What is mosaic art?

According to Wikipedia, mosaic art is a decorative technique that creates patterns or images by assembling small, usually coloured, pieces of stone, glass, ceramic, or other materials known as “tesserae”.  These pieces are set into a surface—typically floors, walls, or ceilings—using adhesive or mortar.

The history of the mosaic is long and fascinating, dating back thousands of years, with evidence of its existence found in ancient civilizations such as Mesopotamia, Greece, and Rome.

Nowdays, it is a fun, creative and relaxing craft which you can do at home once you know the basics and create something beautiful. Mosaics can be made from a variety of materials, including glass, ceramic, stone, and even found objects.

Jo’s Mosaic work

Jo lives and works in the Cotswolds, UK, and her studio Muddle House Mosaics is based near the beautiful town of Cirencester.

24 years ago, Jo first discovered the joy of creating mosaics, it was on a one-day workshop in a cold marquee that she became hooked to the craft, the couple of mosaic created were not great by any stretch of the imagination, but from that day it was the start of something new and this would eventually turn into her daily routine.

Originally the mosaics created were made from old ceramic plates, cups & saucers, but over the years Jo has moved away from this style and now works mainly with unglazed ceramic, glass & mirror tiles, in the last year she has started to create her own ceramic embellishments and these can be found in her newer pieces of work.

She predominantly works with Portuguese and French unglazed ceramic tiles, they come in an attractive range of muted colours which give a calm traditional feel to the mosaics she creates. Inspirations for designs have originated from living in the countryside, flora & fauna are a huge influence in Jo’s work plus the style of folk art plays a big part in the design process.

She says “I am very much inspired by the fauna and flora that surrounds me in this wonderful part of the world. My other inspirations come from the stunning Roman mosaics that have been discovered in the local area. Other influences for me would have to be the lovely style and design of Folk Art, I love the simplicity of this medium, with clean lines, strong forms and blocks of colour”.

In 2022, exhibited a mosaic exhibition with Yvette Green “Nature in Shards” in the Corinium museum (Cirencester).

Previous exhibitions

Chedworth Roman Villa (2016): Featured in an exhibition at Chedworth Roman Villa, displaying work inspired by history and nature.

Fisherton Mill (2017): Exhibited mosaic plaques in the main gallery and shop.

You can view pieces of Jo’s artwork currently at the RAU Library (glass display cabinets) and at various outlets in and around the Cotswold area including at the Corinium Museum. She creates work to commission, for exhibitions, art and craft Galleries and for her Etsy shop.

The exhibition runs at the RAU Library from 23^rd March until end of May 2026.

For more information visit the website: http://www.muddlehousemosaics.co.uk

Etsy -www.etsy.com/shop/MuddleHouseMosaics

try holding your breath whilst you count your money

Dr Guy McPherson

In conjunction with the Earth Day (April 22nd) we have put up a display about ecotourism. Sustainability is an increasingly important topic for individuals, corporations or even governments!

Our recent themed display on “Ecotourism” gives an overview of our resources on ecotourism and its contribution to conservation, communities and economies.

What is ecotourism?

Ecotourism is a form of responsible travel that focuses on preserving the environment and creating sustainable livelihoods for local communities. Through ecotourism, travellers can enjoy unique experiences while helping to protect nature and support local economies.

Here are five key positive impacts of ecotourism:

We know that is a growing field attracting increasing attention from students and academics. The selection of book titles and journals covers principles of ecotourism, policies for sustainability, tourism for protected areas, research methods, food tourism, and rural tourism and recreation. We hope it will be of interest to students across a range of disciplines including economics, business and environmental studies.

If you want to know more about any of these items (books, e-books / journals or e-journals), you can browse them in the library or in the case of books, borrow them.

If you want to find many more resources on the same topic please check the library catalogue or Find it @ Rau on Gateway.  Library staff will gladly assist you.

Take some time to explore, reflect, and discover how to take sustainable and positive action and become a more environmentally aware tourist.

You might find useful also the Resource List here:   https://rl.talis.com/3/rau/lists/B205F750-C97F-5942-0CEF-108693170079.html?lang=en-GB

The display is located near the library entrance.

RAU library has recently accepted donated books by the Georgian Group Library. The Georgian Architecture and Heritage books are a useful addition to the stock and can be used by the students attending the modules Cultural Heritage Management, Heritage and Archaeology and Heritage Property. Often our Library enriches its collections through donations, and by incorporating new material to serve our academic community.

The Georgian Group Library, based in London, offers a variety of resources and content regarding the preservation, architecture, and interior design of the Georgian period (1714–1830) through its website, digital archives, and official publications.

The Georgian Group started in 1937 is the national charity for the preservation of Georgian architecture in England and Wales. It was founded by Lord Derwent, Robert Byron, and Douglas Goldring. Douglas Goldring also became the first secretary. The Group was first part of another organization. This was the Society for the Protection of Ancient Buildings.

Many famous people were involved early on. These included Nikolaus Pevsner, Sir John Betjeman, and Sir John Summerson. Since 1971, the Georgian Group has been known as a national “amenity society.” This means it’s an important group that helps protect our heritage.

Georgian Group Journal

The Georgian Group Journal An online archive providing access to over 350 articles on eighteenth-century architecture and design.It is the authoritative journal of record for early modern architecture in Britain between 1660 and 1840 and was first published in 1986. It is cited more often than any other title in Sir Howard Colvin’s classic work of reference A Biographical Dictionary of British Architects 1600-1840 and is essential reading for anyone interested in architecture and related aspects of material culture during this period.

The Georgian Group Journal, published annually, is sent to all members and subscribing libraries. It is currently edited by Dr. Geoffrey Tyack of Oxford University. Previous editors have included: Roger White, Giles Worsley and Richard Hewlings.

An online archive of past articles together with a cumulative index is available via the link: https://georgiangroup.org.uk/georgian-group-journal/

The Group’s website features updates on events, symposia, and casework.

On International Women’s Day 2026 we decided to write about a 19th-century British botanical illustrator and author recognized for her significant work, Plantae Utiliores; or Illustrations of Useful Plants, Employed in the Arts and Medicine (1842–1846).

Mary Ann Burnet (d.1856) was a botanist who, in conjunction with her brother Gilbert Thomas Burnett (Professor of Botany at King’s College London 1800-1835), illustrated and highlighted plants used in medicine and industry. 

Women only started to publish botanical, gardening and instructive art books in the late 19^th century when it was seen as more socially acceptable and encouraged to engage with science and botany.

Before then, women in general were still discouraged from engaging with science, botany and pursuing a career outside the home. During the 18^th and 19^th centuries they were taught painting and drawing within their home. So, most women combined, high-level artistic skills with scientific knowledge and observation that enabled them to revolutionize natural history illustration.

Plantae Utiliores

Plantae Utiliores this significant work we hold in our Historical collection was published (and issued monthly) in London by Whittaker & Co. between 1842 and 1850, as a multi-volume set.

The work is a cornerstone of Victorian medical botany and consists of four volumes containing approximately 260 hand-coloured lithographs. Each plate is accompanied by descriptive text detailing the plant’s history, use in medicine, or application in the “arts” (industry/crafts).

See below examples of Burnett’s work who captured the essence of botany through her vibrant, scientifically precise illustration:

Burnett is considered one of the women whose botanical and scientific contributions laid the foundation for modern botany, often highlighted during International Day of Women and Girls in Science. Her work is occasionally featured on historical blogs to highlight early women botanists and their contributions to science.

Please see below the dedication note to the Earl Stanhope expressing gratitude for the support of the project.

Conclusively, it is important that we continue to research, acknowledge, credit and celebrating women’s achievements to science and the art work and those who have never been notified.

You can find digital copies of the original volumes on the Biodiversity Heritage Library and Internet Archive. 

View volumes online (below):

Sources:

History of RAG

The Oxford English Dictionary states that the origin of the word “RAG” is from “An act of ragging; esp. an extensive display of noisy disorderly conduct, carried on in defiance of authority or discipline“, and provides a citation from 1864, noting that the word was known in Oxford before this date. Another idea is that the word came from the Victorian era when students took time out of their studies to collect rags to clothe the poor.

Throughout the years RAG evolved to stand for “Raise & Give” and in the UK has become the focal point of student fundraising. Most universities have their own RAG societies which work around the year to raise money for causes in need – some with incredible success.

The Royal Agricultural University in Cirencester has a long tradition of raising money for charity. Preparations and money raising for RAG begin long before its official week in February, though on occasions events have had to be cancelled due to severe weather conditions, and during the Covid pandemic. The Royal Agricultural College Journal, a good source of information forRAG week reports as far back as the 1964, describes many of the fund-raising activities by students over the years.

RAU RAG Week

According to the Students’ Union website: RAG (Raising & Giving) week is all about raising money for charities and having fun too. The week features Charity Auctions, Pub Crawling, Fancy Dress, Tractor Pulling Competition, RAG Ball, Rag and Drag Dance, Clay Pigeon competition, Car treasure hunt, Skittles evening, Spaghetti race, Cow Pat Bingo, Iron Man Contest, Football match, Rugby match, volunteering opportunities and getting into the spirit to raise money for various causes.

As Roger Sayce states in his book The History of the Royal Agricultural College, a regular RAG Week after the post-war period was held each year that raised appreciable funds for charity. In 1989, £52,000 was raised in total from a charity run “Le Jog” (£38,000) and RAG Week (£14,000). The money was distributed to the Cotswold Care Project, the Meningitis Trust, Riding for the Disabled and the Star Centre for the Disabled.

An extract from the Wilts and Glos Standard (February 9, 2017) All tied up for Rag Week fundraising by Tom Nellist highlights a nostalgic view of the RAG week of 1991.

 ARCTIC conditions did not stop farming students from making a fast buck for charity in 1991. Playing fancy dress rugby, monkeying around as Tarzan and eating toothpaste sandwiches were just some of the pranks that helped students at the Royal Agricultural College in Cirencester to rake in funds for local charities in the annual Rag Week.

On the Monday morning, a group of students with stockings over their heads charged into GWR Studios radio station in Wotton Bassett and kidnapped Neil Greenslade, alias ‘Hungry Howard’, the GWR DJ.

On Tuesday, the fundraisers made £70 selling pancakes and a further £800 was collected when hypnotist Eddie Burke asked 20 students to volunteer to be put under his spell, putting two under his spell and turning them into Tarzan and Jane before making them howl like chimpanzees.

Wednesday saw the boys take on the girls in a fancy dress rugby match and in the evening the Iron Man competition commenced which involved students eating and drinking stomach churning concoctions.

The week was rounded off with the traditional Rag Ball, a huge charity knees-up attracting more than 1,000 people.

Ed Stroud, the Rag treasurer, said they hoped to have raised over £15,000 to be donated to four charities, the Sue Ryder Foundation, Home Farm Trust, the Kiernan Foundation and Save the Elephants.

RAG week would not be possible, of course, without the generous support of the Royal Agricultural University’s students, staff, local businesses, local residents and parents.

RAG-related items on the current Archival display:

• Newspapers/ Articles
• Posters
• RAUSU RAG Week February 2017 (programme)
• RAG Week reports
• RAC RAG Ball ticket 1991

• RAC RAG magazine (the sale of which to the local community was a key revenue raiser)

RAC RAG magazine

The earliest RAG Magazines which we have in the archives of the Royal Agricultural University date back to 1968 and 1970. Although far from politically correct by today’s standards, they were packed with comical pictures, jokes (often ‘inside’ jokes), and advertisements.  Their quirky covers clearly show their ‘handmade’ ethos.

Examples of RAG Week themes include:  

• GRABIT ’74
• Cultivate ’78
• RAG – Never Boared ’86
• RAG “Cowpoke” ’87
• RAG Week – Foul ’88
• RAG Week- Ram it ’89
• Gobble it ’90
• RAG “Make it Grow” ’91
• Get the horn ’96
• Get the Pecker up ’97
• Brace yourself ’99

As Fred Perry, the RAG Chairman in his message (1997 issue) said, “To all you guys and gals, it’s that time again when the nation cowers under the duvet. Yes that’s right – the mild, rigid work of art to which we attach the nouns “RAG MAG” is released. Pop to the kitchen, reach for the Earl Grey, sit back in your comfy reclining chair, relax and indulge yourself in what must be the cosiest, rosiest (but not the nosiest) RAG Mag in the world, from what must be the cosiest, and definitely the nosiest agricultural college in the World”

Two of the social annual highlights are the May Ball and RAG Week. RAG week always finished with the RAG Ball, the ‘best of the College Balls’.  From the “Never Boared’ 86” RAG week report Nick Sweeney (RAG Chairman) reports that, “The climax of a memorable week was the RAG Ball, splendidly organised by “Midge” Francis. The Prig improvement Company sponsored the marquee enabling up to invite 700 people and so double the profits made on the evening. The raffle was drawn and the winners received prizes of double May Ball tickets, champagne and wrist watches”.

The RAG Ball

The RAG Ball in 1983 proved very popular. Tim Haigh RAG Chairman said: Tickets had been sold out by the end of the previous week and with the approach of the ball, began changing hands at inflated prices. Those who attended were not disappointed and were treated to an evening which boasted the Blue Notes Jazz band, Joffins discotheque, cocktail bar, cartoon films and breakfast- a power cut!

RAG week continues to play an important role in student life. The organization and programme of events, and the significant amounts of money raised every year for worthy causes by students is admirable. 

Sources:

Sayce, Roger The History of Royal Agricultural College Cirencester ,199

Our new library display for Semester 2 focusing on “Nutritionism: healthy plate, healthy grades” promotes the idea that eating a balanced and nutritious diet is directly linked to better health. A healthy diet contributes to feeling better overall, giving you more energy and thereby shaping a better quality of life in the future.

The RAU University (in the canteen and café) offers a wide range of healthy and nutritious meals that nourish the body and mind, focusing on using high-quality ingredients and offering balanced meal options. 

So, in this post we are sharing some pearls of wisdom and helping you make smarter food choices which can contribute to your overall well-being.

During health awareness events, like the Nutrition and Hydration Week in March (16-22)  it is important to explore a healthy diet and the health benefits of hydration. This global initiative offers a perfect opportunity, especially for students facing busy lives and feeling stressed during exam time to focus on the fundamental aspects of their health and mental well-being that often get overlooked.

Hence, the Library is displaying a number of books, as well as some journals from the library collection which are available to students and staff through library subscriptions. Further resources can be found by searching in the Library’s catalogue or Find it discovery tool. Here are a few tips that might be helpful when you want to stick to your New Year’s Resolutions:

We hope that following our top tips will help you to feel more relaxed at the exam period and see the benefits of a balanced diet and good nutrition in an engaging way!

Check also a selection of useful websites, the Eatwell Guide, healthy recipes and nutritional information.

On display you can find some advice and tips for how to shop, cook and eat in a way that is better for you, your pocket and the planet.

You might find useful also the Resource List here:  https://rl.talis.com/3/rau/lists/2497CC91-FCB7-6F24-FC7C-5A7629BB1B47.html?lang=en-GB&login=1

Here is to healthier, happier you!

If you are planning on using the library over the Christmas period make sure you check the Opening hours before you arrive

• Library blog https://raulibrary.wordpress.com/
• Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/RoyalAgUniLibrary/
• Instagram https://www.instagram.com/rau.library/?hl=en
• Library page (Gateway)
• plasma screen (library foyer)
• Heritage (OPAC)
• look at posters/leaflets

If you are studying from home during holidays you can still access all our online resources such as e-journal articles, e-books via the Library page (Gateway) or Find it @RAU discovery tool. You could even use other University Libraries by applying for the Sconul Access scheme https://access.sconul.ac.uk/

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! Look forward to see you in 2026!

A few tips before create an unconventional yet magical tree:

1) Consider the size of your tree (large or small)

2) Sort your books by different sizes, thickness and colour stacked before you start to ensure each layer is perfectly matched

3)The most important thing to consider is that you use books of similar thickness for each layer and make sure you are staying straight.

4) Have fun with it  –  we decorated with pine cones, paper tags and add the start and some string of  lights. Our green tree looks as festive as a traditional evergreen or an artificial one.

5) After the Christmas holidays, the books will be returned to their shelves (good thing that there is no waste!

We hope our festive tree add cheer to the library with zero impact on the environment.

Maybe it will inspire you to make your own tree out of books!

We have received already several very complimentary comments about our gorgeous Christmas tree and that makes us smile!

Take a sneak peek into some of RAU’s Library Christmas decor for this year with a Vintage Book Stack Christmas Tree and enjoy a lovely winter scene by the Leisure Reading and Wellbeing Collection.

RAU Library wishes staff and student a happy and (eco-friendly) Christmas!

Sheila was born and grew up in Penzance in Cornwall, and as a child she would scour the beach combing for trinkets or whatever she could find . She collected them and took them home where she would make something out of them. Her crafting journey continues to this day and still loves to making things for friends and family.

At the moment the vast majority of her creations are the “Tree of Life” (made from small to large). She uses twisted wire for the trunk and branches, adorned with a variety of metallic and glass beads for a sparkling effect. The hanging trees of life can be hung in the window, or in a calming space in your room.

On our dazzling display you will see small sun catchers consisting of 12 wires to the larger ones that use 48 wires. She has also made spiders and octopuses.  She said: “All of these made using wire, beads, time and love! It is the importance of home made where it is done from the heart!”

Enjoy this festive craft and get some ideas to create unforgettable moments this season or perhaps buy a thoughtful gift to last.

Merry Christmas to all!