The Official Opening and Cake Event!

On Friday 8th February, the BSU Archive office hosted its official opening ceremony.

We might not have had the spectacle of choreographed dancers, Kenneth Branagh as Brunel and an audience of millions, but oh boy, we have the history.

On the guest list:

Professor Christina Slade, Vice Chancellor of Bath Spa University
Dr Steve May, Dean of School, Humanities and Cultural Industries
Dr Alan Marshall, Head of History
Dr Alison Hems, Course Leader, Postgraduate Studies in Heritage and Applied History
Mr Terry Bracher, Archives and Local Studies Manager, Wiltshire & Swindon History Centre

Adam, the VC and Richard considering more cake, perhaps?

And greeting them, the BSU Archive team:

Dr Roberta Anderson, Senior Lecturer in History
Kate James, Archives Manager, BA History, MA Heritage Management
Richard Carpenter, Archives assistant, 3rd Year History undergraduate
Hayley Crymble, Archives assistant, 2nd Year History undergraduate
Adam King, Archives assistant, 2nd Year History undergraduate

Bobby, Alan, Alison, Steve and Hayley enjoy tea, cakes and  the discussion

And on the desks and tables:
Personal papers and photographs from the first principal of Newton Park Teacher Training College, 1946 - 1968
Original plans for Sion Hill campus, 1959
Guest book used at the opening of the new Domestic Science College at Sion Hill, signed by Her Majesty, the Queen Mother
Auction booklet for the sale of family possessions from the Newton Park Estate, 1941
Photographs of Rural Studies students, 1980s
Photographs of Newton Park campus, tennis court and orchard, 1980s
Exhibition materials for the forthcoming exhibition at Newton Park, (March 2013)

And not forgetting the triple chocolate layer bars, chocolate and caramel fingers, almond slices and caramel shortbreads, and lashings of tea!

The archive assistants showed their knowledge and enthusiasm, and enjoyed meeting and spending time with our Vice Chancellor. We were able to discuss ways of using the archive for wider public and institutional engagement, through publications, online resources and social media like this, so that our story can be told.

In fact our institution, our archive, holds many stories. The history we have to tell has many facets and many layers, and is growing. What started as corporate documents is being added to through the nuances of people's voices, experiences and life memories. The archive is a living and growing resource with amazing potential.

Just this week, we have provided a music student with the history of the Garden Temple, for a piece she is preparing. We have retrieved information about the School of Art prior to its move to Corsham in 1946. Exhibition preparation has been ongoing, and another oral history interview has taken place. We have transcribed and proof read several other interviews, and contacted past and previous oral history interviewees. And of course, we prepared for the opening ceremony!





It was a great afternoon, but in the excitement we forgot to take enough photographs. So sadly you'll just have to imagine the sight of our Vice Chancellor, Professor Slade with the 1902 Peer's coronet, ermine trim, red velvet and all. But she did look splendid!







(you'll just have to use your imagination!)