Information on Loughborough

Centenary Open Day promises fun for all the family

Posted on 09/06/2009

Loughborough University Website

Centenary Open Day promises fun for all the family

Final preparations are now well underway for Loughborough University’s Centenary Open Day on Sunday 14 June, when the campus will throw open its doors as part of the celebrations to mark a hundred years since the establishment of Loughborough Technical Institute, the University’s predecessor.

Throughout the day, from 12 noon until 5pm, there will be a wide variety of hands-on activities and interactive displays in the James France Building. Come and meet our robot dogs, measure your football kick or golf swing, or see your body in a different light using our thermal imaging cameras. And will you be able to detect the forged bank note using the latest forensic analysis techniques?

There will also be a series of talks by Loughborough’s academic staff on a range of topical issues, including ‘Why do we sleep?’, ‘Why landslides happen’, and ‘The journey to intelligent machines’.

A must see for those interested in ‘green’ issues will be the Big Green Idea Bus, which will provide information on how to save energy and reduce your carbon footprint, and the renowned Hard Rain exhibition – one of the most hard-hitting and moving environmental displays that explores the issues defining the 21st century,

For sports enthusiasts there’s a chance to try out the University’s outstanding facilities – come and have a go at trampolining or basketball, take a dip in the Olympic-sized pool, or get some top quality netball coaching from members of the Loughborough Lightning team.

Music and drama fans will be able to enjoy recitals, readings and the chance to play their favourite song by pedalling a bike! Budding artists will be able to make their mark on the ‘People’s Painting – a giant piece of artwork, the first part of which was started last month by pupils from Thorpe Acre Primary School. And don’t miss the chance to see the work of some of the country’s best up-and-coming artists and designers at the Art and Design and Design and Technology degree shows.

The open day also incorporates the Students’ Union’s annual Community Fun Day – activities include an animal petting zoo, donkey rides, Punch and Judy, a bouncy castle and all types of traditional games.

“The campus will be absolutely buzzing that day,” says Dr Anne Mumford, who is leading the University’s Centenary programme. “We’ve got the Race for Life taking place in the morning and then we’re hoping staff and students, as well people from all over the region, will join the runners and their families on campus to see and take part in the range of activities we’ve got planned. It’s a chance to see the University on your doorstep in a completely different light!”

For more information about the day go to www.lboro.ac.uk/comealong

Entrance is free and advanced booking not required for most activities. However it is advisable for netball and hockey coaching, pilates, badminton, hula-sise, trampolining and swimming – call 01509 226250 to book these activities.