People
Fishermen found
Thanks to a passion for his home county and 30 years of
painstaking research a fellow of the Department of Government has recently
seen his book, detailing the history of the inshore fishing communities of
Yorkshire, published.
Professor Peter Frank, a well-recognised name amongst the University's
community, and now a fellow in the department where he made his name as an
eminent Professor of Soviet and Russian politics, has charted the social
history of a lost and almost forgotten community in his new book Yorkshire
Fisherfolk.
The book focuses on the fishing communities between the Tees and the
Humber. These were communities dominated by the fishing seasons.
Communities where everyone worked hard to survive: men risked their lives
at sea fishing for herring, potting for crabs and lobsters, and 'blashing'
for salmon and trout, while the women gathered bait from dangerous rocky
shores. Every inch of domestic life too was dominated by and indeed
designed to support these unique societies.
The knowledge necessary to sustain this traditional culture was passed
through the generations for centuries but with the introduction of the
internal combustion engine it was a culture that began to disappear.
Althought the fisherfolk no longer existed, in the 1970s Professor Frank
set about rediscovering that knowledge so that their unique way of life
would not be lost forever.
Professor Frank has combined documents, some dating back as early as
the sixteenth century, and first-hand oral testimonies to recreate the
fishing industry as it once was. While photographs of men, women, children
and the all-important boats bring the communities to life in a book that
will appeal to many.
All change at the top
As with the start of every new academic year there have
been a number of important personnel changes at the University.
The recent departure of Professor Geoffrey Crossick to join the Arts
and Humanities Research Board as its new Chief Executive has meant some
juggling of Pro-Vice-Chancellors (PVC) has taken place. Professor Michael
Sherer has replaced Professor Crossick as PVC (Academic Development) while
Professor Sherer's previous position as PVC (Academic Standards) has been
filled by Dr Sam Steel, previously Dean of Collaborative Education.
There have also been three new Deans of School appointed. Bob Mack, of
the Department of Electronic Systems Engineering, has been chosen to
replace Dr Sam Steel as Dean of Collaborative Education; Professor David
Nedwell has replaced Professor Stephen Smith as Dean of Science and
Engineering; and Professor Joan Busfield has taken over from Professor Ray
Turner as Dean of the Graduate School. Jane Wright remains Dean of Law but
has been awarded a Professorship to mark her continued commitment to
Essex.
Amongst the University's 17 academic departments there have been just
two new Heads of Department appointed. Dr Jeremy Krikler has replaced Dr
Joan Davies as Head of History while Professor Peter Hulme has taken over
from Dr Leon Burnett as Head of Literature. Although not a new
appointment, Professor Nigel South, previously Head of the Health and
Social Services Institute, is now Head of the newly formed Department of
Health and Human Sciences.
Obituary: Professor George Barnard
To read Honorary Graduate and Emeritus Professor, George Barnard's
obituary, follow this link to Wyvern Extra
Also in the printed October edition of Wyvern:
- New staff for major art history projects
- British Academy fellowship
- Accounting for scandal
