Harper Life 2019 - Alumni Magazine

Welcome Alumni relations sit within the Marketing and Communications team at Harper Adams University. Your contact within the team is Gemma Payne, who is happy to receive news updates, contact information updates and enquiries for the wider university. Call Gemma on 01952 815297 or email alumni@harper-adams.ac.uk Welcome to the latest edition of Harper Life. Within these pages you will find news about the University and its recent activities, together with information about former students from as far back as the early 1950s. One of the strengths of this great institution is the connection it has, over many decades, with those who have studied and worked here, and we are delighted to see, in this publication, stories of your achievements from across the UK and as far afield as New Zealand. At the same time, this is an institution that is looking to the future and the many changes that lie ahead. Our work on agricultural technologies and the new Harper and Keele Veterinary School are just two examples of innovations that will, over time, support rural businesses and provide the education and skills to underpin the UK’s economic success. It is always a pleasure to welcome former students back to Harper Adams. This year, our guests included some of those who began their studies in 1994 and 1969, but other reunions have taken place elsewhere, and I am sure that they have been equally enjoyed by those taking part. If you continue to meet in this way then please let us know – it would be good to hear what you have been doing and we would be happy to mention your events in later editions of Harper Life. This edition, however, starts with a round-up of our year, which includes a number of notable successes for the University. We are delighted to have achieved so much over the last 12 months, though we recognise that it is based on the foundation left by previous generations, on which we are continuing to build. I hope you enjoy catching up with this news, and that you will keep in touch with developments at Harper Adams in the years ahead. Dr David Llewellyn, Vice-Chancellor Contents Welcome ......................................................3 2019: A Year of Success ..........................4-5 Bill Watts: A Shropshire Education...............6 News fromWales...........................................7 What makes an entrepreneur? ..................8 Please sir, may I return your bowl? ..............9 Kiwi Connections .................................10-11 REALM graduate stories ............................12 Recent alumni giving back ........................13 Harper & Keele Veterinary School ............14 60 years since “Ferdinand the Bull” ...........15 Down Memory Lane: Photographs .....16-17 Alumna returns to teach ............................18 News from the HA Club Consultation outcomes .............19 Events appeal ............................19 Farewell to Julie Brook ...............19 Centenary planning ....................19 Club Scholarships 2019 .............20 Club Scholars catch-up .............21 Pictures: June alumni open day ..........22-23 1971-74 Reunion .......................................24 Glee Club Reunion .....................................24 In Memoriam ..............................................25 Your updates .....................................26-30 Keep in touch ..........................................31