Civil Partnerships in Parliament?

In whats starting to become a "trend" (thankyou Penny Corfield), here is another gender-based blog for all you Labbers out there.

In perusing the dailies' websites the other morning, I came across this article in the Independent, revealing Gordon Brown's plans allow Civil Partnerships to be held in the 14th century Crypt-Chapel attached to Westminster, traditionally reserved for the heterosexual marriages of MPs and their families.

Potentially good news, though the Independent could only point out 2 openly gay politicians that would benefit from this change to 'make the House of Commons more representative of the nation', so its unlikely the chapel will be fully-booked just yet!

Hands off our bibliography: to the barricades!

By now you will have heard the terrible news. The RHS bibliography, that glorious free resource from which we all download heaps of books for research and teaching, is under threat. Very much the launch pad for historiographical enquiry in British history, this vital resource is under threat. Government funding has run out and the new provider is charging £750 or so for us to get it.

The Lab has immediately begun a petition, urging the library to subscribe, and we have already gained very many signatures. If you haven't yet signed it, you can add your signature by visiting Lucy Byrne during the week, or waiting until the Lab next Friday. I urge you to do this: it is so important!

It would be great if you could write to Evelyn Cornell ([email protected]) and tell her how useful it is, how much more important and comprehensive than Historical Abstracts it is, and how vital it is for both teaching and research.

Thanks for your help, Labbers

A treat from ELH

Lucy Byrne kindly sent me details of a forthcoming ELH event. Professor Mick Aston will be talking on 'In the light of the results of the Shapwick project, how should we have done the research now?' on Friday 20 November 2009. He'll be taking coffee from 10.45-11.30, and all are welcome to join him. At 11.30 he will give an informal seminar in the seminar room in no. 5, which will be about the Shapwick research project (an investigation of the origins and development of a Somerset village).Anyone intending to come should let Lucy know in good time (0116 252 2762). There is limited space.

UFOs through time.

Sorry for the recent Torygraph binge here on the blog, but this is rather good fun. A history of photographs of UFOs. Parts II and III here. Over 140 years old Fakes, something else, or proof of life outside the Lab? Remember a UFO is only unidentified and not necessarily little green (or pink?) men from Mars. Who knows. But worth a click through. A nice illustration of photographic techniques over time too. I suppose, if nothing else, it's an evidenced history of unknowns. Could be the basis of a history book even Donald Rumsfeld might read?

How much didn’t you do today?

If you've found today fairly unproductive, then there's good reason. According to this Telegraph
article the dark nights this week are hard work. I'm no fan myself. The best cure? More light. Let the New History Lab lighten your life this Friday, as we shine the torch of enlightenment on the murky depths of theory.

Lift

I've just discovered this excellent short film by Marc Isaacs, shot entirely inside the lift of a London tower block.

A POEM CALLED HISTORY

History is six things in this poem; each one clear and real but poignant too. You don't have to take the MA Research and Methods course to write this poem but you will understand it better if you have. So how is that? How can the Pam, who has not done the course (I presume), be so far ahead in her 'History' than those who have done the course? Maybe this tell us something about the nature of history - an intensely human and natural activity that needs no technicals? Or maybe it tell us something about our Poet Laureate who sees in the dark? I'm not sure. But it's certainly a fine fingered handling of what we do.

History is six things. It is some kind of climb to the top: what the poet calls "a plinth moment". There are students who like to write like this. There are staff who like to write like this - to the summit, so we can see better, and be admired for reaching it. 70 plus double first no question. Now come down, now and tell us what history really is
.
It is Nelson, "stepping down"; he's had his plinth moment and now his back is broken - hardly stepping - but no longer Admiral of the Fleet that's for sure. There are those who say he wanted it this way.

It is light, a "dawning": I get this every day. OK not a dawning so much but often more than a Duracell and occasionally more than a halogen. Last time i had it was watching Lee Hall's Pitmen Painters when jimmy decides to do a Blob and is told he cant.

It is a text, a voice from then. We dont read texts it's true: we listen to them.

It is a croft, a candle, a bloody great house with a chandelier. Whose history shall we choose?

It's a way eyes close.

The Raphael Samuel History Centre Workshops

Good afternoon Labbers,

I thought I should start pulling my weight around here (mainly because Malcolm told me to), so I thought I would share with you a recent discovery of mine. The Raphael Samuel History Centre looks to be having a really fascinating (and useful) set of workshops and open days coming up over the next academic year.

I've already signed up for Workshop 1, a guide through the Hall Carpenter LGBT archives, but I think they all look great *and very useful, hint hint* for anyone who is looking at using archives for their research for BAs, MAs and PhDs...so everyone then. :)

Expect to hear more from your friendly, neighbourhood Mark before too long!

bpi1700

This might sound like bad news from the Doctor (Sir, I'm afraid you've got bpi of 1700). But it's not - it's good news from the Prof. Here we have a great collection of British Printed Images to 1700. A handy little resource here, Labbers.

Culture crunch averted

In one of the more exciting bailouts for historians, newspapers, pictures, films and rocks benefit from a cultural bailout. A much better use of public money than bonuses for bankers, surely? If you are following the BL over on twitter, they seem pretty pleased too!

Here's a good 'un!

The Centre for Urban History, the Centre for English Local History, and the Institute of Historical Research have teamed up to put a programme on for PhD students, with some money from the AHRC. Landscape and Townscape: Methods and Sources for Urban, Regional and Local History, is a veritable feast over the coming year of research training. You'll master all sorts of different sources - from the archives to the built environment. They even have some field trips going from archives to built environments. There's a brilliant programme here - you'll add strings to your bow with GIS training and more. Have a look, but sign-up quickly if you want to take part. The prohibitive costs of getting to London at rush hour will even be met (providing you have a rail card, and East Midlands trains don't increase ticket prices by 91% overnight, which I can't rule out).

You'll recognize some names indeed! Richard Jones will be teaching you how to master GIS with ease! Simon Gunn is going to tell you whether or not Spaghetti Junction is in fact a dog's dinner of traffic management (that makes him sound the CUH's answer to Jeremy Clarkson, but that's not what it will be like). The prospect of a visit to Stamford with Roey, who led the original MA peregrination to Bath, which is the archetype, and certainly is responsible for this part of the NHL agenda.

Priority to PhD students, with MA students going on a waiting list. Spaces are filling up: don't delay - sign-up today. I've signed up for the lot! If you are going, remember to wear your history pride band with err, well, pride!

AND THAT'S NOT ALL: TWO WORLD FIRSTS FOR NEW HISTORY LAB

Because we can officially announce today that NEW HISTORY LAB is the only university history group in the country that has its own POET LAUREATE. In fact we are probably the only one in the WORLD who has a POET LAUREATE. I'll say that again just incase you didn't catch it first time.

We have our own POET LAUREATE.

She's called Pam Thompson and she's REAL. I mean a real POET LAUREATE. She writes real poems and her first for the LAB is published somewhere beneath this...if you cast your eyes downwards you'll see it. It's about History and it's brilliant - up there with T S Eliot's 'now and England'. I invite comments on this poem from all who wield the pink pen.

Talking of wielding things, not only that, but we are also the first History Lab in the world to have its own HISTORICAL ROMANCE. The author is called Jane Pearson and she has just started it. Bodices are yet to be ripped, title is yet to be bestowed, heroes are yet to be pinked - so come on lads and lasses write your own next paragraph.

IT'S ALL KICKED OFF

What a great start to the new term. I dont think there's a history lab in the country that could do what NEW HISTORY LAB has done and be WITH CALF at the same time. Consider this:

First we opened with Closure and heard about doing postgraduate work from those who have just finished. First up was Marie with a wonderfully candid and witty account of how to do an MA, work at John Lewis, keep your friends, learn Russian, run a literature group, keep your complexion and stay sane all at the same time.

Then there was Siobhan who has just finished her PhD. Siobhan told the LAB (there must have been 60 present) the single most important thing a long distance postgraduate needs to know. You could pay thousands for this advice from an educational consultant but Dr Begley gave it to us for free. PhDs involve a long journey where there is no map. Or if there is, you have to make your own. Nobody can do it for you. And when you have made it, you are transformed.

Julie Deeming followed that (and not many people could follow that) with a discourse on the difference between writing and writing up. Writing up is a bad idea. Writing is the good idea. It makes the map - and the earlier the better, and the more often the better. So let's drop that terrible university phrase borrowed from the sciences - 'writing up' - and let's remember that what we do and what we know is what we write.

Finally, as examiner of over forty doctorates, Professor Chris Dyer told us about the world we have lost - the world of research as it was in the time of King Alfred when he did his. For in those times nobody gave (or had) a hoot and bad advice abounded in the land. On the other hand, jobs were plentiful and examiners, when not drunk, were generous.

Thanks to all speakers for the nmost beautiful combination of great good advice and great good humour. That's the way we like it.


More NEW HISTORY LAB achievements later in the week.

Just desserts

A correspondent to the Blog has sent this to your technicians, and we thought you'd like it. From His Just Desserts or the Triumph of Enlightenment, recounted by Mrs Jane Pearson - Thanks!

The door flew open and he strode into the room. The watery sunlight, seeping in through the window, flashed on the silver scabbard at his side, his spurs jangled menacingly. He flung off his cloak as he moved towards her. Without intending to she took a step backwards, her hand flying to her breast in a vain gesture of self-protection. She tried to conceal the guilty note in the silken folds of her fuchsia-pink gown, but the hard slate-grey eyes took in her every move.

He held out his hand. "What is that, madam?" he demanded.

"It is nothing, sir. A mere trifle." Her voice came out in a terrified whisper.

The hand did not waver. "Give it to me."

Trembling, she held out the precious document and he seized it from her. "A True and Full Narrative of the New History Lab, for the behoof and pleasure of our learned Countrymen!" he said incredulously. "What in all the turds of hell is that?"

"They put fun into history, sir," she said brokenly. "And confidence."

Without a word he seized her by the wrist and dragged her to the fireplace. He flung the note into the dying embers and forced her to watch as the flames began to consume it.

"But sir," she wailed. "They have cake."

It took him a moment to register what she had said. Then, with one swift fluid movement of his athletic frame he swept the charred note out of the ashes and shook it out.

"Cake?" he said. "When do they meet?"

History

Hello. I'm delighted to be Poet Laureate on this blog. Here's my introductory poem.


History

is some kind of climb,
a plinth moment,
repeated on the hour in a different costume.

History is Nelson
stepping down;
another poet said it’s a long dark chute.

History is light
dawning:
that feeling, that fact; the way it was.

History is a text,
a voice:
artefact of here from then.

History is a croft,
one candle burning,
or a great house gas-lit by chandeliers.

History
is the way eyes close
and new news becomes old.

The New Poetry Lab

We here at the NHL always look for new ways to do our thing. And the appointment of our first poet laureate, Pam Thompson, is one of those things which we hope will help us look away from history as being presented as true prose only at all times. Pam is one of Leicester's most prominent poets, who has published several volumes of which her most recent was The Japan Quiz (Redbeck Press, 2009).

Pam works as a Senior Lecturer in Academic Professional Development at DMU and has just started a PhD which involves investigating her own creative processes and those of others, and producing a collection of poetry. Pam also works as a freelance poet and am one of the organisers of Word!, Leicester's longest running spoken-word event, which takes place at The Y Theatre on the first Tuesday of every month.

She'll be attending sessions as she can and presenting poems at a number of occasions. Pam is also a pink writer on this blog, and will be contributing here soon. Watch out for a touch of poetry on these pages!

Did you know the New History Lab is expecting?

A big thank you from all the technicians - for a great first New History Lab of 2009/10. A brilliant turnout for four fab speakers! Thanks! I do hope to see you all on the 30^th of October for a spot of Trouble - or why postmodernism is ruining research. More about that in due course.

It was a pleasure to appoint Siobhan Begley the first Distinguished Honorary Fellow to the New History Lab. Not only has Siobhan presented twice to the Lab, and written a very fine thesis, but she has also been a very good friend to the New History Lab, being one of our most ardent supporters.

Finally, if you'd like to come to come to the with CALF (& us?) event on Saturday, 24^th October, please get in touch. I am really excited about the day - I think you'll find it very interesting and well worth your time. You'll use facebook and other technologies as research tools, and consider the future. What will historical research be in the future? How can we consider a history of the future? CALF are kindly providing catering for the event, but we do need a commitment so that we can cater and manage rooms. If you have questions, do get in touch, and to book a place, either attend the facebook event, or e-mail me at [email protected]!

At the tobacconist's

This is a no smoking laboratory, but this gem in the BL's sound archive could tempt us. You can hear JRR Tolkien in this early Linguaphone recording. He's better known now for his fiction, but he was also a skilled linguist and heavily involved in the OED. Follow the link after the link, and do find the three minutes and eighteen seconds to listen - you'll be well rewarded. It seems people really did speak like that. At least some people, anyway.

Leicester Slums - a new exhibition

Veteran Labber and MA student Ann (of Pan Cake fame - see previous post for recipie) has brought this to our attention: http://www.inloughborough.com/news/097123/The%20Slums%20of%20Leicester,%20c1840-1970. Head on up to Wigston Record Office from 12/10 to see a collection of archive and private photographs of Leicester's slums. Bound to be worth popping in if you are up in that neeck of the wood. Please post your reactions here if you do see it. Thanks, Ann!

Follow the Lab on Twitter!

New History is officially up and running on Twitter. Hopefully we can bring you updates on Lab, reminders for upcoming seminars, blog updates and much more over the coming year.

http://twitter.com/NewHistoryLab

New History Lab: You know when you’ve been pinked!

A big pink welcome from the New History Lab technicians.

The NHL is the postgraduate workshop at the University of Leicester and is open to anyone interested in historical research. Our fortnightly sessions present a whole range of histories in many different ways with a good dash of fun thrown in. We start each meeting with tea and home-made cake, and then finish up in the pub!

Our first meeting is next Friday, 9th October, and will be in the seminar room at 1, Salisbury Road. Tea and cake is served from 4:30pm, and the history begins at 5:00: we’ll be in the pub by 6:30 at the latest. We are going to start with closure, as four former students pass on their distilled wisdom about finishing their theses or MA, submitting, and moving on. Their sage reflections will help us all think about the process of completing our studies and the process of making history. We look forward to welcoming you to the Lab!
Gervase, Malcolm, Mark, Matt, Rob and Robyn