Thursday 19 December 2013

Blog Five - 2013


Fifth Blog - December 2013


Hello and welcome to the festive period. A time for glancing backwards, looking forwards and enjoying the present (or presents...).


The BBC are in the early stages of their own big review. On October 8th the BBC Director-General Tony Hall gave a speech outlining his vision for the BBC over the next 10 years, subject to BBC Trust approval. http://www.bbc.co.uk/mediacentre/speeches/2013/tony-hall-vision.html

If you read my third blog, reach out to the BBC, show them some love and tell them about Big History here:-


Or here:-


Or even here:-

BBC Where Next Feedback, B5232, 
The Mill, 
Burn Lane, 
Hexham, 
NE46 3RU.

Maybe in 2015 there will be a place for Big History (sandwiched between The Great War [2014] and William Shakespeare [2016]). We live in hope.


Also on a UK level is Big History UK:- http://www.bighistory.org.uk/?page_id=20

This is something that is lacking in the UK and is a real chance to keep in touch with the pioneering spirit of Big History. We need a structure from the grassroots organisations to the national and ultimately international organisations already in place.

One part of the UK actively involved with the USA Big History people, albeit at a pilot stage, is South Ayrshire, Scotland. Read about them here:- http://www.sqa.org.uk/sqa/63348.html


Meanwhile a little closer to home in Leeds. The City Council are currently debating whether to push themselves forward and compete for the European City of Culture in 2023:- http://www.leedsinspired.co.uk/events/should-leeds-bid-european-capital-culture

It would be great as a Leeds lad to be able to immerse myself in my home town. From our tropical past to our current multi culturism we enjoy today. Highlighted with our twinned cities, various museums, carnivals and annual events. It would be one hell of a journey, partly forged from chemicals found in dying stars! 

There is an open meeting at the Leeds Town Hall on January 7th 2014 between 2 and 5pm. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/should-leeds-bid-for-european-capital-of-culture-tickets-9478128337


In other news 2019 sees the 200th anniversary of The Leeds Philosophical and Literary Society who's aims in their own word are "To promote the advancement of science, literature and the arts in the City of Leeds and elsewhere, and to hold, give or provide for meetings, lectures, classes, and entertainments of a scientific, literary or artistic nature". What better way for them to celebrate their bicentenary five years from now than to host a season of regular Big History lectures at the Leeds City Museum! http://www.leedsphilandlit.org.uk/



Enjoy the rest of the festive period and see you all at some point in the Roman New Year. Beware the 'Ides of March' (Idus Martii or Idus Martiae) someone once said.


TTFN,

Chris Oddy
Big History Leeds

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