Tuesday, Day 254 of my BRIT
2012 mile walk, I was hosted by Cardiff University and the Students’ Union.
Cardiff University is recognised
in independent government assessments as one of Britain's leading teaching and
research universities. Founded by Royal Charter in 1883, the University today
combines impressive modern facilities and a dynamic approach to teaching and
research with its proud heritage of service and achievement.
In 2005, the title 'Cardiff
University' and a new Supplemental Charter was formally granted to the
University by the Privy Council on behalf of Her Majesty the Queen, meaning
that Cardiff became a university in its own right, fully independent of the
University of Wales. Cardiff University admits students to courses leading to
Cardiff University degrees.
The University's breadth of
expertise in research and research-led teaching encompasses: the humanities;
the natural, physical, health, life and social sciences; engineering and
technology; preparation for a wide range of professions; and a longstanding
commitment to lifelong learning. The University is also home to three major new
Research Institutes, offering radical new approaches to neurosciences and
mental health, cancer stem cells and sustainable places. Cardiff is a member of
the Russell Group of Britain's leading research universities.
Having gained national and
international standing, Cardiff University's vision is to be recognised as a
world-leading university and to achieve the associated benefits for its
students, staff and all other stakeholders. The student population is drawn
from a variety of backgrounds, with students attracted from throughout Wales,
the rest of the UK and world-wide.
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| With the Lord Lieutenant, the President of the Student' Union and students from Cardiff University |
On arrival at the University I
was honoured to be met by the Lord Lieutenant of South Glamorgan, Dr Peter Beck
MD FRCP. It was a pleasure to be joined by Dr Beck for a number of my
BRIT miles and to discuss a wide range of subjects including his distinguished
medical career.
Following Dr Beck’s departure I
was delighted to be joined by the Pro Vice-Chancellor for Student Experience
and Academic Standards, Professor Patricia Price BA (Hons) PhD CPsychol AFBPsS
FHEA.
As Pro Vice-Chancellor, Student
Experience & Academic Standards, Professor Price is responsible for the
University’s programmes of study, its academic standards and the quality of the
student experience. Her specific responsibilities include oversight of the
development of the University’s education strategy, its implementation and
monitoring; the quality of the student experience at Cardiff; oversight of the
University Graduate College and the University’s widening access activities.
Cardiff University Students’
Union http://www.cardiffstudents.com/
Together with Professor Price,
Harry Newman, the Cardiff University Students’ Union President, and students
who had won scholarships to the University, I was shown around a one mile route
that included the Welsh Assembly, the Cardiff Museum, War Memorials and the main
buildings of the University. It was a pleasure to meet students from the
University and enjoy the company of all those that walked with me throughout
the day.
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| Visiting the Cardiff Univeristy Students' Union with the President of the Union meeting Dillon the Dragon |
I’m very grateful to Harry for
showing me the multi-faith buildings, the sports facilities and taking the time
to show me around the Students’ Union and their new facilities. Harry has very
kindly agreed to lend the support of Cardiff University Students’ Union to the
BRIT Social Media campaign in November and I am looking forward to visiting the
University again. It was a great day and I’d like to take this opportunity to
thank Harry for walking with me on his birthday!
I’m absolutely gutted I was shown
around the Students’ Union during Freshers’ Week as I cannot believe how many
opportunities are available through the many societies and clubs at the
University. Bit late for me to go to University, but if I could, I would make
the most of every opportunities available through the Students’ Union.
I ended the day with 407 miles to
go.
Day 255 I visited Morgannwg
College http://www.morgannwg.ac.uk/
in Aberdare.
Aberdare is an industrial town in
the Cynon Valley area of Rhondda Cynon Taf. Aberdare is just under 6 miles
south-west of Merthyr Tydfil, 20 miles north-west of Cardiff and 22 miles
east-north-east of Swansea.
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| Aberdare |
From being a mere village in an agricultural district at the beginning of
the 19th century, the place grew rapidly in population owing to the abundance
of coal and iron ore. It has since declined owing to the loss of most of the
heavy industry and the closure of the mines.
In the early years of Aberdare's development, most of the coal worked in
the parish was coking coal, and was consumed locally, chiefly in the ironworks.
In 1836, exploitation of high-calorific value steam coal began, and pits were
sunk in rapid succession. This coal was valuable for steam railways and steam
ships, and an export trade began, via the Taff Vale Railway and the port of
Cardiff.
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| Fforchaman Collery |
Steam coal was subsequently found in the Rhondda and further west, but many
of the great companies of the Welsh coal industry's Gilded Age started
operation in Aberdare and the lower Cynon Valley.
In common with the rest of the South Wales coalfield, Aberdare's coal
industry commenced a long decline after World War I, and the last two deep
mines still in operation in the 1960s were the small Aberaman and Fforchaman
collieries, which closed in 1962 and 1965 respectively.
Coleg Morgannwg is one of the
largest providers of Further Education and training in Wales. It is committed
to providing high quality, wide ranging and relevant education and training
opportunities for the local community. The college boasts four main campuses
across Rhondda Cynon Taf and in addition offers learning provision at more than
80 outreach centres within local communities.
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| With staff and students from Morgannwg College Aberdare on day 255 of my BRIT 2012 mile walk |
Coleg Morgannwg offers a wide
range of courses in Art, Business, Care, Catering, Computing, Construction,
Engineering, Hair, Beauty & Complementary Therapies, Performing Arts, and
Sport.
For 14 to 18 year olds, Coleg
Morgannwg and RCT comprehensive schools work collaboratively to ensure that
students are able to experience a broad choice of vocational and academic
subjects.
Progression to a wide range of full-time
courses is available, with a number of subject areas to choose from. Courses
are available at Foundation level right through to National Diplomas.
Progression is available from each level and with good links with a number of universities;
further progression degree level is available.
The college offers Modern
Apprenticeships and Foundation Modern Apprenticeships in Mechanical Engineering
and Plumbing. They are open to anyone who is in employment and offer a flexible
training delivery to the apprentice and employer. They are available to anyone
from the age of 16 years.
Higher Education opportunities
exist within the College through links with the University of Glamorgan,
University of Wales, Lampeter, University of Wales, Newport (UWCN) and North
East Wales Institute (NEWI). The college offers a number of qualifications in
conjunction with these universities: HNDs, HNCs, Foundation Degrees and BAs.
The routes available include:
Aerospace, Beauty Therapy & Spa Management, Business, Complementary
Therapies, Computing, Construction, Costume Design, Mechatronics, Post Graduate
in Education plus a number of Access routes.
The college also offers a range
of courses, both vocational and for personal development in the community at
more than 80 venues in Rhondda Cynon Taf, working closely with community
partners.
I visited the college today when
they were taking part in Boost. Boost is held every Wednesday afternoon at all
three of the college campuses where activities are made available for students
to participate in and boost self-confidence. Activities include Duke of
Edinburgh Awards, Archery, Choir, Welsh Drama Group, Debating Club, Chess Club,
Film Club, Crafts, Football, Netball, Zumba, Weights and Gardening.
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| Spending time with students at Morgannwg College during their Boost afternoon where they can try out different activities too boost self-esteem |
I spent time with students who
were trying out archery for the first time and it was great to see the students
enjoying themselves and spending time talking to each other. I hope the Boost
afternoon is a success for the students and for the college.
The archery today was run by Rock
UK through their Summit Centre.
Rock UK Summit Centre is their newest centre which opened
in October 2010. The Centre was formerly known as the Welsh International
Climbing Centre and is located south of Merthyr Tydfil in the South Wales
Valleys just 10 minutes from the A470 and under an hour from the centre of
Cardiff.
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| Meeting Rock UK at Morgannwg College on Day 255 of my BRIT 2012 mile walk |
It is built on the site of the former Trelewis drift mine which closed in
1989. The Taff Bargoed Development Trust then redeveloped the site into a
climbing centre in 1997 turning it into an international indoor climbing
centre.
The indoor climbing walls are up to 18 metres high with over 180 climbing
routes in the main climbing centre plus an additional bouldering area. The
centre also has a world class man-made caving system with a waterfall inside.
Rock UK has extensive expansion plans for the centre which will include
developing the land to accommodate exciting outdoor adventure activities
including an extended high ropes course, low ropes and archery and developing
the already substantial residential accommodation.
Rock UK is a charity and provides tremendous opportunities for young people
and their website is well worth looking at to explore the potential to visit
one of their Outdoor Adventure Centres; http://rockuk.org/
I finished the day with 401 miles to go.
Best wishes,
Phil