Summer is well upon us, the new fitness facilities are open on campus and the excuses not to exercise are wearing a little thin. The delay tactics are no longer convincing, and the new Summer Vacation Sports Course Programme is offering courses for everybody, even those of us with two left feet.

Over the past year three golf days have been held at various Midlands courses involving up to 30 members of staff at each event. The growing popularity of these golf days has prompted the players to form a Staff Golf Society. The Society is open to all members of staff regardless of ability and is keen to encourage new members to join.

Dr Andrew Parker, Department of Sociology, has co-written a report that has gained much attention from the world’s press. The report, written with Ellis Cashmore of Staffordshire University is titled “One David Beckham: Celebrity, Masculinity and the Soccerati” and it describes how Beckham idolatry has transformed attitudes globally.

The University Rowing Club has honoured the Vice-Chancellor by naming their new boat the David VandeLinde. Members of the Rowing Club are pictured with Vice-Chancellor Professor David VandeLinde admiring the new craft.