THE TRENT

Nottingham Trent University

2008-10-12T09:52:00.000-07:00

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is a university in Nottingham, England. Its origins date back to 1843. It was founded as Trent Polytechnic (later Nottingham Polytechnic) in 1970 before gaining university status in 1992. It is one of the largest universities in the United Kingdom, serving more than 24,000 students.
In 2007, The Guardian wrote that NTU 'is one of the top places in the country for graduate employment' and the University has significant international recognition of its work in Art and Design, Communication, Business, Cultural and Media Studies, Drama, Dance and Performing Arts, English Language and Literature, Other Studies and Professions Allied to Medicine, French and Law.

History
1843 - Nottingham Government School of Design opened
1858 - The Nottingham Government School of Design moved to Commerce Square
1865 - The Nottingham Government School of Design moved to Waverley Building
1881 - University College was established. It later became the new university's Arkwright Building.
1941- The Victorian Arkwright building, on the corner of South Sherwood Street and Shakespeare street, was hit during the Nottingham Blitz the building was partially destroyed as it took a direct hit, It was rebuilt a number of years later, 45 people were killed
1945 - Nottingham and District Technical College was designated.
1958 - Nottingham Regional College of Technology was opened.
1959 - Nottingham College of Education opens at Clifton
1964 - Nottingham Regional College was officially launched.
1966 - Nottingham College of Art and Design was linked with the Regional College - as a Polytechnic designate.
1970 - Trent Polytechnic was granted polytechnic status.
1975 - Trent amalgamated with Nottingham College of Education at Clifton.
1988 - The official name change to Nottingham Polytechnic took place.
1989 - Nottingham Polytechnic Higher Education Corporation was founded.
1992 - The Nottingham Trent University was launched.
2008 - Nottingham Trent University is named as the top post-1992 university.

Trent River

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The River Trent is one of the major rivers of England. Its source is in Staffordshire between Biddulph and Biddulph Moor. It flows through the Midlands (forming a once-significant boundary between the North and South of England) until it joins the River Ouse at Trent Falls to form the Humber Estuary, which empties into the North Sea below Hull and Immingham.

The name 'Trent' comes from a Celtic word possibly meaning 'strongly flooding'. More specifically, the name may be a contraction of two Celtic words, tros ('over') and hynt ('way').This may indeed indicate a river that is prone to flooding. However, a more likely explanation may be that it was considered to be a river that could be crossed principally by means of fords, i.e. the river flowed over major road routes. This may explain the presence of the Celtic element rid (c.f. Welsh rhyd, 'ford') in various placenames along the Trent, such as Hill Ridware, as well as the Saxon‐derived ford. Another translation is given as 'the trespasser', referring to the waters flooding over the land.
It is unusual amongst English rivers in that it flows north (for the second half of its route), and is also unusual in exhibiting a tidal bore, the 'Aegir'. The area drained by the river includes most of the northern Midlands.
The Trent historically marked the boundary between Northern England and Southern England. For example the administration of Royal Forests was subject to a different Justice in Eyre north and south of the river, and the jurisdiction of the medieval Council of the North started at the Trent. Although the rise of the identity of the 'Midlands' has moved the boundary slightly (the modern idea of the 'North' now usually starts at the boundary of Yorkshire) some slight traces of the old division do remain : the Trent marks the boundary between the provinces of two English Kings of Arms, Norroy and Clarenceux. Although little heard these days, the phrase 'born North of the Trent' is one means of expressing that someone hails from the North of England.

Paul Smith

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Paul Smith’s introduction into fashion was completely accidental. At the age of 16, with no career plans or qualifications, Paul Smith was propelled by his father into a menial job at the local clothing warehouse in his native Nottingham. However his real passion was sport and his ambition was to become a professional racing cyclist, until aged 17 years when cycling-mad Paul was in a terrible accident.

Six months in hospital followed and during this time Paul made some new friends. After leaving hospital he arranged to meet them again and by chance the meeting place was a local pub that was popular with the students from the local art college. They talked of Mondrian, Warhol, Kokoshka, David Bailey and listened to the Rolling Stones, Miles Davis and much more. It was then Paul knew he wanted to be a part of this colourful world of ideas and excitement.
Within two years, Paul Smith was managing his first boutique in Nottingham and with the encouragement of his girlfriend Pauline Denyer (now wife) and a small amount of savings, opened a tiny shop in 1970. Paul started to take evening classes for tailoring and with the help of Pauline (an RCA fashion graduate), Paul was able to create what he wanted. By 1976 Paul showed his first menswear collection in Paris under the Paul Smith label.
Within 20 years of his introduction to fashion Paul Smith had established himself as the pre-eminent British designer. Paul Smith has the ability to anticipate, and even spark off trends not only fashion but in the wider context of popular culture. He manages to transmit a genuine sense of humour and mischief mixed with his love of tradition and the classics
Today there are 12 different collections; Paul Smith, Paul Smith Women, PS by Paul Smith, Paul Smith Jeans, Paul Smith London, R.Newbold (Japan only), Paul Smith Accessories, Paul Smith Shoes, Paul Smith Fragrance, Paul Smith Watches, Paul Smith Pens and Paul Smith furniture and ‘things’. Paul Smith rugs, china, spectacles and fragrance are made under license. Designed in Nottingham and London, the Paul Smith collections are primarily produced in England and Italy while the fabrics used are mainly of Italian, French and British origin.
In 2002 Paul Smith collaborated with Cappellini to create the Mondo collection of furniture inspired by observation and travel. In 2003 Paul designed an upholstery textile in partnership with Maharam, called ‘Bespoke’, which was inspired by classic pinstripe suiting.
The Paul Smith shops reflect the character of Paul and his designs, an unmistakable Englishness augmented by the unexpected. The shops house the Paul Smith collections and an extensive selection of jewellery, books, art, antiques and an array of interesting and beautiful products. Work of British designers is often showcased alongside Paul’s personal collections of art or curios.
Paul Smith is global - the collection is wholesaled to thirty five countries and has fourteen shops in England. Paul Smith shops are found in London, Nottingham, Paris, Milan, New York, Hong Kong, Singapore, Taiwan, the Philippines, Korea, Kuwait, U.A.E. – and over two hundred throughout Japan. Paul remains fully involved in the Japanese business; designing the clothes, choosing the fabrics, approving the shop locations and overseeing every development within the company. Paul Smith also has impressive and diverse showrooms in London, Paris, Milan, New York and Tokyo.
Paul Smith continues to be an integral part of the company; he is both designer and chairman. Paul Smith is continually involved in every aspect of the business and as a result, Paul Smith Limited retains a personal touch often lost in companies of a similar size.