Welcome to Watching Brief. As the name implies, each week Marc (Mr Soup) & Andy Brockman of the Pipeline (Where history is tomorrow's news) cast an eye over news stories, topical media and entertainment and discuss and debate what they find.

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0:00 Introduction

03:16 Worcester Graduates Speak

52:23 Closing Thoughts

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Link of the Week:

Save Worcester's Archaeology department: Change.Org:

https://www.change.org/p/university-of-worcester-save-worcester-s-archaeology-department

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Reb Ellis Twitter: @MattockInHand

Cat Lodge Twitter: @CatLodge1

Victoria Allnatt Twitter: @FloMidlands

Links:

WORCESTERSHIRE COURSE OFF THE MENU AS UNI AXES ARCHAEOLOGY:

http://thepipeline.info/blog/2021/08/20/worcestershire-course-off-the-menu-as-uni-axes-archaeology/

Five workers face redundancy as university of Worcester scraps archaeology:

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/19522406.five-workers-face-redundancy-university-worcester-scraps-archaeology/

Ancient history? Worcester University to close its archaeology department in another blow to heritage sector:

https://www.theartnewspaper.com/news/worcester-university-to-close-its-archaeology-department-in-another-blow-to-heritage-sector

Thousands join call to save archaeology at Worcester University:

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hereford-worcester-58297752

Petition started to challenge university's "abomination" of a decision to scrap degree:

https://www.worcesternews.co.uk/news/19532210.petition-started-challenge-universitys-abomination-decision-scrap-degree/

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Statement from University of Worcester:

“Following a declining interest in studying Archaeology, which has been seen UK-wide, the University of Worcester has very regretfully taken the decision to close the remaining offer in this subject. Applicant numbers have been very low for several years and have now declined to the level where a course in Archaeology at the University is simply unviable. We have made strenuous efforts to attract applicants but, despite all the efforts of the colleagues concerned and the work of the University as a whole, the trend away from studying Archaeology has proved to be deep seated and there is no alternative but to close the offer of our Archaeology courses.

The small number of students who are currently completing their studies will continue to be supported to gain their qualifications.

The number of staff affected is very small and the University will make every effort to find other ways of using their teaching expertise. Teaching staff concerned are being fully consulted.”