English Department -University of Chester

04/07/2024

The Vicarage ‘Secret Garden’ has come a long way since it was first planted up in 2023. The roses are in full bloom and the bees are making the most of the mass of flowers that our student volunteers planted in May.

Why not pop along to see for yourself? There’ll be another gardening morning on Wednesday 24th July from 10am, and everyone is welcome to join us. Lisa Owen, from the Grounds & Gardens team will bring some plants for the bare patch in front of the Vicarage.

We hope you can join us. If you have any questions, contact Deborah: [email protected]

02/07/2024

Chester's Festival of Ideas 4- 7 July 2024

Bookings have opened for almost 100, free Chester Festival of Ideas events as the full line-up is announced for the inaugural, four-day summer highlight.

Aiming to celebrate, entertain, inform and inspire, the Festival takes place from Thursday July 4 to Sunday July 7, 2024, in and around Chester. All the details are available and places can now be booked on the Festival of Ideas website.

Speakers will talk on a range of topics, with activities such as discussion panels, theatre, pop-up exhibitions, interactive activities, music, readings, guided walks and more to discover.

Actress, presenter, broadcaster, writer, campaigner and parliamentarian, Baroness Floella Benjamin, who has also been awarded an OBE, DBE (Officer and Damehood of the British Empire) and a Doctor of Letters from the University, is among the guests presenting free public talks. She will discuss her life and ‘Facing Adversity With a Smile’. Speakers also include historian, writer, broadcaster, presenter and filmmaker, Professor David Olusoga, who will look at ‘History and the History Wars’ and GP and menopause specialist, Dr Louise Newson, highlighting the subject as well as perimenopause.

Further additions to the schedule include a talk from Dr Gyles Brandreth, Chancellor of the University of Chester, on ‘The Idea of Happiness - And How to Achieve It’ while Pulitzer-nominated journalist Carole Cadwalladr, who exposed the Cambridge Analytica data scandal, will focus on ‘AI and Democracy’.

To book places, fill in the RSVP boxes at the end of chosen event web pages. For more on the Festival, please visit:

Home Use the RSVP Function to Book Tickets. Click on the ‘more information’ section of an event to find the RSVP booking. Some events require no booking and this is indicated in the details of the events. 4th JulThursday5th JulFriday6th JulSaturday7th JulSunday10.00 AM – 4.00 PMExhibitionHanna...

03/06/2024

Huge congratulations to former staff member Francesca Haig/Francesca de Tores who was a senior lecturer in the English Department and a Visiting Writing Fellow at the University of Chester.

Francesca has been shortlisted for the annual £10,000
Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize, Best Published Novel award for her recent book Saltblood.

Saltblood is an epic historical fiction debut inspired by real life female pirates.

Hand-picked from over 100 entries, British, American, Australian, Georgian and Nigerian authors are represented on the shortlist. Submissions were open to writers of all nationalities, writing in English.

The shortlisted books were selected by a team of librarians and library staff from across the UK.

16/05/2024

EXPLORING THE BRONTË SISTERS IN THE VICARAGE
6TH JUNE, 10.00AM TO 1.30PM

This study day is designed for fans of the Brontë sisters’ works and for those who would like to discover more about three of the most important writers of the Victorian period.

There will be talks by Professor Melissa Fegan (on Charlotte), Alison Newbold (on Emily), and Professor Deborah Wynne (on Anne). The talks will be followed by a reading group discussion based on extracts from the sisters’ works.

This free event will take place in the Vicarage, Parkgate Road, University of Chester CH1 4BJ where the English Literature team is based.

Advance booking is essential as places are limited.

To book your place, please email: [email protected]

University of Chester

13/05/2024

Are you a student looking for academic skills support?

ASk offer a range of support, including small and large group teaching on a wide variety of academic skills, as well as 1-2-1 drop in sessions (in person and online) and our 750 word FeedForward service via email.

[email protected]

13/05/2024

Mental Health Awareness Week
13th-19th May
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness week is Movement.
Visit the Student Support pages on Portal to find out more about what is happening during this week.

Student Wellbeing Walk
Wednesday 15th May 2pm from Exton Park

Join our Mental Health Advisers for a 4-mile walk around Chester walls and along the River Dee (2.5 hours walking time). Meet new people and ‘move’ for your mental health! We look forward to seeing you.

Look After Your Mate
Thursday 23rd May 10am-12pm - in person at Queens Park campus
Booking essential: Book your place on Career Hub
This workshop will help develop your confidence on how to support any friends who may be struggling, by introducing you to tips and tools, spotting the signs, starting a conversation, and how to support and when to signpost. It will also focus on you looking after yourself in the process.

You will receive a certificate on completion of the workshop.

Check out the Look After Your Mate page on Portal for more information and details about upcoming workshops.

Our portal tile lists any new sessions and also details of our student support networks, so please feel free to visit and see what is happening. Please share the linked tile below with your students!

Just a reminder that we have the following support networks for students:

The Student Parent Support Network – open to students at any stage of their parenting journey

The Student Menopause Support Network - open to students at any stage of the menopause

The LGBTQ+ Student Support Network – open to all students who identify as le***an, gay, bisexual, transgender, q***r or questioning.
Men’s Space – A support network for all who identify as male

09/05/2024

Gardening Activities in the Secret Garden

Last week student volunteers Ashli and Erin joined the University’s gardeners, Lisa and Alan, to tidy up the Vicarage ‘Secret Garden’ and plant out some sweet peas, stocks and a few other fragrant flowering plants. Alison Newbold and Deborah Wynne, who initiated the garden restoration project, were delighted to see the garden ready for its summer display. As an added bonus, the weather was perfect!

09/05/2024

Garden event: Level 6 picnic

The final year students enjoyed a picnic in the recently restored Vicarage garden last week. They were joined by staff and everyone enjoyed chatting about the highlights of the last three years. We wish all our final year students the best of luck with the next stage of their lives.

07/05/2024

Dear all,

You are invited to the launch of Pandora’s Box (2024), the University’s annual creative-writing magazine, and the final open-mic night.

The Contents has been added to a Teams message so you can see who has been published.

The launch will take place on Wednesday 22 May, 6.00-8.00 p.m., in the Vicarage, room CVC008.

Contributing authors get a free copy of the magazine. Further copies can be purchased for £2.00. If you are unable to attend, copies will be available from CVC002 after the launch evening.

We hope that you can join us and hear some of the published pieces being read out.

Bring something to drink – and a poem, flash or sketch if you also fancy reading.

Best wishes,
The Pandora’s Box Editorial Team

02/05/2024

Festival of Postgrad 22nd May

The University will be hosting its Festival of Postgrad on Wednesday 22nd May (5pm – 7pm) in Seaborne Library, Exton Park.

This is a great opportunity to come and find out about the postgraduate programmes on offer from the School of Creative Industries and the wider University. You can find out more information and book your place here: https://www.chester.ac.uk/study/visit-us/festival-of-postgrad/ .en.69581

As well as being able to find out about postgraduate courses, you’ll also be able to chat to support departments from across the University, including Student Finance and the Careers and Employability team.

You might also be interested to know that current University of Chester Alumni who choose to study for a qualifying taught postgraduate course at the University can also benefit from the Graduate Loyalty Discount which provides a discount on your tuition fees.

29/04/2024

⏰Apply for the Venture Pitch 2024⏰

Application closing date: 12 noon on Monday 6th May

Do you have a business idea but hesitant to progress it? Venture Pitch 2024 is your chance to turn that dream into a reality!
We're looking for students and graduates with innovative ideas to participate in our exciting pitching event. This is your opportunity to:
• Sharpen your pitch: Get valuable feedback from experienced judges and industry professionals.
• Win big prizes: Secure funding and business prizes to take your business to the next level.
• Gain confidence: Practice presenting your idea to a supportive audience.

When: Wednesday 5th and Thursday 6th June 2024
Application closing date: 12 noon on Monday 6th May

Who: Open to undergraduates, postgraduates and graduates of the University of Chester

Win: Your share of £5,000 courtesy of Santander Universities UK and business prizes valued at over £11,000 include a website, business coaching, an iPad, social media coaching, videography package, £500 enterprise grants and more!

How: Book on to the event, fill in this application form and send us a 60 second video pitch to [email protected]

Further support: If you’ve not yet got involved with Venture and need to build up the 12 hours of support you need to apply, there are plenty of opportunities to do so! You can find all upcoming events here. You can also access recorded Venture sessions and webinars here. Please make sure you fill out our video evaluation form for each video if you plan to use them to build up your hours.

Build up your Venture hours by attending our upcoming sessions this month:

• How to perfect a 60 second pitch, Tuesday 23rd April, 3.00-4.00pm
• What to include in a pitch deck, Tuesday 23rd April, 4.30-5.30pm
• Pricing for profit – How much do I charge? Wednesday 24th April, 2.00-3.15pm
• Business Mentoring Appointments, Wednesday 24th April, 2.00-4.00pm
• Practical Steps to Setting Up – Banking, Accounting and Legal, Thursday 25th April, 4.00-5.00pm

We look forward to seeing your applications.

If you have any questions, please email [email protected]

Best wishes
The Venture Team

29/04/2024

Apply to become a Peer Mentor for 2024/2025!

Applications are now open to become a Peer Mentor for 2024/2025!

🤝The Volunteering and Mentoring Team are on the lookout for undergraduate students of all ages, backgrounds, interests and courses to become a Peer Mentor!

🪴 Open to all level 4 and 5 students who will be returning for the 2024/2025 academic year, this flexible volunteer opportunity will give you experience in:
 Developing your personal and employability skills!
 Contributing to the University community!
 Meeting other students and expanding your University network!
 Contributing towards your University Volunteering and Chester Difference awards!

😀If you think you would enjoy helping new students with their transition into University, helping them settle in and feel a sense of belonging, then this is the volunteer opportunity for you!

📖This is a highly flexible role that can fit alongside your studies and other commitments!

🤝You will be provided with all the key training and support from the Volunteering and Mentoring Team!

Interested? Visit our Portal Page or Volunteer Hub to apply!