Volume 11 - 1983/84 - NEWSCHEET

Preamble

The main event of the year had to be the redundancy letters sent to all the teaching staff.   There were many short courses advertised for staff as computing came to the fore.  Not all have been reported below.  There remain five yearly reports to précis.  The last issue (Volume 17) ends after the first term.  Since Volumes 4, 5, 6 and 10 are 40 years or so ago, it may be that my efforts have run their course.  However, I am quite happy to complete the task of transcribing all volumes should a wish be expressed.  I had hoped to gain feedback at the 2018 Retired Staff Lunch.  However, having come second in an altercation with a car (not to be recommended) I was unable to be present to get any views.

(1)   Clive Welsteed reported that Margaret Phillips, switchboard operator, was in hospital recovering from an operation.  The temporary operators were doing sterling work.  The county had approved the installation of a new digital telephone exchange.  Ann Tupper gave instructions to course supervisors about registration of students onto the computer.  Bob Hailes wrote about the use and misuse of the lifts in East Park Terrace.

(2) Dennis Rutley explained to new members of the staff the purpose of Newscheet.  Under the heading ‘Called to the Bar’ it was reported that ex-college sergeant John Thorpe was now behind the bar in the staff refectory.  Keith Freeman gave details of the first exhibition of the year in the Art Gallery  - INFOCUS.

(3)  Clive Welsteed explained the car park stickers system.  Peter Folkes was congratulated on his shared success for the best group of paintings by a member of the Royal Institute of painters in Watercolour 1983.  Malcolm Robertson advertised six computer programming courses.

(4)  The first contentious issue for Newscheet this year was from ‘A very interested but frustrated SL (Bearded).’  He wrote, ‘Please could you ask the NATFHE secretary to furnish us with copies of the new TUC booklet – Sexual Harassment at Work.  I should like to know what I have been missing.’  The College Safety Officer advertised a new publication;  Guidance Note PM22 ‘ Training Advice on the Mounting of Abrasive Wheels.’  Bob Stokes reported on an Academic Board meeting where a draft Instrument and Articles of Government was discussed.

(5)  Ann Davis was quick into the fray about sexual harassment.  Among other points she stated that with so few women on the staff with power heterosexual harassment would be unlikely adding that she doubted that women would be unlikely to abuse their power in this particular way.  Ron Ward suggested that Bearded SL rather than wait for the NATFHE booklet should obtain a copy of ’Training and Advice on the  Mounting of Abrasive Wheels’ – which sounds much more challenging.  Jane Clarke, Student Union President, added  her comments about harassment.  Charles Ford wrote about the retirement – after 16 years – of Hugh Beck.

(6)  Maggie Ross gave details of a Computer Seminar on CAD/CAM

(7)  ‘Triona Christison reminded staff to submit their photographs for the forthcoming exhibition.  A plea to return coffee and tea cups to the refectory by staff who had taken them to their work rooms was made.

(8)  An explanation of redundancy was given by Jim Ulph.  This was a pre-cursor to matters later in the year.  (Sister Phil bade farewell by thanking staff for their support.  Barbara Bishop asked for nominations for the Senior Common Room AGM.

(9)  Bob Hailes gave advice on electric blankets and fireworks.

(10) Keith Freeman advertised the opening of the exhibition of staff photographs.  Pauline Moore thanked contributors to her leaving present.  Sheila Love wrote how the First Aiders were now going to have to cover for the lack of a College Nurse.

(11)  John Ghey asked for applications from staff wishing to undertake College research projects.  Barbara Bishop announced the officers for the Senior Common Room -  Bill Morton (Chairman)  Barbara Bishop  (Secretary) Andy Paige (Treasurer)  Dave Hewett and John Puntis (Auditors).   Don Pallister made staff aware of the recent published document on Staff Development.  The staff bar would now open on Saturdays, 12 noon to 3.00pm.

(12)  Pamela Hughes gave details of Presentation Day which would be on November 25^th.  Joyce Head and Triona Christison reported on the success of the staff photographic exhibition.

(13)  Barbara Bishop unveiled details of the Staff Christmas Party, with tickets at 70p.  Graham Mills expressed thanks for his leaving present.

(14)   The death of Eric Roe, after a long illness, was reported.  Eric had joined the staff about 30 years ago.  The Academic Registrar asked that all registers be handed in to the appropriate Faculty Office so that they can be compared with computer printouts.  Barbra Hughes thanked all who voted for her as the non-teaching representative on the Board of Governors.

(15)  Barbara Bishop announced the cancellation of the Staff Christmas Social whilst Sheila Love requested final payment for the Technicians Christmas Lunch.  Brian Cotton gave details of a presentation event for Frank Mahon and Geraint Griffith both of whom were retiring.

(16)   Joan Roe thanked everyone for the support after Eric’s death.  Mike Patten gave details of an Open Learning seminar.

(17)  A. J. Robbins (Robbie)  thanked everyone for his retirement gifts after nearly 30 years in the Printing Section.  He commented that he, too, had received a letter from Winchester which made everybody redundant!

(18)  Through Terry Murphy, NATPHE had arranged for Mr. Sturgess from Hampshire LEA to address staff concerning the blanket redundancy notices recently received by all staff.  Clive Welsteed reminded staff of car parking arrangements.  The Manpower Services Department of the County were about to undertake a review of cleaning and caretaking staff.

(19)  The Faculty of Art and Design Open Days were advertised.  Alan Barham wondered who decided to put a telephone extension in the Staff Dining Room.

(20)  The main items concerned the recent visit of Mr. Sturgess.  ‘On Monday a god descended on us from his Heavan’, began one .  ‘If Mr.  Sturgess had a mission it was to chide us for behaving like little children…it appears we had become very excitable and even somewhat hysterical over the trivial matter of having been sacked without consultation.’   Another input – ‘Dear Mr. Sturgess,  Thank ‘ee Sir, for coming to see us on Monday, albeit a bit late, Sir, but we did not mind, Sir, not a bit, Sir.  Thank ‘ee, Sir, for sacking us all, Sir.  We know it was for our good, Sir.  Thank ‘ee, Sir, for the explanation and clear exposition, Sir.  If we did not understand it, Sir, it was our fault, Sir.  Please Sir, don’t think I am being sycophantic,  Sir, - not a bit of it.   Thank ‘ee, Sir, thank ‘ee’.  It was signed U. Heep

(21)  Don Currie who is away ill thanks all his friends for their messages, ‘phone calls etc. reported Ken Cook.  John Puntis was of the opinion that the ‘rather odd letters sent out to all lecturers were intended as informal notice so that any redundancies that might occur could be implemented without loss of government help and thus make it easier for the local authority to be generous.’  An anonymous writer related in biblical terms the current saga.   After noting the new leader who replaced the chief elder who ‘had waxed old in years’ and ‘with unaccustomed locomotion had left the tribe’ the writer went on to describe the current situation.  ‘Now, in another part of the land, to the north, dwelt a small tribe of image makers, and to the east a smaller tribe of oar pullers.  Being fearful of what might befall, the painting elder and rowing elder spoke unto the city elder saying “Give unto us your wealth and wisdom for we have grown thin with the years.”’

(22)  Brian Cotton advertised a seminar ‘Women into Science and Engineering.’  Derek Piggott gave details of a presentation by the Institute of Marketing.

(23)  John Sneezum noted that an interview panel for a Principal Technician for Technology  did not include anyone from Technology nor from the teaching staff.  Alan Barham complained that his car had been damaged in the staff car park and wished the culprit to own up.

(24)  Derek Prout reported that the Hardmoor Playing  fields will shortly be available for staff and students.   Alan Barham now made it known that he considered it ‘utterly degrading’  that teaching staff should have to apply for promotion.  Tony Savage and Bob Hemming both commented that Alan Barham had perhaps given ‘an unmitigated display of petulance over so trivial a matter’.

(25)  As expected, Alan Barham waxed lyrical in his own defence concluding that he had perhaps missed his vocation, rather than a teacher of men he could have been the public hangman.  The Senior Common Room Easter Event was advertised.

(26)  An anonymous contribution described the process non-teaching staff have to undergo, not for promotion but a mere upgrading.

(27)  David Clark advertised a seminar entitled, ‘Minorities and the Inner City’. Donald Currie gave details of a Short Course in Keyboard Skills.  Peter Waterman reminded staff that College First Aiders are not legally qualified to prescribe drugs.   T. Baker advertised a Grand Free Raffle (open to all below the age of reason).  First Prize – a weekend for one in Scunthorpe with no expenses paid.  The third prize was job of Principal at the new Southampton Institute of Higher Education.  For tickets apply to Mr (Just Call Me Hants Education) Sturgess.  Four Graphic Design students won awards in a national competition.   The Men’s Volleyball team became British Colleges champions.

(28)  Bob Hailes offered staff the opportunity to attend an Electrical Safety in the Home seminar complete with practical exercises in plug wiring etc.

(29)  John Bennett wrote: ‘Once again, I read of some uninformed Southerner casting aspersions at my home town, that jewel in the crown of North Lincolnshire Wolds, namely Scunthorpe’.   Jill Gillespie thanked her colleagues for the parting gifts  she had received.   Lee Vaux reminded staff of the  D-Day plus 40 celebrations to be held in the Staff Bar.

(30)  The results of a survey carried out on members of the teaching staff, 50 of whom took part, were published by Joe Howarth.  Other statistics were supplied by Ann Davis showing a breakdown of 70% male and 30% female students on part-time courses and 77% male and 23% female students on full-time courses.  Ann concluded that by comparing us with other like institutions, we had ‘an alarming shortfall of women students here’.  Regarding staff, our figures of  91% male compared with a national 78%. 

(31)  Sheila Love pointed out that there is only 9% female technician staff.  The Senior Common Room Summer Event at Townhill Park House was advertised.  Don Pallister  wrote that a full  time secondee had withdrawn thus making available opportunities for industrial secondment.

(32)  Mrs J. A. Dickenson was welcomed as the new College Nurse.   Don Robertson gave his annual plea for helpers at the education shop caravan in the Southampton Precinct.

(33)   Lee Vaux reported on a successful D Day event raising over 200 pounds for charities.

(34)  Bryan Green wrote about the retirement of Mrs Sylvia Hayes as Departmental Secretary and the letter of thanks received from her for her parting gifts.

(35)  Details of salary payments for July and August were given.  Bob Howlett asked staff who required work to be copied for the beginning of next term to be sent ASAP.

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