the race is amazing.”

Final-year BEng (Hons) Yacht Production and Surveying student Katie Miller – whose mentor is record-breaking round the world yachtswoman Dee Caffari – was the youngest ever female to complete the OSTAR, outdoing her idol, Ellen MacArthur.

Katie’s crossing was fraught with mishaps. After being hit by a storm driven by gale force winds half way through the race, Katie’s foresail crippled and her EPIRB – which sends automatic mayday alerts – was soaked, sparking a rescue effort which led to a tanker being diverted mid-Atlantic.

But Katie’s talent and determination shone through. She put in an admirable performance, and was battling to take the overall lead before a southward drift cost her valuable time, leading to a respectable ninth place.

Her yacht, bluQube, slipped past the committee boat under a veil of darkness at 2.33am amid cheers from a small band of supporters who had taken a boat to the finish line, including Katie’s family.

After 21 days, 19 hours and three minutes at sea, the sound of the race officials’ air horn marked the end of an epic race for the rising solo sailing star.

Katie acknowledged her achievement by lighting a red flare, which lit up the night sky. Moments after berthing at Newport Yacht Club, she said: “I’m ecstatic; I’m really pleased to be back. Priority number one was to get here, priority number two was to get here in 21 days. I’ve achieved both so I’m thrilled.

“I’ve also made a little bit of history – until some whippersnapper comes along and steals it away!”

O’man of the seaSolent graduate, Nick Houchin, is now a member of less than 20 crews across the world to have circumnavigated the globe on a multihull yacht.

Nick – part of the five-strong Oman Sail team – was met with scenes of jubilation in Muscat as crowds lined the port to celebrate the return of the 75ft trimaran, Musandam, which took 76 days to sail the 22,500 miles.

He was picked for the team – to promote sailing in Oman – after twice winning British Match Racing circuits and picking up the 2008 Commodores’ Cup. He now competes on the European Match racing circuit.

Nick, who graduated in 2007 with a BA (Hons) in Sports Studies with Marketing – was part of the University’s sailing team, which triumphed in the 2007 BUCS Yachting National Championship.

What is OSTAR?

• Founded by Blondie Hasler• Allegedly begun as a half crown bet between

Hasler and Francis Chichester after no sponsorship could be found

• World’s oldest solo ocean challenge, begun in 1960• OSTAR 2009 was the 13th OSTAR competition• Runs every four years• 40 entrants• Record times: - Monohulls, Yves Parlier (France):14d, 16h, 1m - Multihulls, Francis Joyon (France): 9d, 23h, 21m

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SOLENT PEOPLE

ROCK ‘N’ SCROLL: Solent’s coolest doc

Away from the lecture theatres and libraries, Senior Lecturer in Popular Music Studies Dr Martin James will be conducting his research on the road with hell-raising rave royalty The Prodigy.

He’s reconciled his ‘teen runaway’ spirit with his scholarly status to complete his latest book on one of the most influential bands of the nineties.

“The Prodigy was a seminal part of the Blair era optimism, when rock fused with dance. They outsold Oasis, Blur and Madonna and encompassed post Acid-House, when the party, as it were, was happening all over the planet. The Prodigy was visually shocking – but they’re lovely guys who like nothing better than good conversation and a cuppa,” said Martin.

Life on tour with music legends is nothing new to Martin. At just 14 he upped sticks to follow The Clash, on the White Riot tour.

“There were some heavy nights and I still have no idea which band member’s hotel room floor I blagged my way on to,” recalled

Martin, who went on to form his own bands: 1980s glam-rockers, General Seven, and industrial goths, Box Disciples.

“It wasn’t all champagne and groupies. We were counting beans and living like The Young Ones. But there was a massive buzz about General Seven. We sold 8,000 records, we were being chased by record companies and touring with Howard Jones.”

Martin soon discovered the transient nature of the industry when a band member ran off with all the equipment just as Box Disciples was on the verge of signing to Beggars Banquet.

Seeing the disaster as a chance to re-think, Martin went to Nottingham Trent University to study Communications. While there, he set up an arts listing magazine and record label public relations company before a PR position with Island Records kicked off his career in music journalism.

Martin became a regular writer for Melody Maker, Mojo and Uncut and five years ago he gained a Masters in Media and Cultural Studies, and a PhD in Music Journalism.

Now at Solent, he puts his industry experience and contacts to good use, while embracing academia to further inform his teaching. A pivotal part of Solent’s Glade festival experience, he’s keen to see students create their own opportunities in an industry that refuses to stand still.

Martin’s interview toppersThe Prodigy – “True britpop phenomena.”Iggy Pop – “The man is a genius.”Moby – “He can talk about anything intelligently.”Tim Leary – “His last ever interview, among Hollywood’s hardest party people; it was another world.”

…and shockersGoldie – “I was punched in the stomach mid-sentence.”Eminem – “Bizarrely, in a hotel bathroom. I brought up misogyny and the interview was stopped. I got three lines.”

Hats off: Penning The Prodigy

Photo: Paul Dugdale

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John’s work at both Southampton universities spans 40 years. Before coming to teach at Solent in 1990, he spent 20 years designing oceanographic equipment at the University of Southampton.

But John is far from a one-city man. His enthusiasm to impart knowledge has ranged from guiding Malaysian students through exams to teaching Zimbabwean refugees to market their business.

“I’ve taught students in India, Malaysia and Sri Lanka, helping them overcome the linguistic and cultural barriers they face when sitting Institute of Marketing and Chartered Institute of Management Accountants exams,” said John.

“I get quite a buzz helping these students – especially when I get letters and emails from them after they’ve passed their exams.”

John has also lent a helping hand to crisis-stricken foreign students who have sought sanctuary in Southampton. “I’ve been part of a project run by Southampton’s City Life Education and Action for Refugees, which equips asylum seekers from places such as Iraq, Iran and Zimbabwe with the skills to market a business in the UK. I love working with them – they are among the most enthusiastic and driven students I’ve ever taught.”

At Solent, John has created an abundance of opportunities through his love of sport and his consequent meetings with various sporting greats. He’s had lunch with David Gower and dinner with Michel Platini; he’s shared jokes with Paul Gascoigne, and talked cricket with Shane Warne and Ian Botham. He’s organised guest lectures for Solent students from local football hero Matt Le Tissier, controversial referee Graham Poll and former Saints player Lawrie McMenemy.

John’s passion for sport has also led to him setting up a Flexible Learning Higher Education certificate in Football Management and Administration at Solent. It’s the first recognised management qualification within the football industry, and has become an industry standard.

John is keen to instil a sense of drive and enthusiasm in his students. “I see myself as a facilitator, helping students to develop their own ideas. I’m always looking to expand my knowledge and make new opportunities, and it is this mentality that I aim to pass on to students,” he said.

SOLENT PEOPLE

NEWS IN BRIEF

Models on the move Warash Maritime Academy’s acclaimed manned model training facility is to move to one of the UK’s oldest existing reservoirs, as part of a £1.5 million investment plan to keep it at the cutting edge of maritime training.

Mariners from across the globe have been getting vital training at the 10-acre Marchwood facility – one of only a handful in the world – for more than 20 years. But from 2011 it will be based at Timsbury, near Romsey.

As the Eastleigh born grandson of a Titanic engineer, External

Development Academic Leader John Cross is the archetypal

local lad. But John is less parochial small-towner and more

cultured globetrotter as he puts his enthusiastic stamp on an

increasing number of destinations across the world…

OB Crew on track It was full steam ahead for staff and students as they took the University’s outside broadcast (OB) truck to Eastleigh Railway Works’ Centenary celebrations in May.

As well as working with BBC South Today on pre-event coverage, the crew recorded live and single-camera footage, edited pieces of the onsite events and exhibits for a live web broadcast, and recorded footage for a commemorative DVD.

The event – billed as the UK’s biggest railway event of the year with more than 19,000 visitors and 60 steam, diesel and electric locomotives – was technically challenging but a great success. More than 1,000 people from 15 countries viewed the web cast and many more will be able to view the footage when the DVD goes on general release.

Man of the people

Middle man: John Cross with sporting legends Shane Warne (right) and Hampshire Captian and England player Robin Smith at the Hampshire Rose Bowl

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GRADUATE SUCCESS

Solent’s Electronic and Urban music course is about to see its first cohort of graduates – but our future Fatboy Slims have already come a long way, baby…

Urban legends

Beat it: Edd Legg (above) brings drums while Sam Russo raises his credentials

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GRADUATE SUCCESS

“I’ve only been seriously producing music since I started at Solent, I used to play in rock bands, but electronic music is developing much faster. The scene is exploding at the moment, particularly dubstep.”

Solent’s BA (Hons) Electronic and Urban Music course already boasts a roster of rising stars. And set against the rise to prominence of electronic music – spearheaded by the enormous popularity of artists such as Skream and Caspa – there’s never been a better time for dropping bleeps and bass. Second-year student Edd Legg produces dubstep as ‘Eleven8’, and is already signed to independent label, Lick The Wrap records. He has released two online EPs and has two more on the way.

“I’ve only been seriously producing music since I started at Solent, I used to play in rock bands, but electronic music is developing much faster. The scene is exploding at the moment, particularly dubstep,” said Edd.

Despite just a couple of years of producing dance music, Edd has played at a host of top venues, from headlining Bournemouth’s Empire Club to supporting dubstep superstar, Jakes, at Southampton’s Unit.

Edd draws on his rock-band background to deliver a unique performance, playing the drums live throughout his sets.

He said: “You don’t often see live instruments in dubstep. I improvise as I go along so no two performances are the same. It keeps the set fresh and stops me getting bored.”

Student Sam Russo, who has been DJ-ing since he was 11, now produces house and techno music. He is resident DJ at premier electronica venue Bar54 in London and has played at some of the UK’s best known clubs, including Ministry, Pacha and The Custard Factory, alongside techno superstars Mr C and Tim Sheridan.

Sam also works as an A&R man for 54 music, and has signed acts such as Bigger Than Jesus, as well as remixing tracks for 54’s stable of dance stars.

Despite being firmly established within the dance music industry, Sam came to Solent to further his musical credentials: “It gives you the formal qualification. With my degree I can prove that I know my stuff. It’s been great to meet other young dance music producers. We bounce

ideas off each other and gain a lot of contacts,” he said.

Sam is already putting the Solent contacts to use. Last year, Sam and Edd recorded Headback EP. Released by Stripped Digital as an online EP, it sold well and drew praise from legendary techno DJ Laurent Garnier.

First-year student Toby Godwin will be joining Edd and Sam on Solent’s stage at this year’s Glade festival. Having begun playing drum ‘n’ bass and dubstep at impromptu raves on the Isle of Wight, Toby is now headlining local venues and has been playing in front of thousands at this summer’s festivals.

“There was a huge rave scene on the IoW. We’d find a really beautiful and secluded spot, get the word out and sometimes as many as 600 people turned up. Doing it all at Glade and Bestival with other Solent students is brilliant.”

Music to make you smileBig names from the music industry descended on Solent to give guest lectures at the inaugural Solent Music Industries Live Event (SMILE). Guests included Nick Halkes, founder of XL Recordings, and Maria Forte, mastermind of Radiohead’s In Rainbows online release. Students, packed into a full lecture theatre, were entertained with A-List anecdotes, as well as receiving practical tips for success within the industry. Event organiser, Senior Lecturer in Popular Music Studies Martin James, said: “That respected industry speakers are eager to come to Solent demonstrates that we’re increasingly recognised as a centre of excellence in popular music.”

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MARITIME

In deep

You’re strapped into a metal capsule, suspended above three-metre deep water. As the box is slowly lowered, the capsule fills with water until you’re up to your neck – and then it’s flipped 90 degrees, leaving you upside down and fully submerged.

This is not a terrifying dream, but the experience of trainees on Warsash Maritime Academy’s Helicopter Underwater Escape Trainer (HUET). And while to many it must be a horrifying experience, a recent spate of helicopter crashes has highlighted the importance of the training.

Warsash’s HUET – one of just six in the UK – recreates the experience of a helicopter ‘ditching’ at sea. Since the 1980s the training has been a compulsory requirement for any workers who regularly fly over water in choppers, including offshore oil rig workers, helicopter pilots and military personnel.

During a three-day course, trainees are coached through escape procedures as the HUET is dunked and flipped up to 180 degrees. They are drilled to fit breathing apparatus before impact and board and cover a 16 person life-raft. Most dauntingly, they must unbuckle their seatbelts, unlock capsule windows and doors and escape from the HUET while upside down underwater.

Senior Lecturer in Maritime Safety, David Dowds, leads the course. He said: “The most crucial part of the training is enabling people to respond calmly and confidently in the midst of such a startling sensory experience.

“It’s instinctive to panic, but it’s the worst thing you can do. By familiarising trainees with the experience of escaping from an underwater capsule, and drilling the correct procedure into them, we help them to remain calm and effective in real life ditching situations. We’ve even had non-swimmers and claustrophobics on the course. If we can train them to deal with these situations, we can train anyone.”

While the HUET experience may be alarming, Warsash trainees have nothing to fear. As well as having two specially trained safety divers in the pool at all times, and two people poolside keeping

Down, deeper and… up!Trainees surface with a smile.

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MARITIME

The annual race, which was started by students on Southampton Common, is now held in Gosport to test the students’ designs on the water.

The boats are not radio-controlled, but instead the students have to rely on the principles of sail design to get them across the lake in a straight line. Their performances make up 15% of their first-year assessment.

This year’s flotilla – from BEng (Hons) Yacht and Powercraft Design and BEng (Hons) Yacht Production and Surveying course – showed that standards are as high as ever.

With more than 50 yachts built by students from 10 different nations – including Italy, South Africa and the USA – the race had the feel of a miniature America’s Cup.

In a closely contested final, a late surge from 28-year-old Gabriel Volant of France beat Brits Robert Devine and Tom Sanders into second and third place.

The glass fibre and wooden boats, which took the students about 10 weeks to produce at a cost of around £45 each, coped brilliantly, despite a battering in blustery weather.

If the achievements of past competitors are anything to go by, today’s students have a bright future ahead. Jason Ker, who graduated in 1995, designed South Africa’s 32nd America’s cup boat, while former model boat race champion Herve Piveteau last year won the Production Boat Class at the Mini Transat 2008.

Meanwhile, Solent sailing star Oscar Mead had his boat raced in his absence this year as he navigated the Atlantic as the youngest ever Original Single Trans-Atlantic Race competitor.

Giles Barkley, Senior Lecturer in Yacht and Powercraft Design, said: “The standard was very high this year. Despite difficult conditions, the strength of design shone through. It was great to see a really tightly contested final. You can see these students have a great chance of joining successful yacht design and yacht building offices.”

Solent 2009 model yacht race champ, Gabriel Volant, added: “The annual race is a great way to see the effectiveness of our yacht designs out on the water. I’m delighted to be this year’s winner – but I think I was lucky!”

MODEL MOVES

an eagle eye on proceedings, fearless David accompanies trainees on every dunking.

Since the HUET training became compulsory, safety on offshore helicopter flights has improved dramatically. While HUET training cannot account for the impact of offshore crashes, it is hugely valuable in enabling those who survive impact to make it to safety.

David said: “The survival story of the February 2009 ditching off the coast of Aberdeen was a stark demonstration of the value of this training. The helicopter landed upright and didn’t break up, a situation recreated during HUET simulation. The passengers were able to draw upon their training to respond calmly and correctly and all survived unscathed.”

Warsash has had the HUET since the early 1990s, and since then thousands of trainees have passed through the yellow windows. David has been training people to use the HUET for almost 15 years, and thanks to his deep-sea background he’s more confident than most below the surface.

“Before I began teaching Maritime Safety I was a saturation diver. This involves spending days on end in a saturation chamber hundreds of feet underwater, so I feel entirely comfortable a few metres below. That sense of comfort isn’t something you can learn overnight,” said David.

While a few feet of water may not faze a seasoned diver, for the rest of us it’s a terrifying task. But with the risk of helicopter crashes so dramatically highlighted over the last few months, HUET training has never been more relevant.

A model yacht race that began 40 years ago as an end-of-year ritual has become a much-anticipated test for the yacht design and production stars of the future.

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COMMUNITY

Ernie cleans upMountains of student cast-offs were scooped off Southampton’s streets and bagged up for charity thanks to Solent University’s brand new eco-float and a fleet of volunteers.

NEWS IN BRIEF

“Student changeover time used to be a misery for residents – but this year it was a joy. It’s something other universities should do.”

Ernie – a re-vamped milk float – was put into action in the highly-student populated Polygon to combat the annual mounds of household items left on pavements during the yearly move out.

Students, members of the City Council’s waste and recycling department and residents picked up more than 400 bags bursting with stuff ranging from files to flippers and pans to plimsolls.

The bags – along with dozens of old televisions, irons and music centres – were taken to the Central Baptist Church in Devonshire Road where volunteers sorted them out for charity.

Hauls included:• More than a ton of clothing for Bag it

up (Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance)

• Dozens of bags of crockery and cutlery for Society of St James

• Hundreds of books for Oxfam• Dozens of bags of pots, pans and

duvets for SCRATCH

Danielle Mugridge, from Bag It Up, said: “I was really impressed with the way the community got on board to make sure nothing got wasted. The stuff from Solent students was one of the biggest single hauls we’ve ever collected for the Hampshire and Isle of Wight Air Ambulance.”

Student, Nathan Taylor left more than 20 bags of clothes for Ernie. He said: “I was a fashion student weighing 27 stone but I lost the weight and had a load of cast-offs. I’m glad my clothes went to a good cause.”

Ernie project manager, Melissa Reddington-Cartmell, said: “Students and residents worked together to turn things around. Ernie is great fun, and that really helped motivate the students to recycle.”

Polygon resident Pat Middlewick, added: “Student changeover time used to be a misery for residents – but this year it was a joy. It’s something other universities should do.”

After a short rest, Ernie will be back on the Polygon streets to begin regular recycling collections from residents and students.

Designs on IKEA Work by Solent’s art and design students was on display at Southampton’s new iconic IKEA store as part of a prize-winning package.

The student winners and runners up were given the rare chance to display their designs to thousands of customers after entering a competition designed by store bosses to celebrate its opening.

The project brief asked students from the School of Visual and Interactive Art (Fine Art, Illustration, Photography) and School of Design (Interior Design Decoration, Product Design and Graphics) to produce art and design solutions which incorporated IKEAS’s identity and values.

The judging panel – Des Odwyer from Black Architecture, Ian Lacon from Confluencepcm, Rob Cooper from IKEA, Ian Murray from the Southern Daily Echo, and Southampton City Councillor Royston Smith – said they were blown away by the standard of work.

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COMMUNITY

GladeThe world’s best electronic music festival, covering techno, house, breaks, psy trance, dub and ambient at the Matterley Bowl, near Winchester. Who goes?Students from Urban and Electronic Music, Music Promotion, Popular Music Journalism, Popular Music and Record Production, Popular Music Performance, Performance, Comedy, Film and Television Studies, Digital Music, Magazine Journalism, Photography, Event Management. What we do?The Solent stage is like a festival within a festival. Students organise PA, book DJs and bands, produce the official programme, promote, decorate the marquee and carry out a festival eco survey. The Solent stage is filmed and streamed through a live website link. As well as DJ sets and bands, students perform comedy, theatre and circus acts. Headlining?Underworld, with Booka Shade, Squarepusher, Freeland, The Japanese Popstars, The Qemists, The Bays featuring Beardyman, Dub Pistols…Why Glade?The only festival still true to the ethos of electronic music – crazy party people listening to banging techno.

BestivalAward winning boutique music festival on the Isle of Wight set up by Radio One DJ, Rob Da Bank. Dressing up encouraged.Who goes?Music Promotion and Urban Electronic Music students.What we do Work alongside organisers; perform DJ set.

Headlining?Rob Da Bank, Carl Cox, Elbow, Fabio and Grooverider, Kraftwerk, Lilly Allen, Bat for Lashes, Little Boots.Why Bestival?Retro, non-corporate and fun. Music and social politics in fancy dress!

BlissfieldsAn intimate family festival in the heart of Hampshire, as far removed from the big commercial festivals as you can get. Good food and beer that won’t burn a hole in your pocket.

Who goes?Music Promotion and Music Journalism students.Headlining?Laura Marling, Super Furry Animals, The Men They Couldn’t Hang.Why Blissfields? Cheap, cheerful and intimate. More chill-out, less frenzied.

GlastonburyThe mother of all festivals. Glastonbury began the day after Jimi Hendrix died in 1970 and has been a seminal part of music and culture ever since. For a few days a year, a mixture of music, performance art, social politics and druid rituals turns a Somerset farm into the world’s weirdest city.

Who goes?Students from across the board, including Broadcast Journalism, TV Production, Media Technology, Film and TV.What we do?An exclusive work placement where students film top acts and short documentaries and send footage across the world. Multi-camera filming from the Dance Village, John Peel Stage, Fields of Avalon, The Park and Healing field.Headlining?Bruce Springsteen, Neil Young, Lilly Allen, Blur, Nick Cave, Maximo Park.Why Glastonbury?The most amazing performance festival

in the universe. A rite of passage. Once over the

trauma of trenchfoot, your ‘Glastonbury moment’ stays with you for life.

Make no bones about it. Solent is the festival

university. We’re the only university working at

Glastonbury and, thanks to our presence at Glade,

the first to have a dedicated stage. For many of our

students, this year’s festivals are the most serious

parties they’ll ever be at – with their hard slog on

site giving them the best breaks in the business.

Festival fever

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SUMMER | 17

Graduate JobsSouth (GJS)

“We found the website very straight forward and easy to use. The positives have been the speed with which you can complete the recruitment process, and the saving of recruitment fees.”Chris Sharp, FourFront Ltd

Thousands of students and graduates are registered on the site looking for graduate jobs, internships, placements, and volunteering opportunities.

What next?1. Register online2. Upload your vacancy3. Candidates apply directly to the employer

www.graduatejobsouth.co.ukSupported by: