Margaret Thatcher and Eamonn Holmes proved to be an unlikely but winning combination for a group of University of Cumbria students on a recent trip to London.
The Foundation Diploma Art and Design annual visit to the capital takes a broad view of culture - and includes an "Celebrity Spotting Competition" aimed at encouraging students to keep their eyes open and be aware of their surroundings.
Points are scored on the following basis:
The Queen / Hollywood ‘A’ list stars: 10 pts
Someone from a CD owned by a student: 7 pts
Someone from TV/ Soaps: 6 pts
Someone from a celebrity reality show: 4 pts
Someone from X Factor: 1 pts
A famous cultural person who is not instantly recognisable (eg Stella McCartney, Alexander McQueen, Gilbert and George, Nicholas Serota, Tracy Emin) scores 20 points. Or 30 points if the spotter strikes up a conversation with the celebrity!
Last month students Katie Lee, Ellie Mason, Rosie Curtis, Chloe Openshaw and Anna Bryceland won first prize after spotting Margaret Thatcher in the British Museum (not as an exhibit), Eamonn Holmes, and Kathreya from Big Brother 9.
They also managed to have their photo taken by artist Mark Coreth, whose ice sculpture of a polar bear was on show in Trafalgar Square to raise awareness of global warming.
“Although this might seem trivial, we believe that a slightly ironic engagement with the issues of celebrity is useful - it also ensures that students are alert and paying attention!” says Paul Taylor, co-course leader.
"Alongside museums and art galleries, students are encouraged to try typical tourist activities such as riding on an open top bus, or watch a West End show."
The prize is rumoured to be a year’s subscription to HEAT magazine.
Students on the course will soon be undertaking similar adventures in Barcelona, with specially organised tours of some of Europe’s top artists’ and designers’ studios to help them broaden their awareness of cultural figures who may be less well known in this country.