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
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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.