Darren Connor

The saddest of news – our dear friend and colleague Darren Connor, died yesterday whilst undertaking a sponsored cycle ride. As all of you who came into contact with him know, Darren was one of life's great enthusiasts and infused all around him with great positivity. He had a radar eye for the strange, absurd and obtuse, so much so that he had become a one man"daft magnet" (nice work if you can get it!)

It would be wrong to say they broke the mold when they made him, because let's be honest more than likely they would have left it on a train somewhere, and to this day it is traveling all stations (without a ticket).

So what about some pithy quotes you ask – well what about some that he never actually said:

"do you think this shirt will clash"?

"not sure I can be bothered with another Apple product"

"I'm stopping in"

To say that he will be missed, does not even begin to describe how we feel right now.

A prince amongst men.

And Now for Something Completely Different

Here at the University of Cumbria, we're pleased to be part of the Cycle at Work Scheme™.

now that's what I call a headline #04

The News & Star, where cold hard fact is the only accepted currency.

We Like These V (The Mighty Power Trio)

Let's face it, you don't need more than three people on stage to create a pleasing rock 'n' roll racket. There's something wonderfully uncomplicated and dynamic about bass, guitar and drums. The greatest trios also have a tendency to create music that sounds as if there are twice as many people on stage as there actually are.

Here are three of our favourites (one each from the 80's, 90's and 00's) but you might also like to sample: Nirvana; The Jimmy Hendrix Experience; Motorhead; Sleater-Kinney; The Jam; The Minutemen; The Police; Placebo; Dinosaur Jr.; ZZ Top (pronounced Zed Zed); Sebadoh; Sugar; Babes in Toyland; Johnny Foreigner; Green Day; Rush etc.

HEALTH WARNING: experimenting with power-trios could lead to 'Muse' - you have been warned.


No1. Husker Du (1979-1987)
Two of the greatest songwriters of their generation in the same three-piece - what were the chances of that happening? The road to The Pixies and ultimately Nirvana starts here...



No.2 The Kitchens of Distinction (1986-1996)
No keyboards were used in the making of this song. Overtly political and with an openly gay front man, only the critics liked them at the time. One of the greatest 'lost' bands of the 1990's.



No.3 The Joy Formidable (2007-Present) Our standout band at The Big Weekend. This Welsh trio actually look to be having a great time on stage.
Miserable young bands please take note, scowling or having yourselves photographed in black and white against a snowy landscape does not make you cool and/or deep and interesting.

More From the Preview

Show business

Breaking with the conventions of art exhibition previews, this year our show opened at 2pm today (Saturday), rather than the more normal Friday evening.

There has been an excellent flow of 'Previewers' with many more expected this evening when the drinks cabinet is opened for business!


Early talent spotters included friends from industry Jenny Henson (L) and Sarah France (R) our Nicepond correspondents, and John Strike from the Future Publishing Massiv™.

Your Own Personal Jesus

Currently on eBay:

It was the title that caught our attention - would it possible to create a non religious Jesus statue? We'll have to think about that...

Anyway, you'll be happy to note that the Son of God is both pure and hand made (in Poland) and perhaps unsurprisingly for such an exalted figure, is also weatherproof. At opening bids of £1000 he's also a little pricey but we imagine he would look great as a 'statement' feature in the middle of a garden pond or small lake.

Disaster Strikes!

At approximately 11.20am, Lecturer Rhiannon Robinson (33 1/3) sneaked out the back door to buy a pasty from Greggs. Her desire for puff pastry nirvana temporarily distracted her and she forgot to shut the door. Tragically for us a freak gust of wind entered the studio through the open portal causing the mayhem so graphically captured below...


Leanne Swift (but not swift enough...)


Mike's worst nightmare comes true!


Even relatively small children were picked up and tossed aside by the cruel gale.

One Day To Go...

1.30pm: The Thursday sub team in action.


Tonight Matthew...


2.18pm: Disaster strikes when Mike cuts himself on a piece of sharp fluff. Luckily he's been watching Ray Mears and knows what to do...


Jim (33) attempts a classic 'Tailford Topple'.


Suprisingly convincing isn't it?


Mike Molloy (21) wrestles with the fishing line.

Ladies and Gentlemen We Give You 'The Show'

4.00pm: Just need the portfolios on the tables

Starting to Take Shape (Two Days to Go)

Yesterday we took a very large pile of very large card to a local printer who had kindly agreed to guillotine it to A3 for us. Today we went to pick it up...

The printers is just round the corner from here



which makes the best sandwiches in town.



So we 'treated' ourselves to these handsome fellows (crab and prawn)...


12.15pm: Peart & Millington (both 33) a.k.a. 'The Sandwich Twins'



1.30pm: The men in suits who meet on our roof dropped by. They usually number at least four, are smartly dressed and carry clipboards. We think they have something to do with MI5.



2.00pm: Mike (21) with one of his classic mimes. This one is called 'Invisible Balloon'. It's quite similar to his equally impressive 'Falcon on the Loose'.


3.55pm: Jim lends a hand but he's rubbish and Abi shows him the red card.


Petra (21) is actually a Year 2 student but once you have a step ladder world domination is only a short step away...



5.15pm: Petra thanks 'the troops' and tells them which small country they will be invading tomorrow.