Incredibly lifelike (and deathlike) marionettes will act out ‘the human struggle between thoughts of death and lust for life’ in Death, or the maiden. Barbara Kriegl and Scott Wallace from Vienna will bring to life the dramatic works of medieval poets including Oswald von Wolkenstein and Walther von der Vogelweide, accompanied by medieval music. The concert on July 11 is part of the 2005 International Medieval Congress. Other events include a medieval dance workshop and food tasting (July 12) and a concert of late medieval music performed on traditional instruments (July 13). For more information see the events listings or www.leeds.ac.uk/ims

The great and the good
Who should receive an honorary degree from Leeds? The committee on honorary degrees invite suggestions for consideration during their October meeting.

Honorary degrees reward excellence and outstanding and sustained achievement in research, scholarship, education, the creative arts, public service, medicine and health, social progress, business and the economy, government, administration or any other area of activity of lasting value and significance.

Nominees must be connected to the University or the region, or whose distinction lies in a field with which the University itself is identified. Nominations to Catherine Cho at the Secretariat – email c.l.l.cho@adm.leeds.ac.uk – by September 12.

For more information on the committee on honorary degrees see here.

Super conductor
Tickets are available to see Leeds music graduate Michael Young take part in the finals of Britain’s most prestigious conducting competition. The 8th Leeds conductors competition is an important showcase for talent; past winners have gone on to successful careers with internationally acclaimed orchestras.

Michael began his career directing the Leeds University union symphony orchestra, the University chamber orchestra and the LS2 contemporary ensemble. Since graduating in 2003, he has been studying for an advanced postgraduate diploma in conducting at the Royal College of Music.

The first and second rounds are from July 6-9 at Leeds town hall, culminating in a gala final concert on the last day. For more information see www.leedsconductors.com

From pulpit to ballot box
An election is soon to take place to the lower house of the convocation of York of the Church of England’s general synod. The University has been asked to provide information about qualified electors. Any member of staff who is also a priest or deacon of the Church of England is invited to contact Melody Mellor in the Secretariat as soon as possible on 34062 or m.k.mellor@adm.leeds.ac.uk

Guilt-free chocolate
The University is to apply for fairtrade status, Council decided on June 23. Fairtrade products are already available throughout campus and attaining fairtrade status would demonstrate the University's continuing commitment to ethical trading.

There will be little impact on current catering costs and the move will not entail a boycott of other companies operating on campus. For more information see Campusweb.

Anatomical alliance
The science of replacement body parts will be Leeds’ contribution to the Royal Society’s summer science exhibition running this week (from July 5).
Visitors can talk to researchers about artificial muscles to help damaged heart tissue and try the jump-o-meter to find out what a replacement knee joint has to withstand.

The free exhibition at 6-9 Carlton House in London is open daily from 10-4.30pm until 7 July. More about the exhibition is available at www.royalsoc.ac.uk. See Reporter 508 for more news on Leeds' work with replacement body parts.

Get on the boule
Five University teams have entered this year’s Colliers cup, the premier Leeds petanque competition, which raises money for Macmillan cancer relief.
In the sport of petanque – sometimes known as boules – teams of up to three players attempt to get their metal ‘boule’ closest to the smaller ball known as the ‘coche’.

If you fancy having a go, there will be an informal petanque contest during the summer, culminating in a party where winners and losers can share some decent French wine.

If you would be interested in coming along, then contact Mark Walkley at markw@comp.leeds.ac.uk

It’s the soccer season
Summer five-a-side football leagues start on Monday for all staff and students.

Matches in four separate leagues will be played on Monday lunchtimes and Monday and Tuesday evenings at the sports centre and at Weetwood. For full details contact sportleeds@leeds.ac.uk or call ext 35080.