Year: 2016

Young animators who developed their talents at the University of Lincoln have helped to bring to life an award-winning tale by acclaimed British author and illustrator Raymond Briggs, best known for his Christmas classic, The Snowman.

Patrick Collins and Alison Oxborrow were part of the team at Lupus Films who created Ethel & Ernest, a hand-drawn animated feature film telling the true story of Raymond’s own parents, two ordinary Londoners living through a period of extraordinary events and immense social change.

The pair joined a team of top British talent breathing life into these special characters, with Lincolnshire’s own Oscar winner Jim Broadbent and Golden Globe winner Brenda Blethyn in the title roles, and Olivier Award winner Luke Treadaway as Raymond.

Both Patrick and Alison met the film’s Animation Director, Peter Dodd, and Head of Assistant Animation, Denise Dean, while studying the BA (Hons) in Animation degree course at the University of Lincoln, and acknowledge it was these industry connections that helped them join the team at Lupus Films entrusted with bringing Raymond Briggs’ most personal story to the silver screen.

Patrick, who graduated with Alison in 2015, explained: “I wouldn’t be where I am now if I hadn’t studied animation in Lincoln. As well as learning about form, construction and animation technique I met some great people who actually work in the industry. When I saw that Denise was looking for assistant animators to work on the film, I jumped at the chance.”

Sultan Efe, Programme Leader for the BA (Hons) Animation in the University’s Lincoln School of Film & Media, said: “It’s fantastic that both Alison and Patrick have gone on to work on such a high profile animated feature film project in which they’ve been able to demonstrate their expertise in traditional animation techniques.

“At Lincoln our students engage with industry experts, becoming creative animators with the flexibility to practise their craft in a variety of media and making valuable connections along the way.”

Ethel & Ernest premiered at the BFI London Film Festival 2016 and is now being shown in cinemas across the UK (released 28^th October 2016).

One of the UK’s first People’s Peers will give a revealing account of life behind the scenes in the House of Lords in the first instalment of a new season of free public guest lectures at the University of Lincoln.

Lord Victor Adebowale of Thornes CBE, Chancellor of the University and a cross-bench member of the House of Lords since 2001, will offer audiences a glimpse into the day-to-day activities of Parliament’s Upper Chamber, revealing fascinating behind-the scenes stories and details not widely known among the public, closing with a question and answer session.

The talk, titled Everything you wanted to know about the House of Lords but were afraid to ask, will take place at 11.30am on 10^th October 2016 at the Engine Shed on the University’s main Brayford Pool Campus. Admission is free but prior booking is essential.

The event is the first in the 2016/17 season of the University of Lincoln’s Great Minds guest lecture series. Great Minds aims to provide inspirational insights into different aspects of society – from the entertainment world to elite sport and public life – for school and college students in Years 11, 12 and 13. A limited number of places are also available to the public.

Lord Adebowale said: “I’m looking forward to the lecture. I think ‘great minds’ might be a stretch in my case but I don’t think my audience will blame me for trying!”

As well as being a member of the House of Lords, Lord Adebowale is Chief Executive of Turning Point, a health and social care organisation providing services for people with complex needs such as substance misuse, mental health issues or learning disabilities.

He has a passionate interest in public service reform to ensure that those who need public services most have access to them, and talks widely on poverty, social exclusion, equality and human rights, leadership and change management.

Lord Adebowale has been a member of the House of Lords since 30 June 2001, and became Chancellor of the University of Lincoln in December 2008. He also sits on the board of NHS England and the national Co-operative, and regularly appears in the national media commenting on issues relating to health, social care and public policy.

Previous Great Minds speakers have included the Astronomer Royal Professor Lord Martin Rees, Speaker of the House of Commons the Right Honourable John Bercow MP, and the Poet Laureate Dame Carol Ann Duffy. Upcoming speakers for the 2016/17 season will be revealed shortly.

To book a place at a Great Minds guest lecture, click here. Alternatively, email events@lincoln.ac.uk or phone 01522 837100. Admission to the lecture is free but booking is essential. Priority will be given to groups from UK schools and colleges.