Month: September 2023

September 25, 2023

The Ecological Citizen Course launches on Penryn campus this week, starting on Friday 29th September. For the last 12 months, the Ecological Citizenship Course has been co-created by students, staff, and our community in response to the ecological crisis. This course is open to all students and staff at Falmouth University, University of Exeter in Cornwall, FX Plus and the SU.

The course aims to nurture creative responses to the climate and ecological predicament faced by us all, and is a supportive space which encourages collective learning, creative enquiry and addresses eco-anxiety. The course is particularly relevant to all those interested in thinking about and shaping the systems of change at play in our world.

Participants will learn by doing through talks, discussions, and workshops. There will also be practical sessions like tree planting, citizen science, ecological structure building, food growing, art making, community service and much more.

The weekly course will usually take place every Wednesday, but the launch and Fireside Feast has been moved to Friday 29th September due to high winds and rain expected this Wednesday (27th Sep).

Those attending the course will now meet on Friday (29th Sep) for a Fireside Feast in the Amphitheatre, outside Peter Lanyon building at 4pm. The Ecological Citizen Course will end with a celebratory Festival Gathering and ‘graduation’ in June.

Reasons to join

• Connect with a diverse group of people invested in responding to the ecological crisis.

• Learn more about the systems at play in our changing world.

• Support your creative practice.
• Process emotions and foster pathways for hope.
• Learn by doing. Attend talks, discussions, and workshops, but also practical sessions like tree planting, citizen science, ecological structure building, food growing, art making, community service and more.

• Develop future facing communication and leadership skills.

• In this course, no one is in charge, and everyone is in charge.

• Have fun. The course will end with a festival for participants and its own ‘graduation’ event.

How do I sign up?

To find out more and to register, visit the webform here.

September 22, 2023

Falmouth University and the University of Exeter and walking and cycling charity Sustrans have organised several Active Travel Events at our Penryn Campus, taking place on Wednesday 27^th September and Thursday 28^th September.

On Wednesday from 10am – 5pm, Sustrans will be running a ‘Dr Bike Day’ with free bike safety checks and adjustments, free bike security marking and local walking, cycling and public transport advice.

Their Dr Bike stand will be located in the Courtyard between the SU and the Stannary and the service is free for all students and staff. Simply leave your bike with Sustrans and pick it up later.

If you don’t have a bike, you can still pop by to say hello! There will be plenty of walking route and public transport information, as well as free maps for those seeking discovery and adventures in Cornwall.

In addition, there will be information for students on how to get free e-bike hire, and for staff about our cycle to work schemes!

Do you already walk or cycle to campus, or perhaps you are thinking about starting? Changing facilities, showers and cycle parking are available across the site. If you’re not sure where they are, come and talk to the team on the Wednesday 27^th.

On Thursday 28^th September from 10:00am – 13:00pm, why not learn how to look after your own bike by signing up to a free bike maintenance session?  Sessions will take place outside in the Courtyard between the SU and the Stannary and are open to everyone.

Free Maintenance Sessions on Thursday 28^th include:

• Session 1: M checks and general maintenance, 10:00am – 10:45am
• Session 2: Puncture repairs, 11:00am – 12:00pm
• Session 3: Brakes and gears, 12:15am – 13:00pm

Sign up at the Dr Bike stand on Wednesday 27^th September or email Helen Morse on helen.morse@sustrans.org.uk.

For more information contact sustainability@fxplus.ac.uk.

September 14, 2023

Last month (August 2023), our university community was saddened to learn of the untimely passing of our colleague Doug Walker. Doug was a revered member of the FX Plus IT & Digital Services Team for over 11 years and was diagnosed in early May 2023 with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia (AML). The type of AML that Doug had was extremely aggressive, and after a brave three-month battle with the cruel disease Doug passed away peacefully surrounded by his family. Doug leaves behind his partner, Charlotte, and two sons.  

Colleagues from across our university partnership attended a memorial service last Saturday (9th September 2023), whereby the family asked not for flowers but for donations to help raise money for Leukaemia charities and bodies of medical research that aim to give people with a similar prognosis to Doug a better chance in the future. “All Doug wanted to do, and did, was help people. We hope you can help us honour him,” said Charlotte on the gofundme page set up for the cause. 

With the support of Doug’s family, on Sunday 17th September, a group of five colleagues and friends aim to take on the challenging ride from Falmouth to Taunton (200 kilometres). Four of the group will attempt the full 200km distance, with the fifth member aiming to cover at least 120km, all to raise funds to help others fight AML in memory of Doug. The riders taking on the challenge include Rob Lawrence, David McAllister, Stuart Gaslonde, Tim Lawrence and Nathan Prisk. The team will also be followed by Gemma Prisk who has volunteered to drive the safety and support vehicle.
 
Rob Lawrence, the organiser of the 200km bike ride, said: “Soon after we discovered that Doug was ill, we wanted to help. We planned this challenge as a fundraising event for Doug, hoping to raise money for research into AML and to show support for Doug and his family. Sadly, AML took Doug far more quickly than any of us could have anticipated. Doug and Charlotte faced AML head on with incredible courage and dignity, and we want to honour that by completing this challenge – in Doug’s memory.” 

The team of riders will set off from Falmouth campus at 07:00 on Sunday 17th September. If you would like to support them, please donate via the family’s gofundme page. You can also check out the full cycle route here. Do join the ride by popping out and giving the team a wave if you see them passing.