Three distinguished creative figures and a local primary school headteacher are all to receive honorary degrees from Bath Spa University.
From top left clockwise – Peter Randall-Page (Courtesy of Mike Smallcombe), Anne Bull, Hilary Mantel (Courtesy of Joshua Irwandi) and Harrison Birtwhistle (Courtesy of RHanyaChlalaArenaPAL).
At its 2013 graduation ceremonies, taking place in Bath Abbey on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th July, they will each be awarded a Doctor of Letters.
Those receiving honorary degrees are:
Hilary Mantel CBE – the Booker prize winning author of Wolf Hall and Bring Up The Bodies. Mantel is now working on the final book in her trilogy about Thomas Cromwell.
Peter Randall-Page – a UK artist who has exhibited work around the world. Randall-Page studied sculpture at Bath Academy of Art, which is now part of Bath Spa University, from 1973-1977.
Anne Bull OBE – headteacher of Weston All Saints Church of England Primary School in the city of Bath for over 25 years. Bull’s link with Bath Spa University spans over 30 years, and she has fulfilled a number of roles at the university, including teacher tutor, and part-time lecturer in Creative, Arts and Dance.
Professor Sir Harrison Birtwistle – a composer whose music has been regularly commissioned and performed by major orchestras and opera houses worldwide. His works are currently being featured at the Salzburg Festival where his opera Gawain will receive a new production under Ingo Metzmacher.
The degrees will be awarded by the University’s Vice-Chancellor Professor Christina Slade at the graduation ceremonies in recognition of extraordinary contributions in the fields of art, literature, music and education.
She said: “The achievements of our honorary graduates in their respective fields are a huge inspiration to our students today, who are studying courses with a strong emphasis on combining creativity, culture and enterprise. Each of the honorary graduates reflects the aspirations of many of our graduating students and we are delighted to welcome them to our fellowship.”
