Community Day

Staff, students, family and friends enjoyed a day of festivities at the Postgraduate Teaching Centre in celebration of Cardiff Business School’s first community day on Monday 7 May 2018.

The event, part of a series marking the School’s 30^th Birthday, was a chance for those affiliated with the School to enjoy a fun-packed programme in the scorching bank holiday sun.

Organised by Dr Carolyn Strong, Angela Guarno, Gareth Hubback, Andrew Glanfield, Linda Hellard and Melanie Poyser the idea grew from the School’s Shadow Management Board who wanted to give staff and students the opportunity to share their workplace with family and friends on a social occasion.

Dr Strong, a Senior Lecturer in Marketing at Cardiff business School, said: “Understandably, there was some initial skepticism about coming to work on a bank holiday. But it was amazing how the whole event came together...”

Attendees were treated to a host of activities from games including Play Your Cards Right and Tin Can Alley, to arts and crafts with face painting, henna tattoos and a 30^th birthday card competition.

Christine Henderson, Dr Dylan Henderson’s partner, also hosted an adult and child yoga session while Open Mic performances from Phil Davies and Christopher Mercer provided the soundtrack to the day.

“The kids even got to meet Dylan the Dragon and sit in a fire engine!”

As well as a tour of the local Fire and Rescue Service’s vehicle, children and adults alike enjoyed a demonstration from South Wales Police who brought two service hounds and one of their response vehicles.

Dean Professor Martin Kitchener, who attended with his family, said: “Warm relationships across our wide community of friends, family and partners is a defining feature of our ethos as the world’s first public value business school...”

The community dog show was an opportunity for staff to introduce everyone to their furry friends.

Eleri Williams, daughter of Rachel Williams and a veterinary student from Bristol University, was on hand to judge the pooches in a range of categories, including ‘the dog the judge wants to take home’, ‘the dog that looks most like a teddy bear’ and ‘the dog with the most challenges’.

The event ended following the announcement of the much-anticipated Bake-Off Competition. Hugely impressive entries from some very talented bakers saw Dr Deborah Hann pick up the prize for ‘Best Adult Baker’ with her Strawberry Meringue Layer Cake and Sophie and Alex Pervis take home the children’s honors for their Banana and White Chocolate Cupcakes.

Dr Strong added: “I’d like to thank everyone for making our first community day such a great success. We are a fantastic team and that was reflected in this great event. I’m very much looking forward to Community Day 2019 and beyond!”

All proceeds from the event will be donated to Llamau, the School’s Charity of the Year. Llamau’s mission is to eradicate homelessness for young people and vulnerable women in Wales.