Guests were welcomed into Firth Hall for arrival refreshments, before Professor Gill Valentine, interim President and Vice-Chancellor addressed those in attendance and welcomed them to the event. Alumni guests spanning graduation years of 1954 to 2018 attended.
Before lunch, Professor Valentine thanked our guests for their continued support and gave an update on the University’s recent developments and successes that have taken place over the last year.
After a tasty afternoon tea style lunch had been enjoyed, guests were given a series of talks focused on recent research and developments in the University. Development Officer for Legacies and Individual Giving, David Meadows, first introduced Carolyn Butterworth from the School of Architecture, who presented her research into the fascinating Sheffield Castle and Castlegate project in the heart of Sheffield City Centre.
Carolyn explained the medieval history of Sheffield Castle and the surrounding area and described how the full archive of archaeological observations is being analysed and published by the Department of Archaeology at the University of Sheffield. Funded by the University through The Pamela Staunton Bequest (Department of Archaeology, the Academic in Residence Scheme (Faculty of Arts & Humanities), the PVC Research Development Fund and additional funding from the Society of Medieval Archaeology, the main aim of the Castlegate Archive Project is to assess previous assumptions regarding the site based on the limited published evidence through a thorough reassessment of the excavation archive.
The next talk was from Professor Nigel Dunnett, Professor of Planting Design and Urban Horticulture in the Department of Landscape. Professor Dunnett shared his experience of recent projects he had been involved in to transform uninspiring urban landscapes into vibrant, welcoming, exciting spaces that local people and visitors alike can enjoy. These include the use of green roof spaces and ‘pictorial meadows’ - developing alternatives to traditional herbaceous and perennial planting approaches: directly-sown annuals and perennials that produce dramatic, exciting and very colourful long-lasting displays in a very wide range of contexts, from small gardens through to extensive areas in urban parks, alongside highways and in housing areas.
Professor Dunnett also talked about another project he is leading on; Sheffield Love Square, which will be a new type of urban nature park that is colourful, exciting, beautiful and full of interest throughout the year. Located at West Bar on the site of a former bus and tram interchange, Love Square is just a few moments’ walk from Sheffield’s city centre.
Finally, Dr Pete Mylon from Multidisciplinary Engineering Education, presented on iForge – an innovative facility housed in the Diamond building, giving students the opportunity to collaborate, create and 'make' outside of their academic studies. Dr Mylon explained how the facility is believed to be the first of its kind in a UK university and is managed by a team of 40 Student Reps. This student-led approach has seen University staff relinquish control of the space, allowing students themselves to make decisions about how the iForge is run.
Following the talks, guests were invited to either stay in Firth Hall for a demonstration from some of the iForge students, or taken to The Diamond for a tour of the facilities.
If you would like more information on leaving a gift to the University in your Will, please contact the University’s legacy officer, David Meadows on 0114 222 1073 or d.meadows@sheffield.ac.uk or see our Legacy web pages.