Harlac's Tongue

London Weekend | Spring '14

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Thu, 23 Jan 2014 13:11:00 +0000

London Weekend | Spring '14, a set on Flickr.

The students spent their first weekend in London exploring all that the city has to offer, doing guided tours, visiting the Hampton Court Palace, and getting acquainted with the tube!

Principal's Reception

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Mon, 13 Jan 2014 10:39:00 +0000

Principal's Reception, a set on Flickr.

Don't we look swell?!

Spring 2014 Student Arrivals

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Wed, 08 Jan 2014 17:32:00 +0000

We will keep this page updated as we get news of faculty and student arrivals.

We are aware of the severe weather in the USA and the impact this has had on several flights causing delays and rescheduling.

Students, please keep us updated of any changes to your travel plans

Before Arrival in the UK - Remember to call 1-800-UK Manor with flight changes (800-856-2667). Leave a message with details and your phone number.
After Arrival in the UK - Call the College on 01476-403000. Leave a message with details and your phone number.

Thursday, 9th January 2014
17:00 - Delayed students have been arriving all afternoon. We now have just 10 students who have not yet arrived but we are aware of their new travel plans and most should arrive tomorrow.

Credit goes to our couriers and staff in the UK and US who handled the difficult weather and travel conditions admirably. But most of all we should thank our Spring 2014 students who were calm and cooperative in spite of being tired and in unfamiliar territory. Well done all. Let the semester begin!

14:20 - The fourth and final coach has just arrived. We now have most students at Harlaxton. The remaining students will arrive independently and, if they have not done so already, should contact us (see above) with their revised travel plans.

13:30 - The third coach has arrived and Harlaxton is buzzing with excitement and anticipation.

12:30 - The second coach has arrived. Students are being orientated; luggage is being moved; and sustenance in our Refectory is available. It is good to have the students here.

12:00 - The first coach has arrived and students are being greeted and welcomed by our Principal Dr Kingsley.

11:45 - The fourth and final coach (bus) with 23 students is now on its way to Harlaxton. It should be with us at about 14:30.

We are aware that several students travel plans have changed and that they will be arriving independently later today or tomorrow.

10:50 - The third coach (bus) is now on its way to Harlaxton with 40 students. It should be with us around 13:30.

10:10 - The second coach (bus) is on its way to Harlaxton with 47 very happy and relieved students. It should be with us around 12:45.

09:45 The first coach (bus) with 48 students has left Heathrow and is on its way to Harlaxton and should arrive at about 12:30. The group flight has landed and students are making their way through customs and immigration.

07:30 - The first students have begun to arrive. I bet they have some stories to tell about their travels!

07:00 - Our couriers are at Heathrow Airport ready and waiting for our Spring 2014 Semester arrivals.

Wednesday, 8th January 2014

18:00 - Many students are gathering at various airports and are on their way. See you soon.

17:30 - Some of our faculty have arrived and we are busy preparing for student arrivals tomorrow. Our couriers will leave very early on Thursday morning to arrive at Heathrow Airport on-time to begin meeting student arrivals.

Fall 2013 Group Photo

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Thu, 12 Sep 2013 13:09:00 +0000

Fall 2013 Group Photo, a set on Flickr.

Don't we look swell!

Fall 2013 Semester Arrivals

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Wed, 28 Aug 2013 17:13:00 +0000

We will keep this page updated as we get news of faculty and student arrivals.
Thursday, 29th August 2013
18:00 - The two students who missed the coaches at Heathrow have arrived safely by train. So, we are complete and orientation starts before classes begin on Monday.

16:15 - The third and final coach has arrived.

13:55 - The third and final coach has left Heathrow and we expect it to arrive at approx. 16:00. We have two students who did not make it an will need to make their own way to Harlaxton. They have full instructions and contact numbers to help them do so.

13:00 - The second coach has arrived.

12:05 - The third and final coach is still at Heathrow airport waiting for three students who were severely delayed.

12:00 - The first coach has arrived and students are being welcomed by our Principal before heading to the Refectory and checking out their rooms.

10:30 - The second coach (bus) has left Heathrow with 63 students on board. We expect it to arrive at Harlaxton at approx. 13:00.

09:30 - The first coach (bus) has left Heathrow Airport with 51 students on board. We expect it to arrivae at Harlaxton at approx. 12:00.

08:00 - Students begin to arrive - yippie. They are tired, of course, and some have experienced flight delays but all are in good spirits.

07:00 - Our couriers are waiting and are ready for the onslaught. Well, they look ready ....

01:00 - Our students begin their long, long journey .....

Wednesday, 28th August 2013
17:30 - Our faculty have arrived and we are busy preparing for student arrivals tomorrow. Our couriers will leave very early on Thursday morning to arrive at Heathrow Airport on-time to begin meeting student arrivals.

Spring 13 Meet-a-Family Reception

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Thu, 31 Jan 2013 13:23:00 +0000

Spring 13 Meet-a-Family Reception, a set on Flickr.

Here we have photos of some of our local community meeting up with students during the Meet-a-Family Reception Dinner. The snow was still thick on the ground, as our students gave a warm welcome to our guests.

Spring 2013 Semester Arrivals

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Thu, 03 Jan 2013 17:26:00 +0000

We will keep this page updated as we get news of faculty and student arrivals.
Saturday, 5th January 2013
12:00 - We are complete with all students safely at Harlaxton. Our independent arrivals have all arrived and we have spent the morning at a Opening Convocation and various orientation sessions. Later this evening we have the Principal's Reception and Opening Dinner, a formal 'dress up' meal where we all try to look our best despite the jet lag!

Friday, 4th January 2013
14:30 - The third and final coach has arrived and we are now waiting for a few independent arrivals who should join us shortly.

12:00 - The second coach has arrived and students are now finding their rooms, meeting and greeting, having a bite to eat and generally orientating themselves.

11:45 - The third and final coach has just left Heathrow and should be at Harlaxton at about 2:30pm.

11:00 - They're here and we are pleased to see them - the first coach has arrived! A long, long day and they're tired but, hey, we laid on some sunshine for them and Harlaxton looks beautiful.

10:45 - The first coach has made good progress and should be here at about 11:00.

09:50 - The second coach (bus) with 55 students has left Heathrow and we expect it to arrive at Harlaxton at about 12:20-12:50.

09:00 - The first coach (bus) left Heathrow at 08:30 with 58 students and is on its way to Harlaxton. We expect it to arrive at Harlaxton at about 11:30-12:00. We are experiencing some flight delays.

03:00 - Our couriers are on their way and all flights have departed albeit with a few delays.

Thursday, 3rd January 2013
17:30 - Our faculty have arrived and we are busy preparing for student arrivals tomorrow. Our couriers will leave very early on Friday morning to arrive at Heathrow Airport on-time to begin meeting student arrivals.

Meet-a-Family Reception Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 11:54:00 +0000

Meet-a-Family Reception Dinner, a set on Flickr.

We have reached a milestone, as the Meet-a-Family Programme is now in its 30th year! Harlaxton College started the programme back in 1982 with just a handful of families. Today we have in total 50 families providing friendship for over 90 students. The students and families alike enjoy a remarkable and very personal experience. Here’s to the next 30 years!

Horse Riding

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Tue, 18 Sep 2012 10:48:00 +0000

Horse Riding, a set on Flickr.

We organised a very successful afternoon of horse riding for a small group of our students at a local stable. Very enjoyable!

Fulham vs West Bromwich

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 14:11:00 +0000

Fulham vs West Bromwich, a set on Flickr.

Fulham 3-0 West Bromwich

Dimitar Berbatov scored twice in a dream home debut as Fulham ended 10-man West Bromwich Albion’s unbeaten start to the new Premier League season.

Return of the Harlaxton Lions

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 13:38:00 +0000

Return of the Harlaxton Lions, a set on Flickr.

On a beautiful sunny morning the Harlaxton Lions were returned to the rightful place atop the Front Entrace Gate pillars.

They have been carefully cleaned and protected by a wax treatment which should ensure their preservation for many years to come.

Group Photo Fall 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Wed, 05 Sep 2012 12:40:00 +0000

Group Photo Fall 2012, a set on Flickr.

Hello from the Harlaxton Fall 2012 class on a beautiful sunny day.

Principal's Reception

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 10:01:00 +0000

Principal's Reception, a set on Flickr.

Don't we look swell?!

This evening Dr and Mrs Kingsley hosted our students and faculty at the Principal's Reception, a formal dinner at which the faculty were introduced and our students began to get acquainted.

Fall 2012 Semester Arrivals

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Mon, 27 Aug 2012 09:54:00 +0000

Fall 2012 Semester Arrivals, a set on Flickr.

Well there are finally here and we are glad to see them.

Fall 2012 Semester Arrivals

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Thu, 23 Aug 2012 16:11:00 +0000

We will keep this page updated as we get news of faculty and student arrivals.

Friday, 24th August 2012 - Student Arrival Day
03:00 - Our couriers are on the way to Heathrow. We have received reports of some flight delays.

06:00 - Our couriers are waiting for you. If you get lost head for Terminal 3 and look for the Harlaxton t-shirts and big smiles.

09:30 - Flight arrivals are coming in thick and fast. Most flight delays have been minor and we are still on schedule. Two coaches (buses) have now left Heathrow and are on their way to Harlaxton. We expect both coaches (with 103 students) to arrive at Harlaxton between 11:30 and 12:00 (UK time). A final third coach remains at Heathrow awaiting the later flight arrivals.

11:20 - The first coach is about 10 minutes away.

11:30 - The first coach with 54 students has arrived. Students were greeted by staff and given a formal welcome by Dr Kingsley. Now the fun begins: finding rooms, unpacking, getting a bite to eat and exploring a new home.

12:00 - The second coach has arrived with 49 students. The third and final coach left Heathrow att 11:50 and is due at Harlaxton around 14:30. In spite of some flight delays we were able to collect all students except one who's flight unfortunaely arrived too late (14:10 - he has now arrived after making his own way to Harlaxton.

14:15 - The final coach has arrived. All students are now at Harlaxton except for two independent arrivals who are due later. A very smooth arrival - thanks to everyone involved including staff organising arrivals and our students who seem in remarkably good spirits considering rhe long day they have had.

Thursday, 23rd August 2012
17:00 - Final preparations are complete and our couriers are getting ready to head down to London Heathrow in the early hours of Friday morning to collect the Fall 2012 class. We are ready!

Wednesday, 22nd August 2012 - Faculty Arrival Day
06:00 - Our very own Dr David Green left Harlaxton to collect our Fall 2012 faculty.

11:30 - Most of our faculty are now on their way to Harlaxton. We expect arrival at about 14:00. You can find full detail our Fall 2012 faculty on our website.

13:30 - The faculty have arrived and we are glad to see them. Today they will be getting settled and getting to know the manor. Then, tomorrow, faculty orientation begins as does last minute preparations for student arrivals on Friday.

Restoration Lions

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Fri, 27 Jul 2012 09:59:00 +0000

Photos - Restoration Lions, a photo set on Flickr.

Video - Restoration Lions, a video on Facebook

It was a momentous (and nerve-wracking) day at Harlaxton today. The iconic Harlaxton Bronze Lions, loved by so many of us past and present, were removed from the Front Entrance Courtyard. Have no fear; they will be returning in September after a good clean and some minor repairs. This work is part of a major restoration of the Front Entrance Courtyard , including the Side Steps and Entrance Lodges, which has been made possible with a generous donation from the Schroeder Family. As you can see, it was a complex operation needing much care and attention.

The large bronze animal groupings were placed on Harlaxton Manor’s entry lodges by Mrs. Violet Van der Elst. They were sculpted and cast in Paris by the well-known French artist Auguste-Nicolas Cain. The "animalier school" of highly realistic creatures--both exotic and domestic--was popular in the mid-to-late 1800s. Cain concentrated his work on animals in their natural habitats, including somewhat gruesome scenes of conflict. Both of the massive, 1.8 ton Harlaxton bronzes are of this type. One grouping depicts a male and female lion sparring over the kill of a wild boar ('Lion et lionnes se disputant un sanglier'). This piece is dated 1878, and a twin exists in the Tuileries Gardens in Paris. Our second group is of two tigers fighting over the kill of a water buffalo. We know that a like grouping exists in Kelvingrove Park in Glasgow, and other single examples are found in New York's Central Park and now in the Philadelphia Zoo--moved from a street scape as it frightened the horses. Altogether there are six fine examples in the Tuileries, and others in the Luxembourg Gardens and at the Chateau de Chantilly.

U3A and Harlaxton Staff Reception

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Thu, 12 Jul 2012 10:22:00 +0000

U3A Staff Reception, a set on Flickr.

Celebrating 10 years of the U3A Summer School at Harlaxton College, Hendy Farquhar-Smith and other members of the organising committee paid a warm tribute to the staff of Harlaxton College for their sterling efforts and help over the years.

Harlaxton Summer School 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Thu, 14 Jun 2012 09:22:00 +0000

Harlaxton Summer School 2012, a set on Flickr.

Here are some photos of Harlaxton Summer School students, faculty and staff enjoying the Farewell Dinner. Hope you all had a fantastic time here at Harlaxton!

Summer School 2012 Arrivals

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Fri, 11 May 2012 14:25:00 +0000

We will keep this page updated as we get news of faculty and student arrivals.

Saturday, 12th May 2012
13:00 - All students and faculty arrived, were welcomed in the Great Hall, had a bit of lunch, and they are now getting settled in their rooms.

12:10 - The coach is on its way up the drive to the Front Circle.

09:30 - All have cleared immigration and customs and have reached the meeting point. The group will leave Heathrow at about 09:40 and should arrive at Harlaxton around midday.

09:00 - All flights have landed with no delays. Students will be making their way to the pickup point after clearing immigration and customs.

01:00 - A message from Earl Kirk at Chicago airport -

I can confirm that all trans-Atlantic flights with Harlaxton are now airborne. There were a few delays from New York and Montreal, but arrival times are currently projected to be only minutes later than originally scheduled. All other flights departed on time.

Friday, 11th May 2012
Good afternoon on a bright and sunny (but windy) day at Harlaxton.

15:00 - Final preparations are being made before we begin arrivals tomorow morning at Heathrow Airport. Our very own Dr Kingsley will be your shepherd tomorrow morning. If you are experiencing any delays please don't forget to contact Earl Kirk or the College as soon as possible.

Valedictory Convocation and Farewell Dinner

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 10:44:00 +0000

Valedictory Convocation and Farewell Dinner, a set on Flickr.

A lively evening of farewells, reminiscences, prizes and awards.

Welll done to our speakers, award winners, musicians and dancers (Laith and, yes, you James!).

Hose Fun Run and Half-Marathon 2012

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Sun, 08 Apr 2012 13:35:00 +0000

Hose Fun Run and Half-marathon, a set on Flickr.

Team Harlaxton made it to the Hose Village Fun Run and Half-marathon for the third year running.

Congratulations to the four students who ran the half-marathon and a special mention to David 'I've never raced before, honest' Boers who came 5th overall in the Fun Run and was the first Harlaxtonian home.

Well done all!

Isaac Newton School Visit

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Thu, 05 Apr 2012 12:51:00 +0000

Isaac Newton School Visit, a set on Flickr.

In the summer of 2011, a group of pupils from the Isaac Newton School, led by their teacher Sue Rowlands, came to Harlaxton to draw the outside of the Manor in the mode of John Piper a painter who had painted Harlaxton Manor many times and they were able to view some of his work at Harlaxton during their visit.

We were subsequently very pleased to receive a framed copy of one of the drawings by Abigail Jodhan-Singh which we have proudly displayed next to one of our John Piper prints ever since.

Last week we invited Abigail and several of her school friends back to Harlaxton for a presentation by Dr Kingsley. The photos show Abigail receiving her award with her parents, school friends, her teacher Sue Rowlands and headmaster Mr Tapley.

Hidden Histories at Harlaxton College

noreply@blogger.com (David Green) — Sat, 17 Mar 2012 12:37:00 +0000

Tuesday 20 March
7.00-8.00pm Gold Room

All welcome

Discover some royal connections with Lincolnshire in this presentation which will look at English monarchs who have visited the county or have connections with the local area. This session will focus on the visit to Lincoln and Gainsborough by Henry VIII in 1541 when he brought his new wife Katherine Howard on a northern progress to York.

Find out what life was like in a Tudor court and the pressures on the local host to entertain. There will also be opportunity to handle replica objects from the Tudor period.

Gold Room Lecture Mon. 27 February, 8.00pm

noreply@blogger.com (David Green) — Thu, 23 Feb 2012 11:51:00 +0000

Dr Mahmoud Sadri (Texas Woman's University)

'How Green is the Arab Spring? Trial and Triumph in the Middle East'

Dr Sadri is Professor of Sociology at TWU and Visiting Professor at Harlaxton this semester. His research and teaching interests include the Comparative Sociology of Religion, Sociology of Culture, Iranian Studies, and Islamic Reformation. His publications include Migration, Globalization, and Ethnic Relations (Prentice Hall, 2003). He received his BA and MA degrees from the University of Tehran and his PhD from the New School University in New York City. In addition to his academic activities Dr Sadri is a regular commentator on Middle Eastern issues on National Public Radio, Voice of America, and the BBC.

Meet-a-Family Reception

noreply@blogger.com (Ian Welsh) — Fri, 27 Jan 2012 14:19:00 +0000

Meet-a-Family Reception, a set on Flickr.

We met our local families this evening during a wonderful reception in the Great Hall followed by dinner in the Long Gallery.

A lovely evening!